Unleashing Ned

1. I had a special art class resently that included the cousin from England. The teacher kicked in and I wanted to send the kids away having had a fun experience together but also learning a little about Australian folklore in the process, themepark art studio experience! Ned Kelly and Sidney Nolan became the natural fit. We talked about Ned and his brush with the law that stated at the young age of 14 and his short life of violence in a gang. That was not lost on the kids as they recognised that still happens today for some kids. We jumped into Sidney Nolan and his success with the stylised now iconic imagery of the Kelly armour and how he captured the scene quickly. Their enthusiasm and focus as they chose a piece of Australia for Ned to tour was just wonderful. The cousin went home with Ned staring out at the beach here in Casuarina as we all do as a ritual. There were discussions about seeing the landscape though Ned’s armour by framing birds and how particular colours just say Australia. Ned and Sid brought joy and discovery and are still so relevant today.

Acrylic Pour - Social Maths that Matter!!!

These notes are in tended for those who attended my workshop and not as a stand alone guide.

Equipment

• cups / paddlepop sticks / small measuring cups

• Floetrol or other pouring medium

• silicone oil

• water

• acrylic paints - do not need to be good quality

• leveller

• cup hooks

• canvases

• rubber gloves

• palette knife / wooden skewer / straw

The mix!

2:1 Floetrol : acrylic paint

+ water - a smidgeon or a good splodge depending on the thickness of your paint so that your mix is the consistency of warm honey. It should stretch but not drop and flow evenly back into the container without forming a mound first.

+ 2 - 3 drops of silicone oil and barely stir

How much paint???? Here comes more math +x=

The genius calculator can be located here https://olgasoby.com/acrylic-pouring-paint-calculator/ convert to ml then divide by the number of colours you are intending to use.

Colour Palettes - some suggestions

• analagous + black and/or white

• monochromatic - one colour + black and white

• general guide - dark / medium / light and a colour that pops

The Pours

• Dirty pour

• Open cup

• Dutch pour

• Swipe

Remember: preparation is key

1. level your canvas - cuphooks are good for that - spray the back of your canvas with water and allow to dry to tighten it

2. protect your work surface

3. have some objects or small canvases ready for the overflow to avoid waste

4. prepare all paint cups

5. pour away - use heat gun/blow torch or hairdryer to encourage your cells to reveal themselves

Where We Live

Opening my home for the Muwillumbah Arts Trail (and having time to think during Covid) has given me the opportunity to reach out and share art with those around me. Where We Live project is a collection of artworks by some of the younger locals, their creative interpretation of what matters to them. It was lots of fun to do and I met some terrific kids.

While I was dropping invitations into my neighbour’s letterboxes, I finally go to meet one very special lady. The lady across the road. Maggie spends most of her days creating art. She’ll be bringing her work across the road and hanging it with mine. I can’t believe that it has taken 6 years to meet her and look forward to many cups of coffee and chats about art in the future. Build community, knock on doors and get to know those who share where we live.

Paint and Sip - Finishing your painting

Now that you have taken home your work and it has dried there are a few things you can do to make your painting look more finished.

What do I do with the little bags of wooden pieces?

These bits of wood are canvas tightening keys or wedges, used if the canvas begins to sag a little on the stretcher.

How to Use Canvas Keys

·       If you find that your canvas has become loose or sagging, slide the canvas keys by hand into the slots in the stretchers in the corners.

·       The wedges are oddly shaped, pointed on the end, and longer on one side than the other. The pointed end goes into the slot, but some people put them in with the long side flush against the side of the stretcher bar, others prefer to place them with the short side against the side of the stretcher bar so that the wedges are angled out toward the center of the canvas. Either one works, so try both methods and decide which works best for you. 

·       Place a small piece of cardboard between the canvas keys and the canvas to protect the canvas when you tap the keys into place with a hammer.

·       With a smaller canvas, you can gently tap the end of both wedges, or keys, into the corner with the hammer, working your way around to each corner. You may see the mitered space at the corner of the stretcher increase as you tap the wedge. 

·       With a larger canvas, in order to keep the tension on the canvas even, you will want to push out the opposing stretcher bars first. In order to do that you will tap the wedges that push a stretcher bar in one direction, then rotate your canvas so that you can tap the wedges that push the opposite stretcher bar in the opposite direction. Then do the same for the remaining sides.

·       Tap the wedges gently a few times only. You may need to go around again, but you don't want to knock them too hard at first. You run the risk of splitting the wood of the stretcher or overcorrecting. By gently tapping the wedges you will eventually achieve the desired tautness of canvas. 

Picture varnish helps return some of the gloss to your acrylic painting and lifts the colour that tends to dull when dry. It comes in both gloss and matt and that is really a personal choice. 

A number of places sell this – Noys Nic Nax, Officeworks (approx. $12.95)

Finishing the Edges – there are a few options;

·       Painted edge looks good – either continue the painting around the corner or paint the edges using a dark colour. Masking tape will help you to get a straight edge.

·       Frame your canvas – either a flat edge or L shape frame will work nicely. A piece of pine from Bunnings can be stained to create an effective flat edge frame that sits outside the stretched canvas. Bunnings also have a nice L framing timber that will cost you $8 for a length that will make a frame for your 30cm x 40cm canvas.

Being Brave

Would’ve could’ve should’ve….. Sometimes we are very good at helping other people, supporting them, offering words of encouragement. It’s easy telling others what they should or shouldn’t do but to take some of that advise for yourself………not always easy. So recently I was drawn into this lovely gallery and met the most engaging woman. She spoke so passionately about what she was wanting to build in the space and how she wants to work with local artists and then all I could hear was my daughter’s voice in my head ….. say something mum, you’ve got art, you’re a local artist…..speak up…..so I did. I took a breath, was totally honest and for the first time in ages, I was brave! 

