drawing inspiration

^detail from a mix media drawing... 2012^

New week.

New focus.

And it all started with my last post.

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of working with a group of high school art students - a class that had been organised by North Sydney Council - for their community art project entitled Colouring Our Habitat. 

Colouring Our Habitat is a project that asks artists' to work with a local school or community groups to initiate and spark ideas for the main event - which is to design and paint three murals for three traffic light boxes that already sit on the pavement but are never noticed, as they are painted in a dull grey/green tone. Which is a shame as they are the perfect blank canvas' for any artist to make their mark. 

So now its my turn to switch dull grey/green to....???

Ive been thinking about these designs for a while - but its only now - with a deadline looming that Ive started to become focused on what I would like to say, and create, with my three boxes. 

So on the weekend I did a reccy to North Sydney in order to collect information and take photos. 

These are a few of those photos - book-ended by two colourful photos that I love, and may appear in one of the final designs. 

As you can see from these images - North Sydney is a corporate business district with the buildings reflecting that look, with clean lines and shiny surfaces. And grey. ALOT of grey - that is only broken up in Autumn and Spring when the trees turn a golden hue. 

So Im thinking about colour. LOTS of colour for my designs. 

To add contrast and a shock of the new! 

Plus I dont think I could do anything without colour in it! 

Not willingly anyway.

mmmmm....

(To be continued....)

^the search for pattern in street objects^

^ negative spaces and unexpected shapes ^

^ Autumn gives colour to all the grey ^

^shadow play ^

^ lines and shapes when looking ... up! ^

^ colour found ^

winter collections

^ a few favourites from my tiny collection^

In Winter I hibernate.

I snuggle. I retreat. 

I turn into a cat and curl up into a tiny ball at the foot of my gas heater. 

Winter and I have always had a strained relationship - as my body was never truly designed for the cold nights and driving Winter rains. I was born with cold hands and cold feet. And try as I might to warm them up, Ive never really known them to reach the status of toasty without the searing sunrays of summer! I still have flashbacks to when I was living in Edinburgh and those frosty Winter winds that would pass straight through me! brrrrrr....

So here I sit. Inside my home and enjoy some lovely Winter pastimes, such as rediscovering my collection of objects and artworks that dont receive the attention they truly deserve in Summer.

This is just a tiny sample some of my favourites - that in one way or another inspire me each and everyday.

Some were found in second hand stores and markets.

Some were lovingly given to me by talented friends.

And some were bought as sneaky purchases (usually while being egged on by friends who knew a beautiful ceramic artpiece when they saw one!)

............

And speaking of talented ceramic artists - one sadly passed away on Friday in London.

Vale Gwyn Hansson Pigott.

With an amazing 45 year career in the arts -

You will be greatly missed.

(1935-2013)

lenky's eye...

Alenka and her iphone make a visit to the studio... 

Something new and exciting to share with you today.
And I cant believe its taken me this long to do it!!

After 6 years of writing + photographing for this tiny blog -

Today is the first time Ive ever had a guest blogger.

Since moving into the Camperdown studios in January Ive tried to have as many people over to visit. 

One - because it is such an amazing space. 

And two - because I want others to share it with me. 

I couldnt imagine it any other way. 

The place feels so lovely when others come to sit, play, observe and create. 

And that is especially true when I have lots of people over for a workshop! 

So when my lovely friend Alenka, and her son Jona, came over for a visit a few weeks ago, I was eager to see what her eye would find while she took a walk around the space with her camera.

Alenka is an amazingly creative person who loves to share her projects and discoveries on her beautiful blog called yellowpaperkite. She also loves colour as much as I do, so I knew she would be keen to photograph all my colourful fabrics + objects.

As you can see she took some beautiful photos of the Camperdown space.

But she also made me see things in a new light! 

Thanks you Lenky for your beautiful images 

and for your visit to my Camperdown creative crash pad x

My collection of fabrics... some old, some new... some remnants!

Two woven forms sitting side by side - one made by me... and one given to me.

A little collection of objects -  found for pennies, or given for free !

