'Twilight'

I am very busy in my studio, where I have been making some art cards for the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) gift shop.  The images I use are generally taken from my digital files.














I have also started another large canvas (150cm sq) that will be similar in design to the 'Enchanted Wood' collage.  I usually have a few  works on the go at any given time, so there is never a dull moment here.

I have just finished an acrylic painting called 'Twilight' - (103cm x 154cm).  It has an embossed wallpaper base that adds interest to the surface of the work.  See below.

I have really been enjoying painting these landscapes, but I want to get back to photography soon...at least for a while.  C X

WBHD opening

The WBHD opening was at BRAG last Saturday morning at 10am, in order to link up with our Las Cruces, New Mexico counterparts.

Trudie, Jenny and their gallery assistants had the space beautifully set out.  There was a good turnout of appreciative artlovers who enjoyed the delicious appetisers and the live music while they perused the artworks.  Our Skype link up failed for the opening speeches,  but mysteriously became operative at a later stage.

I had the chance to talk via Skype to the lovely lady who purchased my work, 'Cane Cutter's Moon' seen below.

This work was my favourite of the four I have on show.  It is an acrylic collage on canvas. It was inspired by memories of the night-time cane fires that were once so prevalent around Bundaberg. Smoke haze and cane 'trash' would fill the air - the thick, dusty smell of the burn invading our senses.  Orchestration was  conducted to the sharp snaps and cursing crackles of the ravaging blood red and gold flames that whipped themselves into a frenzy, desperately penetrating the big sky. Trying to hold on.

But to no avail, the performance was soon over. Trash eventually falling to the ground, arranging itself into a fragile black veil that encompassed all.

These days, the cane is mostly cut green.

WBHD Catalogue

Click here to view the beautiful catalogue produced at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery for the WBHD exhibition.

WBHD exchange exhibition opening

The Wide Bay High Desert exchange exhibition opening is scheduled for the end of the month! Six Aussie artists and six New Mexican artists have each produced 4 works, two of which will be sent to show in Unsettled Gallery, Las Cruces, New Mexico and two to be shown in Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery.

The two galleries will be linked via Skype for their openings which will be happening at the same time.  Click here to see BRAG's promotional publication, which features one of my works.

The artists have been finishing their works and packing them securely for their long journey.   My two canvases, taken off their timber stretchers, rolled and  squeezed into a pvc  pipe have arrived in Las Cruces, New Mexico safely.

The  canvases have been restretched ready for hanging.

Meanwhile, Adrienne had organised a 'meet the makers'  workshop  at BRAG. This was a most enjoyable get-together apparently.  Unfortunately I was unable to attend.  c  x

Cane Cutter's Moon

Underworld Interior

I posted my two works that are off to New Mexico last week.   The works will be exhibited in the Unsettled Gallery late  in August.  Two other works of mine will be shown at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) at the same time.  There are 12 artists taking part in this year's exchange exhibition. You can read more about the exhibitions  if you click the following link:

WBHD

I am still producing a lot of digital prints and I will probably plan a Brisbane exhibition for the best of them.    I have just become a member of the Queensland Centre for Photography (QCP).  That will be interesting.  I am keen to go to the first meeting which, will be in August.

The members  apparently give each other a lot of support, and importantly they offer critiques, which is very helpful.

Attached is another of my new works.  The series I have been working on utilises photographs I took of Adam Anderson a couple of years ago.  Working on the photos once converted to black and white has been really exciting for me. I am learning a lot about Photoshop Elements on the way also. Let me know what you think of it!!!  I call the piece 'Underworld Interior'.  It is almost finished.  I hope Adam likes it!

Talk Art soon!
c x

My Water Falls Installation.

My installation, ‘Water Falls’ opened last Friday night.  There were many young faces in the  crowd…Joe, Tyla, Sam.  It was great to  catch up with them.  In the two years since they left Bundaberg they have each matured in so many ways…both in their  creative pursuits  and also in their personal development.  It is just wonderful  to witness that.   Thankyou Staff of Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, (especially Trudie), for your assistance.    And thankyou all for kind words.  A special thank you to Joe for your fabulous songs.

My installation 'Water Falls' is made of 12 or so bridal veils.

I like to collect the veils as they are beautiful and have an air of mystery about them. They also carry with them a sense of innocence, promise and good fortune.  But veils hide, as well as reveal.

Veils have a gentle and elegant aspect. Their fall to the ground mimics a real waterfall.

This is why I was interested to create the 'Water Falls' installation.

Although inspired by the recent floods in Bundaberg, it explores the more gentle, forgiving and nurturing aspects of water.

Somebody asked me the other day...

...what I had been up to. And I couldn't remember for a while because I am busy planning my future escapades. But it's coming back to me now....not in any particular order!!

Enter two local art awards...no prizes.
Enter a National photo award....expecting 'no prizes'
Enter Woodgate Arts in Spring....Sold one framed drawing.

Three photoshoots....one being of the beautiful Roana from BRAG.

Interview with two French documentary film makers. (More on this soon.)

