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Odd little wonders – work in progress
I really do love nature and have always been intrigued by the shapes, textures, colours, smells of our natural world. On my walks during our winter in Melbourne at times I come across these little treasure patches. They seem so whimsical and earthy and it feels like they are dancing in the wind together or standing to attention on a rock face. So I’m enjoying sketching and putting together compositions of these little cute things. I’m working on Hannamule velour pastel paper for this work and am learning and enjoying the challenge. Has anyone used this paper and if so do you prefer to work on this or the pastelmat…
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Just hanging around
www.instagram.com/p/CP98tl7jJ6y/
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Mudbrick in lockdown
A little mudbrick art studio in it’s cosy surround, picturesque windows built from artist travels in French provincial early-mid 1900’s. This is Montsalvat at the gateway to our Yarra Valley. I spent a few years working up on the mezzanine level as an artist and eventually had to capture it on paper in delish soft velvety pastels. The original is large but this is a lovely little print of it. A place to visit when we are next out of this lockdown in Melbourne.
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Last day of summer holidays
That time has come and I have to go back to work tomorrow. It is always bitter sweet as I would much rather be at home painting and making new art. But I have enjoyed the time I’ve spent exploring with my gouache paints, pastels etc. And I will continue making my little houses as there are so many to capture around my local neighbourhood and further afield too.
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Draw each day
I had a lightbulb moment last night when trying to work out a better management schedule for making my artwork. Often when we work from home, things just do get in the way. There is always something to factor in doing before I feel comfortable about getting to work on my art which is what I really want to be doing. Anyway as I was scribbling in my journal with no focus or end result in mind, I worked out that if I can keep my journal close by at most times, then it’s all I need. I don’t actually need to have my easel and paints all set and…
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Blossom lake
www.instagram.com/p/CEn05UzjIJn/
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My cosy workspace
www.instagram.com/p/CEladVcjmPg/ I wondered how I would cope after moving house and not having a studio anymore. But it’s nothing to worry about as an artist can make and create even on their knee. Fortunately I have enough room on my adored French mid 1800’s table for a small illustration or a finished painting using my table top easle. I’m cosy and happy. 🙂
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Walks around the neighbourhood
We are tending to take more notice on our one hour of exercise a day structure in Melbourne for now. I keep finding treasure in the many gardens and such adorable little and biggish homes I pass. Homes that must be filled with a vast array of stories that could fill a book. I think these little homes and gardens are exuding warmth, cosy and love in buckets; I feel it as I pass by. I’ve picked flowers (trying to be discreet) from these blooming gardens and have started the process of pressing them in many old books. What joy I am making with my miniature artworks and pressed flowers…
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Flower Pressing on my early Friday’s
I would normally find myself on my early Friday’s sitting to scribble and sketch, mainly to keep my eye/hand in. I like to sketch quickly and mostly from my surrounds (not a photo) on these afternoons. But today I have been playing with the old age tradition of pressing flowers. Oh I have some fab ideas with this traditional craft. http://grimsdyke.com/pressing-flowers-quintessential-victorian-pastime/ So on my walk yesterday I picked some flowers and I’ve started trying this age old technique myself and I think I will combine them with my miniature art gouache paintings. It also would be so cool if you can follow me and join my email list to stay…
