Catch up and shut down!

Wow - a month goes by so quick when your kid breaks a bone! Actually a few other things have been happening as well. I have finally decided on a new business name and so everything will start to move in a new direction now as well. To this end I am not going to be blogging for a little while. Once I have got the new blog etc ready to go I'll be back! Take care!!

Yellow...

I have a dilemma of the nicest kind.  After my trip to Bali and camping trip to 80 Mile in July I may have decided to give alcohol a miss for a couple of months.  Don't get me wrong - generally one or two drinks is my limit anyway.  However, recently I may have overindulged to the point that my liver and my mind were in total accord that a bit of a dry out would be ideal.

But I have just finished my forth book and now I am wondering how I am going to celebrate and 'launch' Yellow without my usual glass of champers.  It doesn't seem right not to mark the occasion somehow and having a bubble bath or something equally girly isn't going to cut it. 

Oops - wait!  If I can't have champers maybe I'll turn to my other great loves - coffee and chocolate!!  I can have a morning tea launch with some really good coffee and lovely chocolate.  Excited now and must go and source some supplies...

Art awards season...

With time everything settles in.  Twelve months ago I was making the transition from scared art student to person seriously considering trying to make art / writing part of my future. 

The other day, when I was grumbling about how I wasn't totally happy with the artwork I am submitting for the Hedland Art Awards as well as chasing up whether my artwork for the Cossack Art Awards had sold, I had to stop and laugh at myself. 

When I put my book into the Hedland Art Awards last year I had to drive around the block a couple of times to get up the nerve to stop at the Gallery and hand it in!  I was almost physically ill going to the opening I was that worried about it all. 

I still feel like I am pretending just a bit but most of the time, particularly when I am in a hurry to get stuff finished because deadlines have to be met, it really feels like work.  My work. 

It'll be interesting to see what I am feeling next year!

My entry for the 2010 Hedland Art Awards

Introspection!

So much is going through my head at the moment it is a wonder it doesn't explode.  Unfortunately I have been a bit sick lately so my poor body isn't keeping up with my brain...not a bad thing really as then I probably would actually explode. 

The thing is I have a hard time setting limits on myself and I have a hard time relaxing.  Particularly because my work is self determined and self income generating.  I come up with the ideas and implement them which is great fun and I love it.  But I tend to put unrealistic demands on myself as to how quickly I can get work done and really all that then does is stress me. 

So today, being Sunday, I am officially 'off'.  As much as I would love to get stuck into heaps of different things I am actually just going to make a coffee, eat some chocolate and sit out the front and admire my sea view.  Sure my thought processes will eventually swing back around to 'business' but in the meantime relaxation is the order of the day.

Before I go here is a sneaky peak at the first finished image for Yellow - the latest Pilbara Pixies book.  Seriously - no wonder I can't stop working!!

Distractions...

I haven't been in the mood to write lately which is very unlike me. 

Part of it was sheer exhaustion I think - school holidays will do that to you.  Particularly when you chuck an overseas holiday and a week long camping trip in there.  Then there was my son starting a new school.  He of course took it in his stride but I worried enough for all of us combined. 

I think the main part of it though was that I was completing the art work for the forth Pilbara Pixies book Yellow.  I have to confess that when my mind is on a job like that that nearly everything else gets dropped.  Except reading.  Reading is my guilty pleasure and the busier and more crowded my life gets the more I need to escape into books.


Still - Yellow's images are now printed and drying.  On Friday I will scan them and then start colouring them in.  Next comes making the covers and with any luck Yellow will be ready to make its first public appearance at the West End Markets on Saturday 27 August.  By then I will be back in the writing, friendly, chatty zone...before moving straight on to book number five!!

Back to work...

I was in Bali this last week.  It was fun, laid back and very green.  I had a brilliant time with my gorgeous family and I have to admit that I may have overindulged with food and drink (can only recommend the Champagne Mojito - by far the stand out cocktail!). 

However, by the end of the week my mind started to turn back towards home and work (as it does) and I started to make mental lists of what jobs I have to do (as I always do) and what deadlines are coming up (aren't there always).

The big difference was how ridiculously excited I was by all this.  I couldn't wait to get home and now that I am I've been running around like a mad fool getting back into work.  Rather than some high pressure, underpaid, repetitive (read boring in there!) admin job I am drawing, carving, printing and painting.  My work rocks!

While I was away I had an article in The Pilbara Echo and I've popped a copy below.  Hope you enjoy!

The Pilbara Echo, 9 July 2011

Heading Down the Highway…

Looking for adventure and whatever came our way.  We were three intrepid artists bearing six gorgeous artworks created by Hedland artists to Cossack on Sunday 26 May. 

Our mission was to safely deliver these artworks for submission to the Cossack Art Awards.  Now I have been on my share of road trips in my day but I’ve never done it with artists and let me tell you it is a whole new experience.  Rather than whining kids asking are we there yet (actually to tell the truth that is usually me) there was much more artsy stuff going on. 

There were conversations about artistic style, merit, pricing of artworks, what sort of paint to use and how and when.  Technicalities were discussed in detail and then in even further detail still.

There was lots of looking at landscapes, noticing colours, shapes, light play etc and wondering how anybody could not be fascinated by the Pilbara landscape. 

