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  • Come For The Party, Stay for the Art!

    It's just around the corner. Come Saturday 23rd March, the opening of A Sigh Of The Times at Art Post in Gympie is happening. I have been to a few openings at this very innovative and interesting exhibiting space and the atmosphere is always electric and interesting. It is always worth the trip, so I hope you can make it to Gympie for the opening too. I was busy yesterday putting up the 24 paintings that are distributed throughout the three spaces in the gallery. I had so much help from Charmaine Lyons and Sandra Ross so the install day was hard but fun too. Photography Charmaine Lyons I have made a small catalogue which will be available on Saturday to take as a momento. I use this word deliberately as there was the need for momentum is in the process of working towards a show and there is a work entitled Momentum hanging. It's a peaceful piece. There are some rather strong works on show, as the events over the past few months has been quite tough on many people around the world as well as here in Australia. My artist's statement reads: What difference if any, can a painting make?  I often ask myself this question. Because I have always cared deeply about making a difference to the ways we treat each other, our world and ourselves.  I have been educated and worked in many professions that would, if actually implemented, make a difference, but still found myself with no means to influence the trajectory of our societies’ runaway trains of unsustainable and entrenched thoughts, beliefs and actions. My underlying drive to paint therefore, has been to ask the questions in a space that leapfrogs the conventions of how things are, into the space of what’s possible, if we shift our perspective.  It is the way I express how much I care. This exhibition includes works from 1997, in part to show that we may have churned through years, but we are still facing similar situations. As a painter I observe, I reflect and I create new worlds, unshackled from the restraints of gravity, law, prejudice and fear.  Painting probably can’t make a difference, but it gives me the opportunity to share my ideas: quietly, poetically and directly. Art Post 22 Channon St (cnr Duke St) Gympie Exhibition from March 20th - April 12th 2024 Acknowledge my appreciation for receiving a RADF Grant towards this exhibition.

  • xmas is just around the corner and I'm not too far behind

    The year 2023 broke all the speed trials so far. I'm still catching up and it's already December. Ninbella Gallery in Bangalow, NSW invited me to show in their gallery and I delivered 7 paintings in November. It's a lovely gallery. Invited to participate in the Art Lovers Australia, The Collectors exhibition at Hope Island in November. I'll Take You There, oil on canvas 61 x61cm Eclectica Art Award, Butter Factory Art Centre December Two paintings were included in the Eclectica Art Exhibition. For consideration of Animal Portrait I submitted, 'The Black Hole Theory According to Mars' and for the Erotica Section, 'The Absent Lover'. Du Rietz Art Award, Gympie The Class Clown, oil on canvas, 122 x 91cm Juniper Gallery, Pomona Love and Other Yearnings 25 May - 22 June Mirror Mirror, Butter Factory Art Centre, Cooroy This was a curated exhibition where a specific concept was asked of the artists to repsond to. Painting the Mirror, oil on canvas, 60 x 60cm was a self portrait of the artist. I placed myself within my studio, paitining the reflection that I saw in the mirror. Hence the paintings are reveresed and we see through the glass 'canvas' as she paints herself. "A Fragmented Perspective' has the construction of a face, made from lego bricks adhered to the mirror. THis speaks to the myriad of small bits of ourselves that make up a 'whole' personality that we see as ourselves when we look at our reflection in the mirror. A construct. Noosa Open Studios I'd Be Lost Without You NOS Studio 100 September Butter Factory Art Centre I was delighted to be invited to participate as a finalist in the Omnia Art Prize in May. I was fortunate to be in Melbourne at the time, visiting with my Dad so I got to attend the opening. The Consequences of Doing Nothing The hardest part this year was being plagued by constant excruciating back pain. It really impacted my getting around and being able to do much of anything really. But i was able to ride my bike and ride I did. To the beach some days and i would swim in our glorious ocean. It was temporary relief and what a beautiful environment. I began to volunteer for BFAC in September. It's been one of the best jobs I've had, and I've had a few! I love meeting the visitors and being around the groovy people who also work at the Butter Factory. It's a really lovely place.