Conducted a digital workshop for the BRIDGES lovely people. Helped hang and take down their 'Express Yourself' exhibition.

Attend opening of 'Living Change' touring show that I am part of after winning the Digital Art Award (that I blogged about last year.) Messed up the last line of my poem after my floor talk!

Delivered a carload of biscuit tins to BRAG for their wonderful 'Collectamania' exhibition. And pick up.

Didn't mess up my ABC interview with David Dowsett!

Packed and took over 1000 biscuit tins to install as a 5m sq 'Lifescape'on the floor of Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough.(Couldn't have done that without Susan and Peter Hutton).

Prepare application for WBHD 2

Received the wonderful news from the State Library of Qld, that my 'Christine Turner's Art Blog' has been selected for inclusion in the PANDORA archive, Australia's web archive...allowing public access in perpetuity.

Assist in setting up opening of 'Soul Journey Art Gala' at my Dirty Linen Artspace. Press releases etc.

Prepare for upcoming Folio Art Market at Dirty Linen in a couple of weeks.

Meet with Creative Regions tomorrow for a significant Place Activation project I have been chosen to take part in.

Finish my large graphite work, one good large acrylic figure study, several digital images and commence a video for a possible projection in December.

And that is only October and November, and is  all I can remember. No wonder people say, 'Oh, we haven't seen you in a while.' cx

Collectamania

I have still been doing lots of drawing.  The full sheet of watercolour paper has been particularly  taxing.    Drawing will have to give way though over the next few months, as I have  three installations coming up.   First is Collectamania at BRAG opening next week. I will be showing Totem Poles - stacks of biscuit tins.

This will be followed by a large installation at Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough.  Showing five square metres of biscuit tins forming a large square on the floor.  My  'Lifescape' or 'Reliquarium'.

Then next year I hope to show in the Vault at BRAG, a waterfall made of wedding veils.

So, busy times ahead! C x

Adam James David Anderson

'Port of the Red City'


My friend and fellow artist Adam had his exhibition this evening at BRAG.  It was a very well attended exhibition, and very well received.. Adam's talented sister Julia provided musical entertainment, whilst the art lovers soaked up this unique experience.

'Haifa is a city as sleepy as it is ancient, known also as the Red City for its communist character and the philosophies of its inhabitants. The works in this exhibition convey the states the artist endured while living in the Red City, giving an uneasy, relentlessly restless account of his life, which is echoed in the city itself. The exhibition includes paintings, mixed media images and jewellery - all supported by photographs of the Red City and the artists' life in it.'  (Quote from the BRAG invitation.)

 

Adam is an artist to watch.  He will go far.  Make sure you don't miss this show.   Great job Adam!!! cx

 

 

Video workshop

Last Friday we had a film night at BRAG about the history of video. Presented by Rhys and Tara from dLux Media Arts.  This was followed by a two day weekend workshop, which covered the basics of video production and some of the theory behind it.  
This was a very stimulating workshop and we are all keen to  work with Tara and Rhys again.   Brad and I projected some images on Sunday evening.

I'm waiting for the delivery of my new digital projector!  Exciting!

Art auction

Congratulations to the enterprising and caring staff of the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, who held an art auction to raise funds for some of their volunteers who were badly affected by the floods.  This event was very successful. Buyers were delighted with their purchases.

 

Thanks must also go to the artists who gave so generously from their collections. Many of the artists and staff of BRAG purchased works as well. 

 

But one can only wonder where all the Councillors were....and where was the Mayor???   I heard many voters voicing  their disappointment.

 

 

 

Lloyd Rees

It has been a busy week. Last Saturday Brad and I had the video bombing to do, and that was fun in spite of a few mistakes we made. Fortunately, the problems we had were minor and did not interfere with the projection itself.

We are going to write ourselves a checklist for future reference..

Trevor Spohr, from Gatakers Artspace was kind enough to invite us back in June, so we have plenty of time to prepare  some new material.  In fact, I have finished one video already.

One of my responses to the recent flooding has been to downsize.  I  gave  two full carloads of domestic paraphenalia  to St Vinnies and most of the rest went up to the dump shop near the CQ University,  I'm really  happy about this, in spite of the fact that some of the discards were old artworks of mine

I donated about five artworks to BRAG for their fundraisng auction next Saturday,  to help some of the gallery volunteers  who have suffered  extreme losses.

This evening I went to BRAG to see a retrospective of the work of Lloyd Rees...one of my favourite Australian artists.  His portrayal of the Australian landscape is so real.

In 1988 when I first started painting,  I entered the painting  section of the Bundaberg Show, when it was in town..  Although, I did not win a prize, the judge, Mr David Burnett, gave from his pocket to award me a book of the work of Lloyd  Rees.  Apparently, he saw something in my watercolour painting of a mulberry tree that prompted him to make this fine gesture.

That time seems an eternity away.

Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery After Flood party.

Tonight I attended a dinner initiated by the staff at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG).  The evening was about bringing together artists and other interested parties  after all the negativity of recent weeks.  It was a great night, and we artists, expressed interest in attending future events of this kind.

