October 3 : FANDANGO Mark-making to music workshop... Tweed River Gallery

October 3 is the date of a wonderful all-day workshop I'm thrilled to be offering in collaboration with Marilyn Reeman at the stunning Tweed River Gallery and Margaret Olley Arts Centre in Northern NSW. 

When Marilyn, whom I knew through The Sabbatical Home on Instagram, contacted me with the idea for FANDANGO which was a workshop focusing on the use of ambient and varied forms of music as a prompt for mark-making I was delighted given its a process I've used in my workshops (going back rather a long way) to start each session.     

10 years spent learning Piano growing up, & being from a musical clan (of singers in particular), has long influenced my art-making ... so it wasn't hard to see how this could make a wonderful collaborative workshop and get others enthused.

Marilyn has designed the morning of music to free participants up to really enjoy mark-making and for the afternoon I will step up & introduce the Seed Story with a collection of seeds and pods to give further focus for the mark-making... for making experimental and free organic drawings with these wonderful seed forms for inspiration.

Anyone interest in more information or making a booking PLEASE NB that full payment is required to have a place in this workshop ... first in first served!

BOOKINGS + further INFO:

marilynreeman@gmail.com

Please note:

NO bookings will be taken by 

Tweed Regional Gallery.

BOOK SOON ~ Avoid disappointment!

Click on this Flyer to read a larger version.

when:     Saturday, October 3^rd 2015  10 am - 4pm

where:   Frances Mills Education Workshop

        Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre

           2 Mistral Road, Murwillumbah 2484

what :       Join us for a wonderful day-long Workshop being guided by

                 Marilyn Reeman, Nature inspired artist, textile designer & teacher

                 & Sophie Munns, visual artist & facilitator ~ Homage to the Seed

In the morning Marilyn will introduce you to the extraordinary way music can evoke & guide your mark-making... the atmosphere from sound and rhythm spilling onto your page with your hand moving in response to deep listening. Within minutes those who’ve never experienced this process before will begin to relax, to unwind and to find what comes when the emphasis shifts from careful copying of what you see in the world to literally drawing from within your own being and finding the magic of rhythm, texture and energy in your lines tumbling onto the page.

During the afternoon Sophie will bring some of nature’s remarkable seed pod forms to your attention and you will continue to work with free mark-making approaches to make lively ‘drawings’ based on the wonderful world of seeds as your starting point.... using all your senses to capture the spirit of one of nature’s most potent symbols... in homage to the Seed!

Materials provided. Cost: $125 for the day + Lunch ~ byo or enjoy the Gallery Cafe. 

NB: Online links for facilitators:

  Marilyn Reeman’s artworks & Instagram Gallery,
            
  Sophie Munns on Instagram

We'd love to hear from you if you wish to know more.

Cheers,

Sophie & Marilyn!

PLANTBANK WORKSHOP SYDNEY MAY 2015

NEW: Seeds through an Artist's Lens WORKSHOPS start next week.

Scroll right down to see all photos taken at PLANTBANK during the May Workshop held while I was on Residency there. A lovely bunch of participants...  from the very experienced to newbies and everything in between.

I saw wonderful results, heard great comments and sighs of satisfaction. Excellent feedback and warm connections were generated over the two days.

We had so a unique range of seeds and pods to be inspired by. Now I am offering tis same chance for you to dive into the wonderful world of Seeds at my studio here in Brisbane Northside.... starting NEXT WEEK.

'

SeedArtLab Studio is an ideal space for between 3 to 6 people to be really comfortable ...  catering for beginners, the somewhat experienced,  seasoned artists and those practicing/exhibiting seriously. 

Costs for workshops at the studio are:

$115 per day including most art materials needed and light refreshments, tea, coffee, bickies!

                                                       

 or 

$125 if you choose to have lunch provided as well. NB: Please be sure book & pay for a simple, fresh lunch.

                                                        

Hours are 9.30am meet & chat over tea/coffee

                                                        

 By 10am well be getting stuck in. Lunch is 12.30-ish & we’ll be working through till 4 to 4.30 for those who like to wind down. 

Most art materials needed will be provided with you fee. Do bring a journal/sketch book, any favourite art materials you love to use like coloured pencils, mixed media, watercolours ... and if you want to use high quality paper you can purchase something here if you would find that easier than getting to an art shop. Allow $5 or so if you want to buy quality watercolour paper. I’ll have some free for you to try! Most of the work we do will be on various kinds of paper …  or in your Journal!

