"Night Light"
Mixed Media and Acrylic on canvass
50cmx76cm
Sometimes paintings come easily, the paint flows, you are in the zone.
Sometimes there are parts of a painting you love, and others, no matter how many times you try, you just can't get something right.
I wonder if others see the struggle, or the ease with which the painter paints?
This Year I made a commitment to more painting, on the whole that definitely happened and for me some new directions were explored. I experimented with oils, and took a class in portraiture. Hard to do, as I had to keep reminding myself that I was aiming for a likeness, not a photographic copy of the photo I used.
I began with a photo taken, of my daughter.
A collaged background and underpainting getting in all the darks.
building the layers.
Gazes and details added.
Detail of the finished piece.
My Daughter is sitting her final exams at the moment - the Higher School Certificate. The results she gains will be her entry into further study, or university, or just new journeys.
She had to complete a Major Work for one of her subjects which is submitted and marked by the board of studies. The students have to create their own design brief and answer the brief by way of a practical piece and folio. It is a massive undertaking and not for the faint hearted.
The brief was to design a cover piece for the relaunch of the Vanity Fair Green Issue. "I want to create a dress out of paper" my daughter told me. "Yikes" thinks I.
Well, so she did. The result and amazing creation made entirely from pages of Thackerys book "Vanity Fair"
Congrats to her - It is indeed an artwork. It speaks for itself.
Do you ever have those moments, the ones that remind you of the fragility of the moment, I guess of life?
I am not sure if it is the appearance of spring, the pace of life, the fact my children grow more self sufficient each day, or what. Last night my daughter asked both my husband and I (no offence intended!), if we ever thought about the fact that we were growing old (offence taken!). Whilst I was thinking about the best response, her father answered "Everyday sweetie, everyday!" I guess it got me thinking, that same old lesson that keeps presenting itself. This moment is all there is, this moment is where we should be. I don't want to live each day wishing for the next, only to wish that one away. This morning when I turned the page of Buddhist Offerings 365 Days, todays offering was "Most of us have spent our lives caught up in plans, expectations, ambitions for the future, in regrets, guilt or shame about the past. To come to the present is to stop the war." Jack Kornfield So, whats the secret of that life lived to the fullest without regrets? I guess, I am still learning that lesson - I do remember some very sound advice from my great Aunt who lived to the ripe old age of 105 spanning across three centuries, she was born at the end of the 1800's, lived throughout the 1900's and died in the 2000's. She had seen some changes for sure and was on the Ocean bound for Australia when the Titanic went down. About growing old she used to say "Darling, it's no fun getting old, but the alternative isn't great!" I do know that you should do what you love and love what you do though, look for the good in situations and see the best in others. Ain't life a huge lesson?
Today I resolve to......... ?
Today I resolve to..........appreciate my family more. After no contact with my soul mate whilst he was trecking the Kokoda Track, I had time to realize how amazing he is, and how much I perhaps take him for granted. Well Done on your incredible journey. Many of us know not much of the incredible story of
Kokoda , which is such a significant part of the history of Australia. I must confess I was guilty of this. Through my husbands preparation for his trip to walk the track I have learnt a little more of a bloody battle fought and won against all odds that saw 6000 Australian casualties and out of a force of 20000 Japanese, 13000 lost their lives. The tack is walked by many today as the history of what took place there is remembered and honored. The track for the most part is in jungle and vertical. which only reinforces the determination of those that fought there, and of the amazing fuzzy wuzzy angels .
To use the words of a iconic Australian poem, "there was movement at the" blog........ And about time too. I have the most patient friend in the world who spent the best part of one of her precious child free days, with me and my children who were already on holidays ( how does that work? the higher the school fees the more holidays!) helping her technology challenged, blonde, getting more senior by the moment friend! There was some overdue tweaking to be done, and it wouldn't have been possible with out her. Thank you my dear friend, you continue to take the inspiration out of the studio and into technology. Not once through the process did I hear so much as a sigh as she added the blog banner she whipped up without access to any of my photos other than those on past posts, no eye rolls did I see as I tried not one or two, but many different colour combinations before settling on the current ones. I am indeed lucky. Thank you Ursula.