We also had some deep and meaningfuls about the West End Markets that we had all worked the night before and how sometimes your creations just sell, sometimes they just don’t and how good it is to keep perspective and confidence in what you are doing. 

When we got to Cossack we handed the artworks over, ensured they were labelled up correctly and stopped for a spot of lunch.  Here again the conversation turned to landscapes and colours but also just the general feel of Cossack – the peace and stillness of it that wasn’t even marred by 4WD’s and boat trailers zooming about. 

After lunch we did a tour around Cossack and all agreed that it was such a gorgeous place that we needed to spend more time in and pretty soon, you guessed it, there was more talk of what could be drawn or painted.  After deciding that we had to do some sort of artists’ camp in Cossack soon it was time to head home.

On the way home there were a few more stretches of quiet - we had worn ourselves out with too much talking.  I reflected on how important hanging out with other artists can be.  So much of art happens in your head and in a lot of cases artistic production happens on a solo basis too.  But just like any other profession – a bit of chatting, a bit of networking and even a bit of reassurance goes a long, long way. 

The Cossack Art Awards is on from 17 July to 7 August at Cossack’s Bond Store and Post and Telegraph Building. 



Leny, Nomes and Amanda heading to Cossack...




Nomes is handy with a camera as well as a paint brush!



New tools...

Running an art business is lots of fun but not necessarily a huge money making exercise...yet!  I economise wherever possible which means not buying as many new clothes (easier than I expected) and reusing whatever I can. 

However, recently my carving tools got to the point that I was ripping lino and mdf rather than cutting it so I ordered some more.  They arrived today and I got down to carving.  My oh my, it was sheer bliss and I have to say no matter how hard times get I am never going to use blunt carving tools again.  It was a bit too easy to cut lino though and I had to force myself to slow down a bit because once it is cut there is no going back.

I have had a lovely week because my mum came to stay.  She didn't realise it but every time she hung out the washing or did the dishes it meant that I had a little bit more time to get my own stuff done and for that I am extremely grateful. 

She also shocked me senseless by buying quite a bit of my work.  I am quite used to people wanting to buy stuff off me now but not so much and all at once.  I got really embarrassed and tried to explain that she was under no obligation to buy anything.  She reassured  me that she did actually want the stuff so there you go. 

I know it sounds weird - if I am going to stay in business I do need to sell stuff.  I just don't like people feeling forced into buying stuff - I even hesitate to give my art as a gift because I am worried that people will then feel obliged to hang it etc when they don't want to.  Clearly I have to get over this - that or find a good salesperson to spruke on my behalf!

So perhaps along with my new carving tools I need to develop some new mental tools and step up to the sales pitch line.  Not over it mind you, never over it - I can't stand pushy sales people.  But if I don't take the sales opportunities when they present themselves perhaps I am really only selling myself short. 

Photo courtesy of Elise Batchelor

Families...

Woohoo - I am really excited today.  Only two days to go to the West End Markets but I nearly have everything under control - famous last words maybe but hopefully not! 

What I am really excited about is my new series Families.  I have been thinking about this for so long - another TAFE art concept that I've managed to get out of my head, on to lino, on to paper and now into card format.  It has made me stop and reconsider my branding again though. 

Initially when I started out I thought about whether to make The Pilbara Pixies my focus with the branding or not and I went with that as my focus because that was where all my energy and direction was.  Now I have detoured away from that slightly so of course have to widen my branding also. 

Makes me realise that as new concepts come up (which they have already) I'll either need to brand everything separately (obviously not a good idea) or create the one over-riding brand - good idea but need something that is really zingy and that isn't going to happen without some more thought.  

Good thing I enjoy all this so much or I'd be going nuts by now! 

Deadlines...

Thought things would ease up this week but actually I've gotten busier!  However, I am just so happy at the moment (even my husband commented on this) that I don't mind. 

Will I manage to get an artwork into the Cossack Art Awards?  Not sure but it is fun trying!  Do I have all my books made for the markets?  Not yet but I know what I am doing now so all good.  Will my new Families prints work out?  Who knows but better out of my head and printed up I reckon.

So where is all this happiness coming from?  Not sure really and it is not drugs or alcohol related either!!  I have had some really lovely kid feedback lately about my books and I think that this is probably the real cause.  Apart from actually making my books and artworks I always thought my biggest thrill would be selling them.  I was wrong.  Just a big a thrill as making them is having them mean something to somebody else.

Time management...

Once in another lifetime I was a Flora & Fauna Planner.  In that lifetime I may have been somewhat...disorganised.  I remember my desk usually had at least 50 files on it at any given time and whilst this sort of filing system can work for some people it never worked for me - I could never find a thing.

A change in office structure meant that for awhile I had to do two jobs instead on one and I started drowning.  My boss decided I should attend a time management course.  What a revelation!  There were ways, easy ways, of being organised.  A clear desk were you could find what you were looking for was obtainable.  Waking up in the middle of the night in a full on panic didn't have to be a regular state of affairs. 

I had forgotten about all of this until recently when my mother in law reminded me that I had done the course.  Now I am looking around at my desk, that has piles of drawings on it, and my bookshelf, that has piles of art supplies on it and I am thinking it might be time to revisit those time management skills. 