  • Studios 100 and Aprons!

    Art Is Served All hands on deck for the Art is Served event. The bar was busy and the good wine complimented the amazing canapés that Matt Golinski was busily preparing in the tiny kitchen just behind them! It is these intimate, grass roots enterprises that make this place so special. Everyone just chips in and makes it happen. We had an very energetic auctioneer who kicked the evening off with a bang, and then it was off. 26 aprons, all so different were sold at break-net speed. I was in the background, packing them as they rolled in. Then the evening is over! And all these months of planning, painting, organising, making invitations and getting the media was done! The next day, back at the Butter Factory Art Centre was the launch of the Art Guide and the opening of the Studios 100 exhibition. I'd Be Lost Without You, oil on canvas, 120 x 91cm, 2023 Studios 100 Exhibition showcasing the artists participating in the 2023 Noosa Open Studios Art Trail. The opening was on Saturday 2nd September. A great turnout, Good food, lots of buzz and goodwill. Moments like these I am so grateful to be part of this outstanding event. It really shows how vibrant and creative this community is and the support is amazing. The Art Trail Guide book is OUT! I'm listed on page 34. I've created 36 posters with different artworks for each one that will be in the studio during NOS. Ive been posting them in Tewantin and it has created some interesting conversations. Meanwhile, back in the studio it's a time warp. So far I have collated about 40 works that will be available for the Open Studios. I had my friend Jo come over and help me organise them which was great. She helped me to see connections and hung them in a really interesting and inspiring way. I'm too close I think so my choices are determined by other factors. She was able to see them as others might do.

  • The Class Clown

    The Class Clown, a case for survival. I attended several schools, 10 in all spanning three continents. In each one, I had to start from the lowest rung of all. The new girl who looked funny and was from another place. I learnt to adapt in a way that many children do. The need to blend in yet the desire to express one's being. That passage of childhood, an age that will never return. A time of boundless creativity, exuberance, mischievousness, curiosity and vulnerability. This precious age, often corralled into the regime of our institutionalised education system where one size fits no one. The Class Clown, (detail) 2023 To hide from the bullying, the push and pull as one tries to figure out why you are a target and what to show, that allows one to stay safe and still participate. To be outcast as a child is very painful. The class clown makes a fool of you, but being funny is a useful tool. The child hides under the table, a thoughtful child, displays her puppet, her mask. The puppet entertains, delights and smiles. But the pay off is that no one takes you seriously. The space describes the theatre of the classroom. Referencing the use of flattened space, influenced by Matisse. The red chairs, represent the 'children' in the room. Here I look at two completely different influences, the modernist Mondrian who Gerrit Rietveld interpreted in a chair, Red/Blue Armchair and Kazimir Malevich, a vanguard of the departure from Cubism to the advent of form devoid of reference to reality and the rise of abstraction. Matisse, The Red Studio, Kazimir Malevich, Suprematist Composition #4 Gerrit Rietveld, Red/Blue Armchair The chairs in 'The Class Clown' are animated however, as they represent the anonymous child. The centre chair, stretches it's 'arm' as it tries to attract the teachers attention, but they remain invisible. The chair, that lies on the floor, now in the shape of the letter E, an attempt at education, expresses the overturning of the structures that we were forced to conform to. The 'boy', strides with enthusiasm and playful intent, the yo you spinning, the symbol of his energy, is also stopped, caught between the "ceiling" and the overturned chair, barriers to his advance. The Class Clown is about the years endured as a child in the classroom. I recently worked as an online tutor, supporting primary aged children in helping them catch up in English. To see them trying to learn, their occasional natural 'cheeky' playful selves showing itself and them seeing them trying again to focus on the 'work' that is pedantic and dull. I was reminded of my own experience, so many years ago. This work has been selected as a finalist for the upcoming Du Rietz Art Award.

