a few drawings. a few paintings. and one old globe.

^one moment. one. view.
Pop up studio exhibition.
November 2013^

I honestly dont know where to begin with this post.

I think my silence last week spoke more than any words could.

Its December.

Its summer.

And Ive had my head down and my bum up in the air... trying to get through a pop up exhibition, hosting a workshop by my friend Tina Fox at the studio, and then teaching one final weaving workshop for the year at Koskela.

Yep. Its been crazy.

And now I have a whole heap of photos and stories to share. 

And I dont know where to begin!

So I might just start where my last post ended - and share a few photos from my pop up studio exhibition on Friday and Saturday.

As you can see from these few photos, I had many little drawings and sketches on the walls. Plus a prop or two (thank you trusty globe!). Most of these artworks had not been exhibited or seen by anyone before this moment. They were just drawings that I had placed in folders for me to look at and play with.

So I have to admit it was funny to see them all up on the white walls of the studio. 

But funny... in a good way.

Thank you to everyone who came along, said hello, complimented the works, and also bought! 

Im really excited that a few of them will now be a part of other peoples collections, and be seen on their white walls. 

In the next few days I will be making a donation from some of the proceeds of the sales to the Crohns and Colitis Association. And if you would like to know more about this worthy organisation, or make a donation to their Christmas Appeal,  please click here...

x

My globe makes a rare guest appearance in the tiny pop up show...
I think it enjoyed the attention!

Harbour Thread n Connections.
Mix media drawing on paper.

Another angle on things.

Rattle n Hum Series
 Mix Media drawing on paper

one moment. one view

^Pop up exhibition for two days will be happening at my studio very soon...^

This little pop up exhibition all started with a conversation. 

From a few lovely people who had seen the boat drawings Ive been posting on instagram in the last few months. 

They were wondering when and where they were created, what size they were, what materials I had used....

And then they subtly suggested I put them all together. 

So they could have a look.

Recently Ive been busy working on new artworks for next years solo show, and organising workshops for December and January. 

So I didnt see or appreciate what was staring back at me the whole time.

A pop up show.

Full of all the little drawings and sketches that I have created, but never shown.

So before I knew it I was organising a collection to hang on the walls of my studio for all to see. 

I guess you could call it a pre Christmas get together.

And everyone is invited.

Im actually looking forward to seeing them up on the wall too. And giving them alittle bit of attention... before I get carried away with 2014!

.....

one moment. one view.

pop up drawing exhibition 

November 29-30

11-5pm
24a Australia st Camperdown
Small drawings on paper and wood starting from $45
A donation will be made to the Crohns and Colitis Association from the proceeds of the event

this little post card drawing will be there....
as well as many other drawings and sketches on paper and wood.

I didnt realise how many drawings
 I had created around the theme of boats and the harbour...

Getting them all lined up and ready to go...

evoking a memory

little jug, drawing, 2013

This is just a little colour for a very cold + grey morning in Sydney.

Hopefully the fluoro pink stripe will hypnotise you and make you feel warm warm and sunny....

It was created many month back - when Summer was da the house - and life was a beach, a towel and a swimming costume. 

I like to think that an artwork can create a sense of escapism. 

This little drawing takes me back to February and moving into the Camperdown studio. It was late Summer and it was lovely to walk into a cool studio after baking in the hot sunshine. I had just started to sort out my drawings and sketches. And I remember looking at this rough outline of little jugs that I had begun in November - at drawing workshop that I had taught at the Pop Up space - and thinking it would be the perfect drawing to play with, as i started to unpack find my feet at the Camperdown space. 

As you can see from all the colours - I had fun with it...

x

its in the stars....

bits n bobs that are inspiring the new series of works at the studio...

Stars.

The Multiverse.

Strings. Quantum Mechanics.

Bits n pieces of matter and molecule 

that make you and me.

Since moving to the Camperdown studio this massive subject matter that has been keeping me very VERY busy. Ive never been so focused and so inspired to make a new body of work in such a short space of time. Im completely fascinated by the stars. The universe. And everything seen and unseen. 

The colours are alot deeper and the drawings and weavings are a lot more complex.