The upside of my current situation is that I would rather wake up in the middle of the night and be thinking about what I am going to put into the Hedland Art Awards than thinking about environmental planning conditions to put on a development!  But still, a little more organisation wouldn't go astray. 

Moving right along - last week I mentioned an article that would be in the Echo this week about my recent sojourn to De Grey Station.  Here it is with the gorgeous photo compliments of the very talented Samantha Bell of the Courthouse Gallery.

The Pilbara Echo, 5 June 2011

Artists Camp at De Grey Station

Really I’m not sure who to thank first for the amazing artists camp held last weekend at De Grey Station.  Is it principal sponsor BHP Billiton, or FORM and the wonderful staff from the Courthouse Gallery?  Perhaps it should be the owners of De Grey Station or the fabulous artists who came to teach us.  Of course I can’t forget all the artists who attended and participated, or the actual landscape that provided so much beauty and inspiration. 

In fact it was the sum total of all of the above that meant that this camp was a fabulous success and thoroughly enjoyed by all.  We drove to De Grey Friday afternoon and participants came from Hedland, Karratha and Marble Bar.  We were particularly lucky to have some of our local Spinifex Hill Artists attend as well.  We had a meet and greet session Friday night after setting up camp near the De Grey Station homestead area. 

The work started in earnest on Saturday with half day sessions run by artists Helen Ansell, Sara Barnes and Jo Darbyshire from Saturday morning until Sunday lunchtime.  I was in a group with Jo first and this was my first introduction to oil painting.  The technicalities threatened to overwhelm me initially but Jo was incredibly patient and stepped us all through what we needed to know.  Then it was just a matter of letting the environment inspire us and it was interesting to watch as some of us ran off to paint gorgeous realistic landscapes whilst others went for a more abstract interpretation. 

Next I was in a session with Sara that covered a few different subjects including creating a natural installation artwork, a fresh look at art mediums such as oil pastels and how to create mediums from the surrounding environment.  The installation pieces that the participants produced were amazing and many of them involved the original homestead building that is now in a decayed state.  What is so interesting about this idea is that the artworks aren’t created to last and could only be made by what could be found and without bringing in any other tools.  Suddenly a fun, almost childlike quality appeared in many of the artworks and they seemed to me to be innocent in nature.

After another fabulous campfire session that involved maybe a glass or two of red, combined with some noisy cattle keeping many of us awake on Saturday night, I was off to a bit of a shaky start on Sunday.  However, Helen soon turned her session into a completely relaxed and enjoyable one.  The idea was to wander in the bush and simply draw what we saw.  We then used sections of our drawings to create an acrylic painting and the results were exciting and stunning with many participants commenting on how different the works they produced were from their normal style but how pleased they were with the results.

We then debriefed, packed up and drove home.  Reality awaited but after spending all weekend learning how to see and do things in a new way I am still feeling fabulous.  It is my serious hope that this camp becomes an annual event and if it does I urge you to give it a go – there is an artist in all of us and instruction, inspiration and practice is all we need to bring it out.

If you’d like to be hear about any of FORM’s exciting workshops and programs just drop them a line at the Courthouse Gallery to join their mailing list. To be the first to know about all their events and exhibitions contact them on (08) 9173 1064, mail@courthousegallery.com.au or http://www.courthousegallery.com.au/.

Catching up...

Oh, oh - too much to say and too little time to say it in!  Now those of you that know me personally will think that is actually a regular state of affairs with me but moving right along.

I have just had one of the best weekend's of my life.  Put me in mind of a Dido song actually so had to search that out for background inspiration!  On the weekend a number of artists from Hedland, Karratha and Marble Bar descended on the gorgeous De Grey Station for a couple of days of meeting, greeting, learning, changing, stretching, seeing and dreaming...not to mention painting. 

Compliments of BHP Billiton who sponsored the weekend, and FORM and the Courthouse Gallery who ran the weekend, and De Grey Station who hosted the weekend, we all had a fabulous time.  I didn't have any painting experience but that didn't matter - the artists taking the sessions just bought everything back to basics.  Before I knew it, and with relatively little pain, I had produced some abstractive oil paintings, an installation art piece that was simple but completely what I visualised and really, truly enjoyed a line drawing session wandering around the bush. 

I have written an article for the Pilbara Echo with a little more detail so I will post that next week.  A fortnight ago there was an article in about the art awards coming up - first there is Cossack and then Hedland.  While it was no coincidence the artists camp was right before the Hedland Art Awards it completely had the desired effect of inspiring me so much that I am just diving straight into my art.  Lucky me!

Anyway - best be going.  I have my gorgeous parents-in-law here at the moment so it is time for a cup of tea.  Below is the article about the art awards - I can't wait to see some of the fabulous local art that I just know will be in these awards.

The Pilbara Echo, 21 May 2011

Art Awards

Tis the season to get arty – over the next couple of months there are some wonderful opportunities for local artists.  So clean off your brushes, order in your art supplies and get creating. 

