Whalesong 2013

It is always with a feeling of trepidation that I face another evening of digital projections.  It is so easy for things to go wrong....and one can end up looking like an idiot!  Art, I tell  people, is a leveller.....We can experience the very essence of the creative process one day, and enjoy the feeling of elation that comes with that, but tomorrow can bring imperfection. It can bring a sense of failure.

In spite of  the failures, I  prefer to look forward to tomorrow's ventures, hopefully having learned something from the past.  Tomorrow is a new day and I want to find something special in it!

The Whalesong projection I had produced, was displayed without a problem, at Hervey Bay,  last night.  Great evening!!

Now I can focus on the Bundaberg  centenary celebrations in November.

Congratulations to students Jess and James for their outstanding additions to the evening's schedule. Jess with a short video featuring whales and James with the music he had written  especially to feature  three very interesting instruments made of recycled materials.

 

The big inflatable screen went up.

 

My projection for Whalesong.

 

 

Jess....talented Media student stands in front of the huge screen ( Centre left.)

 

 

 James, young composer extraordinaire plays the seahorse. 

Another deadline

I had not long finished the Foundry project, when I was offered a role in the Whalesong event at Hervey Bay.  This project is part of the 'animating spaces' strategy and involves Artslink  and many other arts organisations. 

Click here to find out more about this great festival.

I am contributing a video projection for this event and offering support to a couple of very talented students.  One composing music to be played on some rather interesting  musical instruments made of recycled materials.  Instruments inspired by a children's drawing workshop that occurred some time ago.

I am hoping to get copies of some of the drawings, so that I can incorporate them into my video.

The other student is also producing a video to go with the newly composed music. 

So all in all, an interesting project.  Opening on the 24th of August.(Next week!!)

cx

The Foundry projections

Two pictures taken from my digital projection a week or two back.   It's hard to convey just how big this foundry building is. 

It must be over 3 storeys high.

You can see a crescent moon above the building in the picture below.  It was a wonderfully successful projection.  I wish they all went that well.  cx  Even more pictures coming!

The Foundry digital projection

The day had come at last.  This was the day that I would see my latest project come to fruition.  A video bombing of the Bundaberg Foundry, to be viewed from the other side of the Burnett River at the H20 bar and Restaurant.

Later that night there was a special dinner there  showcasing produce from local providers and special tributes to some of the very innovative and successful of the local farming families...and of course, the launching of another project by Creative Regions, a new website...http://thefoundry.net.au....a website championing local content.

I have had several months to prepare videos for this project.

After  our test run early in the week, I realised I had some last minute changes to make to the videos.  Having made the changes I found on a couple of occasions, that the videos stopped soon after they started  and remained stuck.  I remade the  videos and they tested as fine, but I was not 100% confident with them....especially with the large scale of this particular project.

The projection went off without a hitch, I am very pleased to say.  Pictures coming.     cx

PS  It seems I am having problems combining PC generated files with Apple equipment.  Things are looking better for  my video making after a defrag, graphics card driver update and fixing the virtual memory setting.

Unfortunately, I didn't get many photos of the projection, as I was busy.  You can see from the bottom two photos, how the projection was improved when the Foundry lights were switched off for 15 minutes.  Thanks so much to the foundry management for allowing that.   cx

 



 

 

 

Digital Imaging

My recent days have been hours  and hours in front of the computer screen, attempting to move small picture files  along a path and across time.    It sounds easy enough,  but my results are inconsistent and I can see that it is going to take time and lots of practice.

I started producing digital works in 1998 when I had been confined to home for a period of time.   My late husband Alan arrived home one day with a thoughtful gift -  Corel 3 digital imaging software.   

I had found a new obsession.

As simple as that software was, compared to the packages I use today,  it still took me over six months to get reasonably confident with it. 

Digital imaging  has become the most important aspect of my work combined with a developing interest in photography and in video production for digital projection.

 

A still from the 'Cogs' animated video I am currently producing.    cx

Mary Poppins Festival

The Mary Poppins Festival happens each year  in Maryborough, as it is the birthplace of Mary Poppins author, PL Travers.

Maryborough is about a 1 1/2 hours trip, South of Bundaberg.

Trevor Spohr (Art and Cultural Development Officer)  from Gatakers Artspace, had asked Brad Marsellos and me to do a video projection for the festival.

Unfortunately Brad was not available for this Saturday appointment, but I went along anyway and had a great time.

It was a beautiful  evening...Irish band playing, lots of delicious foods and wines. Art and crafts. And of all things a magnificent little pirate ship on wheels accompanied by four pirates.

That little ship had come with its owners from the Sunshine Coast to be part of today's festivities. It would be such a treat for young children to take rides in the ornate ship, ferried around by four scary, but funny too, pirates.

Apparently, people enjoyed the projections I had prepared, so it was a very successful evening.

