I have just had the honour of being first choice for 4 works selected by Perc Tucker Regional Gallery to hang in our Townsville City Mayor's office and CitiLibrary for the next 12 months. Includes recent self portrait titled "Occupation Artist- those with tunnel vision are encouraged to apply". REALLY flattered by that- I love the piece but didn't actually think anyone much understood it. Just goes to show, you never know when your works connect with someone. So to whoever chose me- thank you from the bottom of my insatiable artistic ego!

I have wanted to tackle a fauve style nude since attending Paul McCarthy's workshop last month, and am delighted with the results achieved with the help of our lovely model Kellie. She put up with freezing in the rain forest and gave us beautiful elegant poses all weekend.
David Rowe generously gave us all some insights into how he develops a surrealist image, and demonstrated his unique techniques.
We attacked a fauve style still life, and of course went out into the landscape and painted beautiful Paluma.  Next year is already booked for September 25th- 28th, an extra night for those who can stay longer so we can really go deep into the experience. A year is a long time, but I can't wait!!

This still life was set up on the classroom floor, was around 1.5 metres across,  and we all painted just a part of it. I always thought still life was a s boring as batshit- but WRONG!!!!

 The bit that really did my head in was that the class was held in the very art room where I realised during high school that I am an artist..... 32 years ago.

 The judge was Tony Ellwood, Director of the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. What a top award to have on my CV. This is the first award I have won at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, and after several recent rejections from the pre-selectors where the actual judge didn't even get to see my work,it's lovely to get some recognition. Not to mention the proper cranked studio easel I plan to buy with my winnings. Been painting on an Overflow rubbish easel entirely too long!

Pictured are my good friend and longtime student Annie (on the left) and new student Essie, who completed these marvelous works during the workshop.

Looks like landscape is set to be a part of my practice after all, despite all the years of decrying it as boring. At least I got away with being politically incorrect and not calling it "Bluewater Xanthoroea"! You can see it in the Awarded Works Gallery.

More awards news- my dear friend and student Christine Velvin (aka Jimini) was awarded first prize and Grand Champion for her painting of blackboys at the Townsville Agricultural Show this year. Jimini has really worked hard on her painting skills and I am just so PROUD of her acheivement!

Looks like blackboys are the go....

No drawing ability neccessary. Create a

vibrantly tropical metre square painting of

your choice using a wet into wet ink technique.

pictured "Gumblossom"

 

 

CLAY SCULPTURE

Saturday July 19th  12.30pm - 6.30pm

and Sunday June 20th  9.30 -  4.30pm

Beginners welcome- create a clay sculpture of your choice

using the fast medallion technique. Free choice of subject;

including animals, nudes, and portrait busts. Techniques

taught include paperclay and non-firing surface finishes.

 

 

FLORALS IN OILS

Saturday  August 9th  12.30pm - 6.30pm

and Sunday August 10th 9.30 -  4.30pm

Some experience with painting a plus, though not neccessary.

Learn to line blend your pallette for photographic accuracy

and fill your flower paintings with light.

 

TEXTURE PASTE, IMPASTO AND GELS

Saturday September 13th  12.30pm - 6.30pm

and Sunday September 14th 9.30 -  4.30pm

Beginners welcome. Learn to loosen up your painting style

with bold use of textures and glazing techniques.

Free choice of subject.

 

Each workshop costs $130 per person for tuition,

 plus materials cost of $30- $50 depending on the workshop.

 Materials cost will be waived if you have your own gear.

You couldn’t get a better definition of art than that: art is the place where we dream our lives, where we momentarily leave the heaviness of life behind.

‘Human life is a sad show, undoubtedly’ wrote Flaubert, ‘ugly, heavy and complex. Art has no other end, for people of feeling, than to conjure away the burden and the bitterness.’

For what is art but an act of grace, a creation of some alternative world so that our own world is momentarily shot through with meaning? If we don’t know why life itself exists, surely art is our last poetic gesture towards the mystery at the heart of us.

This is the reason art still exists through wars, through famine, through our deepest misery. Art is not measurable in dollars and cents, or only in “proper” paintings of people with real faces. Art is an invisible commodity with the highest of invisible values.

To dream, to joyfully play: art’s life, found wherever life is found.

From “The Broken Book” 2004 Susan Johnson