The Cossack Art Awards started in 1991 and are acquisitive – if your work wins the prize money becomes payment for your work which is then owned by whoever sponsored the prize you won.  There is over $70000 in prize money available.  The Awards are held annually and are exhibited in Cossack which is a fabulous place – this is just another great reason to visit.

Entries are now open for these Awards with entry forms due in by Friday 17 June.  Each artist can enter one work and the entry fee is $33.  All artworks must be for sale and must be delivered to Cossack on the weekend of 25-26 June between 11am and 2pm although works can also be couriered or posted.  The Awards Night is by invitation only and is held on Saturday 16 June with the exhibition officially opening the following day and closing three weeks later.  For more information email Cossack.art@roebourne.wa.gov.au.

The Hedland Art Awards have their history in the local Hedland Arts Society who revived them in 2000.  More recently FORM has been running the awards with the support of BHP Billiton Iron Ore and they have gone from strength to strength.  This has been reflected in the quality of work exhibited and with prize money of $55000 the standards will continue to rise.  The Hedland Art Awards differ from the Cossack Art Awards in that they are only open to artists living in the Pilbara, Mid West, Gascoyne and Kimberley regions.   They also differ in that they are non-acquisitive so if you win a prize you can still sell your artwork as well. 

Entries are now open and are due in by Saturday 25 July.  Entry costs $20 per work, you can submit two works and all works must be for sale.  Delivery is to the Courthouse Gallery, 16 Edgar Street, Port Hedland on the weekend of 6-7 August between 9am-3pm.   The awards are presented at the exhibition opening on Friday night, 26 August.  As we are now coming to expect from FORM, the opening will form part of a fabulous action packed arts and culture weekend with the West End Markets also on.  As well as this FORM will be running a series of workshops leading up to the Awards.  The exhibition will close 13 October.  For more details go to www.courthousegallery.com.au. 

Rejection Take 2...

Back in...March (boy time goes quick) I wrote about how bad I was feeling after being told by a local establishment that they didn't want to stock my books.  It seriously hurt and it made me question for awhile whether I was cut out for this whole thing. 

But this week I received a rejection letter from Fremantle Press and I am happy to report that everything feels AOK. 

I had to ponder this awhile and I've come up with two things.  The first is that I really expected to be supported locally - particularly when they didn't stock any locally made kids' books.  I may have...presumed that they would be really happy to have my books.  Wrongly as it turned out but the presumption was well and truly there. 

The second is that Fremantle Press are experts in what they do - if they didn't want my book then it is either because it doesn't suit them or it isn't good enough.  Strangely enough either way is ok with me - if it is because it doesn't suit them hopefully it will suit another publisher.  If it isn't good enough then it is time to write something else for publishing that is.  Luckily for me lots of people have enjoyed The Pilbara Pixies so far so even if it is never officially published I am still so happy that it has been liked. 

Time changes so much but so does a change in attitude!

Welcome to my world...

What could an artist wish for if she was living in regional Australia? 

• A brilliant, supportive arts course in town where local artists can meet, learn and develop - check. 
• A stylish and gorgeous gallery that regularly has exciting exhibitions - check. 
• Art Awards that support and encourage regional artists - check. 
• Workshops and skill development opportunities - check. 
• Markets that focus on hand made art and crafts - check. 
• A community that recognises, supports and enjoys art and artists - check. 
• Incredibly old, vivid and beautiful landscapes that tell stories and provide inspiration - check.

Not sure how it happened that I get to be here and experience all of this but I am so grateful for it.  I am off to De Grey Station next weekend for an Artists Camp run through the Courthouse Gallery.  How amazing that I get to do something like that - life is brilliant.

 

A happy story...

I just had the most sweet thing happen to me yesterday and it was totally unexpected which made it even better.  My last book was about a little boy who doesn't like going to school.  A mum I knew bought a personalised copy of the book with the hope that it would help her little boy settle in to kindy.  When I saw her yesterday she said that after the school holidays he had come back to school a bit easier which was lovely to hear.  But even nicer was that he had taken to Queen Pixie and his mum had copied Queen Pixie and put her on a keyring on his school bag!  Way too cute!

I am just thrilled every time someone likes my books but to have a little boy like them that much - well it just made my heart glow.  I feel very lucky that something I love doing can be a good thing for others as well.  Hope you have as good a day today as I did yesterday! 

Its raining again...

When it rains in the 'wet' season we have here it is a bit of a tradition for the kids to strip and run around screaming naked for awhile.  However, today it is actually more like winter weather - the temp is 24 degrees and by Hedland standards that is freezing!  But tradition is tradition though, so now my kids are starkers and running around outside.  Not so many happy screams though - more the sounds of violent shivering to be heard!!

We have so many fabulous arty things happening around Hedland that it isn't always easy to get to all of them.  There were some brilliant lomography workshops on the same weekend as the markets and sadly for me I just couldn't do both.  It was a bit the same as The Pilbara Project - it has been on my to do list for awhile but I just hadn't got there.  However, this last week I've had a flash of energy and I have caught up on so much - including finally visiting, and contributing to, The Pilbara Project. 