I had used umbrellas as my main theme...very plain and geometric shapes.  Often, less can be more.

I was lucky to be able to spend time later that evening,  with the charming and friendly (as it turned out),  pirates.

Talk art soon!

Bird spotting

I went bird spotting at the Botanical Gardens today.  It helps me to get to  get to know my new camera...and I love birds too.

I used the long lens today.

It was a glorious day.   There were many families at the Gardens.

 

The little duck in this picture was drying his wing, standing on one foot.  I think I was very lucky to get this shot.  cx

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

 

 

Computer woes

In two weeks I have a few digital projections to provide
for a special dinner at the H20 Bar & Restaurant. Creative Regions is having the dinner to celebrate the launch of a new website for the Foundry project.

' It is a website that we have just had go live yesterday that encourages people to upload local stories – images, documents or films.  We named the site The Foundry as it is a place where information is collated and "forged" into new arts projects.  http://thefoundry.net.au '. Quote from Shelley Pisani, Creative Producer from Creative Regions.

So, of course,  my PC decided to break down, and all I had was a black screen.  Not a very nice scene at this point.  But luck was on my side this time and a faulty RAM stick was replaced and I am back in action!

The picture above is of a type of 'Goddess of the field', and will be part of a projection pertaining to the smallcrops industry in and around Bundaberg. The overlay on Brigid's face is an aerial photograph of parts of Bundaberg.    cx

Bunderground

'Bunderground' happened last night! 

Bunderground was an event incorporating art, music and video...the brainchild of Brad Marsellos.  The project was immediately embraced by Jess Marsellos and me, and was developed to show at my  Dirty Linen Artspace.

Bunderground had 3 aspects...music, art and video. It showcased works by young, emerging musicians and filmmakers together with works of art and video by myself and several other senior artists and photographers.  (One musician came from as far away as New York!!.)

It was an exciting night of music, art, digital projections and an amazing short film by Joe Saxby and Tyler Sajko...young Bundaberg filmmakers.

The depth of talent  of Bundaberg's young emerging creatives is quite remarkable.

Can't wait for Bunderground 2!! Cx

 

Brain Drain - from New York, performed at Dirty Linen

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

More video projections

I recently finished a short video for Maryborough's Mary Poppins festival, that is coming up soon.  I kept the designs very simple.  I took  the photos of my best, most interesting umbrella.  It's quite large.  Once I collected  all the photos, I converted them to black and white and then I inverted them all.  I built up many layers  to achieve the results seen  here.  Simple designs work well for projections. 

I have a new projector and I'm not feeling confident about its ability to provide the results I want.  I might ring Dell tomorrow and see what they can advise. Perhaps I have missed some information in the manual.

I am working towards another evening of projections at a local college.  Tell you about
that next time.

Talk art soon!  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!

Golden Syrup

A digital print titled Golden Syrup. 

When I was little it was a treat to have a large slice of fresh white bread spread with ‘real’ butter and dripping with Golden Syrup.

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

Hi tea, somewhere over Bundaberg.

I am having so much fun with these layered images.  My work always goes in a good direction if I just play.  I think  I will be working with more of the aerial photos too shortly. I am amazed at how well the photos came out, shot through the plane window.

What I really need is bird images.  I don't know if I am going to have time to become a bird-spotter, but I might have to find time...if only for these recent works.

I can probably find pelicans at Woodgate.  That's about 40 minutes or so South of Bundaberg. Not far to go to snap a pelican is it? Or to be snapped?

cx

New Mexico exhibition

My works are coming thick and fast at present.  I need four good works for the show in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  In October two works will arrive at 'Unsettled Gallery' and two will go to BRAG to be hung there.

It's very exciting and I will look in to going to Las Cruces if I can. 

Attached are two more digital works.They are versions derived from the one bride photograph. I have used biscuit tin lids, souveniers, toys anything I can find to photograph for these works. There are several layers of images in them.   cx

 

 

 

 

'Special Selection'

I am posting a digital image I finished tonight.  It is a work that opens a dialogue about identity, culture and memory.

The image reflects my interest in the work of Frida Kahlo.  As a self-taught artist,  I have learnt much about structure from her works. In 'Special Selection', I have  included many layers of photographs of the model and of images from the lids of biscuit tins.

It was a treat for me to see some of Frida's  paintings and drawings in the Pallant Gallery, Chichester, UK in 2011.  Her works are incredibly powerful 'in the flesh'... mostly painted with tiny brushes. 

Alongside her artworks, where those of her husband Diego Riviera.  In this exhibition, the works of Frida shone!

                                                  

Talk art soon!  cx

WideBay/HighDesert

The WideBay/HighDesert project is well underway now that the blog is sorted.  We four Wide Bay artists seem to have things progressing.   Susan Hutton has been posting photos and also some of her sublime poetry as well, so look out for that.

Adrienne has had a few worries, but seems to be getting through the work now.

