Raspberry & Cashew Ice-cream

This is not a flavour I'm familiar with but it's ICE-CREAM  so who cares!  Kristin of Twinkle Twinkle has set this challenge and informs me that it's called 'Baseball Nut' ice-cream in the USA.  Perhaps that's why I've not heard of it before.

I took it fairly literally in my first piece, an ATC using the fruit and the colour of cashews.

Raspberries

My next ATC simply used the palette, and I collaged and painted.

The Bird Feeder

My jewellery however has stretched the brief somewhat, using some red and some brownish.

I have used handmade glass beads I bought from a glass artist in South Australia, Karen Porter.  She is unfortunately away at present, but try the link later.

This week went so fast I feel that I am only barely ready for next week's challenge.  But I will certainly give it my best shot.

Too old to plank?

Why, oh, why do I let myself in for all these challenges?  Too old to quit I guess. My 'In The Picture' photographic self-portrait this month is 'facedown', inspired by some young (and fit) person who is in to 'planking', like Deb.

Oh well, in for a penny in for a pound as they say.

Maroochydore Botanical Gardens was on my list for a visit anyway as friends Fiona Dempster, Barry Smith, and Kim Schoenberger all have work in a show at the Art Centre there. 

There are wonderful sculptures through the gardens and I reckoned that, if I went early enough, I could cavort to my heart's content completely unnoticed.

Here I am balanced on a sandstone sculpture... not too difficult.

See this.....

... totally irresistible to someone who refuses to grow up.

Hmmm....I must be rather fond of red as most of my 'selfies' have featured red something.

If you are ever in the vicinity Maroochydore Botanical Gardens should be on your list, it's a beautiful, green, and quiet place....

... and there are delightful sculptures throughout the park.

MINT CHOCOLATE

Who doesn't like Mint-choc  icecream?  That's our 'Summer Of Colour'  icecream challenge for the week. Yummo!... thanks Kristin.

Soooooo... our artistic endeavours have to use mint/choc colours.  I think I can do that.

I'll kick off with a digitally altered photo.....

Cactus Flower

perhaps a collage?...


H-Art

... a necklace?...

.....and just because this is my latest 'fun' thing to do, two ATCs.

Cafe Delights

Mint Choc

If you want to see more 'Summer Of Colour', head on over to visit Kristin.  Enjoy!

YAY !!! A surprise prize.

Thursday night was the opening and prizes announcement for the 'Lions For Leukaemia' art awards exhibition. I enter every year, and almost every category, because it is such a good cause.  Usually I achieve a few non-monetary awards, Highly Commendeds, Seconds, or Thirds. BUT, this year I hit the Jackpot.

Blue Squares - acrylics on canvas, 45 x 45 cm

This unpretentious little painting won me the Abstract First Prize of $800.  Yippee... I'm absolutely over the moon.  It has been one of my favourite recent pieces.

....and there's more..... I also won the Miniature First Prize ($150)  with this one....

Loops - mixed media

Looks like my transition to abstract is the right direction for me.

What do you think?

SUMMER ? OF COLOURS - Week One

Kristin of Twinkle Twinkle is doing another Summer Of Colours Challenge this year.  While I vowed not to do any more 'challenges' for a while, who could resist pretending it is summer here, when we are all damp and cold.

Her colours will all be based on icecream.  For me this is the absolute clincher... I LOVE icecream.

The pinks and oranges of 'sherbet' are the first week's colours:



Venezia - Acrylics on canvas

Oleander in my garden

Central Australia

Yummy, yummy colours.....



Hot Gossip - acrylics on canvas

Many of the participants have posted to Flickr and you can see them HERE.

Enjoy.

Mixed Media May.. a little late



SUN PRINCE - acrylics/collage

Mixed Media May is an annual blog celebration of mixed media artists.  For each day In May a different artist was featured on the site.  It was a great look at some amazing art.... you can visit them HERE.