  • Love and Other Yearnings

    Here I am gallery sitting at Juniper ArtSpace, situated in the Pomona Distillery in Pomona for the afternoon. It's a beautiful warm and sunny day. With the recent memory of chilly Melbourne, feeling the warmth fills me with gratitude. It's a bit unnerving just watching strangers look at the paintings and it makes me wonder if I selected the best work to hang. Love and Other Yearnings, a selection of paintings that responded to how deeply we feel about expressing that enduring and vital emotion of Love. Using the motif of flowers to represent this feeling, we can see that the value of having love is most vital and meaningful, when we share it or give it to another. The fragility and transience of flowers, that bloom for only a short period of time, describe how love that once thought to last forever, can also pass. Meanwhile back in the studio. I had a lovely break, five days in Melbourne traveling with my Dad which was fantastic. We went to the NGV and ACMI, visited Castlemaine and the loudest, wildest Greek restaurant in Oakleigh. Hanging out with my son and catching up with friends. Never To Old To Be Reborn, oil on canvas, 60 x 76cm

  • Chasing My Tail

    A full on week has just passed me by and another is to follow. It's been exciting though! I'm heading to Melbourne in a few days time, and I hope to catch up with some good friends and see what the big city has to offer. The beginning of the year, I had the opportunity to exhibit in the Art Lovers Australia Collector's Edition in their Gold Coast Gallery. I travelled there twice, once to deliver the work and then to attend the opening, which was the furthest I've ventured in a while. I had offered to hang "Reaching For Self' and it was great to see it in the show, alongside some terrific artworks. It was SOLD to a lovely couple. What's Happening in Melbourne? The Consequences of Doing Nothing, oil on canvas, 76 x 100cm, 2023 Invited to send this work down to St.Kevins as it is a finalist for the Omnia Prize which opens on 19th May. As I'll be in Melbourne, I'm stoked that I'll be able to attend the opening on the night. A nice surprise. ,

  • The Other Side of the Road

    January 2023, is nearly over! so there's no going back now. what will this year bring or herald. I stayed very close to home the past few years and so I wonder if I will travel further afield. I hope so but I have found a little niche here, a sanctuary and it treats my soul kindly. I love the ocean, the river and the trees. There is even a chance I may work with trees, baby ones. In a nursery in Traveston. Yesterday, I went early in the morning for a walk in the National Park. It was so beautiful. After that, I went for a swim at Main Beach. All before 7am. I think it is experiences like this that now inform my work. I am pleased to say that I have two works included in the upcoming Noosa More Than The Sum of its Parts at the Noosa Regional Gallery. It opens on 3rd Feb from 5.30pm. I hope you can join us. I think it will be a grand opening. Getting Around Can Be Tricky | Early Morning Swim at Main Beach oil on board, 90 x 80cm, 2023 I entered a work, 'The Other Side of Paradise' into the Caloundra Gallery Local Content Art Prize. ‘The Other Side of Paradise’, an expressionist oil painting, places the figure in an environment which reflects our natural coastal surroundings of bright sunshine and waterways. It explores the societal angst many people experience, despite living in a ‘perfect and beautiful place’ on the coast. The ubiquitous smiley emoji, conveys all is well, while behind the smile, we struggle with more complex situations and emotions. A distorted mirror, as the body of water upon which he gazes, reflects the disconnect with how we feel and what we ‘post’ to the world. The porous surface evokes the fluid world we inhabit as we search for a sense of place, often unable to gain a solid ‘grip’. The Other Side of Paradise, oil on canvas, 91x 91cm, 2023 The artistic influence and incredible visual and narrative power that I have experienced from looking at some of our astoundingly talented Indigenous artists will be something that I will always be grateful for. In many of these amazing works, I saw the intrinsic emotive and knowledge that paint in the hands of masters, can portray and speak where we can see the transference of knowledge is at its highest calling. It is a contentious time, that raises its head on the national consciousness on the significance of a day. As with all things that involve history, thus time, politics, power and disenfranchisement, people who have lost and gained, voices rise in order to be heard and maybe hope that positions shift. I paint my appreciation, acknowledgment and marvel at the enduring survival and thriving of this extraordinary culture and it's modern artistic interpretation. In my work, Listening to the Dreaming, I show this listening. Listening to the Dreaming, oil on canvas, 91 x 76cm, 2012 It is the Year of the Rabbit. As a rabbit, born in the so called year of it, I bounce with giddy delight into what I hope, will be my good year. What does this mean? I'll tell you this time next year. Only then will I really know. Meanwhile, I take this as an opportunity to resurface some of the rabbits I have painted over the years. A rabbit tend to represent the 'scared, skittish' aspect of ourselves. Quick to hide, easy to wound, the side of us that desires protection. An early childhood exposure to Alice probably was an influence too. Don't Go Down the Rabbit Hole, oil on canvas, 91 x 91cm, 2021 Comfortably Numb, oil on linen, 91 x 91cm, 2018 Pull a Rabbit From the Hat, oil on canvas, 40 x 50cm, 2014 Dog and Rabbit, oil on board, 80 x 80cm, 2018 A Startled White Rabbit, oil on canvas, 130 x 85cm, 1997 A cuddly cat is a rare find.

