And she read past midnight !

Its taken a while, but I have finally finished this piece. Now I just have to come up with a suitable title. I think " And alice read until midnight" is a bit long. As is " one chapter led to two" But " Riveting book" is possibly too short. I dont know......give me some ideas if your wouldn't mind.
I love doing pieces like this. But, my family, dont seem to like my " cartoon" pieces as they call them. Its the same old unspoken " and when are you going to do some real art" that drags me down a little. Its hard to explain, that, I am these whimsical people that I draw, I model for them, feel what they are feeling, and bring them to life. . They make me feel the child within, and I'm automatically feeling hopeful inside, that life is a wondrous thing, and there are lots of good things out there waiting for us.

Alice couldn't stop at one chapter !

Funny, how things inspire us out of the blue. Alice came to stay in the xmas holidays, and I said to her one night, " why dont you hop into bed and read a chapter of your book." At midnight I went in to turn the light out, and there she was propped up in bed, book in front of her face with just her eyes peaking over the top. When my eyebrows went up towards the roof, she offered this little statement......."Do you think this would make a great painting. Me looking over the top of my book ??"Good one Alice, my mind was diverted immediatly. Well I dont know about Painting, but, I've used a technique that I used years ago. To me its like doodling, only more enjoyable. It is 0.5 fineliner on cartridge paper. There are no lines in this picture, only dots. So this is my work in progress at the moment. I will keep adding dots, until I build up , shading etc. I still plan the picture as I go, so I dont know whether to add things around the bedroom or to just leave the focus on the little girl in the bed ? I dont really know a title. But I do know this. I may be lacking motivation in my painting at the moment, But this technique is vey rewarding for me, as I see a picture develop before my eyes. I dont really have a plan, just a mental sketch. I know a lot of you dont like my contemporary work, but it is good for my soul. * enjoy*

Group Exhibition

I paint with a group of girls ( women) who paint primarily in pastel and we have named ourselves Innovision. We've decided to put on an exhibition of our works, and this exhbition opens on Sunday the 1st of March at 5 pm. Lady hawke cafe - 1365 Mt Dandenong tourist rd, Mount dandenong. ( mel 66 G1)
The exhibition will continue from sun 1st march to sunday 29th march. 9am-5pm open thursday to Monday. ( closed tuesday and wednesday)
Would love to see you there. If you cant make it for the opening, treat yourself and a friend to a scenic drive up the dandenongs and stop at Lady hawke for either coffee and cake or a meal.
The hospitality is just lovely, and the art works..........well. they speak volumes.

Parting with my paintings

I received word today, that I have sold this painting, which has the title of "Me Time". Its one of my favorites.
And so this afternoon, I have been reflecting on my feelings. I am excited that it has sold, and I wonder who loved it enough to buy it. A sale of course reinforces my belief that my art is acceptable . ( family and friends of course are my most loyal supporters but a real sale does wonders for morale)
But at the same time I feel a tad melancholy. I drew from the depths of my soul an emotion that I could express on paper. This is me in my most relaxed state, and I have expressed to the viewer what joy is to me. I closed my eyes and summoned up this feeling, so what you see is...............me. And now I wont see it again, I say goodbye to it.
And my only comfort is, that I imagine it has gone to a kindred spirit, who probably as I write this has kicked her slippers off, poured herself a wine and is reclining on the couch, smiling up at her wall, on which hangs her latest acquisition.

Happy new Year !!!

Dec 31

“ May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself. —

Neil Gaiman

Domestic Goddess

Can you believe that I have to pack up my studio and turn it into a guest room for xmas? With my little magic wand, I need to spirit away paints and brushes, frames and paper, half finished canvasses and god forbid- dust ! Pastel of course !!
But I cant do it. I think I've got a bit of a sulk up. It means while the Christmas festivities are on, there is no sneaking off to be by myself. Maybe, I can hide a sketch book somewhere, just in case I find something amusing and just need to get it on paper. So instead of creating, I will turn into a domestic goddess and attempt to handle all that the festive season throws at me. So please enjoy my latest painting which is a 17cm X 13cm acrylic titled just that- Domestic Goddess

First cuppa for the day !

I've had the best fun this week. On the australian art forum, one very hard worker, organised an art swap for the festive season. It didn't have to have a xmas theme at all. Our names were put into a hat and we were sent the address of someone on the forum, that was participating, and by the week of the 1st of December, we were to post off our surprise piece. My person was Belinda lindhart, who is a wonderful artist, and specialises in colour pencil. I had no idea what to do, and then I thought, well, we all love that cuppa to wake up to, so out came the paints and......voila. I finished it, and wrapped it up with some green glitter and hearts, using gold tissue and nice ribbon, then off to the post office to send it off to NSW. On the forum tonight , Belinda said she loved it, and displayed a photo of it. So I was happy, that I had made her smile. Still waiting for my xmas swap. Good things come to he who waits. Its getting exciting, wonder what I'll get. ???