Using Paint-skins

Mary's Window (IX)
Aug 2006
Mixed media on canvas
455x455x35mm

Mary's Window (IX) detail

Lesly Finn has a blog post entitled "Painting with acrylics - some tips". It is very interesting to read how other artists work with these paints.

The above painting illustrates the use of paint-skins which are sometimes discarded after the main event. A collage using pieces of the dried paint from my palette has been laid over a textured, painted surface. I glazed over the collaged surface a little with Quinacridone Magenta to 'hold' all the colours together.

Mary's Window (IV)

Mary's Window (IV)
June 2006
Mixed media on canvas
455x455x35mm

Mary's Window (IV) detail

"Color on steroids"

Mary's Window (X)
Aug 2006
Mixed media on canvas
1020x1020xx35mm

This comment about my work from Casey Klahn made me laugh...
Everyone go visit Elizabeth's stellar blog. Talk about color on steroids. When it first loaded, I thought I was looking at wild quilts, but she does awesome color field type work.
These images are for you, Casey! Thank you.

Mary's Window (X) details

Paper Dolls

Paper Dolls (I)
Aug 2006
Mixed media on canvas
200x200x35mm

Paper Dolls (II): Family
Sep 2006
Mixed media on canvas
150x150x35mm

My childhood training in the cutting out of paper dolls came in handy with these pieces! The motif is able to stir memories in viewers. I plan to continue this series in 2007.

(Thank you to all who have been returning to view this blog. Many blessings, Elizabeth.)

Common Prayer by Sunlight

Today it's sunny here so I've taken more photos of Common Prayer (IV). Paintings change so much in different lights. (Put a spotlight on a painting & sometimes they will sing to you.)

Common Prayer (IV) detail

Common Prayer (IV) detail

Common Prayer (IV): My Mountains. My Country. My Freeland.
Jan 2006-7
Mixed media on canvas
455x455x35mm
NZ$450

Common Prayer

Common Prayer (IV): My Mountains. My Country. My Freeland.
Jan 2006-7
Mixed media on canvas
455x455x35mm
NZ$450

My Mountains...detail

This series makes reference to the common prayer of the New Zealand nation.

Mark Making

Kakanui (II): The Return
Apr 2006
Mixed media on canvas
1020x1020x35mm
Script on painting: Kakanui / ashes to be scattered to the four winds

The Return detail

"The marks I make now are the same marks I made as a child drawing with a pencil inside the covers of my books."
No mind/all mind (June 1984)
Max Gimblett

My circular mark in the top-centre is just a more controlled version of the more energetic mark at the lower-right.

Extending Silence

Extending Silence (XII): Evensong
Sep 2006
Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm
NZ$950
Currently exhibited at the Torenhof, Christchurch

Evensong detail

Series Statement
Pause marks are used in various ways in sheet music to provide visual cues for the performer to better interpret the composer’s intention. By using a pause, notes may be lengthened, silence extended or silence inserted. A performer watches for the conductor’s signal as the mark interrupts the normal tempo of the composition.

Sometimes at the end of a performance a beautiful moment occurs when the music fades away & a magical pause takes place before applause begins…

The series Extending Silence looks at pauses in life which are there for reflection, for re-energising, for awe.

Working in Black & White

Mixed media on canvas
100x100x35mm
Currently exhibited in South Canterbury Black & White Show

I could not resist adding shellac to 5 out of the 7 works I submitted.

For anyone reading in the Timaru area, this exhibition is on over the weekend. 111 works - paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints... Visually looks great as a whole.

Place of Shelter

Place of Shelter (II): Layered Memories
Nov 2006
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm
NZ$500
SOLD
Currently exhibited at the Torenhof, Christchurch

Layered Memories detail

The place-name Timaru, where I live, may be translated "place of shelter." Isn't that such a beautiful phrase?

The series title came about from an American woman who bought a piece of my art as a gift for her husband on their first wedding anniversary. They were married in New Zealand.

The piece was a little heart. She wrote & said...I love its vibrant colors. I feel they show the different facets of our hearts. And I looked up Timaru and found out it means “place of shelter,” which is what his heart is for me...

I had been waiting for a title for a new body of work & knew that was to be it.

LOVE Hearts (XXXVI)
Oct 2006
Mixed media on canvas
100x100x35mm

By Moonlight

The Quilting (XXIII): By Moonlight
Nov 2006
Mixed media on canvas
455x455x35mm
NZ$450
Currently exhibited at the Torenhof, Christchurch

Saying Goodbye

Mother's Legacy (VI)
100x100x35mm canvas
Dec 2006
Acrylics, dressmaking pattern, shellac

This piece is going to Wellington to live. I find it hard to say goodbye to work I know I probably will never hold again...