  • Studio News and Other Bits

    Happy to be exhibiting at the wonderful Butter Factory Art Centre, Cooroy with the rest of the artists included in this years Eclectica Show. Over 110 artists, are exhibiting. There are so many artists living in this part of Australia. Makes for a great vibe. I have been invited to exhibit with the Art Lovers Australia Gallery. A most welcome opportunity. It appears one of my works, probably 'It's The Thought That Counts' will be exhibited in their Gold Coast Gallery next year too. The Old Man and the Sea . My Dad reflected on the edge of the Shores. Seeing an image that can convey an idea. Rather poignant. Another painting underwent an unexpected transformation. I had made a drawing called the Papoose and then a painting, The Red Papoose. I chose to paint over Breaking The Ice. I felt it was an image that would be too unsettling and changed it to one where love and serenity were the theme instead. Counting My Lucky Stars, is a recent work. It is a quiet piece. The cooler colours are balanced by the warm yellow and red ladder that draws the eye back up to the platform where the person lies, suspended above the richly layered landscape below. Is it land or sea? The numbers cascade from her hand, as she counts the stars in the milky way above. It hangs above my TV now, so I get to enjoy it every evening. It's a good sign when a painting just makes itself at home. My Mum turned 82. So I went up to visit and share her birthday. A visit to the shores is also a most welcome time out. One evening I was invited aboard a catamaran! And it was a lovely evening, sipping wine with friends as the sunset. One of my favourite things is making sand sculptures. I made Sleeping Soundly one morning. Back in the studio, I am painting a couple of works in response to the call out for work by the Noosa Regional Gallery. The theme is Noosa and the Sum of Its Parts. A recognition of its amazing natural beauty. I started with a work that is interpretive and abstracted. I depict the journey I take from home to Main Beach where I go some mornings to enjoy a swim. The roundabouts are an integral aspect of Noosa. When seen from above, it can resemble the manner of painting tracks and places from an Indigenous' perspective. The tracks the European settlers, of which I am one, built to navigate this township, are unique to Australian urban development, because of the roundabouts. There is an overlap how people move through a landscape then, and so the tracks are painted a more fleshy tone to represent the recent arrivals. It was tricky when I first arrived, remembering how to get to places. The roads are 'anonymous', lacking signage and the surrounding bush resplendent, abundant. The other painting 'Early Morning Swim at Main Beach', is a more traditional view of depicting landscapes. I incorporated the use of light from William Turner and the viscosity of the water from Gerhardt Richter. I learned as I painted.

