A hectic week!

I had a rather hectic and stressful week.  I  had spent  a good part of the week preparing and wrapping  the artworks that will be hung in the exhibition at Graydon Gallery.

The courier picked up the four large packages that would be arriving  at the gallery early in the week. But, no, the artworks did not arrive at the gallery, and by Thursday I was starting to panic.  I knew if the artworks did not arrive on Friday, that there would be no deliveries over the weekend.  As the exhibition  is due to open on the Tuesday, this was going to put a lot of pressure on everyone    involved.

Thanks to Abby and Rose Ann at Just Freight, the works were eventually located, and a special delivery to the gallery was arranged.

Over this weekend, I will be wrapping up another work to go to the Rio Tinto Martin Hansen Art Awards.  If I can get that delivery to Gladstone without problems, I will be very happy!

Last week I attended PAPER 5, an exhibition of contemporary works on paper curated and presented by Clinton Cross.  The exhibition was held in Creative Regions lovely little pop up gallery over North.

Congratulations to Clinton for presenting another great exhibition.

Clinton Cross - Works on Paper 3

Clinton Cross is setting up an exhibition  in my Dirty Linen Artspace.  'Works on Paper 3', will feature several established artists from interstate.        The exhibition opens at 5.30pm this Friday the 13th Dec.   Free nibbles and drinks.

Welcoming artists Angela Brennan ( Roslyn Oxley and Niagara gallery ), Bianca Beetson. ( QUT lecturer of indigenous studies and artist ), Louise Tuckwell ( Damien Minton gallery - Sydney ), Rebecca Pearson ( gallery 9 Sydney ), Shane Drinkwater ( Rex Livingston Art dealer Sydney ), Selwyn Rodda ( Damien Minton gallery Sydney.)


There will be a Christmas party after the opening.  Please bring a plate.  Should be lots of fun.  See you there!   cx  

 Attached are works on paper by Louise Tuckwell. 

Clinton's show

My friend Clinton Cross had another exhibition of small contemporary works on paper at my Dirty Linen Artspace.  He was quite successful once more but a bit short of  a sellout like his previous show.  There were some delightful small works and somehow a huge 6m x about 2m painting on paper by Jennifer McDuff slipped past the measuring stick. This of course pleased everybody, as Jennifer is one of our district's favourite artists.

All week I have been busy on the computer creating video files for projection for a special dinner coming up next month.  The venue has changed from the local Catholic  college to the H20 bar and restaurant on the Burnett River.  The videos relate to the small crops industry and so I started the week with  a trip to the markets to photograph the fruit and vegetables.

 

 I am combining these photos with some of the aerial shots I took a while back, and of course Brigid will star again. 

There is a big weekend coming up with Bundaground, curated by Brad Marsellos.  I might catch you up with that story tomorrow.  Till soon.  cx

Busy, busy!

I am so happy that some of my recent projects have  finished.   I am too busy.  The domestic violence project I have been working on is almost complete.  The two large pull up banners are great and the images  printed on them from my designs are quite strong.  I think that they convey the message that 'domestic violence is not ok'. 

I will post some pictures  soon.  

The New Mexico project has been keeping me busy, especially now that the blog has gained momentum.  I have been producing quite a lot of work for New Mexico, but I want to do much more.  I need four strong pieces that will connect as  a group.Two works will go to New Mexico and they must be good.

I have also had two photoshoots this week.  One with Brigid and another with my friend Pamela, so I have dozens of  digital images to inspire me.

There's a blogging workshop on this coming Sunday and a Video workshop the following weekend.

That week, Clinton will be having an exhibition in Dirty Linen.  And that is only the major events! 

I need a holiday!!

Here's a rather fun picture of Brigid using an aerial photograph....

...after Frida Kahlo.

Talk art soon. cx

Contemporary Works on Paper

Dirty Linen  generated its usual buzz of excitement last Friday night.  There was another great exhibition installed at the artspace.

This time it was Contemporary Works on Paper, curated by Bundaberg artist Clinton Cross.  Interstate and local artists contributed works on paper.  Subject matter was diverse.

Seventy to eighty people attended the opening.  Clinton introduced the artist's works and then the red dots came out!  Over thirty two works were sold.  A brilliant achievement!

Thanks must go to Clinton for curating these exciting exhibitions.  He is already making plans for his next two shows!!

On Sunday, I opened the gallery from 10 -2pm and will be doing this every Sunday excluding public holidays.   I will have a permanent display of the works of established Bundaberg artists.....and. just in time for Xmas, I will be opening the small gallery at the front of Dirty Linen as a shop that will present artistic creations of many types, sculptures, fibre works, ceramics, art cards  and so on.   I hope the shop will be up and running this Sunday.  So look in between 10 and 2.

