Showing off Brisbane

I haven't accomplished much this week except for a hat and jacket for my doll:

I think she looks rather smart.

Although I haven't done a lot, I have been getting lots of ideas for future works.  I had some friends visiting from Melbourne and I took them to the wonderful Tangled Yarns in Newstead for some knitting wool.  I have fallen in love with Noro yarns  and patterns am very tempted to make myself something using them, expensive though they may turn out.  Hmmmmmm.  Must think.  I have so much wool, I should use it up first, I suppose.

We also went to the BrisStyle "Saving the Lost Arts" twilight market, which was great fun.

It was great to see the demonstrations from artists like those from the Spinners and Weavers Association:

and it was nice to see people participating in making things:

 I particularly like Zillpa's beautiful baskets (www.zillpa.com), but there were a lot of other crafts to buy for those who like handmade items. 

I was very proud to see the Brisbane Institute of Art's contribution of cd cases, designed by a variety of artists, including me!

   I thought the displays by Terry Summers were humorous too.

 

I love good craft markets!  I much prefer buying hand-made, individual presents for people than buying mass produced stuff.

 

We also visited GOMA, but unfortunately, they were packing up the Asia Pacific exhibition.  Still, we  were able to admire the great heads made by the Sulka people of East New Britain.

I reckon they would look brilliant in my garden.

My visitors were blown away by the wall of discs by Edwin Roseno, "Green Hypermarket".  I think they want to experiment with using food cans as planters.

But, the best encounter was with this wonderful lizard which lives in the watergardens.  He came and sat at my feet and posed beautifully for photos. I love the patterns on him, I think I need to incorporate them in some future work.

 

Such a handsome chappy!

Change is good....... Sometimes.

I galloped joyfully back to class this week and participated in a bit of show and tell.  As a result, I reassessed some of my work, and was inspired by everyone else's work.  So....... I made some changes.

This picture now has a rainbow serpent in it, inspired by the aboriginal dreamtime serpent who created the earth.  I am much happier now.

I found this old mono print of nudes in my stack of life drawings that I had become stumped by, and added inks to it to to create this colourful picture.  I hope I'll do more life drawing soon.  I enjoy it though I can not understand how anyone can go that long without moving.  I couldn't!

It was suggested that I add a wash to my blue and white patchwork canvas, which I still felt needed something to finish it off. So, I mixed up light gold wash and swirled it over the surface. Absolutely yuck!  I added a gloss of  Mod Podge . Still yuck! I was still struggling on this one.  I added more gold and mod podge.  I think I have it!  Do you?

In the meantime, I am preparing new canvases.  This one is using a pattern of  PVA glue.

  This other one uses a pattern of modelling paste.

In the process of  making them, of course, I dropped glue and paste all over the floor and managed to stand in it.  Nevertheless,I am looking forward to adding colour to them both.

 I am going to try using some of the ideas from "Plaster Studio", by Stephanie Lee and Judy Wise ( North Light Books - see CreateMixed Media.com).  I like a lot of the techniques in it, though I don't like all the art.  I need to get to a hardware store  since my joint compound has run out so I can try some of these techniques out.

I was talking to a friend about the ideas she is trying to develop for a school anniversary art piece and got quite excited.  Some of my ideas were a painted or mosaic mural, a quilt made of paper or fabric contributions by the kids, totem poles decorated by each class, a path or wall made from handmade tiles, cut out hands, or bodies decorated by each child, flags decorated by each class, masks by each child and  prayer flags made by each child.  I got so inspired that I can't wait to create my own mosaic path, prayer flags or totem pole sculptures for my garden.  One day.......I already have a mask wall outside my house.  Why not add to it?

