mash up

The time spent playing, reworking and just 'plain-ol' looking at bits and pieces plastered up on the grubby white walls of my tiny studio counts as some of my favourite moments in the whole creative process.

I love re-imagining artworks and seeing new things, old things, abandoned things and commissioned things speak to each other - as they hang alongside each other like a 90s mix-tape mashup. It makes my head whirl and whip round like a spinning top, and I start to see new ideas take shape. 

When visitors come by the studio and they see an old work up on the wall, they often ask if im holding onto it ... for keeps. 

Usually the answer is that its on the wall to keep inspiring me, and pushing me to explore new directions. As once is gone - its gone - and I cant have another conversation with it! 

Strange as that may sound....

(foreground) Turning on the Fall 2016 - Acrylic  painting on wood.
In the background a mix media drawing on paper entitled
Quiver (among the stars) 2016

floating thoughts

Light. Floating. Transparent. 

Like the wind...

As I draw closer to my exhibition in September Im now starting to narrow in on the themes and thoughts that I would like to have running through this new collection of artworks. 

As you can see... one big theme is emerging.

That of the sky, wind, and the thoughts, dreams, words and emotions that transparently float through the air...

On Sunday I went to see a beautiful exhibition at S.H Ervin gallery on Observatory Hill in The Rocks. And as I left I went for a walk through the grass and just looked up. And the clouds were forming the most amazing patterns. 

I was transfixed. 

And felt like I could float anywhere.

What a lovely feeling that is....

Floating through the ether. 2015

hold.keep.cup 2016

floating world.2016

transparent parallels. 2016

still life

Interesting when your life becomes still.
Doesn't happen very often these days - especially if you live in the city.
Even most conversations are fast paced and fleeting.

On those very odd occasions when you do catch yourself sitting quietly and watching the world go by  - its lovely to stop and notice what beautiful and often ordinary objects catch your eye.

A shadow on the floor, a fleck of light catching the rim of a cup, the breeze moving a towel that has just come back from the beach...

In the last few months ive been slowing down my thoughts in the studio and doing warm up sketches of the object that lie around me. And ive loved the process.

Its amazing the pleasure that you can get from just quietly sketching a few objects as they wait for you to use them....

a family portrait. December 2015

Lekythos. 2016

big sky dreaming

October and the Christmas season has officially begun! Or so say our major high streets! 

I can barely get my head around the idea that 2015 is nearly out the door... 

Too many things have been happening around in me since coming home from Europe in mid July. And in amongst it all ive had some studio deadlines for a few new works on canvas, on paper, and in coil weaving. So today I thought id share an image of a new series coil woven objects that will be heading to Adelaide next week. 

They'll be taking part in a group exhibition at a lovely space called Council of Objects that is owned by Elise Short who is passionate about promoting local artists. The show is called TONE and it will feature the work of some great Australian artists including Mel Robson (ceramics), Amanda Dziedzic (glass), Abby Seymour (jewellery) and Vic Pemberton (textiles). 

The opening is on Friday October 23 and on Sunday Oct 25 Ill be teaching a five hour coil weaving workshop at the beautiful Gate 8 studios in Thebarton. Its been two years since I taught there, so Im looking forward to going back and playing in such an amazing creative space.

If youre in Adelaide please come along to the opening or the workshop.

All the details can be found at www.tinytrappings.bigcartel.com

And in the meantime I hope you have a great weekend - 

x

each artist was given this beautiful swatch of colours
that was to act as the inspiration for the artworks

graphite markings. 2015

charcoal sketch. 2015

raindrop. 2015

new season. new adventures

Its June/

And in this part of the world its Winter.

And boy has it said hello with a blast of Arctic air! 

No one can be in ANY doubt that we have transitioned to a new season.

I love smelling the wood burning on open fires. 

And hearing people cooking and creating hearty soups and stews as I walk through the neighbourhood at dusk. All the senses are heightened as you start to cherish the hours of sunlight and the warm textures of home. 

In the studio ive been putting the finishing touches on a few commissions. And clearing the white pin-boards for a whole new series of works. 

But the research and sketching time comes first.

And to do that Im flying out to Europe for a six weeks adventure in Dubai, Italy and Greece.

I leave in a few short hours! 

So Im finishing this post with a few images from the last few weeks of May...

And ill see you all soon.

