Um, what have you been doing?

I was 'busy.'

OK, prove it. What have you been 'busy' doing?

Um. Well. Lots of things really.

This is all very fascinating but do you think you could spice it up a bit for the readers?

I'd really like to talk about someone else, if you don't mind. Yesterday I met lots of lovely local artists and crafts people. I was lucky enough to be asked to speak at a Marketing and Networking Forum at Bellingen. We all had a great day. I'd like to talk about the people I met there!

Like who?

Well, Ashley Johnston was one of the other speakers. He is a local and international street artist and has now opened his own studio gallery. He was fascinating! You can see his work on Big City Freaks website. He uses Snarl as his street name (I don't know if he wants me to say 'tag' so I won't. There seems to be a lot of rules.)
Like what?

Apparently if one was just starting out doing a bit of graffiti here and tagging there, one would NEVER spray over the work of a better or more experienced artist (better, more experienced = respect). Apparently if one did there would be 'consequences.' The nature of these consequences were not disclosed.

Damn. I really wanted to know!

Yeah, me too. Maybe you could ask him when you visit his gallery. Head off to corner of Vernon and Duke Streets Coffs Harbour on a Wednesday or Saturday and Ashley will entertain you with delightful paintings of birds (Willy Wagtails are my favourite birds too) and other works on canvas with a graffiti flavour. And you can see his graffiti on the outside of the building too, or in 'Snarl Lane' nearby. Tell him I sent you.

Sounds like a really interesting day. Who else did you meet?

I met Jane Wilson, another local artist with more usual art practise than Ashley's, but no less an impressive one! The thing I particularly love about Jane's work is the range of her subject matter, from mandarines to the nude and from self portraits to landscapes. If you are near Bellingen you can see her work currently on exhibition in the Federal Hotel.
And the others?
There were lots! My friend Annie Matheson travelled out with me and supported me in that little rush of nerves just before I started speaking by giving me a couple of squirts under my tongue with a herbal remedy that really helped! She is such an inspiration in so many ways. I must have been able to inspire her for once because she rushed home afterwards and started adding more artwork to her Etsy shop. Now that is the kind of reaction I was after!

What were you speaking about at the forum?

I was showing off Etsy and DUST (the Down Under Street Team of Etsy). I showed how the Etsy site works, how easy it is to use and that it doesn't require a large outlay of money to get started. I also really wanted to show them the DUST team because it has been such a help to me personally over the last year or so and such a wonderful group to be involved in. I'm hoping that soon we will have a strong North Coast contingent in the NSW section of the forum. That's my goal!

What did they think about Etsy etc?

I'm pretty sure they enjoyed my talk, I know I got lots of questions which was great! I could really only give them a taste of it in the time I had, but I'll be sending them a list of links I've done up to help them get started. I'd say most of the people there hadn't heard of Etsy before yesterday. While the website it growing hugely I think it shows the potential of it's future growth. If we can all tell another 20 or so people who haven't heard of Etsy, well, that will be a great boost for makers from all over the world, because really, who can resist buying stuff off Etsy!?

I know I can't!

No, me neither!

One last question, when did you decide to take talking to yourself to the next level and start interviewing yourself?

It wasn't a conscious decision. It is something that just evolved. I quite like it though. I think I might ask you some questions next time, when I get the links to the other lovely artists I met. OK?

OK.

News: 2 New Exhibitions and an Outlet

Yesterday I had a lovely drive to Bellingen and Dorrigo with my dear friend Annie Matheson. We had a lovely day drawing inspiration from the rainforest, mountains and rivers as well as the many artists work we viewed in the galleries, boutiques and information centres we stopped at along the way. Annie is not only a wonderful artist and friend but she also has a flair for marketing and is helping me approach my hurdles in that area. I really baulk at anything marketing related but with Annie at my side yesterday, I am very pleased today to be able to make a couple of announcements. I’ll do it in chronological order!

Notebooks and Cards
Originally uploaded by Jan and Roly

Our first stop was at The Old Butter Factory just as you arrive in Bellingen. The old factory has been converted into a cluster of shops around some beautiful gardens under huge old shady trees. We had a good coffee at the café first and then visited the Butter Factory Woodcraft Gallery which is always great for a browse. Even more so from now on I am happy to say, because it is now an outlet for my handprinted cards and Moleskine notebooks. It’s open 7 days a week from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm so please call in when you are in the area.

After a drive up the mountain we had a delicious lunch at Ruby’s in Dorrigo. Refuelled and feeling great after such a wonderful and successful morning, Annie introduced me to Annie Purser of Pinnata Gallery. Found in the main street, this delightful little gallery is packed with superb work by many regional artists. I showed Annie my paintings and I’m thrilled to say she loved them. She told me she would have them on display later that afternoon! I will be keeping her stocked with my work from now on, so if you are in the area, please call into the gallery for a look. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am to 4:30pm.

Waiting for Someone Special Acrylic, ink, liquid graphite and collage on canvas

Wish You Were Here Acrylic, ink, liquid graphite, embroidery and collage on canvas

We drove back down the mountain feeling very happy, stopping a couple of times to see the Rainforest Centre and more good shops and came home feeling very pleased with my day and with a small gift of Australian pepper in a grinder for my dear pepper-lover.

The second exhibition I can tell you about is the Focus Postcard Show opening tonight at 6pm at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery in which I have 3 works on exhibition. The show will run until May 9 so you will have plenty of time to see my paintings and artist book if you can’t join me there tonight. It will be a great night too as there is actually 4 exhibitions opening! Print and Process works from the NERAM Collection, Meander II Helen Geier’s printed and pierced works on paper scrolls and screens and an exhibition of Stephen Leek’s strong and bold figurative paintings. I am honoured to be in such amazing company. It really is an unmissable exhibition! The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm, and on Sunday afternoons when there are Sunday Salons on.

Waiting for Someone Special Acrylic, ink, liquid graphite, embroidery and collage on canvas

Wish You Were Here Acrylic, ink, liquid graphite and collage on canvas