Catching up

Arriving back in Brisbane on Friday, I had an appointment to meet with Kevin from Artworkers.
I caught the Air Train from the airport in to Roma Street in the city. From there it was  a short ( and incredibly fast)  bus trip to Paddington.
The Artworkers building is  a strange  big cubic construction with two huge timber doors that look as if they have come from the entry of an old castle.
They were opened welcomingly wide and I could see that there was an exhibition of colourful drawings inside.
A very nice gallery volunteer named Paul advised me that the strange building had once served a purpose in the production of trams.
The menacing looking huge block and tackle device hanging from the ceiling had been useful  in that undertaking explained Paul.  So one’s fears of it being some cruel type of device  for your imminent torture were therefore relieved. Maybe they had other ways to torture you here!
I had wanted to discuss strategies for developing and broadening my audience in Brisbane. Three or four years of dealing with a series of health issues and a great personal loss, had made any kind of networking for the art practice at that time, seem discordant. In fact - it was impossible.  
Kevin gave me quite a lot of useful information and some advice on groups and people to contact. He explained to me that these were difficult times for artists and gallery owners and  the only course was to push on and keep working. 
We had unfortunate incompatibility problems with my Digital Projection discs.  They having been produced on an IBM PC didn’t agree with Artworkers Apple MACS. So we had to fall back on images I had previously sent to Artworkers for my folio there.
This was quite disappointing and I will have to check that the discs can be  read satisfactorily on either type of PC, in the future.

Today I prepared a few files from the DP to email to Kevin.
Tomorrow  I will check that my DP’s are functioning well on Apple or IBM, and I might look in on the Goddesses.
I have attached an image of Kim. She is a quite versatile mannequin, but she has a tendency to look rather menacing at times.
Till soon…c

Away from home

Hi,

I have been in Newcastle catching up on family. That is why you haven't heard from me for a while. I return to Brisbane tomorrow.

I have an afternoon appointment with Artworkers, so that should be interesting.

I will spend the night in Brisbane and be home in Bundaberg Saturday night. So Sunday in the gallery will be on!

While I've been away, I have spent some more time sorting out my Digital Projections. They will be good to have on hand at Artworkers.

Not long to go before my exhibition opening now....it's getting exciting!

Talk soon ........C xx

Sorting things out

I spent all day yesterday on the computer sorting out my digital files, which I had been saving all over the place.
I have enough trouble with Windows 7 libraries jumbling up my images without adding to the confusion myself.
So they are more neatly stored now. Small file copies have been made and collected together.  Medium size copies have been made for use in the Digital Projections. The very large files have been copied to the external hard drive.
I called Artworkers last Friday and asked if I could have a consultation regarding my works. I don’t expect to hear back till next week as Artworkers have a booth at the Melbourne Art Fair.
I’m getting my list of things to do before the exhibition at Gatakers. I will select a few  digital images that I might get Catherine to print up for me when she returns from Europe.
Hope you are having a good weekend.
C  xx

Broken Woman series

I am posting a few of the digital works from the 'Broken Woman' series I referred to.

They are photos of mannequins merged with photos of the lids of biscuit tins. There are over 200 works in the series. I will post some more images from time to time.

Over many years, I have collected a few old shop mannequins that are somewhat weathered now. They have quite a lot of character. Sometimes I have asked shopkeepers to allow me to photograph their mannequins. Usually they don't mind. Actually I think there is a whole new exhibition proposition there.....once the Suburban Goddess show is over.

These mannequins were stored in my shed for so many years before I found what I had needed them for. I have tried using living subjects in the same way that I have manipulated mannequins, but I don't think they have worked out so well.

Working with mannequins and dolls, opens up a dialogue about that very practice. It raises many questions.

I made good progress on a Powerpoint digital presentation yesterday. I created 40 pages which took some time and patience. I was soon to finish the project for the day when an error message appeared and my presentation was shut down and lost. I had forgotten to save as I progressed, and therefore, had to start again. I thought I had learnt that lesson before!!

Some good news this week: I have been selected for the 'Erotica' National Acquisitive Award run by Artworkers in Brisbane. I will post a picture of the digital work after the opening, which is Saturday June 5th. It should be a most interesting show. I will travel to Brisbane for it, and try to arrange a consultation with Artworkers at the same time. I want to make a few connections in Brisbane if I can, and hope to get their advice .

Agenda for today: 9am Coffee with girlfriends

Another coat of paint on collage......start a new collage....work on that digital presentation.

Till soon. c