Next MONDAY 29th, TUESDAY 30th or WEDNESDAY July 1 is available + the Weekend Saturday July 4th + Sunday 5th.

Anyone wanting the week after or later on …. please suggest dates and I’ll put that out to others.

Please ask me if you have any questions or concerns about what we will cover in this workshop… I’ve taught in schools, Uni & adult education in a huge variety of contexts so the starting point is always getting you oriented, making sure everyone relaxes, then entering into a kind of adventure where learning is absolutely enjoyable, one process after another is set up to get things rolling and by the time the afternoon sessions begin everyone is absolutely ready to get more focused on something you've particularly enjoyed discovering in the morning. 

I hover around but don’t intrude! I make suggestions that may extend ideas for you to explore and ofren others in the group will bounce off each other too, depending on the day. I like to do a few 'Show and tell’ interludes … there’s plenty in the studio to share and inspire. 

After you make the Workshop booking I will send out a practical check list too.

When we’ve confirmed dates you will then make the booking through DD bank account:

call studio: 07 3359 6849
mobile: 0430 599 344

Meemar St, Chermside, 4032 

(near the corner of Inga St)

Other events coming up:

I’ll be back At Plantbank, South West Sydney at the Australian Botanic Gardens doing another workshop mid September. Let me know if you want more info on that. Shelomi… will send you that info asap.

*MAYBE OF INTEREST: At the moment I’m in discussion with a lovely resident near Lamington National Park about a possible Art Retreat in Spring. If you wish to hear about that let me know. My friend is an organic grower, also producing fabulous coffee, growing Indigo plants for eco-friendly dye and is an amazing cook. Once we’ve put our heads together tomorrow night at her place up the mountain we will have more of an idea about offering Seeds through an Artists Lens as a 2 or 3 day retreat up there.  

In the coming months there’s likely to be some other regional workshop venues on the cards. For now however …  anyone who can make it along to the Brisbane Studio ... its definitely a great place to start from ...I run my project here and everything is on hand.

I look forward to seeing you before too long if in this region and keen to make deeper acquaintance with an enthralling diversity of seeds at our fingertips.

Sophie

through the eyes of a child + something new!

This week my grand-nephews, W, aged 4 and P, aged 18 months, came on a trip to the just opened Asia Pacific Triennial at the Gallery of Modern Art and adjacent QLD Art Gallery.

The plan is to return later for a slower and more deliberate viewing. In the company of this pair of art-appreciators an interesting time was certainly had! 

P loved this outrageously bold work above (I was too busy navigating to read who the artist was I'm sorry) but I took a great interest in what they were noticing and responding to. We spent a little time at this one for P's sake. W was busy learning to read notices, like "please do not touch"! Glad to report both were relaxed and easy to take around. GoMA has won awards for its excellent programs for children and its inclusiveness. After this visit I can see why.

W and I proceeded to the yellow room ... you could choose between a yellow or blue room... the given task was set up to mimic the site-specific contruction, a  monolithic yellow cardboard sculpture, located in a nearby space. Model-making skills from Architectural Visualisation tutoring this year were called on to help W create his special house.

The main challenge was leaving plenty of scope for W to choose how his building should look whilst I was on problem-solving and sticky-taping duties. It was soon accomplished and he proudly walked around carrying it for the next few hours... making sure it got home safely.

Da-da!

On to the mask-making room. I shall go back before long and see the actual piece this was based on. Given this Triennial celebrates Art from across the vast Asian continent, out into the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand, there is an enormous range of work on exhibit. Whilst much of it is contemporary the cultural origins are largely evident with traditional cultural works keenly represented as well. 

Click to visit: The 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT7) - APT7 marks the twentieth anniversary of the APT, and presents an opportunity to reflect on the unprecedented transformations that have occurred in Australia, Asia and the Pacific over the past two decades. Key themes include transforming landscapes, varied engagements with the city, and the adaptability of local cultures in today's globalised world.

This event challenges and reminds us here in Australia of our geographical, political and cultural position... and specifically who our neighbours are. It asks us to think in terms of different cultural frameworks and ideas... whilst here in this country further honouring the Indigenous culture with its longevity and profoundly significant heritage.

