Artists Blog

At last! My folio of images has been safely deposited into the University electronic “Drop Box”. Time to catch my breath.

This subject has been one of slooooow absorption. Anyone that has tasted Photoshop will understand.

Our task was to build 3 composite images, either on Decay or Scale. Each one made up of 3 source images. As I’d tackled Decay previously, I thought Scale would provide some levity. It did, along with buckets of frustration. And that was without the 20 page accompanying written report, complete with screen grabs to prove we actually did the work ourselves.

Jez was the (un)willing model for some of the source images. Tying them all together was the tricky bit. Anyway, this is where I’ve been for most of the week…

COMPOSITE IMAGE ONE - “Indy’s Footsteps”

Source Images

COMPOSITE IMAGE TWO “I Believe”

That’s a book on Dragons Jez is reading. Make the connection?

Source Images

COMPOSITE IMAGE THREE - ” Ready for Takeoff”

Source images

I’m looking forward to getting some real sleep tonight. Another exciting day tomorrow as one of my uni lecturers has invited me to share her Studio, which is shared by 3 other prominent artists. Bugger, I bet the excitment keeps me awake!

I will be so so glad when this semester is over. The work load is just something else, and I feel like I’m drowning in the details. I know I go O.T.T. with assignments and folios, but that’s just how I am. Anything less and I feel like I haven’t really tried. I’m almost done with my second photoshop folio of images, now it’s the huge accompanying report (with screen grabs) that needs to be written.  Of course it’s all due Monday - nothing like leaving things until the last minute to get the adreneain going.

So of course when a deadline is fast approaching, there’s nothing like shopping to feel procrastination is justified. I have 4 paintings to complete by next Friday, so a trip to the Art Supplies store was a rationalised diversion. It’s like Christmas every day in that place. I challenge anyone to walk out the door without buying something.

Just let me tell you that I really don’t have a desperate need for anything art related. Especially brushes. However, I was totally mesmerised this visit. And having a fabulous, shiny display of pristine brushes was just not fair.

I chose 2 to come home with me,

with wonderful names - “Cat’s tongue” and “The Albino”. There was a  brushes book giveaway as well, 40 fabulous full colour pages to fuel the fire already burning out of control. Ask me any question on brush construction!

Meanwhile in the backyard that never sleeps, I was scared witless by the Lace Monitor again.  He hightailed it up the coconut palms to get away from my shrieking no doubt.

New visitors to the new blossoms, totally unconcerned with my camera snapping away. What a fantastic diet - sugar all day every day. It’s what makes Rainbow Lorikeets such superhero fast flyers I’m thinking. Maybe I should start nibbling on gum blossoms….

We’ve been invaded by birds. Lots and lots and LOTS of birds! Spring has sprung big time.

My first birds for Show and Tell are the ones that just made it (with 18 minutes to spare) into the preliminary judging for the upcoming Regional Exhibition. They may not make the final cut, but here’s hoping for a spot in my second exhibiton.

I’ll always have the Clowns in my backyard regardless.

The Butcher bird (also known as The Singing Assassin), has been singing his heart out to me, inviting me to swing. Take that however you wish!

This guy is a teenager, but there’s been an adult (fully black) hanging around as well.

Parent or potential partner?

The Pied Imperial Pigeons  (or Torres Strait Pigeon) have flown all the way back from New Guinea. They have been “Coo-Cooing” their heads off above our deck.

But the most delightful feathered tenants have been the Wee Willy Wagtails, chittering their crossness at me for daring to watch them build their nest.

Who needs a big house anyway?

It’s been a while since my post - so much happening it’s like someone has cranked up the speed on the merry go round!

The final night of the “BIG exhibition” was last Friday, with the top 10 artworks (in terms of bids), going to a final  live floor auction. I held little hope of making it out of the 120 established artists exhibiting. It was expected of course that the famous names, Archibald winners etc would make up the 10. This was the last few minutes before the deadline that people could still silently bid.