I dropped off my paintings to the gallery today and we discussed how and when they will be exhibited. I couldn’t be more excited. Listen to the little voice in your head (even if it sounds like your daughter). Be brave, speak up, what’s the worst that could happen…..

Message from my daughter when I told her – “Look what happens when you be brave and reach out to people! Nice work mum! There are people out there who want what you have to offer. Just got to find them.”

Don't Loose Hope

I hate having a mammogram but I hate cancer more. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who hasn't been affected by cancer either personally or having a loved one impacted. I made this piece for a recent raffle prize for a friend who raised over $600 at her morning tea. The lady who won this is handing it on to her friend who is currently fighting this battle. I can only hope it helps her stay positive.

Fi's Mum

Last night I took Refresh Me to NigntQuarter. On arrival I was met by lovely man who gave me the special guest service when he realised I was 'Fi's mum'. Not long after that the owner of NightQuarter came and told me how happy they are with Fi and that she has a real future in the industry. The coffee man, security, the young girls going about their work all lit up when I told them I was Fi's mum. I knew I was in Fi's space. She has made her mark. This is where she is blossoming as a professional in the entertainment industry under the guidance of some amazing people. I went to bed feeling incredibly proud to be Fi's mum. 

When Copper Becomes Gold

Recently I visited Cyprus and learned that it was famous in antiquity for it’s copper. A complex of rooms, which functioned as an industrial quarter for copper was excavated in the ancient city of Kition, now Larnaca city. These rooms were in direct access from the Great Temple of the goddess Aphrodite. Aphrodite, who was known as the goddess of love and beauty, was also worshipped as the protector of metallurgy. 

Recently a pair of my favourite silver and copper earrings were purchased as a birthday gift. The recipient is an active member of the NSW parliament. I was incredibly proud to see that she was wearing my earrings while raising the question in parliament about the date we celebrate Australia Day not being inclusive and then later in social media reminding young people to register to vote for the upcoming postal survey on marriage equality. Aphrodite must be active spreading love. So refreshing to hear one of our political leaders actively seeking to include everyone. And that's gold!!!

RAW Positive Affirmations

Last night I went out in public and showcased my work for the first time!!!! Don't laugh. it took 18 months of playing and getting dirty being creative to finally get out from behind the internet and physically show what I do. I was nervous, anxious and full of self doubt until I did it. With the support of family and some fabulous friends I went from 'why am I doing this' to 'when can I do this again'. I met some wonderful interesting people who were drawn to my work. In particular one beautiful lady who recently lost her mum is keen to work with me to create something special with some 4 leaf clovers her mum had found and kept for years. A gorgeous young man who wants matching spoon rings for him and his sister before she goes overseas. It made me realise that what I have been doing for years through art is what many people appreciate, creating memories and connections, gifts for and from the heart. It was so rewarding to look at the expressions on strangers as their eye travelled across the display and their eyes lit up when something 'spoke' to them. I am grateful to RAW Natural Born Artists for finding me and pushing me outside. Look out world, I have been released (and Refreshed).

Soldering lessons with Master Yoda

So I was getting frustrated with inferior equipment and men in hardware shops selling me 'soft' tools. Not sure if it is my inner feminist feeling patronised but I really needed expert advice and wasn't getting it. Who to turn to? Dad! At 87 years old I found him in his garage talking to a stubborn nut he was trying to fit on his restored Ariel motorbike, the same model he rode as a young man. It was comforting to note that he talks to inanimate objects like I do. That must be genetic. Anyway Master Yoda grunted and groaned his way around the garage and corrected my errors and empowered me in my pursuits of soldering and melting metals. I love that my dad can still teach me a thing or two and so does he. Later that night I get a phone call to tell me where I can get the liquid flux I need to do fine work as he's investigated it on his iPad. While I may have been teaching for 30+ years, if I take after my dad I should still be making jewellery well into my 80s. Here's hoping.

Boomerang Bags

Spent Sunday with some pretty amazing women sewing. In the hope to reduce the number of plastic bags being used I've joined a group of local ladies who have formed the Kingscliff Boomerang Bags initiative. Such a fabulous way of helping the environment, repurposing old sheets, pillowcases and even clothes to create fabric bags to carry your groceries. So good for the soul to use skills for the long term good of our world and meeting some lovely new friends in the process. Win win

RAW Gold Coast is approaching

RAW as been great for me. When I first got the email I was pretty chuffed to say the least that someone other than family and friends valued what I've been creating. Ok I can hear the life coaches and therapists saying you don't need valuation of others to value yourself but it sure does boost you when it happens. It has also energised me and given me the kick up the rear to take this Refresh Me project to the next level. 

Would love to see you there on the 4 Aug. Every artist (and there are 47 of us visual and performing so lots to see) is obligated to sell 20 tickets by 30 July to ensure the event is a success. Rent a crowd helps us all and it's nice to realise that I'm not the only creative one who is in this position.
So if you can get yourself off the couch for one night and come along I'd like to thank you by giving you a $10 Refresh Me voucher to spend at my showcase on the night💖. Just select Refresh Me in the drop down menu when you purchase your $20 ticket. 😀 Kids 12 and under are free.
Tell your friends, family......see you there

RAW Gold Coast presents NEXT

Live artists in Gold Coast, QLD present NEXT for RAW Gold Coast presents NEXT

RAWARTISTS.ORG

Whitehouse Brothers - Pipe Organ builders

This has been a great source of material for my own artworks over the years

Thanks Dad

My dad was a third generation pipe organ builder, businessman and instrument repairer. He has shared materials and skills with me over the years even when he wasn't sure what I was trying to create. It's funny how things come full circle in your life.