Meet Vinnie

My Creative Space has a new mascot, the adorable, crazy artist, owl, Vinnie. He winged his way here from the Crzylady Shop and has taken up residence in my studio. I have set him the task of attacking “Norbert” my inner critique whenever he raises his ugly head!

Check out the other goodies Tracylea included in my pretty package. You must visit her shop, there are so many adorable little (owl)ies awaiting good homes.

Two packages in two days, I have been spoilt by my friends from across the globe just when I needed it most. I have been in a bit of a slump unable to paint as I nurse my dodgy back and unwrapping these packages has brought a smile to my sooky dial.

I hope your creative space has been more productive. To check out all the goodness happening in creative spaces far and wide pop over to Kootoyoo.

Perfect timing….

 The postman delivered a perfectly timed, swap bundle of joy yesterday. I was in the midst of feeling sorry for myself, as I was wasting a painting day lying around nursing a bad back, when Anne’s parcel arrived.

It was full to the brim with goodies, not only the two cushion covers we had agreed to swap, for some little watercolours, but also….

A stunning brooch – purple of course!

An adorable little fabric box, oh how I love little boxes for stashing treasures in… again in purple!

And a scarf for Little Guy…he loves it!

Look at the delicate hand stitching in the cushions and did you notice the purple in the first photos?

I didn’t specify purple when we discussed how much I loved this design of cushion cover. But something (I don’t know what gave it away!) told Anne that purple would be a good choice…. Did you see how perfectly they match my patchwork quilt? It’s like she popped over from the UK to match it up!

Thankyou so much Anne for agreeing to this wonderful swap, it was such a delight to receive and I will treasure these gifts from across the globe.

A shadow to celebrate!

I’ve been absent for Shadow Shot Sunday for a few weeks. Preparing my Expression of Interest has preoccupied me and no lovely shadows had caught my eye.  Since handing in my submission on Friday I have been spying shadows everywhere again! I even have a few up my sleeve in case of another shadowy dry spell.

This lovely shadow appeared on Friday evening, after a few glasses of red, to celebrate the handing in of my Expression of Interest,.  The empty bottle cast this beautiful shadow most of the way across the table.

To spy what else has been captured this week, by shadow chasers from across the globe, head on over the Hey Harriet.

A Colourful Challenge…

Have you come across this colourful challenge yet? Louise is hosting The Creative Colour Challenge in August. Pop over and check out the details, it looks like it is going to be lots of fun and a little bit challenging.  But that’s what a challenging yourself is all about hey?

I hope you decide to play along too.

It’s oh so quiet….

It’s been quiet in My Creative Space and around here at Chasing Purple Dreams. I have been busy preparing an expression of interest for an exhibition. A local gallery has received a grant to fund the gallery rental costs for 5 local emerging artists and I hope to be one of them.

"Abound"

Oil on canvas

1060 x 1210mm

2010

I have had to write up a CV and Artist Statement, something I should have done many years ago. I know it sounds easy, the artist statement is only 150 words, but it has been torturous. Words don’t come easily to me and talking about myself just makes it worse.

"Andy's Chair"

acrylic on canvas

1010 x 1010mm

2007

With the help of two of my smart, word loving friends I think I have it done. I shall present my submission tomorrow. So please wish me luck!

"Adrift"

oil on canvas

600 x 900mm

2010

These three images will accompany the submission, choosing only three was so hard, especially as my work is so varied.

Hopefully when it is all delivered I will be back on board with my blogging and blog surfing.  I’m also itching to get back to that nice fresh canvas that is awaiting me in the studio.

ps I will do a canvas stretching tutorial for all of you who were interested, it’s high on my priority list for next week….

I can’t wait to pop over and check out the varied and abundant creativity that will be converging on Kirsty’s today.

What’s going on here???

Vintage doilies…

Black dye…

Stretching canvas...

gather...

join...

measure...

cut...

staple...

fold...

string...

spray...

on to the easel!

Canvas stretching is on the schedule for My Creative Space this afternoon. But chances are I will postpone it so I can come visit your space if you’re playing along. Thanks to Kirsty for providing the gathering ground for one of the most enjoyable diversions of the week!

Are you interested in a proper stretching tutorial? Or knowing why I stretch my own canvases, when I could pick them up ready made from the art supply shop?

Sketching my way into a world wide art project….

It’s here, it’s here! My little blank book filled with possibility arrived in the mail. I am so excited to be part of “The Sketch Book Project 2011”. When this little beauty is full and returned it will join thousands of others and tour galleries in the USA then take up residency in The Brooklyn Art Library? How cool is that?!

I have chosen the theme “Sleepless”. Unfortunately I am quite familiar with sleeplessness and I decided on those occasions when sleep wont come I can spend a little time on this project, instead of lying in bed getting more and more worked up because I should be asleep.

