Monday, August 12, 2013
Surf Coast Arts Trail
It was a big weekend spent exhibiting and talking to the many people who attended. Great fun. I was based at the Anglesea Art House and we had a good steady stream of people through the door. This is me with my artworks.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
arts trail weekend
The 2nd Surfcoast Arts Trail weekend is fast approaching. I hope I see you there!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Lessons Learnt
Recently I was part of a regional Art Show. I entered 3 artworks of varying sizes but no larger than 50 x 50 cms. My reasons for entering were that it is beneficial to be part of local regional art shows and it helps to build up an exhibition history.
I happily went along to the opening night but I could not see my art works anywhere. I located them on the end of a stand, above eye level, close to the wall, facing the kitchen. I know that someone has to go on the end of the stands and I am happy for one of my works to be there but all three!!! I went away feeling despondent filled with self doubt. Then I decided to address this issue so contacted one of the organizers. I was assured that artworks would be moved around the next day so feeling mollified I accepted that. Unfortunately this did not happen.
So what I take from this is that we often spend our little bits and pieces of money entering different art shows but is it worth it? Would it not be better to save that money and hire a gallery for a week or two and hang your work to the best advantage either as a solo show or with a couple of other artists? The other tactic is next time I will create a work that it too big to be hung on the end of a stand!!
I happily went along to the opening night but I could not see my art works anywhere. I located them on the end of a stand, above eye level, close to the wall, facing the kitchen. I know that someone has to go on the end of the stands and I am happy for one of my works to be there but all three!!! I went away feeling despondent filled with self doubt. Then I decided to address this issue so contacted one of the organizers. I was assured that artworks would be moved around the next day so feeling mollified I accepted that. Unfortunately this did not happen.
So what I take from this is that we often spend our little bits and pieces of money entering different art shows but is it worth it? Would it not be better to save that money and hire a gallery for a week or two and hang your work to the best advantage either as a solo show or with a couple of other artists? The other tactic is next time I will create a work that it too big to be hung on the end of a stand!!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Do you ever wonder.....
I love being artistic and get great enjoyment out of creating. The downside is I always have this little imp sitting on my shoulder making me question if my work is good enough!! Does anyone else have this problem. Why the self doubt? I am trying to create some paintings for an exhibition for later in the year and seem to be getting no where. I am constantly asking myself if my work is up to scratch, good enough, will people like it. sigh..... maybe I should just go for a walk!!!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Toulouse-Lautrec, Canberra NGA 2013
I have just returned from Canberra and my visit to the Toulouse-Lautrec Exhibition. This was for me a huge event to see the original works of this artist who I have admired since I was a teenager. I had posters of Moulin Rouge: La Goulue and Eldorado: Aristide Bruant on my bedroom wall for many years. It was a memorable day and I am even more impressed with his work than I was previously.
The exhibition contained a varied array of his oil paintings, lithographs, drawings and posters. Amazing that the NGA was able to bring all this together and how lucky are we that we can see a collection of his work all in the one place!
It is hard to describe this exhibition as it was just gorgeous. His oil paintings are rich and colourful and I love the technique of the thinned paint and feathery strokes. I had always been more drawn to his posters than the oil paintings but actually viewing them I am converted.
When I entered the room where the posters are displayed and I saw the original of "Moulin Roughe: La Goulue 1891" I cried much to the embarrassment of my daughter ... yes, real tears. I had never ever thought I would see his original work and to see this wonderful artwork for real brought me such joy. As a sometime print maker I could not but admire the technique and wonder at the precision that it took to match up at least 8 sheets of paper.
In all the times I have viewed Lautrec's work in books it cannot express his brilliance in both his technique and they way he studied his subjects. His use of colour and brush stroke is mind blowing. I was amazed that so much of his work was on cardboard and I would assume this was because it was portable. I love his use of feathery strokes and thinned paint that give the work a look of being drawn rather than painted. A technique I am keen to experiment with.
I felt the exhibition was also worth it for the comments on the society at that time - very informative and a few things about the La Belle Epoque made me laugh and some of it was simply sad.
Henri Toulouse-Lautrec deserves the praise of us today and the fact that we value and view his artwork. His art is emotive, descriptive and he displays non judgmental acceptance of a different class to what he was born into yet he judges those of his class who visited that level of society such as his painting of Gaston Bonnefoy 1891. (the walking stick displays his purpose for being there!!!)
I for one would have loved to have met him.
The exhibition contained a varied array of his oil paintings, lithographs, drawings and posters. Amazing that the NGA was able to bring all this together and how lucky are we that we can see a collection of his work all in the one place!
It is hard to describe this exhibition as it was just gorgeous. His oil paintings are rich and colourful and I love the technique of the thinned paint and feathery strokes. I had always been more drawn to his posters than the oil paintings but actually viewing them I am converted.
When I entered the room where the posters are displayed and I saw the original of "Moulin Roughe: La Goulue 1891" I cried much to the embarrassment of my daughter ... yes, real tears. I had never ever thought I would see his original work and to see this wonderful artwork for real brought me such joy. As a sometime print maker I could not but admire the technique and wonder at the precision that it took to match up at least 8 sheets of paper.
In all the times I have viewed Lautrec's work in books it cannot express his brilliance in both his technique and they way he studied his subjects. His use of colour and brush stroke is mind blowing. I was amazed that so much of his work was on cardboard and I would assume this was because it was portable. I love his use of feathery strokes and thinned paint that give the work a look of being drawn rather than painted. A technique I am keen to experiment with.
I felt the exhibition was also worth it for the comments on the society at that time - very informative and a few things about the La Belle Epoque made me laugh and some of it was simply sad.
Henri Toulouse-Lautrec deserves the praise of us today and the fact that we value and view his artwork. His art is emotive, descriptive and he displays non judgmental acceptance of a different class to what he was born into yet he judges those of his class who visited that level of society such as his painting of Gaston Bonnefoy 1891. (the walking stick displays his purpose for being there!!!)
 |
| Gaston Bonnefoy, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec |
I for one would have loved to have met him.
_1891.jpg) |
| La Goulue, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec |
 |
| Emile Bernard 1885, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec |
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
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