This week I completed another woven form and a couple of drawings. 

And I should be satisfied.

But Im not.

This subject is too huge and too interesting for one little person and two tiny hands.

Let the artworks continue to flow!

a collection of ideas that continues to multiply and grow as the year goes on....

s k e t c h y

Sketch of the studio, March 2013

In the studio of late ive been knee deep in raffia and all sorts of weaving material.
Ive been on a roll and loving my long weaving sessions on the big wooden table.
In the middle of making three massive woven forms for the wall ive also taught a couple of workshops at Koskela {which you would have seen me rabbit on about in earlier posts}. So its safe to say that my art practice has been taken over by weaving! In the last few years it was just a side project for me. A way of relaxing, meditating and playing. But now it has officially worked its way into my new series of artworks, giving it a new- and textural-  dimension.

Last Thursday i finished off my latest big wall weaving form, and then I started to look at my pile of pencils and acknowledge their stares. Amongst all the weaving materials on the big wooden table they've been feeling a little rejected.

And, truth be told,  i've missed them too. They have always felt like an extension of myself.

But I cant seem to weave and draw at the same time. Its either one or the other. Strange I know. But true.
So its been a few weeks since I last asked my hands to remember how to draw.
And, at first, they wouldn't respond.

So I played.
And this little sketch of the studio is what I came up with.

^ g r e e n ^

Diary sketches... March 2013

Can you see the theme running though my work at the moment?
Consciously or unconsciously ive been drawn to the beautiful colour of green.

When I started the year I had a strong focus towards the mysterious and the contemplative colours of the constellations.
And the indigo blue of the universe.
And yet somehow Ive taken a u-turn and headed back down to earth.
And found the colours of Nature.

Maybe its because my studio window looks out onto a big park?
Maybe its because green is a calm and restorative colour?

Who knows...


It's all a creative journey.
And im on a search + discovery ride
Until someone shouts out...
DEADLINE.

Looking through the woven branches... to the white light.

the start of a new woven form... march 2013

A photo I took after the rain... when everything was glowing green.

d i s c o v e r i e s

ideas and thoughts for the new series... March 2013

March.
Autumn.
Rain + and cooler nights.
Thinking time in the studio.
Playtime with weaving workshops.

I think this is going to be a busy month.

Do you get that feeling too?

March seems to be a time when people start to get serious about their year...
And what they would like to achieve, experience and attempt.
New studies.
New travel plans.
New moves.
New series of artworks!

Im starting to get into a great rhythm at the White Room studio aka The Camperdown studio,  as Ive just discovered a little routine that seems to work for me, and the parking officers!

Im also starting to get to know my new neighbours and discover their artworks and life stories.

And I love that.
Its starting to feel like home.

Speaking of which - my studio open weekend is THIS weekend!
{24 Australia st. Camperdown 1-4pm}
All the details can be found on this link... 
Hope to see some of you there!

New drawing... 2013

p u z z l e s

Colour Puzzle...  from a pile of milk crates in a carpark.

What's small, arty and has a puzzled look on its face?

Ah - that would be me.

Im in research mode at the moment, as life has gifted me a beautiful studio to play in and no deadlines to work towards. 

Normally at this point id be rushing to enter art prizes, residencies and grants, so I would feel like I had my hand in the game. But not this time. This time Ive decided to give my brain and emotions a break from that roller-coaster ride, so I can spend some quality time researching, playing, observing and experimenting. 

And so far Im loving every single moment of it. 

I love surrounding myself with sketches, books and photos, and then trying new things in the studio that will lead me to something new. 

These images are a collection of ideas and experiments from the last few weeks, that Ive been thinking about.

Can you see any patterns emerging yet?

new horizons.

Precious Moments are the Quiet, 2006/7

Detail : Painting commission 2012

Hi everyone...

Im back from my little trip away -

And im feeling refreshed and excited to get back to the studio.

Its amazing how a few days away can be so precious and so restorative. 

Two days can sometimes feel like two weeks - in the right place, and more importantly, with the right people. I went to visit some very dear friends that left this Emerald city about two and a half years ago, for a new adventure and a new beginning. 