I can even leave you now with photos that look centred! Who would have thought that by unticking the "wrap text" box one of my greatest frustrations would be solved! I am a reluctant learner of technology, but understand that if I don't get on the bus I will be left wayyyyyyyy behind. I feel constantly frustrated and limited by my knowledge and can't believe the speed with which my children move around this technology, but as my wise husband says " they are natives to the technology, we are immigrants" - I guess I have a little more of the local lingo to pick up yet!
On an enjoyment note this is a must see film moving and though provoking with some wonderful acting.
OK, so maybe I haven't got the centering perfect yet, but it is a start. This amazing box of colour comes all the way from France. They are the most wonderfully flavoured sweets . They taste like the smell of flowers. I just think they are divine. They were a gift to my daughter from some friends who have just returned from Paris. They said the whole shop was lined with boxes of different colours. They taste as good as they look.
As hard as I try the details start to blur, but the big picture remains. Thats why the camera is handy to capture the frenzy that builds when taking a class at a retreat. I tried to take time amidst the slapping on of paint, the mono printing, the layering, the looking and the listening, so here are a few views of work in progress and artists in the throws of from Misty and Traci's classes.
It always with mixed feelings that I both go to and return from an art retreat. It is always a busy time getting ready to exit the house and to leave the family - it is sad to be away from them, but enriching and fulfilling to immerse myself in the creative world I feel so passionate about for a time. Then, there is the return home, which although brings joy in being reunited with the ones I love brings perhaps a smidgen of resentment as I am catapulted back to reality and removed from the peace and timelessness being totally focused on creating brings over three short days.
All that said, I wouldn't have missed the artistic journey retreat for the world. This year it was in my second most favourite city Melbourne. The Cathedral had a wonderful Neon sign up that said "Imagine Me and You I Do" As my roomie and dear friend Ursula and I headed off from the city to Swinburne it was visible as the sun rose and as we wearily returned at dusk it still shone.
Jo and Jacky did a mega job and provided a wonderful group of inspiring and talented artists. Misty Mawn Nina Bagley Traci Bautista, and our own home grown Ro Brun strutted there stuff over the weekend.
What a treat it was to finally meet Misty. Misty's was the very first blog I ever discovered, I fell in love with her work and her gentle soul . Misty "s class was an absolute pleasure to be in. I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to share in her generous and inspiring teaching. Misty, gives as a teacher when you think that she couldn't possibly have any more tricks or techniques up her sleeve, she does so with grace, modesty and a gentle warmth, she is a treasure. Thankyou Misty, for all you gave. Traci is such a professional - her class was action packed as was Mistys and bursting with colour. This is a gal that knows the business and I am sure is one of the hardest working people in the business. I didn't get to be in a class with Nina this time - I still have an unfinished piece from Perth! I left that to the nimble fingered, but had the pleasure of sharing some of her wonderful southern humour and good company, Nina is such wonderful company and I look forward to reading more of her wonderful words as she continues her journey back to the southern hemisphere. It was wonderful to see Ro again. This is one talented lady who knows a thing or two about time management. She is so generous and totally oozes colour and creativity. (OK, so it looks like the photos are placing themselves! sorry, I'm sure you can work it out)
I have so much more to share - of both the classes and the streets of Melbourne. Ursula and I managed to fit a whole lot in in a considerably short space of time. Ursula as always was wonderful company and a top room mate - she is slowly, but surely training me in the "less is more" packing method. I still have a ways to go. Fortunately my dear friend is patient as well as talented and generous, and, I must add tolerant! I leave you with her awaiting our taxi on exit from the burbs of Sydney - no prizes for guessing which bags are mine, and which are hers! 
In True "better late than never" fashion, I finally get my act together to join the now finished crusade called "CUT IT OUT" a journey into stencil cutting. There are some amazing examples of serious stencil cutting.
I must say my contribution was done in a half hour window. I borrowed Ursula's stencil burner. I have cut many, many stencils in my time as a screen printer - but have never used the burner. When I saw my crude results I kinda see why! Anyway - thank you Michelle for once again providing an amazing tuition and some almighty inspiration.