There is still time to join in, go on, you know you want to...

An Artist Date

Ron Mueck

Mask II 2002

polyester resin, fibreglass, steel, plywood, synthetic hair, second edition, artist’s proof

77.0 x 118.0 x 85.0 cm

Private Collection

© Ron Mueck courtesy Anthony d’Offay, London

It’s been so long since I have taken myself on an artist date. So today I am donning my new red dress and heading into the city. I can’t wait to check out the Mueck exhibition and meander about, childless, and without a mission. I plan on returning recharged and inspired.

Stars...

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

 ~ Harriet Tubman

Night on the Riverbank

Pastel on paper

1999

I found this fabulous quote over at 74 Lime Lane.  I think I may have to make room for it on my side bar….Rather fitting for a purple dream chaser don’t you think?

As I searched through my files for a suitably “starry” image to add to this post, I came across this pastel from many many years ago. It’s from back when we were young and free and spontaneous!

Every now and then we would gather our friends late on a Saturday afternoon and head down the river in canoes. Just before dark we would pull over on a suitable looking bank, build a fire and spread out our swags. You can’t fit much in a canoe beyond a swag and an esky full of food and alcohol (or alcohol and food as the priorities fell in those days!). It was such a perfect, simple way to spend an evening, with great company, lots of star gazing and thoughts of another leisurely paddle in the morning.

What great memories…

Feeling overwhelmed…

Painting, painting, painting….

Oil on canvas

1060 x 1210mm

2010

I’ve been jumping and skipping, clapping and spinning!!! I’m just so happy with the painting that came to life in my studio this week. I am delighting in this creative, productive period and I love having the ability to share my work with you when it is fresh off the easel! I think this is one of the best paintings I have ever done – perhaps the best ever.

This painting is the star of the “Adrift” series (so far), I can’t wait to get on with the next one I have planned.

Thanks so much to everyone who helped me in the quest for a title for my last painting, after an overwhelming consensus I have named last weeks painting “Afloat”.

This new one still needs a title and Abound, Awash, Approach, Abroad and Around are currently on the table. Feel free to cast your vote for one of these or throw another option on the table. Edited to add this one is now titled "Abound".

I’m itching to go check out the abundance of creative goodness at Kirsty’s today. I hope to visit lots of you this afternoon.

Psst did you catch the interview I did with Ms Curly Pops earlier this week??

Help! I need your opinion….

Pen outlines or pencil?

"Rosehips"

watercolour, pen and pencil on watercolour paper

A5

2010

$30

Obviously I will finish "Rosehips" off in pen.

 

"Perched"

watercolour and pen on watercolour paper

A5

2010

$30

   

But in the future, for my new Etsy range, do you think I should stick to one or the other or offer both styles?

 

"Languid"

watercolour and pencil on watercolour paper

A5

2010

$30

I am hoping to present a “unified” or “brandable” style for an Etsy experiment.

Superstar alert!

I’ve been interviewed by Ms Curly Pops herself for her “Creative Peeps” series. So if you ever wanted to know a little more about little old me pop over and check it out…..

Thanks again Cam for my moment of fame!

My new favourite brush….

Check out this beauty! I picked it up yesterday and I’m in love. I have some really expensive brushes in my collection; from when I worked in an art supply store (we imported handmade brushes from Germany). I also have a whole swag of $2 shop brushes, perfect for mixing paint and scrubbing over heavily textured surfaces.

Nothing compares to this new brush though; the ease with which it moves over the canvas and the flowing lines it creates - divine. I think I shall have to pick up one in every size! I guess this is how other women feel about shoes.  I couldn’t give two hoots about shoes and I hate shoe shopping, but set me free in an art supply shop and I am in heaven!

p.s. if you look closely you will catch a glimpse of this morning’s painting in the background. I am absolutely thrilled with it. Many happy dances accompanied by spinning and clapping have been performed in its honour!!! I shall share it with you properly when it dries enough for me to get it outside for a photo shoot.

Early morning laundry shadows…..

I am sure there will be lots of less “houseworky” shadows over at Hey Harriet, pop over and check them out. Enjoy your Shadow Shot Sunday; I hope your day doesn’t involve too much laundry!

My creative space is full of excitement again!

I love this new painting; it’s a friend for “Adrift”. As yet it is untitled, so if you have any ideas, please let me know. I am looking for something that works well with “Adrift” as they are part of the same series. I have another little sketch ready for my next painting day; I can’t wait to bring it to life.

I have also been working on some new little water colours, they are super cute. I plan a series in this look too. It seems after 15 years of painting, I may just be settling into a style (or two!), for now at least.

I’m off to check out the proliferation of creativity that gathers at Kirsty’s on Thursdays…