As well as painting, I have started on my hand dyed quilt, which is once again a homage to my trip to Alice Springs.  Considering what a short time I spent there, it really has made an impression on me!
I have pieced it using the rich colours of the centre of Australia, and contrasting it with the grey, flatter colours of rocks I have come across.  I decided to use photocopies of leaves as an appliqué of be surface, so my recent walks consisted of finding interesting leaves with insect bites, warm colours and diseases on them .  The dogs were loving these excursions.  Now I am experimenting with Transfer Artist Paper to transfer drawings of insects on too.

Speaking of colours, I have been informed that people in the know that clothing designers, florists and homewhere designers use Pantone's colour of the year to design their wares each year.  Plus, many ordinary people/consumers actually base what they wear and decorate with every year on this chosen colour.  In fact, a lot of people actually redecorate themselves and their homes every year according to the decree.  Obviously, I am not such a consumer!  However, an artist friend of mind actually keeps this in mind when designing pieces for the home, and it has affected her sales positively. This year's colour is emerald - which I love, but I notice that I haven't used it much this year.  Perhaps I should!  I am so last year right now!  I have been using 2012's colour, tangerine, this year instead.

Lastly, this week we took the dogs down to Nudgee for a walk where the rivers meet the sea. It was a beautiful day and the tide was out, so we could walk through the mangroves and onto the mudflats.  We shared the walk with horses, other dogs and people fishing.  Some of the fisherfolk were in boats, others used rods and two men were casting nets in the Vietnamese style.  The gulls, pelicans and sea eagle viewed all this human endeavour rather disparagingly, but there was great human excitement when someone pulled in a fish or a crab.  We let the dogs off the leads in the lead free area, but, for a change, they were pretty uninterested in the other dogs which ranged from Pembrokeshire Corgis, beagles, German Shepherds and Labradors to, to me, typically Brisbane dogs: Maltese crosses, Staffordshire terriers, Bull mastiff crosses and Kelpie crosses. I took a lot of photos of the mudflats as usual- I find them very inspiring for pieces-  and am wondering about a dog piece too.

After, we crossed the river to Shornecliffe for fish and chips and ice cream. The dogs enjoyed the attention they got from passerbys - Cairns are unusual in Brisbane- and the chips, plus an extra walk along the river, watching the tide gradually covering the mudflats.

ps.  I was admiring a bag a friend was carrying that was made out of old LPs.  Turns out it was made by Record A-Go-Go.  Find out about it on Etsy or Facebook.

This one is dedicated to my readers overseas.

When I first started using Facebook, it was because one of my ex- students asked me to keep in touch that way.  As both she and I had continually changing work positions and/or addresses, it was the easiest way to keep in touch.  Then, when I visited Spain, I used it as a method of writing to friends and family about our travels and experiences.  I expanded to having a " professional" Facebook site, Patapan Art,  and having blogs, Patapan Art  and Patapan Food, because I felt isolated, living here in Brisbane, from a lot of my friends and family in Victoria, 1686 kilometres away, and overseas, and felt that this would be the easiest way of keeping them up-to-date with what I was doing as an artist and a cook, since they were always asking.

It has been a surprise, therefore to learn that it is not my friends and family that are my main readers. In fact, I suspect that very few people I know regularly follow my blogs because they have very full lives and are busy.  In fact, my biggest readers are people I don't know in  Alaska, Germany, Russia, South Korea, Japan, China, Romania, Poland , as well as the expected  UK, USA and Australia.  So here's to you, unknown readers, in countries I hope to visit in the future.  This blog is dedicated to those of you who know little about Australia.

Australia has a lot of very good artists in a range of media, and we have a number of very good galleries in both urban and rural locations.  Emigrants who live here may miss the sense of history found in, for instance, European art galleries and museums :

 

(tapestry from the museum in Sevilla)

 

( Roman mosaic floor in museum , Merida, Spain)

 

(statuettes in Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark).

 and Asian galleries and museums

 

(Stone carving from the Museum of Champa, Danang, Vietnam).