I was nervous, sweaty palmed and rather anxious. I told Jeff that I didn’t want to be in the live auction - how embarrassing if no one bid on my work? I looked over to my piece and saw someone on their mobile, staring right at my work. They took a pen out and wrote in a new bid. Phone bids? I was shocked. Then someone else came over and upped the bid. Shock was replaced with open mouthed disbelief.

Jeff and I were volunteers on the night to hold The Ribbon. Once the bell is rung, a ribbon goes up across the works on the wall so no more bids can be placed. In past years, this was the time when people would try and sneak in bids in an effort to get their chosen piece. Sometimes fisticuffs were involved I was told. All quite civilised tonight.

Then I was told that I had made the top 10. I was horrified. I could hardly think straight whilst other peices were auctioned. When it was my turn I wanted to leave. What if it was passed in at the final silent bid price? The embarrassment would swallow me whole.

I couldn’t believe it when there was one bid, then another, and another…. was this really for my work? (can you tell I was having a hard time believing any of this?) I would’ve taken photos of the lively auctioneer, with hammer banging down so decisively, except I was rooted to the spot with fear.

Anyway, my first piece sold ever, 20+ years after I was supposed to go to Art College to train to be an artist. Better late than never ever ever.

The biggest thrill for me was to have my work cheek-by-jowl with the big names of the art world from the past 50 years. All of us on the same auction table.

Pressure’s on now. A commission for someone and other exhibitions soon. This is where I would have traditionally run away screaming. I’ve a different mindset now.

A big exhibtion at the Regional Gallery is on next month. Closing date for entries was yesterday. I made it with 18 minutes to spare, thanks to 3 am finishes on the weekend.

Sooo, what else has been happening apart from my art dramas?

“Spring” (30 degrees C), has meant that all manner of critters are out and about. Finally caught the backyard bandicoot bandit on camera. Big bugger too. Our backyard is filled with bandicoot potholes. They dig cone shaped holes through the lawn to catch cane beetles. This one likes to dig up pebbles. Beside each massive crater is a smooth round pebble or pile of pebbles. He’s OCD for sure.

They are riddled with ticks (especially the deadly Paralysis Tick),  so don’t let them in the house.

(I’m looking out the window at the moment and the scrub hens have wandered in, helping themselves to my garden, scratching up anything in their way. Typing quietly here…..)

I took a shortcut through Uni the other day, through the bush and dry creek bed that was a raging torrent just 6 short months ago.

Someone had created a lovely sculpture made from the riverbed pebbles.

The stones had such beautiful patterns carved by years of rushing water. Soon enough they will be covered again for another Wet Season.

There was a huge vine snaking it’s way across the creek. I immediately thought of the snake warning in the news. They are out and about and on the move.I followed the vine up the bank where it twisted itself into pretzel shaped knots.

So much more to do, I’m really looking forward to Uni finishing so that I can catch my breath.

Tomorrow is my 6 minute speech /reading - simply terrifying!

Nothing like a Lace Monitor on the BBQ to get your heart rate up first thing in the morning.

Nothing like a sunny BBQ to get your heart rate up in the morning if you’re a Lace Monitor.

He got a bit huffy  when I ventured close, puffing his neck up and “Haruumffing” me. Two metres of grumpy lizard is not pleasant.

Had my Great Debate at Uni today, not as bad as I thought. Thanks for all your hints and tips everybody. Next week is the 6 minute speech. Can’t wait.

I’ve dug up another moonset photo from May. Back then the moon set in the early evening, behind the same mountain in my previous post.

This afternoon I had quite an inspiring (and looong) phone conversation with gorgeous Rosa Fedele, a friend since school days. She’s a full time artist and has a really no nonsense approach which I need to take heed of. I don’t think proscrasination is even in her vocabulary. Damn she’s good! - Her website link is on the right hand side of my blog as well as here.

Day off tomorrow so I’ll try my hardest to really make some headway with all these paintings I have in my head.

The Man has recently come back from the Land of the Long White Cloud, where six is sux, and sheep are plentiful.

It was bitterly cold, but the natives don’t seem to mind.

