I am currently displaying a large number of my black and white prints at Maddens Lawyers in Warrnambool. The work is on the walls in their reception area, waiting area and meeting rooms. I feel it is a great way to have my work seen by a diverse audience that may not have ever been in a gallery.
This exhibition has been up for 3 months and runs for another 3 months.
I am happy to say that I have sold several prints as well.
I am excited to say I have work in an exhibition in New Hope, Pennsylvania at 9 in Hand Press. It is a group printmaking exhibition and i have a black and white linocut in it. You can see all the works on the 9 in Hand Press website. Below is a snapshot from the website.
My work is called ‘Sanctuary’. It depicts our local penguins enjoying their home on Middle Island, Warrnambool. My work is about how native animals enjoy their homes as much as we enjoy ours. I believe we could live in harmony together with a bit of thought and care. In fact, having native animals in our immediate environment would enrich our lives and improve the quality of our environment.
The penguins on Middle Island were nearly all killed by foxes. A local egg farmer, Swampy Marsh had an idea to have his Maremma Dog (called Oddball) guard the penguins. Like they guarded his chooks from the foxes. It worked. Now there are new Maremma Dogs guarding the penguins and the population of penguins has increased considerably. A movie was made from this great story called Oddball. I recommend you see it.
Go and have a look. Peterborough Art Gallery and Antiques is exhibiting a large number of my prints. Their shop is tastefully displayed and it is great to see my artwork amongst beautiful furniture. It is easier to imagine the work in someone’s home. As you travel there you will also have the pleasure of enjoying the beautiful scenery along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.
I am excited to be part of a printmaking group show at the Warrnambool Art Gallery. I get to exhibit with printmakers that I studied while getting my Diploma of Visual Arts – Angela Cavalieri, Heather Shimmen, Rona Green and Marco Luccio. Below is my print. It is of the wildlife you can see at the Warrnambool Breakwater and is called ‘Coast Guard’. This print is a nod to the Coast Guard boat that is moored in the background, but also the behavior of the Seal who has a commanding presence and keeps an eye on all the comings and goings at the breakwater.
I have just made a drying rack for my studio. This rack was cheap to make (two pieces of wood, nails and clothes pegs). It holds large prints – the ones below are 56cms x 70cms. It fits about 18 prints.
Waiting Lino cut on Japanese Hosho Paper, 42 x 29.5cms AUD $375
The beep beep of the monitor punctuated by the word ‘waiting’ is straightforward, cold, hospital grey. The form in the hospital bed floats on the knowledge she has a long wait for test results to return. Her symptoms make up her person it is a jumble not quiet decipherable. Like a puzzle the viewer, or doctor, has to solve.
I have just finished a workshop on eco dying paper and book binding. It was really interesting. Lorraine O’Brien from Lobly Arts is a great teacher. The colours you can get in the paper is fantastic and it smells great too! Looking forward to trying it at home and lino cut printing on the paper.
Thanks to 9 in Hand Press in New Hope, Pennsylvania I have my first opportunity to exhibit internationally. It is very exciting. It is a group show curated by Dave DiMarchi. You can see the works in the show on their website. All are for sale.
http://www.9inhandpress.com/print-exchange-2016.html
I have just won the ‘People’s Choice Award’ in Warrnambool’s International Woman’s Day Art Prize with the work below. The art prize is run by Women’s Health and Well being Barwon South West and the award was sponsored by Bluestone magazine. 48 artists exhibited at The Artery in Warrnambool.
I got an honourable mention in the Warnibald art competition this year.
The Warrnibald has a similar format to the famous Archibald Prize, with a local focus. Artists currently residing in Warrnambool, Moyne or Corangamite are invited to enter a portrait of a subject who has made a significant contribution to local culture, charity, business, sport or politics in our region or has represented our region in these areas nationally or internationally.
I created a portrait of Len Byron who is the president of the Triton Woodworkers Group. For the last 15 years, Len and his group of retired wood-working men have been cutting, sawing and drilling wood into kits for children to make a toy at the Fun4Kids Festival.
The Fun4Kids Festival is a fun-packed seven-day event, offering kids interactive workshops, games and activities. Including the popular Construct It Area, where children hammer together their very own wooden toy, supervised by the Triton Woodworkers Group and a group of volunteers.
