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.

Graydon Gallery Exhibition

The Graydon Gallery Exhibition that I am taking part in will be officially opened Friday 30th Sept, 6pm-8pm.

Gallery hours from the 27Sept -9Oct are   11am-5pm weekdays
                                                                    10am-4pm weekends

The other artists I will be exhibiting with are Phil Bazzo, Sarah Hickey and Tricia Reust and Monica Usher.  Also, on display will be 30 paintings from private collectors.  There is much more information on the Graydon Gallery website.


I really hope you can come.  Let me know if you have been following my blog,  I would love to meet you!! Cx

Gallery is at 29 Merthyr Rd
                    New Farm
                    Qld  4005

                    Ph 0418 740 467 Bookings and enquiries only.

Exhibition coming up!

I have been invited to be part of a group exhibition at the beautiful Graydon Gallery in New Farm.  I will be sending 4 large artworks  for the show, which will be opening on the 27th Sept-9 Oct.  I am not sure of the official opening date, but I will post an update when I have that info.   In the meantime, check out the Graydon Gallery  Facebook page. Attached, is one of the works I will  have on show.  I hope you will be able to come along.   I don't know who the other artists are, so that will be a lovely surprise for me!!   Cx

The Tall Trees

This is my most recent work.  'The Tall Trees' is an acrylic collage on canvas, 150cm sq.   The work was created over an old collage.  It is probably a shame to lose the old work, but storage is a huge problem, and new work takes priority. cx

Landscape 2

My latest work.  cx

At last!

At last, my most recent canvas is finished. I have come to like it just as much as the  first two works.  It is a bit similar to the second painting, and I found myself comparing the two all the time.  So I took the second work well away.  That was a big help, and I was soon able to finish  the new work.

I want to produce a couple more of these large artworks.  I really enjoy working on this  scale. (150cm sq). It's not very practical though when the time comes to display them.  Bundaberg is a long way from Brisbane.

The group of six artists including me, that exhibited at Graydon Gallery , must get together soon and decide if we are going to have another group  show, and if we are, we must decide where? and when?  The galleries are probably booked out for 2016, 2017.

I will have to check out the possibilities.  cx

Always one!

There's always one artwork that makes  you work harder.  In this case, it is the canvas.  I just have to continue to add layers to it, until I know it's right.

'Untitled'  150cm sq acrylic on collage and canvas.

I like to work on a flat canvas, on the floor, or as seen in the photo...on saw horses.

'Enchanted Wood 2'

'Enchanted Wood' 2 is an acrylic collage.  150cmsq.  It was painted over an old collage that had a grid pattern made of plastic doilies and tablecloths.

I still have  a few old collages in my back storage shed, so I  guess there will be more works in this series coming up. cx

'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

Enchanted Wood.

'Enchanted Wood', acrylic collage on canvas, 150cmsq.  This is my most recent work.  It combines my form of patterning, with images of the landscape.  I feel there may be a series of related works to come.  I certainly hope so.......!  CX

Blue Moon

'Blue Moon'  is my latest painting. Acrylic collage on canvas.  92cm h x 122cm w.  I took a road trip to Alpha with my son Ben a couple of years ago...this image evokes my memory of that journey.

I am so happy to see that there have now been over 100,000 page views of my blog.  Thank you for your support!!  C x

The 'Breathing Space' exhibition

It was about a year ago that I decided to hire an artspace and develop an exhibition that would showcase the work of some very talented artists from the Wide Bay Region.

The first five artists I spoke to jumped on board quickly, and when we discussed the show, we decided that six artists would be enough.

The Graydon Gallery is a lovely space in New Farm.  It is available for hire and with six artists involved it was quite reasonable in terms of costs.  The artists can also share the workload and the manning of the gallery.

We had a great opening night with over 200 attending the event.  There were several sales.  By the end of the two weeks we had sold about $11,000 worth of art.

 We declared the event a great success, and are thinking of booking for 2017.

Attached is a photo of one of the works shown at Graydon Gallery.
'Hat Box for Ritchie' by Trevor Spohr

Big Day

Today was a big day.  Artworks were to arrive from the Wide Bay region for an exhibition in New Farm.  My two sons were there to help me set up, just as they were thirty odd years ago.  (Just   down the road in Fortitude Valley.  Corner of Gipps and Ann. in an artist run space called Gallery Brutal)
I expected a lot out of that first show, and art being the great leveller that it is, failed to provide me the fame and fortune I dreamt of.

