Adelaide and kangaroo Island

While in Adelaide I was fortunate to see the exceptional Tarnanthi festival of ContemporaryAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art. At the Art Gallery of South Australia. It was truly magnificent

 I fell in love with these beautiful pieces. Above Nongirrna Marawili . Yolnu people, NT born Darrpirra, NT c1938.    Baratjala 2019, Yirrkala, NT earth pigments, recycled print toner pigment on stringy bark.

 Peter Mungkuri . Yankunytjatjara people . SA born Fregon SA 1946.  Punu  (trees ) 2018 Indulkana, SA synthetic polymer, ink on canvas.

Judy Watson. Waanyi people, Qld born Mundubbera Qld 1959. Spine and teeth (mundirri banga mayi  ) 2019 synthetic polymer paint, graphite on canvas.
The Tarnanthi exhibition was absolutely incredible.

The art gallery was also showing the amazing work of Chiharu Shiota born Japan 1972. Absence Embodied 2018 Adelaide wool bronze, plaster steel. The SA collection was wonderful. I got to see lots of amazing works of artists i had studied. Hossien Valamanesh, Rosalie Gascoigne, Fiona Hall John Olsen to name a few. Truly inspirational.


We then were very fortunate to go to kangaroo Island. Such natural beauty.

Things dont always go to plan

 
A wonderful night was had at the opening of the Brisbane Portrait Prize. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, and also to all those who entered and had a crack at it, as it takes courage to put yourself out there.  The exhibition is open until the 31st Oct. Free entry.
It was back to the workroom for me and sometimes things dont always go to plan. I have been mixing the same amount of shellac for 6 years and this time it has decided to stick. So what started out as several hours of layering has evolved into many many more hours. The joy of it all. I will keep on keeping on.

Feeling very grateful

I am feeling very grateful to be a finalist in the Brisbane Portrait Prize 2019. This is my Portrait of Marjorie Morton. Marjorie is the Co founder of Second Chance, the only Charity in Australia that fundraises exclusively for homeless women. Today the work has evolved to supporting women and children in domestic violence shelters. DV being the no1 cause of homelessness. Marjorie is a quiet achiever who helps so many and has made a major contribution to Brisbane . Marjorie is a businesswoman, philanthropist, and art lover.
I chose the colour pink as it means hope, compassion and caring which is what  Marjorie and Second Chance does. The blue in the hair reflects trust, honesty and loyalty, this describes Marjorie well. It was such a privilege to have her sit and paint my interpretation.

Process underway

There is always a long process with my work. I always enjoy each stage.

And so it begins

In 2018 , I had an idea to create a work about rural women. Unfortunately it was not to be, the work did not get off the ground. The paper I prepared would simply not work in the way I needed it to. It was obviously just not the right time. After a lot of reflection I am ready to begin again from scratch. Same concept, as Rural woman are very important to me as is giving them a voice. New ideas, thoughts, materials have evolved. So it begins. Casting the body in pieces will make it easier for me to handle. Thankyou so much to my amazing model.

Play with Paper Exhibition Pine Rivers Art gallery

I have been fortunate to be included in the wonderful exhibition Play with Paper, now on at Pine Rivers Art Gallery. The exhibition runs from 14th June 2019 to 17th Aug 2019. They are open Monday to Saturday 10-4pm, If you have the opportunity to visit. It is well worth the trip. My piece "In the Hold" is on display.

Marble workshop Myocum Byron Bay

This is the outcome of 10days sculpting Marble at Myocum in Byron Bay. It was only possible with the incredible teaching by Usama Alnassar from Alnassar Sculpture Carrara Italy. It was a real privilege to be in his class. He shared so many skills with us. We were in a beautiful environment outside. It was certainly challenging as most of my work with paper is adding not taking away.

This is the piece of marble i started with. Drawing the profile on the side. 

                                              Lots of chiseling, remarking, more chiseling.

                                                       Starting to take shape

 
                The inspiration for this work was my beautiful grandchildren Emmett and Eleanor.

 I have just started sanding on 80 but need to complete, 120, 240,360,400,600,800,1000 so lots more sanding needed

The above piece was the first piece I did in 2017. The inspiration for this piece came from the long elongated faces and  heads by Amedeo Modigliani . This baby face was my second attempt at marble.

Good news Bad news

Well the good news is I'm still ok.
Bad news is my bulrush paper has simply not worked. This current project is a failure.
I have always told my children don't ever fear failure as it is how we learn,  so i now need to practice what i preach. I am certainly proud of myself for pushing myself to my limits and trying something new even if unsuccessful. I am still just as determined to find a way to give voice to my project just definitely without bulrush.

Determination

Plugging away today, preparing the pieces to be joined. The bulrush paper has been very difficult to work with giving me lots of challenges. Life has kept me busy of late throwing all sorts of obstacles in my way. I am determined to do my best, draw on my resilience and keep going.