I just love the idea of this blog - if you have a story to tell about the Pilbara then this is the place to do it.  Written or visual, past or present - whoever you are and whatever your connection you are welcome.  Isn't that brilliant!  I've popped a link below to my contribution and I would urge you to contribute if you can.  If you haven't had anything to do with the Pilbara then I would urge you just to have a look and I will be doing the same to any people in the future who question where we choose to live.  It might help them understand!

http://blog.thepilbaraproject.com/2011/05/03/this-is-home/

In the meantime school starts back tomorrow and now I've cleared out the back log of to do jobs it is time to get on with some artwork.  My son and I actually did the walk over Redmont Bridge the other day because I wanted some photos of the salt works for an artwork.  Boy was that scary!  It sounds and feels like you are about to be run over!  I've seen some beautiful photos of the salt works but I was pretty happy with this photo - now we just have to see how the salt works look in a lino cut! 

 

Hip hip hooray...

I think it was definitely time for a holiday!  Off to 80 Mile Beach we went and spent a lovely easter camping.  Oh, I admit it was hot and sticky but the beach, the stars, the happy fishing husband - all a glory to behold. 

Now I am back and so keen to be working.  Right before easter I had the loveliest surprise - the Courthouse Gallery want to stock some of my books!  So now I will get straight back into making some more as well as working on book number 4 - which I have now written and started working on illustrations for.  I may have been physically on holidays but hey - art travels.

Last week I put an article into the Pilbara Echo about When it Rains it Pours, an exhibition that opened the night before the markets.  I've popped the article below as well as some fabulous photos taken by Samantha Bell and supplied courtesy of the Courthouse Gallery. 

For me and many other Hedland people the Courthouse Gallery exhibition openings are a fabulous part of our social calender.  I missed the opening because I was conserving my energy for the markets but I have popped into the Gallery a number of times since the opening and each time I see something else that just grabs me.  This art form is so interesting and inclusive.  My kids today were just so into it - and when my son saw the mural on the Gallery wall he was beside himself.  I won't be letting him near any spray cans any time soon though - I think after watching the video at the Gallery he would know exactly what to do with them!

The Pilbara Echo, 25 April 2011

When it Rains it Pours

I’m still catching my breath from the weekend and I bet many of you are too.  There was such an amazing array of art and culture in Hedland happening and the opening of When it Rains it Pours at the Courthouse Gallery started the weekend off in fine form. 

If you are like me and have often stopped to admire street art but don’t know too much more about it, this exhibition offers you the chance to definitely admire, but also to learn.  It features work by eight artists from Perth-based art collective Last Chance Studio, who have transferred their large scale urban artwork to canvas in a showcase of their individual styles and techniques.

When it Rains it Pours works to educate the viewer about street art as a respected form of contemporary art.  In recent years street art and low-brow artwork have become recognized as highly regarded and collectable forms of artwork.

Low-brow art describes an underground visual art movement that developed in California in the 70’s.  It usually has a strong sense of humour by definition – it was coined low-brow in response to the standard ‘high-brow’ art scene not recognizing the new style of art.

Street artists and muralists bring with them a vibrant and new perspective that traditional artists and designers may not have.  The Last Chance Studio artists are leading the way for WA low-brow artwork both within Australia and overseas with several artists exhibiting and creating urban artwork on the East Coast and abroad in the USA and Europe.

But not to be outdone Hedland is getting in on the action!  The Port Hedland Small Wins Group is a community group who work on community owned projects to create a more exciting and livable town. 

This time it involved a large-scale mural in the Gallery courtyard that was designed and created by a team of the exhibiting artists Ryan Boserio and Timothy Rollin, who visited Hedland and De Grey Station earlier this year to gather inspiration for the piece. 

Urban artwork has the capacity to transform whole areas of a city or town, revitalizing unused public and not-so-public spaces and engaging passersby. This in turn creates a fresh and vibrant essence of place – exactly what we want in Hedland. 

When it Rains it Pours is on until 16 June at the Courthouse Gallery, 16 Edgar Street, Port Hedland and make sure you check out the new mural at the same time.  If you would like to know more about Small Wins phone the Gallery on 9173 1064.

The Courthouse Gallery mural completed

 

 

Artist in action



 

Opening night at the Gallery



 

Artists and art lovers making the most of a great night



 

Time for a nap!

I am a bit tuckered out - leading up to the markets it was all go, go, go and then after the markets I was still busy filling the personalised orders that I got.  I've delivered those today and now - well, now it is time for a little lie down.  I've used all my spare energy and need a bit of a recharge before I start on the next book and get back on with everyday life.  It is a good thing it is easter time!

I hope everyone has a lovely break and survives the school holidays.  I hope that anyone who is forced to eat icky cheap easter chocolate manages to accompany it with good coffee or some nice champers.   I hope if you have children that they don't go too crazy on the sugar overload and send you nuts.  Most of all I hope you have some magic in your life and it brings you a whole lot of happiness. 

Wow!

Oh what a night!  So many people, so much fun and so many gorgeous things to buy...the Westend Markets must be officially declared a success.  I love it when people sound so surprised about what we can do here in Hedland with the biggest compliment being along the lines of...we could even be in Perth. 

On a personal level it was a lovely night.  Plenty of really great feedback, lots of orders taken and some books actually sold.  I never tire of the thrill of that - someone actually liking my stuff enough to buy it!  Nothing against my friends either but it is even better when they are strangers who just take one look and hand over money.  Brilliant.