  • Art Stories is Live

    I have been preoccupied for the past few weeks with preparing and then being in the studio for the duration of the Noosa Open Studios. I had around 110 visitors and each one was a delight. I had some really interesting conversations and in particular, about Art. I can tell you, I am often starved of such conversations so this was a great opportunity to share my thoughts and listen to others around my favourite subject. A common theme I heard from people who were visiting the studio, was how they responded to my work as stories. It is interesting to hear this and I think I will pivot to showing my work on the website from this perspective. There are common themes in the artwork, not necessarily with any deliberation but there is certain imagery that I call upon that I feel represents the idea or meaning that I am painting about in each work. Although I have previously laid out this digital portfolio, as this website has been, over thirty years of work arranged in a chronological order, it has now beenorganised along the themes that I have identified as being 'major' or frequent. This means that there will be less works listed as not everything aligns with the main themes. I'll ponder on this in due course. The themes are as follows: Abstract, Birds, Connections, Courage, Environment, Headspace, Insight, Justice, Love and Seascape. After an event such as the Open Studio, the feeling on the other side is often one of quiet repose. There was a lovely gathering of friends and neighbours in the studio. Then I closed the doors. What next? Well, if you're interested, stay posted. I have a few ideas up my sleeve and as I cant sit still doing nothing for very long, I will be onto the next project very soon.

  • Have you seen the latest?

    Monday morning the 3rd October! After a mammoth effort these past few days, I finally crashed. Bed by 6.30pm. Nobody tucked me in with a hot chocolate. I went voluntarily and slept soundly until 6 this morning. The sun is up too, which is a great sign. The other sign is the flapping Noosa Open Studios flag outside my studio, a ART STUDIO OPEN one and a few other bits and pieces that would alert anyone passing by that treasures are to found within. I have approached this year with a different perspective. Lowered expectations for one with more to offer. Smaller works, Framed works that will look good as a punch signature piece. They speak of love, flowers, sunshine and colours. A few more abstracted works which I love too. I pursued with creating the framing in an epic learning curve. I went through four drop saws, five including the generous lend of one to finally finish the last 16 mitre cuts. I ended up with buying one from a random encounter and hope this one will be a faithful worker. I guess I finally committed to owning a piece of heavy electrical equipment. But if the small paintings remain unsold was it worth it? Once again, we may plan for what could be the best outcome but beyond that it is all outside our control. I had a launch party of my own here in the studio. I invited my neighbours because these are the people that make it a good place live. And there is no price on peace. A few friends who enjoy hanging out with me even after a few wines and the music is on for dancing. I'm in danger of losing the 'fun' in my life, having to party on your own is never quite as fun. So it worked out perfectly. I had a few people drop into the studio over the past couple of days. The conversations were interesting and engaging. It's a pleasure to share the works, hear what people think and feel when they see them. It has been quite outstanding working alongside the people who are part of this year's Noosa Open Studio committee. So committed, hardworking, generous and focused. Everyone putting in so much effort so make an idea "actualise". I think one of the highlights was gathering on the beach at sunrise, to collate all the 3D/2D artworks to be photographed for the marketing of the launch and fundraising event that happened at the Saw and Mill last week. The adventure of it. The beauty of the surroundings, Seeing all the works together and arranging them as a work of art in themselves. Then coffee at Aromas on Hastings Street after. This is what makes it all so worthwhile. Making friends. So let's see what happens over the next few days? I do invite anyone who happens to be reading and wants a painting by yours truly to come by. I have a sweetener! A few amazing pieces are heavily reduced only for the NOS period though. ONLY $950. Wow.

  • It's so close, I can nearly touch it.