Keep well and warm! 

x

oh and before I go I have to say a big thank you to Jody and Honor for their beautiful comments in the past few weeks. Its hard to reply to comments on this blog.... so I thought id say it here! xxx

Image above and below from a series of acrylic paintings on paper. 2015

^Looking up^

^beautiful colours of the season.
Clovelly^

^leaves in flight^

lingering

First day of a new month. 

And its raining. 

Rain seems to be the familiar backdrop for most days here in Sydney at the moment.

Its a very wet Autumn - and even though we're all thankful for it, we're all looking for excuses to stay in bed and hide away from it too. 

I have to admit Ive been hiding at home this week.

Partly because Im trying to get well after a few health hiccups.

And partly because I need a creative break, so I can let my thoughts linger on what Ive achieved in the past few months.

These days we seem to be focused on what is yet to come and how much is yet to accomplished - like a hamster on a wheel.

Which is an exhausting way to think and feel. 

I was heading down that road until I stopped and let my thoughts linger on what Ive done in the studio this year - and what Ive liked.

And I kept coming back to this little fellow. 

Its a drawing that was completed for a commission but ended up staying with me.

Which Im happy about. 

Its only a small artwork but I think it holds a few ideas for future experiments and larger pieces....

........

Artwork details: Grevillea Movements in Mint, 2015, mix media on paper

the request

In my post last week I was rattling on about taking on requests for commissions and how it can be a daunting but rewarding experience. Well - today im featuring a collection of drawings - completed over the past few months, for a lovely couple in Melbourne who were looking for an artwork for their family home. 

At the time was keen to work on a new series of artworks as I had just completed a collection of drawings and coil weavings for a group exhibition in late January. And sometimes a request, and an idea, from some one other than you can be a liberating and positive opportunity. Some of my best artworks have come from a commission and an idea that was not my own! 

And so I began what is now called 'The Grevillea Series'. 

The commission initially started as one big canvas, themed around the garden - and in particular the colours and textures of the beautiful Grevillea species of plantlife. 

What I, or we, ended up with was a collection of three drawings on paper that speak of nature in a very abstract way. That's what you call 'meeting in the middle'. They had one idea and I had another. And somewhere in the middle was the right solution for the artwork, their family and the space they live in. 

The clients were happy.

I was relieved. 

And now when I look back at these images im actually proud of each artwork that speaks softly and gently about nature, the light and the spaces that we find when we step outside our door.

^inspiration^

^Grevillea shower on indigo sky (detail). Mix Media on paper. 2015^

^Waterfall of Spring (detail). Mix media on paper. 2015^

^ detail of a textile design I created a few years ago...^

^Spring Movements (detail). Mix media on paper. 2015^

^The final collection... ^

ochre light

Its been such a busy start to 2015.

New work projects, social catch ups, workshops, travel... they all seem to be happening so quickly - that its sometimes hard to stay grounded and enjoy every experience as they whiz past at an exponential rate.

So .... just to recap.

Its April. Easter has just happened. 

Its Autumn. 

And im madly busy in the studio.

Working on commissions. 

Which have been exhausting but great. 

Working to a brief and creating a new artwork for someone can be a lovely process... for the most part! 

But it can be tricky - as you really have to try and understand what each person is asking for. And then make sure you stay true to yourself and create within your aesthetic to produce an artwork that says alot about you... and them.

In the last few months Ive had the pleasure of working with a lovely person who doesn't live in Sydney and has never seen my work in the flesh. So all our communication has been through phone calls and emails. 

Tricky! 

Some how we had to find common ground and create a level of trust.

She had to trust that I would create a painting she would love -

And I had to trust myself.

Above and below are the two finished works from this lovely project. 

Above is the preliminary sketch.

Below is the finished painting.

And we're both happy.

^Whispers in Ochre Light. Acrylic on Canvas. 2015^

the design files

Getting our photo for The Design Files before Saturdays opening of art/vert
... at Saint Cloche in Paddington.
Photo Credit: Nikki To for The Design Files
(from left) Luisa Brimble, Evo O, me, Tara Burke, Alex Standen,
Emily Besser, Amber Cresswell Bell, Fiona Chandler, Ali Wood and Alison Fraser
(and missing from the pic... Drew Truslove)

What a weekend.

What an opening.

And its all documented for posterity on The Design Files today. 

Thank you Amber for all your hard work and for putting together such a lovely show. 