These little glass jars with rubber stoppers are treasured items to me
as they are filled with pure coloured pigments.
I bought them in Marrakech when I travelled to Morocco 8 years ago.
I never use them!
I just like to look at them.

workshop weekend at the pop

The pop up space on Saturday -
all dressed + ready to host its last weaving workshop on Saturday...

What a creative week!

And what a massive weekend!

The place never looked more colourful and festive.... as the pop up was used to maximum effect these past 7 days!  During the week worked I worked on the 3-metre painting (which is still nameless), Olenka had friends join her at the jewellery table to make new pieces for Christmas, and on the weekend i hosted a weaving workshop on Saturday followed by an abstract painting/drawing class on Sunday! Phew....

Way back in June eight artists were given the keys to two empty shop fronts in a suburb of Sydney in order to create, inspire  display our wares, and invite the community to join in! After this week I feel like we achieved those amazing aims... having a great time along the way.

Thank you again to everyone who came along to ALL my workshops. Ive loved meeting you, chatting with you and creating with you. Thank you for sharing your creative selves with this tiny project... and for bringing materials and baked goods too! 

I have one more weaving workshop for the year and this time it will be hosted by Object Gallery in Surry Hills! If you would like to come along, please have a look here....

And if you would like to join my mail list for future workshops, please drop me an email at tinytrappings@gmail.com ....

see you soon x

Another amazing group of people at the weaving table... getting busy!

The start of a new coil bowl... made with a mix of  materials to add tons of colour... and texture!

I love it when people create in the colours of their outfit...
This is Amelia and her lovely red nails....
making her first woven bowl 

The lovely Tiffany came along to both workshops -
but on Saturday she discovered my comfy armchair, which is perfect for weaving!

awwww... im going to miss this creative space.

Phillip who came to his second class at the pop up.... sitting next to Anna + Hannah
who were lovely new additions to the table! 

The wall in Olenka's space was given a new look on Sunday...

And lastly - this little still life grouping was from Sunday's
abstract drawing/painting workshop.
We were so busy creating and talking that I forgot to get the camera out again.
Do this is one of the only photos I have to show you... sorry!
Needless to say there were a lot to beautiful artworks created in those few hours...

October Weaving Workshop in session...

Before the October weaving workshop began I took a few photos of the space...
while it was all colourful and calm... 

A tiny new piece made from Vic - on her first day weaving! 

Saturday.

Another beautiful Spring day in the city.

And the table was all ready....

For the October Weaving workshop at The Pop Up.

This month the table filled with so many lovely new people - to meet and play with.

And that's what has been exciting about this project - meeting lovely and inspiring people from all corners of the city. And we have the most amazing conversations! I have to keep remembering to refocus and teach as I get swept up in interesting and inspiring stories from across the table!

It really has been a pleasure meeting all of you. 

And this month we had the full age spectrum in attendance - from a Grandmother of 80 years of age, all the way to a beautiful six year old who came to draw while her mum came to play! 

So so great...

And there is only one more weaving workshop for the year!! 

It will be sad when it comes around in November as Ive loved every moment of these weaving collective sessions! 

Its been humbling and has made me so thankful for this space. 

Anyway -

Hope you like the photos from Saturday....

x

The lovely Alison starting a new piece - while her amazing woven bowl that she started on
her first class sits on the table waiting to be finished off...

The new lovely ladies to the table - Eva, Vic and Louise... chatting and weaving!
It was so great to have to many new people at this workshop...

Pro weaver in the making - Josephine - starting a new piece with a click of her fingers.

Weaving in action - with Kate.

The table - all fresh and new.

The beginning of a new piece... by a new student to the table.... 

So many textures and materials... so little time!
Ands so the table has been packed away until November, and our last weaving class for the year
at the pop up...

up a stool...

Yep. That's me.
On a tiny stool... in my painting shirt...with a brush in my hand!

After I made them I had to take a photo...
before they were put on the ceiling!

Bits n pieces everywhere!

On the left you can see a beautiful neck piece made for me by the lovely Olenka...
In some of my fav colours!

The lavender is out...

Detail, Chiaroscuro, diptych drawing on wood, 2012

These are just a few more shots from The Pop Up Space... 