    The momentum is palpable. It's only five weeks to go until the Noosa Open Studios is upon us once again. There have been a number of events that are happening, which just goes to show that so much more is involved in this event outside of the 10 days it is supposed to be all about. We had the collection and photographing the 2D/3D collaboration at The Spit, designing of posters, flyers, newspaper articles, aprons and bags. Collection of all the flags and corflutes from one old storage unit and transporting them to another storage unit, unloading, restickering them with the new dates, and then the organising of the exhibition. The collection and distribution of 10,000 guide books! Meetings every month that can go for three hours, as all the ins and outs are discussed. But it is a triumph. It is looking fantastic. Everyone is so pumped. NOS Committee on route between storage units. Keeping it real. Ladies hard at work. And today is the opening of the exhibition Studios 100 at the Butter Factory Art Centre in Cooroy. There will be artworks from all of the artists who are opening their studios on the Noosa Art Trail in October. I had been given the task of orchestrating this event as a subset of my committee hat as Gallery Liaison. I was at the gallery on Wednesday, helping Kevin Wilson and Jordan in the setting up of the rooms etc. It was going well until the back seizure brought me to my knees again. So off to the chiropractor again. The opening today will be fun though. Hopefully the rain will cease for a couple of hours this afternoon. I'm showing 'Reclaiming Lost Love'. Reclaiming Lost Love, 91 x 91cm, oil on canvas The brainchild of Beryl Purvis is the 2D/3D collaboration. We invited 3D artists to in good faith, hand over their artwork for a 2D artist to embellish with their own distinctive take, with no expectations and the skies the limit approach. 60 artists stood up and we have 30 pieces of unique art that will be auctioned on Sept 22nd. Incorporating the official launch of Noosa Open Studios 2022 it will be quite a night. Grab your tickets now. I went along one early morning to help the team of four unload all the artworks onto the beach as the sun rose. They were beautifully photographed. I have three pieces that I collaborated with Carol Watkins. All different. In the first one, the tall vase, it ws my first time using underglaze. I was trying for an abstract piece that was playful. The second I hand painted a little pot using oil paint. It is a scene on the river, two little red boats. One has a fisherwoman and her cat, while the other has a vase of flowers. The third pot, I returned to using the under glazing and was inspired by a painting I did in 2014. The Guide is OUT! I made an alphabet wall frieze for my great-nephew's birthday. His name is Otis. He turned ONE. :) First come the letters, Then come the words...and then you have the key to the Universe

  • A River of Milky Coffee Outback West

    As I hadn't attended a painting workshop quite like this before, I was so looking forward to what the next three days would offer. The workshop entitled "Energise Your Painting", was to be held by my good friend and accomplished painter, Trevor Purvis. We were to stay in the tiny hamlet of Eulo, QLD. I was fortunate to be traveling with another good friend, Bron and over the two days, (overnight in St George) we arrived to find this small community revolved around the Eulo Queen Hotel where we were staying. Col, Owner and Barman, Eulo Queen Hotel The Paroo River was full after all the rains. It was also a running river of milky coffee, a very marvellous sight. The trees cast multiple shadows in various tones. The objective was for us, a group that included seven artists to paint the river scene and bush that surrounded us. I was determined to meet the challenge. I usually paint 'internal' landscapes. A vista from the imagination. I painted the river, the trees, the bush and the shadows. I was able to suspend any thinking about what I thought the outside word should 'look' like and painted the shapes, with gestures and colour. I really enjoyed myself and the works are quite energised. In the evening we sat around the fire, eating a delicious soup made by Beryl, having been fortified during the day by her delicious cakes and much needed coffee. I welcomed her words of insight. Over the next three days, my perceptions were challenged and there was a release from some of the expectations that were beginning to take its toll. Here are some of the studies I made of the river and bushland. These are acrylic on board, 40 x 40cm. At the end of the third day we had all created a major work using the imagery and techniques that we had played with the previous two days. I was thinking about a beautiful tree trunk and based my work on that. After arriving back home, I reconsidered how I could apply this approach to my current works. I had been working on a piece called The Stowaway. It had undergone a number of revisions, and I saw the opportunity to take a leap. There is a push pull dynamic I encounter. Do what I know and try and keep developing ideas that push that direction, or allow myself to actually leap and be in that exquisite and dynamic place of creativity and the unknown. The Stowaway (In progress). Bird in a Fish Bowl, 91 x 91cm, oil on canvas, $3500 Noosa held a music festival called Come Together on the banks of the Noosa River. At the end of the evening there was a laser light show. This was one of my favourite photos.

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