(Fabric in museum, Takayama, Japan)

We have only a few representatives of, for instance, European medieval art or Chinese porcelain painting, but we do frequently get excellent travelling shows of artists like Monet here. And we frequently have excellent representatives from Asia showing here, as can be seen by these examples from GOMA's Asia Pacific exhibition in 2009

 

 

(Zhu Weibing and Ji Wenyu "People holding flowers")

 

(Subodh Gupta "Line of Control").

 

In addition, a lot of foreign artists visit our shores to run workshops.

Moreover, I think people forget that aborigines have been making art here for centuries.   Furthermore, I believe we make up any gaps in "European or Asian style tradions" with interest. The art galleries and museums here are an excellent way of getting an understanding of Australian history and changing culture.  Plus, not being restrained by tradition, and coming from an evolving culture, I think Australian art is very exciting and different.

 

 

(Portrait by Ah Xian)

 

 Brisbane is quite a centre for artists and it is easy to find a variety of arts and crafts at varying prices. I think this has a lot to do with the relatively  good weather since a lot of emerging artists use the large number of markets to reach prospective customers.   But, there are quite a few galleries too, an innovative museum, and a very good art centre.  So, this is a very encouraging place for someone to start an art career, as I have found.

So, dear readers, keep an eye out for Australian artists on lime, and visit us if you can.  I am sure you won't be disappointed

I have continued working on my canvases this week.   They are both very experimental, teaching me how the same basic materials can be used in different ways, and I am having enormous fun.  In the little one I showed you last week, I coloured some modelling putty with ink, and used the new fish stencil I cut out, to create a raised area of fish scales and tails, etc.  After it had dried, I added more, darker ink and created the body of the fish. Add the eyes, and hey presto!  More koi!

On the larger canvas, I used the same stencils I had used for fabric work and for the small canvas, plus modelling putty,  to create raised patterns of Japanese style plants and insects on the gessoed background.  Once dry, I washed the canvas with a pale blue ink.  The next step was to use darker blue hues to create contrasts, textures and depth.   Japanese paper added further interest and  texture and help unite the design.  Finally, more layers of white and blues were added.  An ink patchwork on canvas, finished.

I am continuing to knit at night to try and finish off the doll's jacket, but it is rather slow going as I keep getting distracted.  Never mind, there is no time-line.

And I have started on another quilt using my hand dyed fabrics.  Just cutting the fabric now, then I'll consider whether to layer printing, photos or embroidery - or all - on top!

The Toowoomba Show.

You would think I'd learn not to trust myself.  Today, while preparing a canvas with gesso, I spilt gesso in my tea and on the floor, then noticed the dining table was splashed with it too.  In my first art class, I took a swig of turpentine, instead of  water and had to spit it out and then wash my mouth out- several times.  Everyone stared at me - first in horror, then astonished at my stupidity -  and  after I seemed okay,  laughed at me for the test of the class.  Including the teacher.   Some women waft up to classes, dressed all in white or in elegant clothes, and emerge a few hours later looking just as beautiful.  I look like I have been trying out body painting all the time.  I get paint, dye, ink and glue in my hair, on my clothes, on my face, under my nails.......  I have learned to change into a new outfit if I am going out to lunch after class.  It is worse than when I garden.  I ruin shoes, speckle my handbags with dye spots, coat the dogs in oil paint, tramp dye through the house.  I am currently blaming the lack of a studio but I have a funny feeling that all the mess is due to me a) doing things on impulse, b) not preparing my workspace, d) rushing things, d) not cleaning up as I go, e) being a klutz.

In spite of this failing, I've been working on a real mixture of media this week.  Not exactly focused on one form of art.  I guess you could call me eclectic, if you want to be nice.

I am enjoying making my AK hares.  No idea why I am making them.  Perhaps visiting kids can make up stories about them when they come to my home.  I'm starting to dress them in different  clothes.  I can feel a punk one coming on.

I am also trying to finish knitting  another outfit for my doll.  Hopefully doll this will have more outfits than Barbie!  Again, this isn't necessarily for anyone.  I just feel like it.

