Childscape - Artist Talk and Demo

Who's hiding behind that canvas?!

My demo went very well.  There was a good 'turn out' of people, all very interested in how 'I do what I do'.  I know I'm silly...but I was pretty nervous at first...it's strange to have an audience watch you paint.

There were a number of people wanting to know if I gave lessons.  Everyone was so interested in the process and how I painted....I feel that I now have the confidence to 'give it a go'...teach that is. (I've never taught before.)

Anyway...it was a very rewarding day...I enjoyed myself immensely.

Preparing for my Artist Talk and Demo

I'm doing a 'demo' and an informal 'artist talk' in conjuction with my 'Childscape' exhibition.  It's this Saturday (5/9) at the Pine Rivers Art Gallery 2pm to 3-30pm.  It's something I've never done before...how do you show someone how you paint in less then 2 hours.

What I thought I might do is take a few different canvases painted at different stages.  Over the past couple of months, I have also taken photos at different stages...both with my pastels and oil paintings.  The following photos are stages of an oil painting, canvas size 40 x 50cm.  Its just about completed...

1st stage-I like to get all my darks in...I use permanent mauve or alizarin or yellow ochre...it all depends what look I'm after...'cool' 'warm' etc.

2nd Stage-I do a full 'turpsy' wash...an underpainting...very loose at this stage.  I then leave this for a couple of days to dry.

3rd stage-painting is now nearing completiton...I love it at this stage...it comes alive!  I've still got to complete the right side of the 'artwork', the 'figure' in blue and finish highlighting.  I will leave this for my demo...hopefully this will give everyone a general idea of how I 'paint'.

'Childscapes' Opening Night

'Myself' & artist 'Michelle Caitens'(left)

Here's a few photos from my 'opening' night for 'Childscapes'. It was a great night...there would have been over 100 people attending...great support!! For some reason...everyone kept on saying 'that I was younger than what they were expecting'...and 'that they were very surprised that this was my 1st Solo Art Exhibition'. I suppose it must seem like I've been around for sometime, but with having a young family, it takes a while to put together a new body of artwork for a solo exhibition. Preparing for this exhibition has been a busy 2 years, especially the last 12 months...I have either had a paint brush in my hand or I've been stuck at the computer, doing 'promo' stuff. I think I need a manager!

Delivery Day 'Childscapes' Exhibition-Pine Rivers Art Gallery

Well, the day has finally arrived for delivery for my 'solo exhibition'. I was rather nervous this morning and felt a 'wee' bit sick in the stomach. You always wonder if you've got enough work...but when we started to unload the van, and I could see all the work in the gallery, I realised that 'all was fine'....it's going to look great! Now, it's just preparing for the opening night (Friday 28th August) and the 'artist talk' and 'afternoon tea' (Saturday 5th September)....and then I'm going to take a well earned break. It's been a busy 2 years preparing for this exhibition, myself and my family are going to take a week off to the beach.

Bubble-wrapped and Ready to Go!

Well tomorrow's the big day....delivery day for 'Childscapes'....38 'artworks' bubble-wrapped and ready to go! How exciting!!!!

'Childscapes' - Children in the Landscape

The Catch, Oil on canvas, 96 X 76cm

This will be my first solo exhibition of Oil and Pastel paintings all with the one theme of 'Children in the Landscape'. It will be held at the Pine Rivers Art Gallery, 7/199 Gympie Rd, Strathpine, from 26th August to 3rd October. This exhibition has been supported by the 'Regional Arts Development Fund', which is a joint Queensland Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council partnership of local arts & culture.