There were plenty of photos being taken so when I get my hands on a few I will pop them up.  I hope the people watching the outdoor movie in the Courthouse Gardens enjoying a beverage or two have a wonderful night.  I hope you have a wonderful night too.

Photo compliments of Elise Batchelor

 

Book Launch...

I think I've read too many books that talk about book launches - at least in the old days.  When I went to the Perth Writers Festival I think me and every other hopeful in the audience had one of their secret hopes dashed with the publicist said that they don't really do the whole book launch / tour thing anymore. It is more about the writer taking it out to public events and getting as much media publicity as possible, which totally makes sense.

However, who doesn't want a little bit of fanfare when they finish something that is so important to them - that so much blood (in my case actual blood - lino carving is a dangerous occupation!), sweat and tears went into.  So tonight I am going to do my own book launch.  I have finally, finally finished Blue and it is time to celebrate!  A bottle of champers and a big session of happiness are both in order! 

I'm off to the West End Markets this weekend and I just can't wait.  Blue will be on public display for the first time and in a kind of way so are my other books as they look quite a bit different from when I first did the markets last October.  I am still pondering my display a bit - this whole marketing thing is more serious than I first thought.  It is amazing the amount of information that is out there on how to go about it, which is brilliant, but translating that into something that works for The Pilbara Pixies, my budget and my sense of style, takes a bit of doing. 

If you live in Hedland I hope to see you there on Saturday!

Local talent...

I did my first morning in a new job today.  I am working at a gorgeous new kids' clothing boutique called B Tween Tides and seriously I am going to need this job to pay for all the clothes / shoes I will be buying there. 

For example I just bought my son a pair of Batman Converse sneakers - Batman!  He is going to go nuts over them.  Convincing him they are real shoes and not part of his Batman dress up outfit might be a small problem but we'll get past it. 

Anyway - Sonia who owns the shop has got a kids area set up and when she offered me the job she said that my 3 year old daughter could come with me - such a good solution for me because it pays for some of my daughter's daycare, which is when I do my art / writing / bookmaking etc.  I am feeling pretty lucky right about now.

My latest article in the Pilbara Echo was about another great local talent, Kathryn Chynoweth.  The article was actually edited quite a bit and I prefer my wording so I've popped the original in here.  The gorgeous photo was compliments of the lovely Samantha Bell from the Courthouse Gallery - Hedland is overun with wonderfully arty people!

This week we have an interview with Kathryn Chynoweth – a fabulous textile artist that we are lucky enough to have living right here in Hedland.  If you are keen to experience Kathryn’s gorgeous scarves then get into the Courthouse Gallery at 16 Edgar Street, Port Hedland.

How long have you been in Hedland?
I've been living in Hedland for two years now. I moved to WA from Adelaide 17 years ago to follow my now husband (then boyfriend) who is in the mining industry.  We lived in Leeman for five years, Geraldton for 10 years, and now Hedland. I like to think we're getting closer to one of my favourite places, Broome!!

What is your art background and how would you describe your artworks?
I am a self- taught textile artist, I hand paint silk and wool for scarves, shawls, and have made garments for wearable art exhibitions.  I learnt the technique of silk painting in high school in Adelaide. I started producing silk scarves as a hobby in Year 12, and a family friend who was a glass artist, suggested I show my work to The Jam Factory, a contemporary craft gallery in Adelaide.  So I started selling my work to galleries in 1988, and have been doing so ever since.  This has been essentially the same product - a silk scarf.

Where do you sell your work?
I worked at the CBA for five years after school, as well as painting and selling my work, and deferring university several times!!  I had also met my husband, and knew that staying with him would mean relocating.  So in 1994 I found myself in Leeman, which is when I started painting full time, and supplying up to 20 galleries Australia wide with my work.

Do you have a website?
I'm yet to launch into cyberspace with my own website, I'm a little conservative in that my product is a tactile thing, to be felt, tried on, and held up to light to expose translucency.   There's something kind of nice about being in a place to do that!!  We're so lucky to have the Courthouse Gallery here!

How do you balance family life with art business demands?
Having children changed everything!!  No more painting when I wanted, for however long I wanted to do it!! Jack is now 9, and Sophie is 5 – I had children escaping into my studio and tipping dye jars on their heads!!!!  I have continued to paint, but have had to scale down production significantly. But I cannot say no to an order, so the midnight oil does get burnt occasionally in our house.

Have you tried other mediums and what would you like to do in the future?
I've always been interested in painting on canvas; it's always in the back of my mind, mixed media pieces on large canvases, paint overlayed with sheer textiles.....

What is your favourite thing about Hedland?
For what is really a harsh, industrial and remote environment, we are truly spoilt up here with art and galleries ie the Cossack Art Exhibition, the Courthouse Gallery with their fantastic exhibition programs and workshops.  It's 600kms to that little bit of paradise, Broome - with more galleries and amazing coastline to explore.

What would you like to see happen in Hedland artistically wise?

Coming from Geraldton I was amazed at the arts community here, there's nothing like it north of Perth, and it should treasured, nurtured and supported.