So, for the thirty years after my 'Curious Bonds' exhibition I have been trying to create works that at least are meaningful and have integrity.

My art practice is a precious gift, a curious bond, that has sustained me through difficult times and also many good times.  It has allowed the companionship of many creative souls.

It really is a privilege to be an artist.

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3 weeks to go!

The 'Breathing Space' exhibition is only 3 weeks away.  I have been very busy with family responsibilities and this has made everything else seem just that bit harder...but, the groundwork for the exhibition has been done now and I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

The works are looking good and strong.   I  decided not to set a theme for this show as I wanted the
artists to choose the works they felt represented themselves more closely.

Above is a little gem painted by my dear friend, Susan Hutton.  'Lost on a winters morning'. 30 x 30 cm acrylic on canvas.  It will be on show in the 'Breathing Space' exhibition in three weeks time.

Another artist in the exhibition is the talented printmaker Catherine McCue Boes, who will show linocuts and prints.  Below, is one of the works to be on display.

'Untitled'  Linocut  60 x 50cm

Jess Marsellos prepared a fabulous press release for us and we have been sharing it near and far  along with Susan's great invite.  Hoping to get a good crowd on the night.  

Talk art soon! Cx 

Trevor Spohr

This fabulous assemblage 'Falling Man' was created by Trevor Spohr (Art and Cultural Development Officer) from the fabulous Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough. It features a cast aluminium figure. It will be on show and available for purchase at the Breathing Space exhibition at Graydon Gallery next month.  See below for details

Breathing Space Invitation

Breathing Space

Christmas and New Year has been a very busy time for the artists involved in the Graydon Gallery exhibition. It has been especially busy for me as I have been  helping my son to shift houses  and  my house is going on the market.

A name for the exhibition has been found, and it is 'Breathing Space'.  Artist Jennifer McDuff put forward the title saying...'Breathing Space' is the time you allow yourself to think, to regroup, to reflect on ideas.
It is also the space where you can make mistakes and from them learn to assimilate ideas or discard them.
Nothing is more precious to an artist than this time.' 

Some of the artists have finished the works for the exhibition and some have a little more work to do. I am finalising the price list and have touched base with our marketing guru, Jess Marsellos.

I will be transporting a couple of large canvases, so I will be trying to find a  courier that handles artworks.

All of the artists are getting excited now.

'Landscape' Acrylic collage, 76 x 105cm

Talking about Graydon Gallery...

Talking about Graydon Gallery,  I am excited to report that I am going to be a part of a group exhibition there next February.  I have 5 other artists joining me in an exhibition titled 'Breathing Space'.
Those regional artists are Catherine McCue, Susan Hutton, Jennifer Mc Duff, John Olsen and Trevor Spohr.  There were several other artists I would like to have included and hopefully I can arrange more exhibitions in the future. Regional artists need to get their work out there!

Graydon Gallery is located in Newfarm and it has a very busy exhibition schedule each year.

We will be hoping to see you at our opening.  Date to be decided.  I will update information here on my blogsite...and on Facebook.  cx

Graydon Gallery

Yesterday I took a ride on the City Hopper ferry to Newfarm.  I wanted to see what artworks were showing at Graydon Gallery.  The artist Dave Groom had filled the space with his  uniquely beautiful landscapes inspired by Lamington National Park.  I think his show finishes  soon.  Contact the artist on 07 3254 2325. Don't miss this one!

I picked up this flyer about a workshop Dave is running next April.  It sounds like a lot of fun!  Better jot this one down in the diary now!

C x

South Bank

I am spending a couple of weeks at South Bank as my eldest son is away and so I can settle into his apartment for a while.  It is well situated, with wonderful views of the city and the river with it's ferries and catamarans, jet skiers and kayak paddlers adding colour and movement to the scene.

The action is not only on the water though, the riverbanks host much activity also. Jogging and bicycle riding are two of the main activities seen on the paved banks of the river. It appears that although it is not compulsory to dress in expensive Lycra bike wear, it seems that the majority of the bike people are very serious about their presentation and prefer to pay the price.