Trevor has been clearing his workspace, to be ready to start on a work shortly.

I seem to be producing at present, so I hope that will continue.

You can see what we are all up to at the following link....http://widebayhighdesert.wordpress.com

We have only met two of the four New Mexico artists, but we hope once their paperwork is done, that we will be able to catch up with them  all.

I have attached a digital work I produced this evening.    Till soon  c x

New work

This digital image is my latest for the WideBay/HighDesert exchange exhibition.

Coonar Bride

I spent all day yesterday glued to the computer to almost finish this work.   It has many layers.  The girl is a  local friend and is sure to feature in more works coming up.

WideBay/HighDesert exchange exhibition

I have borrowed some text from the new blog site for the WideBay/HighDesert Exchange exhibition project:

About Wide Bay – High Desert

'What happens when you bring artists from opposite sides of the planet together to create an exhibition? Let’s take 4 artists from Queensland, Australia and 4 from New Mexico, USA and find out! After much work behind the scenes, the result is Wide Bay – High Desert, a collaborative exhibition project between artists from two regional areas, with very different geographical and cultural perspectives, and simply overflowing with creative people. The artworks resulting from this collaboration will be shown at two beautiful but quite different galleries; one in Las Cruces and the other in Childers.
We’re also entering the world of digital technology to see if we can successfully pull off this joint exhibition. The artists will be using this blog to get to know each other and share their ideas as they work towards the final exhibition. Which will give you the chance to find out where those amazing finished works of art come from; how artists think, how and why ideas change and most importantly, how we’ll celebrate the official opening’s’!
We hope Wide Bay – High Desert will help grow a new audience for these talented artists and expand their international horizons, whilst at the same time allowing everyone a glimpse into their creative processes. Thanks for joining us on this adventure.'

http://widebayhighdesert.wordpress.com/

This will be an interesting blog, so save this link to go to the homepage.

Below is a digital image I have developed for this project.  It may not be one chosen for the October exhibition, but it is a start. I have used some past images with photographs of a 3d assemblage and a photograph taken from a plane over Bundaberg. So there are several layers combined here.

 cx

 

 

Dirty Linen

My Dirty Linen Artspace will be open tomorrow from 10 - 2pm.  Come along and talk art!  Coffee and tea provided.  Bring your lunch if you like.

 

Wide Bay/High Desert exchange exhibition

It was an exciting day today as  the four artists selected by BRAG (Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery) came together at Dirty Linen today to discuss the upcoming exchange exhibition. 

(Jess Marsellos enjoyed  our feast, as did the others.)



The artists selected are Susan Hutton (Cordalba),  Trevor Spohr (Maryborough), Adrienne Williams(Mt Perry), and myself...representing Bundaberg.

The exhibition called Wide Bay High/Desert is to be held in October.The four artists will each produce four artworks. Two of the works will be exhibited in Bundaberg and two will be exhibited in New Mexico at the time of the exhibition.

Themes will relate to the landscape, and/or cultural issues.

This is an exciting project that will bring our region under the lime light.  It will raise the international profile of the artists involved and promote BRAG as an innovative gallery, proactive in the promotion of its artists.

There have been some delays in the setting up of the Blog, so I am going to  drop in to see if I can assist, this week some time.

In the meantime, two of my exhibition posters were sold today and have gone to  a lovely home.  I also took some more photos of Susan for my Domestic Violence project, which is shaping up.

I almost forgot to tell you that Trevor and a friend passed on to me a rather lovely wedding dress for my mannequin, Audrey.   She's delighted!      See photo attached.

Talk art soon!  Cx

Domestic Violence Project

I spent the last couple of days preparing  the files I will be giving Alissa.  Some of them are a bit grainy, so I will have to sort out the reason for that.    There is so much to learn about photography...unless of course you prefer just to set the camera to auto!

I have  been invited to complete a small installation relating to domestic violence.  The work will include mannequins, digital imagery, and  a digital projection.   The completed work will travel to  a variety of venues.

This is a great opportunity for me and I am keen to get started.

 

 

 

Above is another photo of Alissa.  This turned out to be a really fun photoshoot.

Alissa again

 

 

 

Posting a couple more photographs I took of Alissa - singer, musician

 

 

 

 

 

Alissa

This evening I had a wonderful time photographing the very talented Alissa, whom I had met at the BRAG art auction on the weekend.  She is a very talented singer.  I asked if she would pose for me .  I was very excited when she agreed.

I am very happy with the results of this photoshoot and I think I can  say that I am finally starting to understand how my new camera works.  Brad will be relieved !!

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.

Photoshoot

I have been lucky this last week to have had two beautiful women pose for me.  Sonya is mother to Brigid.  Sonya is very proud of Brigid, who is an aspiring young actress. The two are very close.

 

It was a wonderful and fun photoshoot. There were so many good pictures to choose from. I think I am improving with my photography.   It takes time!   cx