Recently I caught up with the owner of our old home. She kindly sent me a pic of Jez’s old room. I was surprised she hadn’t painted over it, because you know, Medieval is so last season.
The adjoining wall which you can’t see had a huge crack painted in it, in which I stuck some faux ivy. Everyone that ever went into that room tried to stick their fingers in that crack.
Ten years on, you should see Jez’s room now…
Yesterday I took part in a Pastel workshop which was just magic. Having only painted one pastel piece previously, I was a sponge ready to soak up any knowledge in this medium, along with the other 10 eager participants.
After only a few short hours, we all had pieces we were happy to take home. Mine (top), is still a work in progess, but is mostly done. That’s the tricky part, knowing when to stop and not overwork a piece.
The generosity of spirit and knowledge from other artists always humbles me. Of course you will come across those who wish to keep all their tips and working methods Top Secret, but the majority of professional artists are only too happy to share what they’ve learnt with you. They can distill a lifetime of successes and mistakes into a workshop that will steer you along the right path. I really do admire them.
For artists who work from a Home Studio, constant distractions are never-ending - the phone ringing, the drop in visitors, school commitments… even the housework can seem like a pleasant diversion when your creativity has hit a brick wall.
Then there is the Studio Muse/Supervisor.
I’ve had my fair share of these creativity companions. I scanned in some old photos of this ”muse” from waaaay back (must have been the 80’s - look at that typewriter!). She may look sweet but she was an absolute spit fire of a cat - only the dog could get near her without being shredded. I blame the family I rescued her from - a gaggle of kids who threw kittens around like tennis balls, and the fact that they wanted rid of her at just 5 weeks of age.
A Muse can take many forms…
This Male Orchard Swallowtail butterfly was having a lovely drink of watercolour.
Fingers crossed the cobalt wasn’t toxic!
My current puss is a real bugger when it comes to knocking things over, putting paws in wet paint, and generally getting her whiskas in where she shouldn’t. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Bright and early I had an army of painters in to repair the damage from that Hail Storm.
Whilst in my studio (above), the Painters commented on my paintings. I replied that we’re all painters here, it’s only the size of our brushes that sets our work apart!
Tonight was opening night of an exhibition presided over by the Mayor.
And a lovely little Red Dot greeted me when I walked through the door. It’s been a painting kinda day…
On Saturday the Calligraphy Guild of WA held it’s annual AGM and I now wear the hat of Secretary. On Sunday, our Chairperson (or Grand Poohbah of the Guild - her words), Gaye Godfrey-Nicholls, opened her solo exhibition. She is placed amongst the best Calligrpahers practising this ancient art today.
Her exhibition is entitled “Lyrical” and represents her visual interpretations of 33 of her favourite songs. I’m sure you can guess the Title of most of them.
(I apologise for the quality of the images, flash was unavoidable as it was after dark, and we all know that Flash & Glass hate each other!)
Some of Gaye’s prints that I’m about to frame up and hang in my studio to serve as inspiration.
So for any of you that have questions about calligraphy, feel free to drop me a line anytime. And if you’re in Perth, drop by the Mia cafe in Inglewood to see some of Gaye’s amazing work. Exhibition open until april 21st.
My last post was about an image I produced at an illustration workshop I did some time ago. On the weekend I bumped into the artist with whom I did the workshop, what a lovely coincidence!
You may recognise him from the newspapers and telly as the only WA artist left in the running to win the $50,000 Archibald Prize. (Finalists were announced just recently.)
It’s South Perth Artist Peter Kendall (whose book “A sausage went for a walk” still gives me a giggle).
To see some newspaper photos of his massive portrait of boxer Danny Green, click here. Took him 3 long months he said.
Best of luck Peter!
Calligraphy Class was all about playing with Paste Paper, which is essentially any paper coated (in a wide variety of methods) with a mixture of cooked flour paste, with paints or pigment added. Above is one of mine with combed colurs in the background and then metallic powders sprinkled on top. Once dry,the paper can be used as background for calligraphy work, or in collages.
Here I used a woodgraining tool through the paste.
Here our esteemed teacher, Gaye Godfrey, demonstrates how to blend paint and paste in correct quantities.
Then swirl it on with a simple household sponge (brushes, rollers etc will do nicely also).
Then she writes back into the paste with a calligraphy pen. You can also do this with a skewer, chopstick etc.
And voilà! The finished product.
We all got stuck in, and produced lots of pieces reasy to be transformed into calligraphy works. Below is a detail of the metallic effects that gives a matte piece of paste paper a little sparkle.
At the end of the lesson Gaye teased us with what’s in store for the next class. I can hardly wait!
For those that are interested in Calligraphy, I highly recommend joining your local Society or Guild - it’s a great way to acquire some beautiful (and fast disappearing!) skillls.
Having recently amassed a HUGE amount of new watercolours (all different brands from lots of different countries), my old colour charts are no longer up to the job. Time for new ones, and a new way of organising my pigments. I am boldly going to attempt to arrange them on one all-encompassing colour map. Famous last words perhaps…..
Below I am testing Winsor & Newton pigment density (student quality Cotman colours versus artist’s quality)
Other busy work was going on in our household over the weekend. Can you guess what the boys were building?
A Quarterpipe!
Yet another one, this time much, much smaller and no steel welding or huge skate park area required.
Having a play with my pan paints today, and this bird appeared:
Quite a change from my usual bird paintings!
It rather matches some of the paintings and drawings I did for the Rainbow Catcher (see last 2 posts)
Lots of critters hiding everywhere in my house!
Celebrating the work of an Aussie artist, calligrapher, photographer, illustrator & graphic designer living by the shores of the gorgeous Indian Ocean. With the occasional family member (some furry) thrown in as well!
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