At the end of the project we were all asked the same questions that were asked of the featured artists.  Here is my response:

1.  What does mixed-media art mean to you?

An opportunity to PLAY, using everything I can lay my hands on.  Mixed media art is always unique, interesting, and a real insight into the working mind of its maker.

SELF PORTRAIT - Seth Apter



 2.  How long have you been a mixed-media artist?

I've been a painter, a potter, and an assembler of interesting beads.  I guess I started collaging during my years at Tech college.  That makes it about 25 years, but only recently have I spent most of my time with mixed media.

3.  How has your art impacted or enhanced your life?

I can't imagine my life without art anymore.  It has taught me to LOOK, and the world is now totally fascinating, in all its moods.

RAINFOREST REMNANTS

4.  What are a few of the mixed-media supplies you find yourself using most?

Acrylics, ink, collage, found objects, fabric... you name it...I'll use it.

RUST IS THE NEW BLACK

  5.  Who are some of your favorite mixed-media artists?

Gotta say Seth is king!  I've only recently found Seth Apter and I'm his NO.1 fan.  Also love Steve Specht's collage,  my friend Noela Mills can turn her hand to anything, but the list could be endless.

OUTBACK - Noela Mills

6.  What makes your mixed-media art unique?

Perhaps my sense of humour pervades my work, or my delight in colour.  Everyone's work is unique because of the materials they have access to, or make.

TAKE A BOW - ink, glass

7.  Where can we find you?

Easy peasy... just Google ' Jo Murray Art' and most likely you'll find me.

But to be specific:  http://jomurray-art.blogspot.com.au/

8.  Please tell us about yourself (short bio with headshot).

I started art as a 'hobby', but it became much, much more. To learn I studied for seven years at Technical College, doing 4 years Fine Arts (majoring in painting), 3 years Studio Ceramics, and 1 year Glaze Technology.  I was hooked after that marathon and now can't let a day go by without at least one hour in my studio.  I still go to interesting workshops to acquire new techniques or inspiration, AND I am quite addicted to collecting Art books.

 

Do follow my links... you'll see some amazing stuff!

ATCs - Miniature Gems

The Blue Vase ATC - acrylics

As if I don't have enough to do... I've joined two new internet groups that trade ATCs.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Artist Trading Cards, they are miniature works of art about the same size as modern baseball cards, or 2 ½ X 3 ½ inches (63 mm X 89 mm), small enough to fit inside standard card-collector pockets, sleeves or sheets.

Get Lucky ATC - collage

The ATC movement developed out of the mail art movement and has its origins in Switzerland.

Rainforest Remnants ATC - collage & acrylics

Cards are produced in various media, including dry media (pencils, pens, markers, etc.), wet media (watercolor, acrylic paints, etc.), paper media (in the form of collage, papercuts, found objects, etc.) or even metals or cloth. The cards are usually traded or exchanged. When sold, they are usually referred to as art card editions and originals (ACEOs).

You can link to the two groups I've joined here:

ARTFUL COLLAGE

FINE ARTS ATCs

It is a great way to collect little gems from all over the world as you can trade one to one, and choose the art you like.

I've only just begun to do this and have already traded my three above for the following -

If you enjoy collecting the work of other artists this is great fun.  Join up... the more, the merrier.

Sneak Peak... On The Easel

Against my better judgement I've taken on a commission.  My friends have a wonderful house in the mountains that their architect son designed.... airy and light, with a view to the coast.  They have often expressed a desire to own one of my paintings, but I just didn't have the right one for the chosen spot. So, I volunteered to do a painting in the right format, and palette, to suit.

It is still 'on the way'  but so far, so good.

The painting is 2' x 3' , acrylics on gallery-wrapped, wide edge canvas.  It is based on their fishpond, over which you cross to enter the house.

I had free rein to choose the subject etc., and I really would like to see my work on their wall so I accepted the challenge.

I have yet to add more reflections on top of the fish, some depth to the water with the impression of 'dappled' light over the foliage.

Usually commissions make work out of what I do for pleasure, so I avoid them like the plague.  I'm enjoying this tho' and will keep you posted on it's completion.