Another weekend laid to rest - had great plans to get lots accomplished, but a head that was exploding by Saturday afternoon put paid to that.

I did get to the Arts society meeting Sat morning, and a couple of galleries, but that was about it. Listened to two great talks - one by a photographer friend, on how to take “proper” photos of your artwork for submissions to galleries/competitions (eg: getting rid of ”barrel” effect). The other talk was by a very inspirational fellow - came to art late in life at 42, and is doing incredible things now. He spends 4 months in NZ, and the rest of the year in Cairns living out his dream. What a life!

Both of these people are “older’, (but not by much!), and are now following their passions, after doing the corporate gig thing for a long time.

The moral of the story?

It’s NEVER ever too late.

Not much time to post - off to town in a minute. Always in a rush aren’t I?

I’ve made a start on my canvas for my second ever acrylic work. The colour chose itself.

Don’t know if I’ll finish by the deadline, but at least I can tell myself I did put down some paint.

I still have the Impasto Oil painting to finish by next friday. Think of chunky thick brushstokes (impasto), put down alla prima (all in one layer). Much harder than it looks Mr Van Gogh!

Off to an exhibition opening at the Regional Gallery tonight. It’s by a woman who is very well known in art circles, although I’m not familiar with her style. My lecturer has suggested I speak with this woman regarding my direction. It was all very out of the blue, but recenly I’ve been getting together with emerging artists, and there are some common dilemmas between us, regardless of our artistic style or medium.

Lots to think about.

“Spring” in the tropics is just like Winter. 30 deg C the past few days. AirCon in winter - who would believe it?

I can barely keep up with life at the moment. Luckily I have backyard comedians to help me maintain a happy outlook.

Impaled?

Nah, just trickin!

I’m finding Uni is a lot tougher/stressful/not-as-easy this semester. If I only had a sponge for a brain!

Photoshop studies, and in particular the first assignment (on scanning) due yesterday, had me all afluster. I completed it on time, but the image I had in my mind was not what ended up on the screen.

We had to build a Triptych of three images. My theme was based on time, mortality, the cycle of life. All the scanned objects came from the garden (yes, including the deceased Mannikin), or my immediate environment. I don’t think my scanner appreciated the soil slopped all over it though!

.

This is only Week 5 , lots more to get through….

Last night was the opening of the “BIG” exhibition.

Over 150 established & emerging artists (one an Archibald winner no less!) were given the theme of BIG, and a canvas area of 8″ x 10″. The results were amazing.

Some chose to submit sculptural or 3D work, and all are part of a silent auction.

The new Mayor of Cairns opened the show, and Jeff (above right), felt “privileged” when she pushed him out of the way during the evening!

I was told by the gallery staff that my submission was the very first to have a bid placed on it. I feel quite stunned, as this is THE very first piece of work I will have sold, not to mention being my first proper exhibition. Just to be exhibiting in the same space as an Archibald Prize winner is amazing.

Now it’s back to the  Uni Assignment Grindstone….

Port Douglas was laid back as usual, with people kicking back with coffee and conversation.

Whilst we enjoyed our brews at the Marina, I heard the waitstaff whispering about “the lady who was doing some awesome paintings on the pier”.

I wandered over to say hello, and she surprised me by saying that she knew me! She was doing the watercolour class a few feet away from me at ArtEscape last month.

Her name is Delia and she’s also a member of the Cairns Art Society. After a brief but inspiring chat, I left her to her watercolours. I’m terrible with names, but I did remember talking to her about the class at ArtEscape. My memory definately needs some improving!

Granma & Granpa enjoyed a cuddle on the pier.

At Uni yesterday we got into the more intricate techie side of Photoshop. Here is my lecturer attempting to create 3D images from my photos. Ok, they are actually his sunglasses.

The first canetoad of the season reared it’s ugly (and I mean ugly!) head IN my fishpond.

The Man scooped it out.

Cool as you like it was. They never hurry for anyone.

Later in the evening we caught up for a farewell drink with Kim (Bigblog), her Mum and her Man. You can ask her about the binoculars!