Sketchbook wednesday

I've decided that every wednesday I'll share a peek from one of my sketchbooks (how about that, a little order on this here blog of mine!). Why? So you can see my process, and see things I'm working on, or have worked on. Some will be great, some will be rough and ready. To start, here's two pages from my (mind)map sketchbook.

What are you sketching at the moment?

what a week!

Two paintings sold, two commissions arranged, and a small show at the Cornerstone Cafe in Organic Feast confirmed. All topped off with a night out at a suave cocktail party in a Hunter Valley Vineyard last night. Tapas degustation. oh. my.

brushes that are dying to get out and dance around on a blank board

one of the paintings that went to a new home this week

all dressed up. pity you can't see my fancy hair at the back and my pretty hair piece thingy.

The cafe gig is nice timing. I am running out of storage space and I'm keen to get some new work started- it will be good to get some work out of the studio to make room! I will be showing pieces from the (mind)map exhibition, plus a couple of new ones that were created as part of the series but wouldn't fit at Compass Art Space. (Including one sweet little miniature I dropped off at the framers last week, a studio fave that will finally see an audience.)


AND
I finally finally got word that I have a shipment on it's way. For my new shop. Oh yes.
Stay tuned for more info on that one.


( a shipment? A shop?! Are you buzzing? Are you twitching with excitement? I am.)

Finished!

Ta da!  Last night I finally finished this piece. Good.

progress: on my easel right now

Last thursday I went to bed and couldn't sleep. There was an image in my head. At 1am I was so frustrated and ready to explode that I got up out of bed and spent three hours in the studio- I just had to get some work out of my head and onto the page! So I started. Then went back to bed. A creative explosion.

 I've been plodding away for a few hours every night since then and this is where I'm up to:

sketches all over my studio walls

start with an acrylic wash and blocking in the underpainting. 

mapping out shapes and colours. I'm working on a heavy weight card. It is super thick and stiff so I have not soaked and taped/stretched it (like a watercolour paper). I don't think I'll be using enough paint for it to warp.

begin working up the top layers in top section to get some more direction before continuing the background

blocking in more background. layer. layer. layer.

tools. Acrylic paint. Spreader medium. Drying retarder. Brushes. Palette knife.

more tools. graphite. 6B. 7B. 9B. and oil pastels.

working my way down the page with more layers and building up the detail

 

It is by no means finished, but just thought I'd share a sneak peek of what's been happening in my studio over the last week.

Maitland Art Gallery

I know it's only down the road, but, shamefully, I'd never been. I'd meant to. I'd thought about it. Lots. I promise. Well, to be fair, Lake Mac gallery and Newcastle Region are closer.... but.....I was finally prompted when I found out that the Maitland Regional Art Gallery had newly acquired a Gillie & Marc sculpture.

my boys getting friendly with 'Fetch Dog'

This 3metre artwork was inspired by the artists own golden retriever, Moby and has a great environmental message. "Globally we tackle environmental issues and wrestle with corporations and countries to adopt better ideals to save our planet. Yet we can't even pick up our own dog poo" the artists said in a statement. 

So I met up with one of my  all time favourite friends for a whirlwind-pram-pushing gallery tour (gallery visits with busy little inquisitive hands are fast and furious. believe me.) David Fairbairn monstrous sized charcoal and gouache portraits are intense and striking. I loved these. Strong markmaking and deeply expressive portraits. Worth a look-see.

David Fairbairns 'Lineage'

My favourite exhibition at the gallery had to be Peter and Fairlie Kingston, A shared Childhood. Two artists, using different mediums to present images from their common history. Beautiful big seaside paintings (Peter), miniature relief ceramic tiles(Fairlie), tiny lit up ceramic buildings that are wonderfully detailed with tiny lamps inside (Fairlie) and beautiful interactive sideshow boxes (Peter), with a vintage feel depicting places, memories, people and events. This one made me feel all nostalgic and like I was on holidays. I also grew up on the coast with a strong emphasis on fishing and boats so the work really resonated with me.  I wish I could show you them all here, but seeing as photos are really a no no in galleries, you'll have to go see for yourself. Take the kids, they'll love it!

some of Fairlie Kingstons dreamy little dwellings

one of Peter Kingstons interactive sideshow boxes

Downstairs was the colourful and playful work of Robyn Stanton Werkhoven & Eric Werkhoven.