I've coated my fish with varnish and it has brought the colour up nicely.  It looks very koi -like.  Really pleased with it.  It 's an enormous one... like the ones I saw in Japan.  I have devised a hanger, out of chains and jewellery bits to finish it off.  I've always wanted a pond full of koi.  It is not that they are beautiful.  In truth they are a bit ugly.  But I love their colours, pattern and size......and links to Japanese and Chinese art.  If I ever settle in one house, I might make a shoal of them to float across my ceiling.

Then I started playing with some new blue inks I had and some textured papers,  this is what I came up with.  A bit different to anything I have done before.  Reminds me of one of those Greek tales.

I'm also working on some new pieces on canvas influenced by my trip to Japan.  I am using some of the stencils I made to use with my screen printing.  This is the beginning of one of them.

 I am cutting a new fish stencil to add another layer to this one.  I'm using modelling paste on another one to make it three dimensional.  Pictures coming up later.

I' m  in the mood for another quilt too.  I have the squares I showed you earlier, and more Japanese fabric, but am veering towards another hand dyed one.  Mmmmmm.  Will let you know when I make up my mind.

It was pouring rain this weekend, so of course we decided to drive 125 kilometres to the Toowoomba Show.  It was cool and overcast when we arrived, but naturally, within an hour, the rain followed us so it was a rather uncomfortable experience.  I wasn't very impressed by most of the art work though there were a few nice pieces.  I was stunned at the prices being asked though!  I think I need to charge more for my labour!  However, I was impressed by the standard of photography, the whip making and some of the work by the Spinners and Weavers Association.  Made me almost want to take up spinning again. Bob was incredulous at the price being charged for slices of cake........ until I pointed out they were actually slices of hand made soap made to look like cake.

We both avoided the side show, with its very bored looking personnel and its tired looking wares, but, as usual, had great fun trailing round the animal exhibits.

This time we spent a lot of time admiring the alpacas and their variety of fleeces.  I love their incredible eyes.  My previous encounters with alpacas have not been very rewarding.  Lots of spitting and kicking.  But these ones were rather sweet, with their beautifully groomed coats and baby- like whimpering.

We also enjoyed the goats, even though they are extremely uncooperative about being photographed. Much friendlier and confident animals, in spite of their tendency to move all the time.  The "white rasta" mohair goats are worth a portrait:

as are the Roman nosed nubian goats:

We renewed our love of the patterns on duck feather and met a few elegant geese.  I am wondering whether I can be bothered to spend the time needed cleaning out duck ponds in order to get a closer acquaintance with duck feathers.  Probably not.  I remember our last Peking ducks.  Lovely bird, but a lot of work, even though I only watched my daughter do it all.  Plus, the foxes love them.  But...... the eggs are nice in omelettes........  Chickens might be easier.  Though not coloured ones like this.

As usual, I yearned after a horse.  The ones at this show were immaculately groomed, with cute little patterns  shaved on their rumps, shiny coats and beautiful manes and tails. I wouldn't even mind having a little Shetland Pony.  I promise I'd draw it all the time!

The sheepdog trials were pretty awe- inspiring too.  Amazing how cleverly a kelpie can read the sheep and its mistress, and get the mob to move in the correct direction with just its movements and eyes.

And then there were the wood chopping men - always a favourite in the past, but, Toowoomba, I think the Victorians are going to beat you.  Gippsland choppers seem stronger and quicker!

Mini art trips

Our next adventure was a quick trip up to Mount Gambier, in South Australia.  The countryside is now very dry and barren due to the long dry spell, and the frequent winds.  The deciduous trees are losing their leaves as autumn develops.  The green European feel of the area has faded and the dry weather, plus the prevalence of kangaroo road kill has emphasised the country as being very much an Australian one.   The late Hal Porter used to sketch the old buildings and graveyards in the Western District, and I think most landscape artists could find something worth depicting round here, whether it be the sometimes savage coast, or the slightly Irish feeling villages, or the areas of bush, or the rather scalped farmland.

