'Breathing Space 2 ' Exhibition

Please find attached our invitation to 'Breathing Space 2.'  We would love to see you at the beautiful Graydon Gallery in New Farm. Details below.

A view from the Hummock

With the  Graydon Gallery exhibition fast approaching, I have been contacting the artists to get an overview of their availability in regards to the transporting of works, attendance at the exhibition opening and so on.   Lists of the works are  slowly coming in.

I have been sorting out my works on paper to be shown in folios in the small room. I also have some small framed drawings.

I would also like to show a folder of my digital works, some of which I produced for the New Mexico exchange exhibition.

I have so much work that has never been seen.  One day when I finally sell my house and shift to
Brisbane,  I will  have a studio sale, to find homes for some of these artworks.

In the meantime I have produced another canvas titled  'A view from the Hummock'.  A nightscape generated from some quick sketches I made of the Hummock at twilight. (Above)

Hilltops

My recent work for exhibition at Graydon Gallery in September.

'Hilltops' Acrylic collage on canvas   100cm h x 150cm w

Up coming exhibition

I am getting excited about the group exhibition I have  been arranging in Brisbane this September at the beautiful Graydon Gallery in New Farm.  The weeks will fly by I am sure, so we need to get our works underway and completed as soon as possible, so that the images can be used for promotions.

I think I will include the work shown here: Untitled acrylic collage on canvas.103.5cm h x 154.5cm h

Blue Moon 2

I have created this work for the group exhibition I am organising at the Graydon Gallery in September/October, this year.

I am still enjoying creating landscapes.  I will have to produce another four or five for the show.

Distant Mesas

Hello all!!   And a happy new year to you all!  I have been up to Cairns to spend time with my eldest son and my two incredible granddaughters!      We did the Waterfall circuit around Cairns, and they were all so beautiful and unique.  Then we were off to Fitzroy Island,  a short ferry trip from Cairns.
We did a little snorkelling and swimming and general island stuff!

I have been working on a large canvas for entry into the Bundaberg Arts Festival.  I will post a picture of it once the exhibition is opened for viewing.

The picture below is my latest work. This painting came together very quickly.  I had no preconceived  ideas  for this canvas, but once some colour was put down, it took on a life of its own.

I like it when that happens.

'Distant Mesas', Acrylic on canvas and embossed paper. 103cmh x 154cmw. POA

I also made some changes  to my 'Dusk' painting, and I feel it is better now.

'Dusk' Acrylic collage on canvas, 150cm sq.  POA

I have paid the Graydon Gallery deposit for an exhibition Sept/Oct this year.  The same artists will be participating.  It should be another exciting event!!  Cx

Adam Anderson

I was so excited to see this post on Facebook last night!   How wonderful!  The Dirty Linen artists and friends loved working on various projects and exhibitions  with Adam and it was easy to see that he was exceptionally talented.

Congratulations Adam!!  We have missed you, but are so proud of you!  We all are basking in your reflected glory...can't wait to see what Bleach has been up to!!!  CX.

Adam: "It was great to graduate last night alongside my honours family and third year family. It was especially wonderful to have all my family family there for me as they have been all year. I'm also super happy to have gotten first class honours, been offered a place in PhD and to have been  offered a scholarship to assist me with completing my PhD. Been a pretty special year! 

Search for past blog posts about Adam by using the search box 
above.

Nolan Winkler

Having been a part of an exchange exhibition which featured artists from the Wide Bay district and their fellow artists from New Mexico, I had the honour of exhibiting my artworks with some amazing artists.
It is my pleasure to introduce to you,  from New Mexico, Nolan Winkler, an outstanding  artist. I am lucky enough to have one of Nolan's works in my collection.  She is represented in numerous significant collections worldwide. If you are interested to contact Nolan, see the link at the bottom of the page.
Till soon....Cx  PS  Thankyou Nolan.....X

Nolan:

My Australian artist pal (via email and long distance exhibitions), Christine Turner has requested I write a bit about myself and my work to share on her blog. Is that a generous gesture, or what? Thanks, talented one.

I’ve been painting professionally (as in some sort of a career) for over 40 years now. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a multiple recipient of residency fellowships at a few art colonies around the USofA. I’ve also lived short term in Mexico and France and schooled  in Italy for etching. Those experiences, which have all taken me out of my comfort zone have influenced much of my art through the years. These days, my biggest influences are music (think Future Islands, Bob Dylan, Glen Hansard and Rodriguez. I often use their lyrics to help with titling the work. 

For the past six years I have added the use of a sweet potato as pattern maker in my work. Don’t ask. If I knew exactly why I’d stop and I love the effects too much to even consider figuring it out. So many things can come to mind: patterns are comforting; circle of life; I am ‘mature’ so that circle is closing in, too…. 

I also enjoy putting text into my paintings when it feels right. Sometimes a haiku by me or sometimes the lyrics from music I’m listening to. 

When I hit the studio and there is a black panel or canvas looking back at me (I always use black gesso…for depth of colors over it), I usually have no clue what I will be painting unless I’m into a series (which I try to stay away from of late). I put the music of the day on and begin. Colors, shapes, lyrics and emotions all inform what is to come. And come, it does. Sometimes sooner than later, sometimes the reverse. I think my years painting and my confidence in my talents makes it known to me that SOMETHING will come of the time working. 

If you wish to see more of my work: www.nolanwinkler.com

Tall Trees at Dusk

Another artwork in the 'Tall Trees' series.  "Tall Trees at Dusk" 150cm sq. Acrylic collage on canvas. Also there is a close up  for the wonderfully talented Nolan Winkler (New Mexico).  I think I might do a post about Nolan and her work....good idea.  More on that soon.

Tall Trees at Dusk

Tall Trees at Dusk detail.

This work has had so many layers.  I try to retain evidence of the underlying layers where I can.  For those who asked for it I promise to create some smaller works very soon.  cx

Tall Trees 2

Here is  a photo of a recent work of mine - Tall Trees 2,  Acrylic collage on canvas.  150cm sq

Cx

Big Sky and Blue Moon

My recent visit to Brisbane included a trip to the Roma St Apartments to view Big Sky and Blue Moon in their new home.

It was really lovely to be able to explain to the  owners how the works came about, and to share  some of the techniques used in the process.

I was so happy knowing that the works bring joy to the owners every day.

John Olsen

I have been getting very good feedback  about my artworks that were part of the group exhibition at Graydon Gallery.   No sales however I made an interesting connection that might  develop into something quite positive. More on that later.

I have been photographing metal artworks for local artist John Olsen who has an exhibition at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery early next year.  His artworks are very popular.  John has spent most of his life in the fishing industry and this translates into  brilliantly executed artworks featuring fish and seabirds and much more.

Photographing  these metal sculptures is quite a challenge for me and I have had to experiment with  manual  camera settings to capture the various surfaces that John develops.
Below are two examples of John's wonderful artworks.

                                         Hump Back Maori Wrasse  by John Olsen

                                     
                                         Bigeye Tuna by John Olsen
                                       


I am very much in work mode which is where I love to be!    cx

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.

.

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