Artists Blog

From the land of Buddha, my best friend in the whole world is flying home to me tonight. Thousands of miles to be crossed, but he was never really far away.

I asked for him to bring me back a reclining Buddha, it’s one that I don’t have in my collection. I light candles near my Buddhas, casting a serene glow over all.

Today was day of firsts.

First time I’ve used a Mac (Very impressive new Mac lab it was too).

First time I’ve used the Adobe CS3 suite.

First time I spoke frankly and openly with my senior lecturer - where do I really want to go? I’ve only just discovered my full marks and ranking from first semester’s subjects.

First time I bought a passionfruit cheesecake slice and enjoyed it’s creamy deliciousness without a shred of guilt.

I think I like Firsts. I should try more of them.

I’ve had such a busy week that I’ve only just sat down to read Wednesday’s paper (and the rest!) this evening. What a nice surprise to see one of my photos being used in the paper:

The original photo and story behind this OCD Sunbird and it’s pooping ways all over my car can be found by clicking here.

I’ve had a few emails asking for some “behind the scenes of the kingfisher painting. Everything I’ve learnt regarding this method has been taught to me by a wonderful bird artist, Paul Margocsy.

I’ve used Clayboard for this piece, but any illustration board (smooth or toothed), and even Matt board (for framing) is OK.

Step1 - After sketching onto my clayboard, I mask the birds and foliage. Using my airbrush, I lay down washes of background colour. I have the board tilted up at an angle, which is better for airbrushing, but not so good for wayward drips!

Airbrushing is really forgiving, I made a heap of mistakes here. The consequence is that the background gets darker and darker. I need to adjust the pressure to a lower setting so that it’s not like a rifle going off!

I use a finger or eraser to gently peel off the dried masking fluid. I’ve used a water soluable wash pencil for the sketch. I touched up some of the birds with the same pencil at this stage.

Time to block in rough areas of colour with a big brush. After this step, I go over and lay in the fine details with a tiny brush. Good eyes and a steady hand an advantage - I don’t have either! I wouldn’t call this method “over-the-top-difficult”, but more “methodical”. I find the feathers/foliage gets rather tedious after a while, but a quick walk or cuppa soon revives my momentum.

And the finished peice you saw 2 posts back. No 8 in using this method, not that I’m counting!

Did anyone sit through the whole Opening Ceremony last night? I admit I flagged after 12.30, but was able to catch the replay this morning. I think of all the artists involved in so many aspects, the costumes, the calligraphy, the lighting, the props, the digital art (stupendous!) and the list goes on. Just FABULOUS!

These Wood Swallows were hosting a very small party this afternoon. I’ve seen over 20 of them cuddling up close late in the evening.

It’s nice to have close friends.

No time to upload today’s painting photos - the Opening Ceremony with the painting-with-your-body calligraphy has me transfixed (the calligrapher in me is salivating all over the floor).

Amazing - I finished both pieces today! I only just made it for the BIG exhibition deadline by a couple of hours - that’ll teach me to start at the last minute. It’s a lesson I never seem to learn though!

                  “POOF!”    Watercolour on Pastel paper 160 gsm

In keeping with the “Camp” theme this week (I know the Aussies are all sniggering at the “Poof” theme), my “BIG” piece was inspired by the wildlife in the garden, the Kingfisher pair, so much in love, and the Green Tree Snake (much much smaller though!)

                       Title: “Honey, it’s bigger than both of us!”

                                  Watercolour on Clayboard

The painting subject starts tomorrow at uni - the creation of paint. I’ve been promised that we’ll all feel “mellow” by the end of class!

Well the smoke has cleared but today the mountain ranges were covered by a different kind of cloud.

The early morning fog spills down the slopes like a great big doona.

At the base of those mountains is a disused Quarry. Now filled with water from a natural spring, it’s called Moore Lake.

I fossicked about here for a bit for my pigment-holding rocks. We’re to make our own paint tomorrow the old fashioned way of bashing rocks to a powder.

Unfortunately Cairns is granite/quartz/basalt based (from the mountains being eroded away), so not very condusive to giving up colour. I’ve a few promising rocks, as well as purple mollusc shells and dead pastels, so I should be able to put something in my expectant paint pans.

Can’t stay and play, the deadline for the “BIG” exhibition has been moved forward to tomorrow, so I’m off to grab my brushes!

Smoke blankets everything. They are Helicopter firebombing again with self igniting pellets over the mountain slopes. It’s a combined controlled undergrowth burn with bushfire  simulation involving several goverment depts.

Fire starters: The plastic balls dropped from helicopters to spark fires in hilly terrain.  - Courtesy Cairns Post

Can you spot the shiny helicopter in the photo below?

They were flying through such thick smoke clouds that they disappeared frequently.

Noty many people are happy with the situation. Doors and windows have to be shut tight, but the choking smoke still finds its way in.  My neighbour is having asthma attacks and everyone’s washing smells like cigarettes.

Still, we’re not as badly off as this family’s home. Even the helio was hanging around them, just in case the wind changed….

Here’s hoping for clear skies again soon.

                  Watercolour on Bockingford Paper   20cm x 28 cm

I’ve never been a fan of the Can for art purposes, but I have been swayed.

At my recent adventures at ArtEscape, Paul Margocsy demonstrated how great they are as brush cleaners whilst painting. Once filled with water, the ribbed sides provide a great “washerboard” action for the brush bristles.

I’m so excited about Uni Semester starting again next week. This email received from the Prof last night:

I have my stash of Peacock ore, purple shells and mortar & pestle packed, raring to go!