Hard to say exactly what W was making of everything... there was so much to view. Masks clearly speak to children and we had a lot of fun with these.

 

W thrilled with his efforts!

Little brother joining in!

Artists like Picasso and Matisse came to mind as we moved around. We recall their comments on the child's sense of wonder and way of  experiencing the world avidly when trying to overcome our own fears and blocks about taking artistic risks. My young companions delighted in the the magic of their discoveries...the playfulness and joy was something to really cherish from our day together.

In the Sculpture Garden we took time for a rest. One of the amazing features of the older Gallery is the spectacular inclusion of courtyards and shallow pools of water filled with s bed of stones ... W counted 5 pools and wondered, like I often have, why one can't dip one's toes in... they are incredibly enticing in our hot climate! Blissful it was here. Somehow I suspect we'll be returning in time!

This morning I posted on new studio work using lino-cut motifs at the studio blog here. I've also loaded them onto Albums at Homage to the seed Facebook Page.

100cm x100cm square cotton cloth with acrylic paint

b: acrylic on linen canvas boards and printed cloth

A few weeks ago I started turning some of my artworks on paper from the past few years into Artist books and Journals for the Verandah Market with Roz Hawker, which incidently, was a lovely afternoon spent in conversation with the delightful people who joined us that day.  Roz's sister was an excellent host and the verandah made for a breezy, comfortable setting and good conversations. I am often amazed how much one learns from these kinds of informal opportunities to share one's artwork.

My camera has been out of action in the last month or so... so no photos at the Veranda Market sadly.  A visit to the Camera Store revealed a simple problem and last week I made up for lost time photographing everything I could find needing documentation.

Which brings me to something new...

Ive decided to offer a number of these unique handmade books for sale... enquiries are welcome. 

the infinity book

15 x 21 cm

Infinity Artist book featuring 16 pages is a 

one-off artwork 

on watercolour paper signed by the artist. 

$85 AUD Plus postage

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oo00o0o0o00o0o0o0oo

ooo0o0ooo

 the black bean pod book

15 x 21 cm

"Black Bean pod" Artist book 

is a 21 x 15 cm, 24 page 

unique lino-printed artwork 

on watercolour paper signed by the artist. 

$125 AUD Plus postage

More photos will be added at Homage to the Seed Facebook page.

NB: Contact me via here if you'd like to make a query or purchase a book. I'll be adding images here at this blog and a link to another site for viewing asap!

When purchasing inside Australia Direct account payment is suggested. Outside Australia payment by credit card available through family business: Adept Display. All questions here.

Enjoy your weekend wont you!

recognoscere ‘know again, recall to mind’

The story continues... I just posted at the homage blog quite a few postcards from the mail art show I had not posted up before... so definitely take a look over there if you wish.

Katrina at katrinarecycled.blogspot.com worked on this wonderful card above when she joined us at the communal table on her visit to Open Studio Week and decided she would like to contribute to the Mail Art Show. Children had been earlier drawing seedspods so textas and paper was still sitting there.
Great ambience and conversations... thank you for visiting Katrina!

OK...you must go and see the new mail art submissions... this came all the way form Portland Oregon and is made entirely from seeds. Cathy from www.cathycamper.com is a multi-talented creative person...a published writer, creator of zines, a librarian, seed artist and more!

To go to the Homage blog now... click here!

All week playing on my mind has been the list of thankyous owing to those who contributed in small and large ways to the recent  OPEN STUDIO WEEK.
Somehow this event was quite large all considered - and comprehensive, detailed and intense.
This 'recall to mind' meant  reliving the days full of activities, the part played by people  .... and so far I have written only about the two people I am most indebted to...

You can read post Ive written at the homage blog on why these two amazing people played such an important part in the week long event. Basically there would have been no studio week if it came down to doing it solo!  Hopes and plans would have tumbled down this major imput - and I'd have most likely run out of energy by day 3 and put a 'gone fishing' sign on the door!!

children drawing seedpods at the studio - they were so engaged - really taking the observation very seriously...5 years old approximately... and just so delightful!

