Thinking

Actually, I'm thinking about quite a lot of things today. But first I'm going to ask you what you think. You may almost recognise this painting. I actually began it last year and at the time I thought it was finished. It is of my small studio and it's voluminous contents. With the entry deadline for EMSLA drawing very near I wanted to revisit the work. (It is exceedingly difficult to photograph both last year and this year!!!)

Still Life in Studio With Thoughts
Acrylic on Canvas 101.5 cm x 75.5 cm

What do you think? (Please click on it to see it enlarged.) I've got to try to take a better photo tomorrow. It IS very pale, all chromatic greys. I don't know! This is the point I get to prior to entering competitions every time! And then I just don't enter. Quite a vicious cycle really. Don't get me wrong. I do actually really like the painting but I just don't think it's good enough.

The painting is pale because it is what happens in my studio that is important rather than it's actual appearance. Because it is my space, in spite of it's size, it has a huge limitless space in my mind. I truly believe anything could happen in there, all I need to do is enter and begin. I wanted the studio to be present in the painting but for something else, the 'intangible' to be the primary subject matter.

Oh, I really don't know. I might have a go at finishing another work in progress and see how it turns out. Why do we artists doubt ourselves so completely?

Moleskine Exquisite Corpse Update

You might remember I'm participating in Moly_x_48 - a group of artists who exchange Moleskine sketchbooks and our theme is 'The Exquisite Corpse.' I've been way behind on this exchange but I finally put my entries in Emma's book.


The idea with the Exquisite Corpse theme is that the final books will have each page cut and divided into three. The images and words can then be mixed up by turning different parts of different pages, like the 'mix-up' books we had as kids.

To see more Moly_x's visit the Flickr group.

Wishing you a very merry Christmas (in July!)

Do these words conjure up an Australian Christmas for you??

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
(Torme & Wells, 1946)

No, not usually. Unless, of course, they refer to the Etsy Down Under Street Team (DUST) "Aussie Christmas in July" promotional weekend.


Etsy DUST members from all around Australia are coming together for one whole weekend - this coming weekend, 12.01AM Saturday 25th July through to 11.59PM Sunday 26th July (AEST), to showcase their talents & stunningly handmade creations.

All stores participating will be offering a promotion to their customers - free worldwide shipping or % off sales; a selection of items at reduced prices or reverse auctions.

With so much variety, including jewellery, children's clothing & accessories, art, supplies, vintage items, stationery & bags, you are sure to find something to suit each & every taste.

The DUST team will also be running giveaways for the entirety of the weekend, giving you the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes from Australian sellers. Poke your nose into the Etsy Forums during the promotion for your chance to win.

I encourage you to visit the participating stores, as well as our team website - http://www.dustteam.com/ - and support the handmade revolution sweeping Australia.

Stay tuned for more details as the weekend draws nearer... I'm joining in too of course! Check out the deals in my shop here. Or head over to the DUST website to enter the giveaways and you might win something special from me!

Laptop problems

I've been having problems with my MacBook Pro. I just picked it up from finally being repaired and only one of the problems has been fixed. I'm pretty sure the other was overlooked! Also it now has an additional problem! So as soon as Matt is back from his lunch break I'm heading back with my laptop again. Until I'm fully functional I can't say I'll be able to blog much, if at all. Sorry!

Saturday shopping list - Let's have some art!

I'm still soooo inspired by seeing Neil Cuthbert's exhibition last weekend. I'm so in the mood for some figurative/narrative paintings! So my shopping list today is a huge artfest!

Westside by Will L. Eskridge

Stone Street Waiter by Gwen Meyerson

Leap by Roz

Starlight Beach No. 1 by Jason Stillman

Texas by Michelle Kendrick Hartney

On the weekend I...

...went to Taree.
I work in a school. Sometimes the journal writing there inspires me to write. Looks like it didn't work very well this week.

What was inspiring though was the (can I say absolutely fabulous again?) Absolutely Fabulous Neil Cuthbert exhibition on at the Manning Regional Art Gallery.
I hadn't heard of Cuthbert before but wow! I now know. I love his paintings and it is a huge exhibition. It really is a 'must see'.
I'm often a bit of a sucker for a good narrative painting anyway, but these are really remarkable. And yes, I am inspired. I am thinking figurative narrative thoughts...
The Taree Regional Art Gallery was also the venue for the latest Building Blox forum I spoke at. Once again I was thrilled with the day. I met so many interesting people and I was able to spread the word about how Etsy is a great way for artists and crafts people to sell online. And about how DUST is a wonderful support network for Australian Etsy sellers. Doing something similar in Port Macquarie in the next few weeks. I hope you will come along if you can.

Saturday Shopping List - Relax

I need to relax. I think we all do really. Let's relax. Right now. This weekend.

Or maybe next weekend... See this is my problem! So much to do and so little time! This weekend is not an opportunity for me to relax! Today I am driving to Taree to give another talk on selling art on Etsy and about the Down Under Street Team (DUST). Don't get me wrong. I love doing this and I am really excited about being there and meeting everyone! I am still amazed that I've turned into a public speaker - me! But I LOVE it.

Tomorrow I'll be in Sydney visiting my daughters. Too much fun and excitement there to have time for relaxing! And Yay! for that! Bring it on!

Monday I'll be flying home just in time to go straight to work...

Tuesday... oh, why bother trying to figure it out!

I think what I'll do is relax by shopping at Etsy. I do that often enough and it has worked everytime! So, today's shopping list theme is 'relax.' I hope you get some!

Breathe Necklace by Lisa Hopkins

Moonlight Tea by Strawberry Paintbrush

Meditation Wrap by Rainbow Revolution

And my all time favourite relaxing soap from Inner Earth Soaps - Unwind

Aah, I feel quite a bit better now.