In the meantime I am formulating  ideas for my art practice in 2013, and will be finishing a large board I will be showing in Brisbane in January.

 Above, three superb drawings by Selwyn Rodda from Clinton Cross's  'Contemporary Works on     Paper' exhibition.

Till soon.  cx

Bundaberg Art Festival Awards

Saturday night was the opening of the Bundaberg Art Awards. A large crowd had gathered for the event. There was a rather sombre atmosphere at first with haunting harp music played live, but things livened up when Phill Oakley (of Art Plus) took over as MC and the various awards were presented.

My close group of friends produced one big winner ...Clinton Cross who won a prize for a Contemporary artwork...a very handy $2000.00! He was very excited and his first thought was to ring his Mum.

I received a 'Highly Commended' for my collage 'Rose Garden' and for my photograph of Marlies Oakley. (Art Plus again).

It was great to see so many locals on the winners list.

Jiao

A large group of well-wishers joined Brad Marsellos last night to celebrate his birthday.  A 'welcome home' to Clinton Cross was also on the agenda as he had been away on an extended holiday, taking in Egypt, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

We dined out at the Blue Garden, a small chinese restaurant in the central business district of Bundaberg.

I was delighted to meet Jiao there.  She was one of my subjects in the 'Portrait of a Stranger' photographic  project that Brad had been running for ABC Open Wide Bay.
Jiao has been working partime as a waitress at the Blue Garden. She has been really improving her English since I saw her last. Apparently she has been attending a Tafe course of some kind.

Jiao Lee arrived in Australia in February 2011. She had come from Chang Chun, a densely populated city in North Eastern China.

Jiao came to Bundaberg to marry her Australian fiance. She has been helping him on his stall where he sells exotic fish at the Shalom markets.

She is an absolute delight. and has the most captivating smile.  I think I will have to do some more portraits of her.

Brad and Clinton's dinner was a huge success.  I was able to catch up with Petrina re progress with the art students up and coming stencil exhibition.  Apparently there is great excitement over North about this show, and all is going well there. 

The students are very lucky to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic art teacher as Petrina McDonald.  She's also lots of fun!

I am looking forward to meeting the year 10's other art teacher, Megan McFarlane in the near future.


Till soon!   c x

Dirty Linen Art Space

It's so nice to see so many 'likes' coming in to the Dirty Linen Art Space page  . https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dirty-Linen-Art-Space/243330485728167   Things have been a little quiet lately with Bundaberg artists focusing on a number or exhibitions further afield.
 As well as my exhibition at Pine Rivers Art Gallery, the following events have occured:

Catherine McCue has a huge exhibition at Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough. Be sure not to miss this astonishing exhibition that was a response to Catherine's recent trip to Europe. Interesting image from exhibition below.

Jennifer McDuff has had yet another hugely successful Open Day at her gorgeous studio.

Brad Marsellos, Producer ABC Open Wide Bay, and photographer 'extraordinare' has video and photographic works showing in the State Library of Qld!...in an exhibition about the recent floods. Compelling work Brad! Quality work on such heart-wrenching material.
http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/floodlines/
Brad has great news for us...he is going to have a two day photographic event at Dirty Linen Art Space in July. Mark your calendars for Friday, July 5th and Saturday 6th. Brad has some suprises in store for us.

Clinton Cross is back in town afteer a long holiday, taking in Egypt, India and Sri Lanka and Thailand. No doubt, he will have some interesting stories to tell.

At Dirty Linen , we are planning a series of short impact exhibitions for art events not requiring a traditional exhibition format. These will be very inexpensive and run over one,
two or three days maximum. We think of them as art parties. The emphasis will definitely be on fun!!
Talk art soon!  c x

Gallery Sunday

Another great day in the gallery. Catherine is Back!!!!!!!! And we love it!!!!!!

Sue sold two more canvases.  Brad and Jess dropped in.  Great company!! We discussed the closing of Gallery 39.  Official closing Sunday August 21st (& 'Bon Voyage' party for Chris.)
Opening of 'Dirty Linen' late October, with CRUSH Festival.  'Suburban Goddesses' in main gallery.....artists books in shop/gallery.

Followed by an exhibition of artists drawings curated by Clinton Cross.... (To be confirmed).

Also, there will be a two day workshop august 20 and 21 to create artist books for the opening exhibition. And 21st: A casserole luncheon.....Bring a curry or your favourite casserole to share.

Thanks everyone for your enthusiasm, we are going to have some amazing shows at 'Dirty Linen'!!....and some good parties too!!! c  xx