I must admit they do look impressive though with their Olympic standard bike gear and outlandish helmets on as they flash by, almost skittling one in the process.  If you are not careful to keep out of their way, one may be glared at through expensive tinted eye wear.  One can also be quite eloquently sworn at, or be aggressively tinkled at by those strange little bike bells, that wouldn't scare a mouse.

Groups of  healthy bike beings after their training sessions meet to debrief.  They can be seen at the best local coffee houses sipping on  long blacks or lattes thick as mud due to extra 'shots' of coffee. requested..their Lycra gear, sweated wet and now peppered with fragile flakes, evidence of fancy croissants consumed by the dozens.

Oh Brisbane...you are spoiling us!


(Apologies Nolan! I'm just being silly!  cx)

I love these two sentinels.  You can see them near the Maritime Museum jetty.  'Bio-mechanical pelicans'  by Christopher Trotter 1995).

Adam's final performance

I was privileged to attend a performance by Adam Anderson yesterday at the Queensland College of Art. It was his final individual work for the year and I feel certain that he will get the results he so deserves and will graduate in style.

The performance was visually rich and exotic. It explored ideas pertaining to identity, ritual,

 Shamanism  and the sacred amongst other things.

Great work Adam! Good luck for your future in art.

Click here  to see the video that was part of the performance.

Big Sky

I was thrilled to bits to learn that Brett from the Bundaberg Writer’s Club had written a wonderful song, inspired by my ‘Big Sky’ painting In the WBHD 2 exhibition here at BRAG.

Brett’s song is posted on Vimeo…Click ‘Big Sky Dreaming’ to check it out.

Thanks Brett for the great song. You are inspiring me in return!  C x

WBHD 2...another great success story for BRAG!

'Sing your song songwriter,

wrap it in a big blue sky,

you give  it back to me

tied up with ribbons and riffs.

Big sky dreaming,

sharing, 

finding meaning.'

Topsy-Turvy

My life has been a little 'topsy-turvy' of late several trips to and fro - Bundaberg to Brisbane to Bundaberg and a trip to Melbourne to look after my mother, who had been very ill.  Fortunately she is making an amazing recovery.  The doctors said her recovery was 'miraculous'!!

So I am back in Bundaberg for a while, trying to sell my home.  Sales of property in Bundaberg are down 30% apparently and I think it will take a long time to improve.  Recent floods have not helped.

The WBHD exhibition is finishing soon.  I am so happy that my 'Cane Cutter's Moon' has found a good home in New Mexico.  The work generated a great deal of interest apparently.

This work is an acrylic collage on canvas.  The surface is heavily textured as the base layer is covered with plastic doily and tablecloth squares. It is my favourite of the four works I produced for WBHD.

I really enjoyed painting this landscape, so I will probably attempt another one or two this year.  cx

Lipsticks

Digital image by Christine Turner:  A photograph of a mannequin merged with a photograph of some old lipsticks and hair curlers.

Faces

Another of the many faces of Adam Anderson.  Photography by Christine Turner.

Latest digital artwork

This work is almost finished.  I am loving making digital images these days.  I can now make a complete image on Photoshop, but I still have a lot to learn.  cx

Dancer

This is the first work to come from my latest photo shoot with Adam Anderson. Let me know if you like it.  cx

Adam Anderson

My friend Adam Anderson is a multi-talented artist. As well as painting and drawing he is becoming known for video production and his very interesting performances.
His works explore ideas relating to identity, gender, sexuality and a great deal more.  Adam's work, sometimes disturbing, opens a dialogue that is rooted deeply in our sense of self.

Adam is currently in his final year of a visual arts degree at Griffith University, Southbank.

Today I took a series of photos of Adam, as I have done several times over the last three years. As a model I find him to be patient, co-operative  and kind. ...and fun to work with.!

Attached is one of the beautiful photos that came out of the photo shoot.

Link for Adam's work;    https://www.facebook.com/adamart01

cx

Big Sky

This is 'Big Sky',  an acrylic collage on canvas, 150cm sq.  It is one of four artworks that I produced for WBHD 2.  Two of the four works were sent to the beautiful Unsettled Gallery in Las Cruces, New Mexico...(one of which was sold)...please see previous post.

Enquiries about the 'Big Sky' artwork can be made to me or to the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery.  cx

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.