New Paintings - working to a theme

You'd think that working to a theme would make things easy - well - not for me. I seem to be hung up on painting TO the theme, TO the gallery, TO the audience, TO the prospect of selling, and on it goes. I really need to say 'NO' to themes from now on. I am never true to ME when I paint to a theme - my problem, I know, but I am a classic 'people pleaser'!!!
I have had a struggle with these 2 paintings - for a local show at the 'Tree Frog Gallery' - based on the theme of' 'Transparency'. I must have 'nearly finished' these canvases at least 4 times over the past 4 weeks. Last night, I scrubbed the paint back yet again and scribbled some painted marks over the textured background. OK, not great, and very predictable, but definitely the best of a bad bunch. Delivered to the lovely Heather a couple of hours late, but she is very forgiving.
Does anyone else have trouble with this issue????

'Outback'  

 

'Midlands'

 

The other work I have been stressing over is a major piece for a major juried Sunshine Coast exhibition [SCAP]. Very healthy prize money involved, but I would be thrilled just to be accepted to exhibit. This was also a slow process - I fiddled around with the background for ages, but once I was happy with it, then the energy flowed easily as I added each layer of major brush mark making. I like this piece - this is my true passion and this is where I want to head in the future.

My statement....

"I enjoy the Eastern tradition of meditative mark making for its own sake - each brush has its own characteristic and creates a different mark. In this painting, the combination of painted marks tells the story of movement and energy as if being blown around by the wind. Each painted brush stroke is dancing - alive and free - a simple and noble expression of just what it is".

"East Wind"

 

 

so....what's next?? feet up for a few hours then a dinner party [at Fiona and Barry's], the exhibition opening, a Mixed Media Madness workshop at the Rosebed St Gallery, popping up the 'Pop Up Gallery' in a new shop in town, a trip to Nth Qld [Ingham] to do another MMM workshop [all in a week], then getting back to planning the next trip to Japan in 4 weeks time.

Ahhhh - the life of an artist. 

Fabulous Fabric Books

A couple of weeks ago, I taught a workshop in Brisbane with the ATASDA group, compiling beautiful sample scraps of fabric into book formats.
How often after workshops do we end up with lovely bits, too delicious to throw away, but not big enough to make into anything? Well - here is a way to keep the gorgeous bits safe and sound and ready to be referenced at any time - and it's fun to show off to friends as well!!
These are all works by my clever students - some finished, some just started - many meditative hours to follow to hand stitch on special pages.

 

 

 

  

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

We talked a lot about design, and how to make the various elements would work together. I really love the results and the individual solutions A big congratulations to all the participants - it was such a fun and inspirational workshop.

'Releasing the Spirit' exhibition

I have been busy with a new body of work - large, free brush marks onto canvas, in minimalist earthy colours. I am very happy with the results.
My good friend, Ken Munsie and I are collaborating to exhibit our latest works at the Rosebed St Gallery, Eudlo for the next 5 weeks. We are thrilled with the way our works compliment one another - an earthy, organic representation of a theme expressed in two totally different ways. Our opening is this coming Friday, 15th March, 7pm. All welcome.

 My work

'My paintings in this exhibition are expressing the elements of existence. They are simple abstract statements, unfettered by traditional representations, allowing deeper levels of connection with the psyche, the spirit and the collective unconscious.

The background textures reflect the textures of life – the foundations of experience which build the concept of ‘I am that I am’, and the bold linear elements express the release of energy and spirit at pivotal moments of our lives'.

'The Circle of Life' 100cmm x 100cm

'Peace & Happiness' 120cm x 100cm 

'Freedom' 100 x 100cm

'Genesis' 120 x 100 cm

'Releasing the Spirit'  small works  20 x 20cm

 detail of 'Courage'

'Standing Stones', 'Relic', Lingam Stones' on right

Ken's work...

"Ken’s artist books are worked in his favoured medium of recycled timber, rusted metal and hand-made paper.  The closed forms of cupboards and boxes open to reveal doors within doors and books within books, containing hidden stories and messages that release “the spirits of yesteryear”.

Workshop

I am teaching a workshop at the gallery on Sunday, 7th April, called 'Mixed Media Madness' where we will play with large brush work mark making, also using syringes and spray bottles to create fabulous backgrounds and textures for further developments. This is how I approach my free line drawings and paintings - with a sense of fun, play, and 'taking my brushes for a walk'. Contact the gallery if you'd like to join the workshop.

...and lastly, sorry to my blogger friends but I have had to reinstate the work verification for comments due to all the spam I've been receiving.

POP UP gallery and SPAM

Argh - I have been super busy - a holiday down Sth, birthdays, galleries, setting my daughter up in new digs in Melbourne, exhibitions and a new community POP UP gallery, so still no time to post at the moment,
BUT........................
does anyone know how to get rid of the spam that keeps appearing on my comments box?

I will pop in a few POP UP photos in lieu of a proper post. [Mieke has posted more about the gallery]

my work on left back wall

problems with lighting - soon to be fixed, but still looks good

Rosemary's birthday. 

  Updates when I get a chance to breathe :)