Artists Blog

Last week (seems like an age ago), I mentioned that I was going to visit a working Artist’s Studio with a view to joining them in their space. A vacancy had arisen within their building, and the invitation to work amongst them seemed serendipitious. Four well known established and emerging artists that share a great industrial building in the heart of town. They are there each day, some starting at 5.30 am, some not finishing their work till the sun rises. They all treat it not only as a “job”, but as a passion.

Some are screen printers, on paper, fabric and plastics.

Some work with sculptural forms and installations.

Some are painters, and a studio floor is meant to have paint all over it.

The Studio was large, airy and well set up, with drying racks, an air conditioned storage room, even a lounge area where they stop for lunch each day and discuss their works progress. I spoke at length with each of them and couldn’t help but be inspired and motivated. They all agree that they urge and “feed” off each other’s enthusiasm, which has other benefits as well. When gallery curators come to see a particular artist, the others are seen as well. As a result, some are hung in galleries all over the country, including the National.

Unfortunately I could not justify joining them at this time. I explained that I would LOVE to work amongst them, but being at Uni full time doesn’t allow much devotion to a studio. However, I did mention the vacancy to an emerging artist I know, and he seems really keen to take it on.

**Sigh**,  maybe next year…

6.50am, my phone rings, waking me from a restless few hours of tossing and turning (finally got to bed at 2.30am after thinking, thinking and more thinking…)

“Get here quick if you want to see a huge python with a big belly” Jeff told me.

Now if I’m going to jump outa bed, into the car, with my hair only getting a look from a brush, a big python is going to do it.

Only about a km away, I arrived at Jeff’s work, where one big slithery friend was making it’s way across the road.

See where it’s headed?

Spot the problem yet?

It tried for a while, but breakfast was just too big.

Once it reversed a bit, the gate was swung back to let it go on it’s way.

Can you see the next problem about to happen?

I think a lot of us suffer from the same issue…

We just don’t think we’re that fat….

even though we can’t seem to fit into anything ‘cos it’s such a tight squeeze…

It seemed a bit stumped, so curled up for a think.

All the while flickering that forked tongue.

We left him on his own to work out where he was headed, and not long afterwards, he was gone.

No one has seen Reg, the resident rooster. But I think we have a pretty good idea where he is.

So long Reg.

Reg and Scrub Turkey friend in happier days…

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….

I’m so lucky to be living where I do. In our last home we had “delightful” children living behind us that hurled rocks into our pool. Surburbia at it’s most uninspiring.

Living here, I sometimes take the bush for granted, and forget that a whole other world exists beyond the wooden palings. This morning a tiny movement caught my eye. Can you see it?

Moving through the dappled sunlight two brand new babies moved with their mum and dad.

During the day these Bush Stone Curlews (or Thick Knees) are usually very, very   q-u-i-e-t.   At night it’s totally another matter. They are screaming, wailing banshees, with blood curdling cries of ear drum piercing proportions.

Those great golden eyes don’t miss much. Spot one of the chicks?

Just gorgeous! And they don’t throw rocks.

Since moving into our new home 10 months ago, we haven’t had much spare time to devote to the garden. Normally a Perth spring would see me going wild at the Garden Nursery, bringing home punnets of seedlings by the barrow load.

Today I made my inaugural visit to a new nursery in the area, with the intention only to buy sphagnum moss for epiphytic orchids my greenthumb neighbour kindly gave me. However, I was a lost cause once I spied the shiny oh-so colourful images on all the enticing labels. The Promise of armfuls of fragrant blooms filled my head, and then my shopping trolley. 

Now the garden beds are not quite so bare. We will have stands of tall swaying lilac salvias, drifts of deep purple petunias, carpets of double impatiens,… fingers crossed!

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.

Wasn’t it bright last night? (For those of you lucky to have cloudless skies).

Too impossibly bright to sleep deeply, I thought I’d go into the garden to take some shots. The moon was about to set, and I positioned myself in a spot that wouldn’t arouse too much suspicion. A camera shutter going off outside your bedroom window is an unusual wake up alarm. Luckily our neighbour is in Machu Picchu at the moment.

It’s surprising how quick the moon dipped behind the mountain. Not quick enough to avoid the mozzies however. Shutter and slapping sounds echoing in the street.

Then the battery pack died. The moon was really hauling it’s behind, so I thought I’d never get into the house, fumble for the new battery pack, and get back outside before it set. With my sarong falling down, cursing as I ran over the pebbles in bare feet, I hightailed it in and out in less than a minute.

Just in time to see it dip down into the darkness. The golden glow it left behind was just so beautiful. Not enough light to show up in an image though, you’ll have to picture it’s gorgeousness in your mind.

There was a happy trade off,

Following another early riser travelling in the sky.