Fun Collages

I had the privilege of joining a group at the Caloundra Regional Gallery, making quick collages under the guidance of Sam Cranstoun. What fun! Sam is a VERY talented artist, currently showing at Caloundra.  He provided us with old photographs and pictorial magazine pages, and started us off with a fortune cookie.  The brief was to choose a photo to suit the fortune.  Haha !!!!  I LOVE this concept.

This was the beginning of two hours of absolute fun.  No pressure. After all you can't produce a masterpiece in two hours can you?  We were all up to our ears in images, bits of paper, and glue.

 

They're all a bit rough...but I had a ball.

Sam gave us a brief discussion on his work. He generally works on a well-researched theme. Then he makes collages on that subject, and uses those as reference for paintings.  Wonderful.

Many thanks to the Gallery staff and Volunteers who made this evening possible.



Small changes

I recently thought I'd completed a small mixed media piece...but no.  It sat around the studio for a little while and, each time I caught sight of it, I just knew I wasn't happy. Naturally I had to alter it, but not a lot.


NEWS FROM THE EAST (version 2)




NEW FROM THE EAST (version 1)

Now that I see them both together, it is obvious that I did the right thing. Adding the cooler purple gave it more punch, and the asemic writing in the top right fits with the title.

Was I right? 





Hung!

4567 Diversity - 62 x 62 cm, mixed media on stretched canvas

I'm extremely happy to see my work on the wall of the Noosa Regional Gallery, in the Taste Of Art exhibition.  Seeing my work among that of my peers gives me a realistic view of my progress as an artist.

For once I'm quite happy with this piece.

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!

 

It's been a while since I posted. Christmas started early. It made me review the various things I'd made over the previous Christmases...cards, digital images, calendars, ceramic angels, jewellery. The above is a Photoshopped image of Richard and me for my 2016 e-card (rapidly replacing snail mail due to postage costs).

The sentiments are extended to all my e-friends for the 2016/17 Festive Season.  May it be happy and bright.

Some years ago, when I was a potter, I made gold ceramic angels that sold like hot cakes. I kept a couple for myself, and am often asked if I have more for sale.  Sorry, am past that stage of my creative path.



Angels are about 4" high (10cm)

I've often used digitally manipulated images for cards:

There have always been some friends for whom I actually make 'real' cards.  These are my arty mates from years ago, and my closest local friends.

This year I did some Gelli prints, and a few collaged cut-out arrangements.

Of course it wouldn't be Xmas without angel earrings would it?  I must've made dozens of pairs, both for sale and to wear myself.

Each year my local art group has a 'Secret Santa' .  We decide early in the year what the project will be.  It began as a small painting or collage but, this year, has progressed to a decorated silk fan.

Here is my effort:

The list could go on ad infinitum....but enough is enough. Just pointing out that having Xmas begin in October real for me. Am already thinking about next year's 'Secret Santa'....a tissue box.  Hmmmmm... collaged, beaded, or painted...or a combination of all?

But first....on the easel is a large painting for my first exhibition next year, at the end of January.  More about that later.

See you in 2017 !!!  Have a wonderful celebration and stay safe, healthy, and happy.






Hooked on paper....

Often I go into my studio planning to paint, but then I catch sight of a piece of interesting paper.  That's it for the day! I just love moving bits of paper around to make an interesting (I hope) collage.



FIVE



CONTRAST



PASSION



REMEMBER

Mind you, I do get as far as the easel occasionally and have been working on a painting of a friend's dogs.  Here is the work in progress......still on the easel.

 

Rejected...but not dejected...

If you can't handle rejection, for heaven's sake give up art!  I have had many works rejected for shows in the past, but not so much lately. This painting was not accepted for the local Regional Gallery 'Local Artist Local Content' show last week.


Tooway After The Rain
60 x 60 cm on canvas

I think I've been off my best game this year, for various reasons. Usually tho' there are better artists than I am in the 'rejected' pile...so it's hard to feel too bad about it.

With every downer, there is usually an upper.... as in this case. The day after this event I sold TWO works privately.



Investigation
Mixed media on Canvas





Eight
Mixed media on paper

It's not all bad.

 

Playing with paper.....

It's been a while since I spent much time playing in my studio with bits of paper.  I need to do many exercises before I get back into the 'swing'. So, each day I grab an assortment of scraps and try to arrange them in some sort of order.

Sometimes they work...sometimes not... but it's the 'doing' that  matters.