And thank you to Kitty and all the people that worked so tirelessly to get the Saint Cloche gallery space, and this show, off the ground - in January!!

It really is a beautiful concept... art and plant-life exhibited together in a light filled and airy gallery space. All the artists have created a unique collection of works all responding to the idea of nature and landscape. And all of the ten artists involved seemed to have created a series that is harmony with everyone else on display. Which is rare!

The exhibition is open everyday (10-5pm) at Saint Cloche until Sunday Feb 8. 

I know ill be back a few more times to enjoy it.

In situ... and surrounded by beautiful greenery.
Photo Credit: Amber Creswell Bell

(from left)
The work of Evi O, Emily Besser, Luisa Brinble, Evi O and Drew Truslove

The beautiful, light filled space of Saint Cloche in Paddington
Photo Credit: Nikki To for The Design Files

(from left) Emily Besser, Luisa Brimble, Evi O and a whole lot of lovely plants...
Photo Credit: Nikki To for The Design Files

n e w

New year. New exhibition. New series of works. New art space for sydney.

Happy new year everyone.

Oh it feels like FOREVER since Ive been on this little blog.

Too much has been happening - on both sides of the pendulum - and I know I  was just holding on by the ends of my fingertips in December. Time had a mind of its own and however I tried to slow things down and really concentrate on one task at a time - I knew things were going to happen of their own accord - and I had to let go. 

But now its 2015.

A year that holds so much excitement and promise.

And to start things off on a creative note, I have just come back from a week of teaching at Sturt College in Mittagong which was amazing as always. I will post some of those images in the coming days as I still have to go through them all. I had such a great class, with each person creating the most beautiful series of drawings and coil woven artworks...  

But today I have a new group exhibition to announce. 

A few months ago the lovely Amber Creswell -Bell, a writer from Sydney, asked me and nine other painters, designers, photographers and ceramicists to participate in a concept show for a new space in Paddington in Sydney. Along with our work Amber and the director of the gallery, Kitty, will be exhibiting some beautiful plant-life. 

So I know it will be a colourful, textural and inspiring show. 

What a way to start the year ...

New palette and new ideas for this series that focused on garden life and the energy that exists in
green spaces.

This drawing feels like a cross over piece - from the work for my solo show in August to this series about nature.

Lots of words.... lots of ideas.
After visiting The Botanical Gardens I wrote a poem and then threaded it through a few of the drawings.

While I was working in the studio at the end of last year there were some amazing storms
that hit Sydney.... and that energy seems to have found its way into this drawing.

Lots of energy... that will hopefully translate into lots of happy play, travel and  adventure for 2015!

b l u e

^ Manly^

Watch out.
Im back collecting blue again.
Its the colour of the sky... the sea... the night.
Its the colour can symbolise communication... trust... wisdom,.. faith.
It can make people calm. relaxed. peaceful.

For me it means all those things and so much more.
For me it symbolises harmony and truth.
And it just makes me happy.

Sydney is bathed in blue this week.
And I cant stop wearing it.

When I get back to the studio to work on some new pieces
im sure ill be like a bower-bird
surrounding myself in it and make my hands dirty with it.

It always happens this way.
Spring makes me happy and so does this beautiful colour
in all its forms and hues.

^Shelley beach in Spring^

^Light Runs through it.2012^

^stitch and rhythm. 2014^

^October skies^

springing back into it

^entangled light connections. mix media drawing on paper. 2014^

Its been too long.

Way too long. 

Some thought id left this blog-space for good.

Others asked if I was ok.

I didnt realise Id been away for so long.

The truth of the matter is my solo show took alot of energy, time and organisation. 

And after it all wound up I felt like I didnt have anything left in the ol' tank. 

But thank you for all your messages, and kinds words of support. The exhibition exceeded all my expectations and I loved every minute of it. Except for the part where I talked through tears while trying to give an artist talk on the last day of the show. Haha... that was not my finest hour.

When I get more time Ill post a few more images of the space for you to chew over.

But for now... 

It's Spring! And to get the ball rolling I thought it would be lovely to share a few images that say Spring to me. 

Take care I hope you have a great weekend! 

.........

Oh and before I go - ive just listed a few more workshops that will be coming up in the next few months... just in case you would like to get creative while the sun is shining! 

^colours of the season^

^matrix light movements. mix media drawing on paper. 2014^

^redfern....glowing in pink light^