To be able to continue creating as I am doing currently though I need to let my pieces go, & I understand that. They are then able to be a blessing for others. That's what I'm thinking as they get wrapped for their journey.

Solemn Vows

Mixed media on canvas
100x100x35mm
Jan 2007

I am hoping this piece goes to live in Dhaka with Sharon & Jim. Their NZ wedding invitation said no gifts, but maybe there may be room in their luggage somewhere.

Scattered Fragments series

Scattered Fragments (II) detail


Scattered Fragments (II)
Jan 2007
Mixed media on canvas
Triptych: each piece 100x100x35mm

Although this work has been created as a triptych, each piece is able to stand alone as an abstract mark. This enables the work to be symbolically 'scattered' among friends/family.

I used this idea in 2006 with a larger work divided between three sisters. Pieces went to Perth, Sydney, & Popotunoa.

In the Stillness

The Quilting (XXIII): In the Stillness
Nov 2006
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm
NZ$500
Currently exhibited at the Torenhof, Christchurch
SOLD

Living document

Identifiable Marks (XIII): Magnify
Oct - Nov 2006
Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm
POA
Currently exhibited at the Torenhof, Christchurch

Magnify (detail)

This piece has more layers than usual as it was completely re-worked after initially exhibiting. How do I know when a piece is finished? Some pieces just are. Others seem like living documents for a time.

Defining moment

The Quilting (XXIV): Crossing the River of Dreams
Nov 2006
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm
NZ$550
SOLD

I usually like to form my work using many layers. Parts of these are scraped away or painted in such a way to reveal remnants of what has gone before…a reference to the passing of time & with that the creation of memories.

In Crossing the River of Dreams a layer of tissue was laid initially & over-painted with red. On top of this texture a layer of script was added & the work began to emerge.

My lettering has been influenced by the jazz-writing of American lettering artist Eliza Schulte Holliday. I very much admired her work on the web when I first came across it in 1998. http://www.letterist.com/

The same year we moved from Auckland to Pleasant Point, near Timaru. I thought I'd never meet another calligrapher again. A strange thought, but I was in city withdrawal. It was very helpful having the internet to keep in contact with other calligraphers. I wrote to Eliza enquiring about tuition. She replied that she was taking a trip to NZ. By that stage we had moved out of Pleasant Point into the country at Waitohi. Eliza was to be staying in a homestay a few minutes drive away. She visited my rented farm cottage & we talked about lettering. I watched her make lettering marks...

A defining moment in my artistic journey.

Answer to Prayer

Red Gold (III)
Jan 2007
Mixed media on canvas
455x455x35mm
NZ$450

Work in progress from series Mother's Legacy, 1020x1020x35mm.

An old friend has contacted me. She is also working as an artist. www.mazart.co.nz
I'm interested to see if we share the same feelings toward art practice. I find it so hard...rewarding, but intense. All-consuming.

Torenhof Exhibtion, Christchurch

The Quilting (XXVIII): Sun's Hour of Rest
Dec 2006
Mixed media on canvas
1020x1020x35mm
POA

The Quilting (XXVIII): Sun's Hour of Rest detail

This work is currently being exhibited at the Torenhof, Christchurch. It is a large enough painting to stand very close to & be enveloped by the colours.

Series statement: As with a quilt, life tends to be made up of meaning-filled bits & pieces. It takes much cutting & piercing to make a beautiful quilt...a bitter-sweet process.

Red Gold

Red Gold (II)
Jan 2007
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm
NZ$550
Re-worked: see post dated 11 Jan 2007

Red Gold (II) detail

This piece is part of a sub-series of one of my previous paintings Identifiable Marks (I): Red Gold, 2005.
References to Don Henley's song The Heart of the Matter & P Tchaikovsky's carol Crown of Roses.

Red gold - very precious, symbolic.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/redgold/index.html

To blog or not to blog...

Mother's Legacy (IV)
100x100x35mm canvas
Dec 2006
Acrylics, dressmaking pattern, shellac
NZ$50
SOLD

I seem to do quite a few of these miniature paintings. They are lovely to hold, place in groups, give as an impromptu gift...

My mother has been clearing out her dressmaking patterns...some the patterns of my childhood clothing. Fortunately I was around to take them. It's time for them to get out a little!