If you are interested in seeing more locally made work like Kathryn’s, make sure you book the West End Markets at 4.30pm, Saturday 16 April into your diary right now.   It's a fantastic opportunity for you to see artists' work and meet the artist as well.

My evil plan...

I've had a clean out / make over of the lounge room this week.  The corner that has the desk / computer and my work desk was starting to look a little crowded and led to a 'workplace' accident when my husband was trying to work his way to the computer.  His yelling / swearing convinced me that the timing was right for the make over and in the process I managed to gain a little more space!  They don't realise it yet but one day this room will be mine, all mine (imagine evil cackling in here and you'll get the general idea).

I am nearly up to date with posting all my previous articles - only one or two more now.  This one I thought would cause some local controversy but no-one commented which either means they agreed with what I said or didn't read it and either way it is all good.  I am speeding ahead with my preparations for the West End Markets (coming up on Saturday 16 April) and I am really, really hoping to manage to get some non-book art done before then just for fun.  Cheers!

The Pilbara Echo, 22 January 2011

Art Supplies in Hedland

When artists and creative types first come to Hedland one of the things they need to know is where can you get art supplies.  Chatting to other artists is one way of getting this information but here is an overview of what I know is out there.

Kmart has a fabulous range of scrapbooking and kids craft supplies.  It also has a limited range of art supplies but sometimes the basics are enough to tide you over or if you are a beginner they are a great place to start.  As with most things Kmart is also pretty cost effective.

Hedland Emporium has a good range of art, craft and scrapbooking supplies.  It might not have everything in stock you want but generally it has something close.  However, it can be on the costly side, so if making your art supply dollar go as far as possible is a priority for you then you might want to shop around some more.

Jacksons Drawing Supplies are based everywhere but Hedland.  Well this is a big exaggeration of course but they have several shops in Perth, one in the more major towns from Geraldton heading south, and recently they have opened shops in Darwin and Alice Springs. 

They used to have a wonderful website where you could see all the stock and prices but they are updating their website so now ordering involves a bit more guess work until the new site is ready.  In the meantime they have lovely staff who are prepared to talk you through orders on the phone or email you answers to any questions and trust me when I say they are very patient. 

One thing that is confusing about Jacksons is that they have a few different price lists – schools for example get catalogues and if you manage to get your hands on one of these and you are busy drooling your way through it just remember that the prices in there are not the prices you will pay if you are an individual ordering over the phone.  Because I am buying on an ongoing basis I have actually set up an account with them and it is all too easy – just a quick email, the stuff comes in the post ASAP and then I just have to remember to pay the bill the following month. 

There are plenty of other art supplies websites out there as well and the one or two I have ordered stuff through have been fine.  An issue with any online shopping is the postage delay which can be extremely frustrating if you are halfway through something and also if what you receive isn’t really what you are after – it always pays to check the return policy before making the purchase.  

Australia Post occasionally have some good art supplies – recently all the TAFE people were stocking up on mini easels that Australia Post were selling at bargain rates.

Finally one of my favourite places, The Courthouse Gallery, doesn’t stock art supplies but it does have a really good range of art books so if you have someone who can’t work out what to get you for a present just hint towards a voucher and you could be buying gorgeous art books (or gorgeous bags, jewellery etc!) before running over to The Silver Star for coffee (another one of my favourite places – are we lucky to live in Hedland or what?).

By the way – if you have another art supply source please let us know.  Hedland has a really great art scene going and if we can promote and extend this in any way that would be brilliant.

How do you play with time?

First of all you speed it up by getting really stuck into printing as in gee a whole week has gone by since I last blogged and why?  Because I haven't come up for air since printing, then scanning, then photoshopping etc. 

Then, you slow it right down by reading a book recommended by a school mum friend called Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.  Absolutely amazing stuff that certainly boggled my mind and, well, I was about to say got me thinking but that is about the opposite of what it got me doing so lets just say it got me. 

So while I continue to contemplate life from a whole different perspective I'll pop an article in here that was published in The Pilbara Echo sometime recently...I don't have the date (so now I've lost time as well!).  This one was on Frida Kahlo - a woman who spins me out in a really, really good way.  Rather than hoping you have a good day I hope you are in a really good space...

The woman behind Casa Azul

Frida Kahlo is an artist who has always fascinated me.  She was born in Mexico at a time of great discontent with massive changes about to happen.  Then  the richer were getting richer and the poor, poorer.  When Frida was a toddler the Mexican Revolution started and this was also the time of World War One and then the Great Depression. 

Prior to these events Mexicans had looked to Europe for artistic, fashion and style direction.  However after the Revolution there was developing pride in Mexico and recognition of the value of traditional art.  Mexican artists moved away from European styles and concentrated on their own back yard – the good and the bad.  Diego Rivera, who Frida later married, was one of the most important artists of this time.

Frida came from an affluent family and had a very traditional catholic upbringing.  At 6 she was diagnosed with polio.  When she was 18 she nearly died in a trolley accident resulting in her being fully confined for 3 months with full recovery taking 2 years.  It was then she started painting to help her parents pay her medical expenses. 

