Hello, my friend, hello

Mother's Legacy (XVIII): Mia
March 2007
Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm
$950

I went to the opening of the Waimate Art Society's Annual Exhibition on Friday evening...316 entries in the catalogue - paintings, pottery, sculpture, fibre & photography. Fortunately I was able to find my painting...it would have been nice to have had it hanging at home for a while so I could just walk past it in a casual sort of a way. Pity it had to rush out the door to Waimate...
I talked about the work with Austen. He is always very encouraging.

I like observing how people move when talking about art...

Je t'aimerai toujours

LOVE Hearts (XVII): Je t'aimerai toujours
May 2006
Mixed media on canvas
Four pieces each 100x100x35mm

Je t'aimerai toujours detail

I will always love you.

Soft is the Heart of a Child - Wyndham Glenconner

Soft is the Heart of a Child (II)
Mar 2007
Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm

details x3

Bitter are the tears of a child:
Sweeten them.
Deep are the thoughts of a child:
Quiet them.
Sharp is the grief of a child:
Take it from him.
Soft is the heart of a child:
Do nothing to harden it.

Lady Pamela Wyndham Glenconner

Finished Work for Waimate Art Society

Mother's Legacy (XVIII): Mia
March 2007
Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm
$950

Mia detail

Mia detail

This piece was finished in the early hours of Friday morning. I like the piece very much...I see it hung in a child's bedroom. Unfortunately, as it was travelling to Waimate soon after, I was not able to wait to take photographs in the sunlight for my records.

The work is made from lots of hand-torn, collaged painted papers over a paint dripped & splashed surface. Modelling compound was also used initially.

(Note for Philip & Martha: a piece of my first monoprint appears in the second image - top LH square. Sorry no detailed image!)

Work in Progress for Waimate Art Society

Mother's Legacy (XVIII)
WIP
Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm

Mother's Legacy (XVIII) detail

How I love working through the night...

Waimate Art Society Inc. Annual Exhibition
Receiving day 9am - 1.30pm
Friday 23 March 2007
(Thanks, H)

All My Delight is in You, Lord - Brooke Fraser

The Quilting (XXXI): All My Delight is in You, Lord
Dec 2006
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm

All My Delight is in You, Lord detail

All My Delight is in You, Lord detail

Bridge:
G#m           E     B        F#
All my delight is in You Lord
              C#m7
All of my hope
                  G#m
All of my strength
                  E     B        F#
All my delight is in You Lord
            C#m7
Forever more

Lyrics

None But Jesus
Brooke Fraser

From the Hillsong United album: United We Stand

Little Ones to Him Belong

LOVE Hearts (45)
Mar 2007
Mixed media on canvas
100x100x35mm
$50

This piece is a collaged work made mostly with offcuts of previous calligraphy works on paper.

Reflection

The Reflection Exhibition at the South Canterbury Arts Society Centre is a very casual one. The Society is wanting to see members exhibit more regularly so has planned a few extra weekend shows for 2007.

Organisation for these is kept to a minimum eg. no exhibition programme - labels instead, just turn up a few days before with a list of your work & $5, no opening function...

South Canterbury Arts Society Exhibition - Reflection

Soft is the Heart of a Child (I)
Mar 2007
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm
NZ$500
SOLD

Soft is the Heart of a Child (I) detail

Soft is the Heart of a Child (I) detail

Bitter are the tears of a child:
Sweeten them.
Deep are the thoughts of a child:
Quiet them.
Sharp is the grief of a child:
Take it from him.
Soft is the heart of a child:
Do nothing to harden it.

Lady Pamela Wyndham Glenconner

Reflection Exhibition
South Canterbury Arts Society Centre
Gleniti Road
Timaru
March 17 - 18
10am - 4pm

Brief for the exhibition was:

• Work can be in any media & is open to be interpreted in any way you like. It could be looking back at the past, or looking within. It could be a study of shadows, landscapes that include reflections, self portraits, abstractions inspired by reflection...
• No limit on colours, media or size
• 1 - 3 pieces

I'm looking forward to seeing the show tomorrow. Come along if you are around!

Internet Helping Local Artists

The place-name Timaru, where I live,
may be translated "place of shelter".

Place of Shelter (I)
Nov 2006
Mixed media on canvas
150x150x35mm

Place of Shelter (II): Layered Memories
Nov 2006
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm
NZ$500

My comments appear in the Community High Country Herald today, in an article written by Esther Ashby-Coventry, regarding the use of the internet by artists - Internet Helping Local Artists. I believe that the internet is becoming more & more important as a marketing tool for artists & I am grateful to sites such as Blogger for their role in this.

The article does not mention that galleries are also taking advantage of the internet for the same reason. The Gudsell Gallery, Timaru's newest dealer gallery, recently had its Grand Opening & is currently in the process of developing a website.

Thanks, Google Blogger!

Extending Silence (IX): Re-energise
Sep 2006
Mixed media on canvas
305x305x35mm
$250
Series Statement

Something I had not thought of when I first started blogging was the ability for the blog to be useful in my extra-mural studies through The Learning Connexion. It has made it very easy to talk through images with my TLC mentor, painter Jane Blackmore...more so than my website, as I am able to upload details of pieces. Just perfect!

Plans for a Future

The Quilting (XXVII): Plans for a Future
Dec 2006
Mixed media on canvas
305x305x35mm

Plans for a Future detail

When the heart is cut or cracked or broken...Leunig

LOVE Hearts (44)
Mar 2007
Mixed media on canvas
100x100x35mm
For sale by auction (NZ bidders only)
SOLD

From The Prayer Tree
by Michael Leunig

When the heart
Is cut or cracked or broken
Do not clutch it
Let the wound lie open

Let the wind
From the good old sea blow in
To bathe the wound with salt
And let it sting

Let a stray dog lick it
Let a bird lean in the hole and sing
A simple song like a tiny bell
And let it ring

Buying Art

Extending Silence (XII): Evensong
Sep 2006 / reworked Mar 2007
Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm
NZ$950
York Street Gallery
SOLD

Evensong detail

Evensong detail

I was reading an article today in a 2004 copy of Australian Home Beautiful: What the best decorators are doing now.
15 Australian designers were asked the same series of questions. Two of them were...
With an unlimited budget where would you start spending?
With a tight budget, where would you splurge?

Seven of the designers mentioned buying art, with one saying that it's often the last thing people buy but is such an important part of an overall look. (Caroline Touzeau, Stockwell & Oxford, Melbourne)

...I think it gives a home its soul.

I Looked into My Heart - Leunig

Paper Dolls (III): I Looked into My Heart
Mar 2007
Mixed media on canvas
305x305x35mm
POA

I Looked into My Heart detail

I Looked into My Heart detail

Does anyone else out there read Leunig?
My favourite cartoon of his is titled "We must make do with scraps..."

Little scraps of
peace and quiet.
Hope, conversation, handshakes
- all in dribs and drabs.
...