This was as you can see a very people oriented week... and I cant begin to tell you how much the contributions of others made the series of events work... and well... beyond my wildest hopes!

more soon!
Sx

conversations at the Christchurch Arts Centre

I am cramming today with posts on the NZ trip.  There are several reasons for this. One is that I met various people whilst visiting and I dont want to lose the connection with those experiences by getting too busy and letting all that go. If things are not written down they are pretty well soon gone. The names of things for example - I could not remember the tree's name in an earlier post today that carpeted the ground with its red blossoms. Also I have some wonderful things coming up that soon will completely absorb my attention - so this is a concerted effort to make sense of the past 2 weeks and complete the experience before all attention goes off in another direction altogether.

Below is a series of photos taken in the studio of artist / tapestry weaver Marilyn Rea-Menzies. On Sunday I was in this lively cultural precinct exploring the Arts centre and nearby Galleries, Museum and Botanical gardens and weekend market. Normally this would simply be too much for one day but the unique thing about Christchurch is that these venues are in a block of each other and by getting to the centre by 9.30am, and taking a good strong coffee, I was able to keep going till dinner at 6.30pm and have a quiet night to recover.

The conversation started with a ceramic artist and led to the studio of Serena McWilliam who works in contemporary textiles and botanical drawings. Whilst there Marilyn came in and the conversation veered to where she was located in the centre before she departed. 

So... later on whilst visiting Marilyn I took the images below. The first image shows Marilyn at work on one of her smaller Tapestries. On her left is the working drawing and below that is a close up of the work in progress. Following that are 2 large pastel drawings from her recent series on native NZ flora. The studio photo only captures one corner of her busy work-space. it was a delight to be able to explore this vibrant studio and discover all kinds of material - the longer one was there - the more there was to find! I was thoroughly engaged in Marilyn's process and her work ethic, her love of what she does and the energy of her work are a true inspiration. 

The large tapestry is something Marilyn has been working on for some time for a relative. Commissioned works and projects vie for her time and this busy artist also attempts to draw every day -  you can see much more of her work at her website and blog! On the blog top right you will see links to Christchurch's gallery and contemporary art gallery. A big thank you to Marilyn for a wonderful exchange!

The next images are from my conversation with artist Serena McWilliam who was most hospitable when I found my way to her studio Sunday morning at the Arts Centre. Her botanical drawings were quite wonderful - a year ago she made a trip with several other artists to Stewart Island where she was able to respond to this unique environment with her studies for botanical drawings. Stewart Island is at latitude 47 degrees south (the infamous "the roaring 40's") and is below the South Island (I must check exactly where) and 85% of the island is now a National Park. No doubt this trip was  very special for an artist given to fine botanical drawing. Thanks to Serena for her engagement on Sunday morning! Below: The work Serena is carrying out here is from the fibre/textiles aspect of her practice.

Photo of Serena in her studio - from Marilyn's blog.

when an artist's studio is in her house...

A wave of nostalgia last night after showing friends photos from my previous home I sold and left in April last year prompted me to post them here now. My studio was in the centre of my home just off the living room, with a view through to the outdoor living space which was much used as it had good rain-proof roofing over it. My whole home was my studio really - classes also took place in the living room, studio or outdoors depending on what was happening at the time. Dinners and gatherings were very fluid and common. There was barely a thing growing in te garden when I arrived...a lilly pilly tree and some palms. I planted front and back and in the 5 years I was there it grew to look quite prolific and lived in.

The house had been built as residence for the adjoining school room...Newcastle's first Girl's Finishing School my 93 yr old Neighbour told me. He recounted endless fascinating tales through the century that his family had owned the house opposite.

I adored painting all the rooms in the house over time in different palettes according to mood. The kitchen took ages for me to decide... And it was a good choice for a kitchen I came to feel...I used to love cooking there. The living room area had a palette of greys although I left the section under the dado rail white, then painted a livable warm grey in the mid section, then finished the top with a blend or stormy greys that changed as one's eyed moved around the room. I also wrote the first stanza of the most wondeful poem by Pablo Neruda 'poesia' just above the picture rail...why I did not photograph this i dont know... perjhaps clicking on the photo with the table might reveal this writing. 

When i think back to the studio productivity of this time i am amazed. I was working as a casual teacher...so there was a lot of variation in available time for the studio - mind you - I was burning the candle at both ends (cant do that any more - it took its toll!). Still, its pleasing to look back and remember the cohesiveness of the life I had in this home and studio...it was very much an inside/outside lifestyle and the garden was ever-present!