After marrying Diego and Frida went to USA, living and working in different cities.  There they got into trouble with their observations on the divide between rich and poor.  They were also sympathetic to communist ideals and Leon Trotsky and his wife stayed with Frida and Diego after they had returned to Mexico.  At this time Diego had an affair with Frida’s sister and they separated.  They eventually got back together but divorced and then remarried again. 

She became an art teacher and after her health worsened she spent most of her time at home in Casa Azul (the now famous Blue House).  She required further surgery and ended up addicted to alcohol and pain relieving drugs.  She remained proactive about her beliefs and against medical advice attended a political rally in 1954 where she got pneumonia and then died. 

Frida’s art was influenced by Mexican folk art and daily Mexican life.  She also had a great love of animals and they featured heavily in her work.  Whilst others considered Frida’s artwork of the Surreal style she did not.  Frida thought that her artwork reflected her life and it was of a personal nature.  Her paintings, particularly her self portraits, are full of emotion and the physical and emotional pain she experiences in her life is there for all to see. 

After her death it took 20 years for her artwork to become well known and now her work is associated with the women’s movement.  Her life story is an inspirational one - she lived with great pain and overcame many hurdles (physical, emotional, historical etc) and made a success out of painting where not many others had managed to.  Throughout this she also managed to live life with pizzazz and seemed to stay true to what she believed in.  Now, not only does her artwork sell for millions but she has had plays and movies made about her. 

Zoom - just one look and then my heart went boom...

There is nothing like a deadline to get me moving.  The Westend Markets are rapidly approaching and I had decided some time ago that I would have Blue ready to go by then.  So yesterday with a husband at work, a child in school and a child in day care I could get down to the serious business of doing some printing. 

Usually during my 'arty' time I listen to a bit of Nora or a bit of Billie and sometimes even a bit of Carla Bruni.  But recently the previously mentioned husband happened to ask what my favourite song was.  I immediately replied Zoom.  He just kind of looked at me so I was forced to sing some lines from this excellent, brilliant, wonderful 80's song.  I explained that it was popular just when I had been given a clock radio for christmas and I used to lie awake for all hours listening to the Top 40.  I know I am showing my age a bit here but I just remember it so well and I have always loved that song. 

Before I knew it the previously mentioned fabulous husband had looked up and found Zoom on you tube so guess what I got to listen to yesterday the whole time I was printing?  There is such a thing as bliss and it was happening right here in my very own studio space (also known as the kitchen when the husband and kids come home).

TAFE studies 2011...

Howdy - still trying to catch up after an unexpected but totally gorgeous weekend away at 80 Mile Beach.  Every time I go there it just reinforces why I love living in the North West - just a pity we didn't have time to keep driving to Broome!

My TAFE course has recommenced for 2011 and this semester I am studying sculpture.  It reminds me quite a bit of all the pottery I did at high school, and attempted to do after high school, but I am a lot more confident at trying to attempt human forms nowadays.  Not better at it mind you - still have to practice a bit.  But I'm not as worried about what people will think so if I make something that is NQR I understand that the world does not end!

Following is my article that appeared this week. 

The Pilbara Echo, 12 March 2011

Sculpture Class

It is the time of the year to be a little contemplative I think.  The kids have settled back into school, the holidays are over and some of us are revisiting our new year’s resolution to get our mind going, or to find a new hobby or even just to find something to do that gets us out of the house on a regular basis. 

If you are looking for something fun to do that is stress free and doesn’t cost a bomb may I suggest the sculpture unit that is part of the Visual Arts Certificate at Hedland TAFE. 

So many people say to me that they would love to study art but that they aren’t creative or that they couldn’t handle the pressures of study.

To these people I say everybody is creative.  Without fail when you start asking them what they do in their spare time or what interests them it turns out to be something creative.  You don’t have to want to paint a masterpiece to be creative – you just have to find something you enjoy and do it.  It may also be that you haven’t found your creative medium yet and this is why a course through the TAFE can be so brilliant – you get to try so many different things. 

This leads me on to the second thing people say about the pressures of study.  Guess how many assignments I have do for the sculpture unit?  None.  Essays?  None.  Exams?  None.  Let me tell you what I do have to do.

I have to undertake 10 experiments in creating sculptures taking 15 minutes to 1 hour for each experiment.  So far I have used some modelling clay to create a very weird looking little woman, experimented with plaster bandage, undertaken some paper mache, chiseled away at some hebel block and created some paper mache clay I found a recipe for on the internet. 

After this I have to produce three small sculptural pieces related by a common concept.  I have decided to make paper mache clay sculptures of the characters out of my books, another student made little people out of telephone pages. 

Then I have the option of creating a 3D artwork from a sculpture kit or creating a piece of assemblage art which is the option I am going for.  I have decided to steal my kids’ toys and try and make a Transformer out of them.  Of course eventually I will give them back but not until I get to show off my sculpture and the bonus will be less mess in their bedrooms until then.

It is a requirement of the unit that I do some research about sculpture and my artworks but this really is as simple as having a look on the internet, thinking about what I want to do, talking to other artists, students and teachers and being inspired by the world around me.  After this I put down my thoughts and notes on my work into my visual diary and I am ready to go.

So for the bargain price of $162.40 I get out one night a week to have a great time in a stress free environment in the guise of studying sculpture.  No wonder I am thrilled about it.