Commercial Galleries

We just heard the good news that Bob's son, Peter is getting married to his fiancée Alison in May. As they live in Brisbane the wedding will be there. So we are researching cheap flights and accommodation. That got me thinking. As I was going to Brisbane anyway it would be a good opportunity to check out some commercial galleries to see which I could approach for representation. Its not like I get to Brisbane very often. Anyway while I've been hours on the computer checking out gallery websites to see what kind of artwork they show I thought I might as well keep going and check out galleries in Melbourne as well. I'm not planning a trip to Melbourne but I did some networking with a fellow member of RedBubble who happens to live in Melbourne. She put me onto some great galleries. So now I have two lists of galleries to approach and fingers crossed someone will take me on. Along with entering some of the major art prizes in Australia, another step forward is to get my work interstate. One foot in front of the other, one step at a time .....

I just started reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron with my online tribe. Its not the first time but each time I read it it seems like the first. I find something new in it every time. Its this book along with the support of some wonderful women (my tribe, you know who you are) that has helped me develop my art practice. I mean I've had some wonderful teachers along the way to develop my practical art skills but this is something different. This is about confidence and building skills to dissolve the barriers that are preventing your creativity from finding expression. It helps you to start and or stay on the path of creativity. That sounds all a bit airy fairy or spaced out arty farty but it really does work.

This and That

Its the last week of the school holidays and Zoe was getting bored. She received roller skates from her Uncle Troy for Christmas and has been practising to skate. She found a coupon in the newspaper for a half price skating session and thought she was ready to strut her stuff. She put on her skating outfit (another Christmas present) and off we went. There was music and flashing lights to add to the atmosphere. Zoe has her sights set on roller derby when she's old enough.

Careful start.

And off we go!

A little bit of roller limbo.

Skating is very thirsty work.

With her mum Julia.

The music, the lights and the experienced skaters made me yearn to skate again. My knees just wouldn't take it now :(. Oh well at least I had the joy of watching Zoe skate.

Yesterday I went to Victor Harbor with my art buddy Mignon. We went to see the Victor Harbor Art show. I have heard about it over the years but never got around to going to see it. I didn't realise it was so big. When I say big I don't actually mean the size of it although there was a lot of art on display. I mean 'big' as in the number of people it attracts and the amount of sales. I also didn't realise the first prize was $10,000 with lesser prizes of $5,000 and $2,500 etc. Yep that's a 'must enter' for next year. I was also glad to see that a lot of nude life drawings and paintings sold. I've been worried that we may go down the path of the US where Doris says life drawings and paintings are not very well received. So much art, so much inspiration it was rather overwhelming. We had to have a break half way through and stop for coffee and cake to get our strength up to tackle the rest. The amount of sales really made my heart sing. People are buying art and at a good price, yay! It was a scorcher of a day in Adelaide again yesterday but Victor Harbor was very pleasant with a lovely sea breeze that kept things cool. We had fish and chips for lunch wrapped in paper and sat near the beach with the seagulls waiting for handouts.

On the way back home we dropped into McLaren Vale to see how my exhibition at Penny Hill winery is going. It finishes on the 9th February. I've had 4 sales, yay! As my sister told me yesterday, I'm doing better than Van Gogh as he only had one sale while he was alive hehehe. Yes, I know, sales don't make the artist but I've had a few lately and it does make me feel like I am really and truly a real artist lol.

Sticky Fingers

The title sticky fingers usually has connotations of theft but in the case of a mixed media artist it means she's back in her studio. Hip hip hurray! See the mess below? That's the proof ! The gentle ebb and flow of the studio rhythm is finally filtering in after the festive season break.

I've only been dabbling mind. Below is a picture of a tote bag that Julia once gave to me. It has pockets back and front for photographs but I've decided to make some little collages instead.
Now working this small is a challenge in itself. My smallest painting is 50x60cm (20"x24") and these little collages are roughly 9x10cm (3 1/2"x4"). Its a first for me but as with the felt bag I'm having fun fun fun.
There are 9 pockets each side so I have a few more to go yet.

Once finished I will knuckle down to finish that portrait I started last year. Then its more of the same until I feel confident enough to do any one's portrait. Ha! Will that ever happen? Oh well, I will just practice, practice, practice anyway and see what happens. I just hope I don't insult any of my friends when I endeavour to paint their portraits. Just remember I'm just starting out. By the way, you're next Vanita.

The Bag

I finished Zoe's bag today. I know great felters like Chrissie would probably cringe at my effort but I had so much fun. I want to make another one to correct where I went wrong with this one. Felt is a bit thin in places. Handles are too far apart so it hangs funny when you hold the handles but weeeeeeeeeeeee what fun!!!