And speaking of which I have to mention that the new October dates for the workshops have been set!

The next Weaving Workshop will be on Saturday October 20, 11-1pm.

And due to a few lovely requests, I will be running a new mixed media workshop for anyone who would like to learn how to break down a realistic image and create an abstract work of art. 

Its called From Realism to Abstraction and it will be held at The Pop Up Shop in Crows Nest on Saturday 27th October, 11-1pm. Im really looking forward to a fun class filled with lots of colour, movement and action! Yes - action! 

As Christmas is rapidly approaching this next few classes will be the last ones for the year. And   possibly the last ones for me in the Pop Up shop! Boo Hoo... so sad!

So if you are keen to know more, or would like to put your name on the list, please email me at tinytrappings@gmail.com 

x

a happy equation

Pop Up Shop - September 2012

It's Tuesday and the start of the new working week.

Well in Sydney it is.

The September Long Weekend has been and gone... 

And for all of you living in this part of the globe 

I hope you enjoyed some much needed r+r on the weekend?!

I found myself knee deep in paint for most of it... at The Pop Up and at home. 

I did find some time away from the paintbrush... 

But I do love my time in the studio. 

I cant help it! Its an affliction.

Ive also worked out an equation for a happy play day with art materials...

Want to hear it?

Well - its....

Sunny day + new music blaring + big earphones for no distractions + new commission = fun studio day! 

Yep - im loopy. 

Anyway....

While I was at the Pop Up I thought I would take a few photos of the space for you on my phone. And - as you know - I need all the practice time that I can get, as I only recently upgraded from a dinosaur mobile phone that was previous used by cave men!

So I hope you enjoy... and forgive the lack of light in some of the pics...

Ready to POP!

One of two new Pop Up Spaces in Crows Nest, Sydney.
And I have a set of keys to this one!

Where do I begin. 

Maybe with a hello, a 'how are you?', and an apology, as I've been an absentee blogger in the past few weeks. Ive tried to get online and fill you in on the myriad of new projects that have been happening this month. But at some point I had to thrown in the towel on my 3 posts a week, and just give you tiny snippets and bits of information where I could.

So the title of this post is fitting. Im so exhausted that I do feel like Im ready to Pop! 

But I also feel like im about to burst, as I have many things to share with you... 

One being the new Pop Up arts project that I have been working on these past  three weeks! 

Yes - A Pop Up. In the heart of Sydney, or more specifically, the heart of the North Shore. This new project has been initiated by North Sydney Council and its an extension of the pop up concept that has been happening all over the city, in places such as Marrickville, Parramatta, The Rocks, and Oxford st. in the inner city.

The council realised that the North Shore Arts Scene had been flat lining in recent years.

So this is a significant step for an area that has a fantastic artistic culture, but few spaces to access and engage the community. So its been a huge honour to have been accepted as one of eight artists to participate in this new temporary pop up adventure. 

So... this all began at the end of June. And I had just opened my solo exhibition and was saying that I was ready for a BIG HOLIDAY! Well - what I got was a phone to participate, and a fresh set of keys to one of two vacant shops in Crows Nest !

And as you can see from the photo below 
what we were shown was..... 
A BIG empty shell!

{with alot of potential...}

As you can see... it was a cold, empty shell with basic walls and concrete floors. But what you cant get from these photos is the smell...! The space had been a Pet Store - and that is what it smelt like...!
And gift with purchase was ALOT of hair and dirt which we had to sort out straight away...

But we could all see the potential... and just two short weeks later...

This is what it looked like! With painted floors and walls and alot of cleaning, it scrubbed up nicely.
And I was excited to start hanging and seeing the possibilities. 

So to start the ball rolling I brought in some furniture and many pieces that I had in the studio at home...
and did this...

And already it has changed, as I few days later  my mate Kylie and I
took everything down and started again.
And thats the beauty of this space...
We have been given the opportunity to change it, paint it, and do whatever we would like in order to have fun!

Over the next few months all eight participating artists' in the Pop Up will be talking to the public, and giving free workshops, demonstration, and talks to create an artistic environment in what was just another vacant shop front in Sydney. 

And it all starts soon.
Stay tuned!