And lucky for me they invited me to visit, share in their new life with their new beautiful baby boy.... and just relax! 

Which is exactly what i did. 

Especially since Ive just taken on a massive new commission for two massive new paintings  Exciting? Yes. Daunting? Oh yes indeedy. 

Starting a new commission from scratch is an amazing adventure. You meet with your clients, see their space, talk over ideas, discuss artworks of inspiration from your portfolio, and most importantly, get a feel for what they love... and what they may love to live with! 

Then you go back to the studio, have a coffee or three, sit, think, think some more, and then... panic! No just kidding. 

What you do next is draw. 

And with two big paintings to tackle I thought I would super-size my drawings, and start to get a feel for the size, and all that colour!

At the top of the post you can see a triptych mix media work on wood that I completed in 2006-7 for another commission. Its colourful, moody and tells a story about the quiet and reflective moments that you experience while sitting by a pond or watery garden. 

My new clients loved this work and it has now become the starting point for one of the canvas artworks that they have commissioned.

Two pieces of A1 paper coming together to form the right dimensions for this drawing/sketch.

To paint BIG you need : a big space, a lot of art materials, a pair of comfy converse, an apron and a pair of big earphones to listen to a lot of music while you work!

A couple of large sketches from 2010 that I pulled out to draw inspiration from.
On the left it reads: 'Trying to find the mark, the line, the essence...'

This is a detail from my second drawing... 

And this is what it looks like now. Im happy with it and Im hoping my clients like it too! 

So Ive submitted two drawings for approval.

Then now its onto the next set of sketches for the even bigger painting that they have commissioned! A 3-metre painting on canvas that will be the largest work that I have ever done.

Boy Im lucky to have been given this opportunity to move my artwork into new territory. 

Stay tuned for the next instalment to this exciting new adventure x

the warm up sessions.

The warm up diary... 2012

People warm their hands up in many different ways.

They rub them together, they hold them up to a fire or heater, they sit in the Sun, or, they slip them into a warm pair of gloves... or someone else's hands!

For me - its got to be a quickfire sketch session in the diary. 

Its amazing how every day is different, and that your hands can feel materials in many different ways. You would think that if you could draw, or paint, your hands would use art materials in the same way. Everyday. 

But no. 

One day can see you delicately work a pencil or paintbrush. The next morning its like you've never seen these foreign implements before in your life. So what's the difference? 

The difference is how you feel on the day. It's that simple.

So - how do you know if its a good day or a bad day?

You draw. You warm up your hands with a sketch or three.

And that is what these drawings are.

Little warm ups and tiny ideas...

Just to get the day flowing...

psst...
if you're wondering what to do when its a bad drawing day
Ill give you a little tip...

You go for a coffee!

memories of 2011... pt 5

The passing of Cy Twombly in 2011 made me look back to a treasured trip  to see his retrospective exhibition  at The 2001 Venice Biennale ...

Home may be where the heart is but for me, home is also where the art is!

Art is my everyday life. I don't seem to be able to remove one from the other...
And i wouldn't have it any other way... 

From visiting an exhibition, to photographing a colour, or creating a new artwork, my life is utterly wrapped within a focus for all things artistic, soulful, and creative.  And that is the true essence of this blog I call tinytrappings, a space that I have loved sharing with you for these past 3 years or so...

In this final retrospective look at 2011, i recall some of my favourite art moments for the year. What made me smile, what made my heart flip, and what i loved to create...

This image is from one of my favourite exhibitions/art festivals for the year...
Outpost at Cockatoo Island November 2011.

One of my favourite photographic moments also came from my trip to see Outpost at Cockatoo Island.
The light, the moment, the backdrop...the little boy... so beautiful!

This blog features alot of street art... as I find it all so inspiring. The colours, the graphic mark making, and the urban backdrops all grab me when Im in the city with a camera at hand. This is one of my favourite graffiti shots for the year... taken in Surry Hills, September 2011

Favourite shot of colour + texture in a quiet street in Surry Hills, August 2011

No contest - Favourite art space and art experience for 2011... MONA. Hobart. Tasmania. The museum made my heart beat faster, as I was challenged, inspired and blown away!... April 2011

Was treated to some amazing nights out to see some truly great art performances... And on this cold winters night at the Opera House I was lucky enough to catch the new dance piece by The Bangarra Dance Company. 