The powers that be, at BRAG, have conducted a number of fact finding missions over recent months, and really seem to have been listening to what the artists  have been saying over a number of issues.

I personally feel encouraged by the stance the staff at BRAG are taking and the support they are offering the local artists.

Grand opening

The opening of the Open Mind exhibition turned out splendidly!  We estimated that approximately 120 people attended the show... artists, families, and their friends predominated. 

There was a buzz of genuine enthusiasm for the artworks, most of which addressed in some way, the theme of 'recovery' from mental illness.   It was so good to see the people of Bridges standing proudly in front of their works to have their photos taken.

Thanks must go out to several people......Adam Anderson, who has been the Bridges art tutor over the last few months has done an incredible job to generate excitement about the Open Mind project.  The art group has grown, and has been very productive.  There are some standout artists amongst them, who produced some stunning pieces...a few of which I will post here over the next few days.

Helen F and Mark G have been consistent helpers, across a range of tasks.  Irene has been wonderfully supportive.  And of course we all missed Kerry (who kicked off this project).  It was so good to have him at the opening. Thankyou Jenny McDuff for your interesting speech.

Art Plus were incredibly generous donating the plinths for the show and subsidising everything else.  Thanks Phil and Marlies.

Thanks to BRAG for loan of a couple of  plinths also.

Special mention must go to the Bundaberg Art Society for the donation of strings for hanging the works.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank Tony Hills, who hung the better part of the show by himself.....he is a machine!!  Thankyou Tony for your brilliant effort and for your advice and company.

My job at Bridges is almost complete.

Till soon.  cx

BRAG Networking

A networking meeting was held at BRAG this evening. Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG)'s  Trudie Liego ...on behalf of the gallery, reached out to local artists to  discuss matters of concern .

This was an important initiative by the Gallery and could augur in a new era in the arts for Bundaberg....if that is what the artists want.  So much depends on the artists now.   Ultimately we will reap what we sow!

Sadly, the 'Fledglings' exhibition was taken down today.  It has been a whirlwind few days culminating in a truly exciting event. I hope the Yr10 art students will treasure this experience.  I know that art teachers,  Petrina McDonald and Megan McFarlane most certainly will.

Networking meeting

There is an important meeting this week at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG), and I urge all visual artists to attend.  5.30 to 7pm Wednesday 20th June at the gallery.  (RSVP to the gallery).

Discussion will center on ways the gallery can assist artists in their art practice.  This is a great initiative by the BRAG.  Bring your ideas!   Don't miss this opportunity to have your say.

For more info click here

VIP's

I went out to Catherine McCue's place this morning to pick up some digital  prints, one of which will go down for the Moreton Bay Art Awards.   I will mail it to a framer and have them deliver it to the Community center on the appropriate day.

It should be a very interesting exhibition.  Looking back on previous years exhibitions, they seem to get some very good works.   Being so close to Brisbane is helpful too I am sure.

It's rather exciting, because Bundaberg  Gallery is to have a visit from  Artsupport Australia 's Queensland Manager Fiona Maxwell, Australia Council for the Arts' Chief Executive Officer Kathy Keele and Artslink Queensland Chief Executive Officer Arthur Frame. Creative Regions have arranged this for Monday afternoon. 

This will be a good opportunity for us to voice our concerns about the many and varied problems of being regional artists, and to find out what sort of assistance is available to us.

One interstate gallery director years ago called me a 'GI'...Geographically Impossible!!!!   He did as much to help me as was possible, but it is very difficult to maintain connections living in the regions.

It is really encouraging to see these 'VIP's making the effort to  come into regional communities, something I haven't seen before in the 20 years plus that I have been in Bundaberg.

There are many very good artists in the Wide Bay region  working away quietly. It would be wonderful to see this recognised and to see some assistance coming their way.

Fait accompli

Fait accompli...I am in my new accommodation which is quite a joy for me.  I can duck in to the gallery or storeroom as I desire, day or night.  This will be great for my productivity!!  

Today I have to pick up my cabinet from BRAG (Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery).  The show has been very popular by all accounts.

Last Friday I had discussions with an amazing girl, Jessica Wilson - Theatre Director- Producer-Manager-Writer and Consultant, based in Melbourne.

Jessica has delivered outstanding large productions nationally and internationally.

Later this year Jessica will be in the Maryborough community along with another talented girl, Theatre Director and performer, Jodee Mundy.  They will be making plans for a huge production in Maryborough in the next year or two.

The project will be largely delivered by the children of Maryborough!!!!  It will be amazing!

I have been invited, in the early stages to consult in regards to some of the artistic content that will be proposed.  It is going fo be a very special event and I am thrilled to be taking part in it.

Cash register Part 1

This is my beautiful old cash register that I will use as the focal point of my exhibition at BRAG ( Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery).......about banking. Does anyone out there know how to get this machine functional again.  The money draw won't open. The keys are in a locked position too.  Its very rusty.

 I'm not sure I will be able to get it operational..

C x