The Call of the Studio

The call of the studio is getting very strong and still I have not got back into the rhythm of things. Bob has been home and Zoe has been staying. I suppose they are reasonable excuses for not starting my art. I did however go in the studio yesterday and start a little project that's been on the back burner. I had promised to make Zoe a felt handbag quite some time ago. I finally got out the wool and felting stuff and started that yesterday. I will continue with that today. I will take some photos to show you when there's something decent to see. I also have this clear vinyl bag that Julia once gave me. It is covered with pockets in which you are meant to put photos but instead I will do some collage and painting. These are just a few little projects to get the rhythm going. Next week Thursday art day will start up again. That will help. Maybe I will get the portrait finished that I started last year. I think I just have to resign myself to the fact that I take about a month off over the festive season. Maybe then I won't be so hard on myself and stress about getting back in the studio. Most of the time I do work hard so having a month off is not unreasonable. There is a lot of self discipline involved in being an artist. There is no one waiting for you to clock on. No boss calling the shots. Its up to you when you work and how long etc. Its taken me quite some time to acquire the skills needed to have a good working practice and I'm scared to fall into the old traps. I'm forever vigilant that I am moving forward not backwards. Forever vigilant that my inner censor, the little voice inside that tries to undermine you, doesn't gain strength. Anyway enough ramblings. I have my goals set for the year and all is right with my world.

Summer

We have been in the middle of a heat wave with nearly a week of over 40c (104F) temperatures and I was feeling a bit sorry for myself. The pics on my friends blogs of snow made me wish for some cold. However, after reading a recent post by Doris on her blog about shovelling snow I gave this summer verses winter thing a lot of thought. I didn't much like the sound of shovelling snow and sore muscles. If you don't live with snow you don't realise that it will keep building up and eventually you wouldn't get out of your door! No, I thought, that's not for me. Its time I looked at the positives of summer instead of moaning about the heat. So here it goes.

THE POSITIVES OF A HOT SUMMER

Long, long days with the sun starting to rise around 6am and starting to set at 8.30pm. There's still some light at 9pm.

Going down to the beach in the evening to cool off and catch some sea breezes.

Not much laundry to do as you don't wear many clothes.

Washing dries in 15 minutes on the line.

No need to use hot water when taking a shower as the cold water in the pipes is warm enough.

Too hot to cook so a lot of fresh garden salads are on the menu.

Delicious stone fruits of peaches, apricots, nectarines etc are in glut supply. Not to mention all the cooling melons like watermelon, rock melon, honey dew etc. mmm!

Long cold drinks with the ice tinkling on the side of the glass.

Squirting people with my super pump action water gun.

School holidays so I get more time to play with Zoe.

Ice cream.

Barbecues.

Sleeping with all the windows open when there is a night breeze.

The list goes on and on. These are just some things off the top of my head. Yep I love summer even though I grumble about the heat sometimes. It is pretty special. Its like being on holiday in your own backyard. I think I would rather get up early and water the garden than shovel snow. Snow would be nice to visit but brr ...

My leg is on the mend. Thanks for all your well wishes :)

Locked Away

My leg was getting better and then it took a turn for the worst. So not only am I locked inside due to the weather with temperatures of 40c+ (104F+) but I'm also sitting/laying around trying to rest this darn leg. I do not do well when I'm incapacitated. I feel like I have my wings clipped. The good thing is (I try to look on the bright side hehehe) its too hot to work in the studio, so if I had to have a sore leg now is the perfect time. I must say though that I have a much brighter outlook today which I'm sure makes Bob's life easier hehehe.

Stirrings

I hurt my right leg somewhere between Christmas and New Year. About an hour after gym one day my knee became sore and stiff. Not sure what it is or how it happened. I'm not one to run to the doctor for every little thing and I do see improvement every day. It does however play up if I do too much.

I had some trouble with the portrait I started before Christmas. Gave my confidence a bit of a knock. I covered it up so I didn't have to look at it. I had to deal with the festive season first. Today as I wondered through the studio I took the cover off. I had stirrings. Sweet, sweet little urges to get back to it. It won't be long ...

Amendment to Post Below

Small confession. Its nearing the end of the day and not many chores were done. I'm still in holiday mode I suppose. I will try again tomorrow hehehe.

The Start of 2010

Well here we are in a new year. It slid in quite nicely. We went to a friend's farm for New Year's Eve and sat around with good food and good company until the new year was here. We slept the night and stayed most of the next day. I had forgotten how peaceful the country is. You can hear nature. The birds, the sheep or a dog barking mingled with the sound of my breathing. I don't think I hear myself breathing in the city.

The festivities are over and now its time to get back into a normal rhythm. I have my plans, I know where I am going but that first step is hard to take. I always struggle getting into the rhythm of my art making when I've had time away from it. Every morning I plan what I want to do for the day. A few chores, keep the garden cared for, some exercise and then some studio time. Well it ends up quite different. Not many chores, no gardening done and no studio time :( and another day just disappears. Oh well not to worry. In the words of Scarlet O'Hara "I will think about it tomorrow. After all tomorrow is another day." Well I am going to get off this computer right now and start some chores and see how this tomorrow pans out. I will let you know .....