And then there was the studio! I painted, embroidered, weaved and sketched... and for some
great projects too... This wintery studio shot was from June when I completed a new
photo realism oil painting for an art prize...

Some of my favourite projects came from a very heart felt place. And in October
I was commissioned by my brother and new sister in law to create a drawing
for their wedding invitation... which I loved!

Another heart felt series took shape this year, a series of blue illustrations
of my dog Monte. These proved a hit with many of you out there... and it felt
like a fitting tribute to a much loved member of the family...

Another great commission that I was asked to complete way back in January was a
Harbour scene diptych for an old friend who missed out on buying a piece at the
Primrose Gallery exhibition in 2010...

And then there was an exhibition in May. Our 5th annual 'Make' exhibition, which features many artists' who have worked at one time or another for Object Gallery in Sydney. I love this exhibition every year, and in 2011 I loved creating a new series of works that I produced under this year's theme of 'white'.
Will hopefully expand on this series in 2012... so watch this space!

New contacts and collaborations were created in 2011, and one in particular that I enjoyed being involved with was for a new children's interior design showroom in Switzerland! These 4 embroidered owls flew over to Zug to be a part of the launch in October...

And finally there were all the weaving projects. I absolutely love making these colourful woven bowls, and in 2011 they were seen in Melbourne, at Sydney Gallery Breathing Colours, and on my tinytrappings store.
In 2012 I hope to expand the project, and also teach people of all ages the love of this meditative craft...

I hope you have enjoyed sharing some of these moments with me and that you'll come and visit me throughout 2012 as I start afresh in the studio, experience new travel adventures, and seek to create and discover new inspirations to live with... and dream on.

See you soon...

Books ....

and its time to buy if you have a few pennies!

The new financial year for artists is always an exciting time... for as long as you keep the receipts...many many things can be deducted!! And if you're like me - the line between lifestyle and art practice is extremely blurred!

Case in point...magazines + books! I love good reading material and I believe it is one of the best places for an artist to invest! That and good paintbrushes!


But it is my belief that you can never have too many books especially if the images are big, bold + colourful! I have a mate who is on nearly every art magazine subscription register and is known to enjoys a good Amazon flutter! So for me.... a fun trip out can be as easy as going over to her place, sitting on the couch and carefully arranging a big stack of art journals and books at my feet!! Yes Miss A...you know who you are!!

Unfortunately I'm not as free and easy with my purchases but I do admit to picking up a new + very tall white bookshelf with which to 'clean up' my resource area at the beginning of the year!! And now there is alittle space on it for some new titles!


Two books that have grabbed my attention of late are not art books per se but they are colourful .... and photography related! The first is the long anticipated first book by celebrated fashion sartorialist Mr Scott Schuman ... I have a link to his blog on the left of the page and have been following his work for a few years now. His eye for originality.... beauty in the unexpected... and for colour+texture in everything and everyone.... is truly amazing. It is an innate quality of Scotts and that is why he is so popular with people worldwide...
To now be able to have a collection of his images in book form is exciting...



The second is an obscure publication that can be only be found online...

Its The Selby's Sydney Book that was recently released on their blog site. This Sydney book is the second publication{the first being The Paris Book} from Todd Selby and it is a collection of studio and home vignettes from our little city on 24 artistic and fashion related folk..some that you may have never have heard of before ... It was shot over 7 days earlier this year and is a fresh and creative project that is completely original+ quirky....I love the little illustrations and sketches that Todd asks his subjects to procure!

At the moment they are selling the first copies, signed sealed and delivered from the states....

Worth a look!

s w i t c h

Hope you all survived the hot and extremely dry conditions today!! I know.... sounds like perfect beach weather...but to me it all was alittle unsettling. And now Ive become another one of the sydneysiders outside doing a little rain dance! A beautiful big storm would be lovely if the skies could manage it!!