We walked round the Blue Lake, at Mt. Gambier,  and it was a very different walk to my long trek in winter.  This time we panted and sweated as we pushed the pram around the volcanic edge of the lake, keeping a sharp eye out for snakes, but only spotting skinks and finches.  I had no time for art, but did mull over future plans.

The weather changed to strong winds as we returned to Melbourne, and we kept the radio on  the ABC' s 107.9 because we had been warned about possible bush fires.  No time for visiting the very good art gallery in Hamilton, unfortunately.  We saw smoke looming up as we drew near Ballarat, but the radio informed us that it was 30 kilometres south of the highway, so we were safe, though very wary.  I don't know how country people manage to be so brave.  My instinct is to head in the opposite direction rather than stay and fight a fire, or stoically prepare my property.  As it was, we heard that two homes were destroyed in this fire.  Entering Melbourne though, more smoke loomed.  This time a factory was on fire.  I guess you cope with what life throws at you, whether you live in the country or the city.

In Melbourne, we celebrated Easter with the family, and one of my young friends surprised me with theis plate she painted for me:

 

Then, through the kindness of friends and family, I managed to get my necessary dose of arts and craft.  I was taken for a quick trip to the National Gallery of Victoria to see the latest Top Arts Exhibition - the exhibition of the best of  last year's  VCE Art and Studio Arts students.  As usual, it was very inspiring to see the talent and variety of work that the young artists are capable of.  And, as usual, it was very different to the style and work of the previous year.

 I liked a lot of the pieces.   This dress is by Remy Wong and is called "Urban Huntress":

This linocut, "Devolution", is by Julia Bergin.

Eloise Freeman's portraits:

And this is one of three pieces by Alfred Evans.

My young companion was, however more interested in making her own art than appreciating the work of others.  Here are some of the pieces we created.  Can you  work out which faces were decorated by a two year old ?

 

  I had a quick look at this sculpture by Geoffrey Bartlett ("Double self-Portrait)), the heads in the foyer:

 ( "Trophy" by Charles Robb)

(Ian Bow's "Head of Venus").

Then, I admired the design of the chairs outside in the passage,

 

 then stopped for lunch in the city square, which I find rather ugly, yet arresting, and rather good at adapting to the different needs of its users.

 

I have seen photography exhibitions, dance classes and  retrospectives in this space and they have all worked well.  Even the two year old enjoyed it - pretending to be at a beach with her mum on the deckchairs,

 and spotting herself on the large screen.

My next mini excursion was to one of my favourite shops in Melbourne -  Kazari Gallery.  This time I was kindly ferried to the main shop, its accompanying warehouse and its textile shop.  I love their Japanese and Chinese antiques, textiles, and objects.  Even though there was a very good sale, I managed to contain myself and only buy some blue and white fabric to add to my stack.

 

 What a pity I am not extravagantly rich.  Then I could have bought the wooden screens, the doorway, the tables, the cupboards, the pram, the picture, the indigo fabric, the sake jugs........as well!  Maybe this will be the year I manage to sell a lot of my work for vast sums and be able to go shopping at Kazari with a full wallet!

Another  excursion was to AK Traditions.  My two year old companions were given a  little felt toy each by their very generous mother.

 I bought a few patterns - for a camel and a hare - and some felt and wool.  As a result, I have now managed to finish my woolen doll and one of her outfits,

and am nearly finished making a little hare  (he is not quite dressed.  I still need to make his trousers).

Coming home to Brisbane, I finished off my latest landscape.

I also finished embroidering my fish.  He is now ready to varnish!

And, I went on a shopping trip at my three favourite art supply stores to top up my supplies:
the Art Shed, Oxlade and Discount Art Warehouse.  I am now ready for more ink paintings.