Exhibitions

Entering an art competition for the first time is daunting. Your work is judged and your soul faces interrogation. Rejection and vulnerability is always on the cards.

There are many things to be learnt from entering though. Your confidence grows, you gain more inspiration, you evaluate your work and your portfolio is updated.

It takes time and thought but the satisfaction and joy of putting your art out there is rewarding.

You never know what the judges are looking for or how your work will contribute to a cohesive exhibition but entering is worth it for your own development.

My work is a bit different and weird.

Being selected for Changing Threads in Nelson in 2014 was a thrill but came with some anxious moments. How do you ship a work that is 6 feet by 7 feet? I hadn’t thought that through when I entered. A quick call to a friendly builder and ‘Gladys’ was created. A rather coffin like box that fitted in everything including detailed instructions of how to put it together.

This year being selected again has made my year.

Give entering an exhibition a go.

Invisible Threads

Every year Nelson showcases the Changing Threads National Contemporary Textile Art Awards. It is organised by Arts Council Nelson and held in the fabulous new Refinery on Hardy Street.

I entered my artwork 'Invisible Threads' and was thrilled to be a finalist and attend the opening.

The exhibition runs until 20 March 2021

"The scars tell the story and the stitches replace the words.

The emotional scars of surgery, the fear and the bad memories all remain invisible.

It’s about survival and strength, the mending and knitting together to build a relationship with art.”

The exhibition runs till 20 March 2021

Junk Journal

Stash, collection, hoard, cumulation, stockpile, assemblage. I have them all. Who collects offcuts that they may use one day?

Today is my day. I have two boxes collected over the years. They have been very useful but it's time to lessen the hoard of all the treasures that have been part of an artwork.

I’m making a junk journal.

The white paper has shading and the stockpile of precious collage will diminish.

Let the book begin.

Female Form

Quirky art is something that appeals to me.

I focus on work I care about and these women have their own story. The connection between the past and the present gives them their own voice. Recycling, retelling, remaking and re-using old parts to give a new life to items from the past.

Maybe I've made my own fashion parade.

Break and Make New

A plain coloured tile doesn’t have much appeal as an artwork but break them and rearrange they become something completely different.

I have several pieces made over the years using glass or clay tiles.

After 8 years weather has leeched into the grouting of the couch seat. I wished I had looked after it better and not let the moss grow as the hedge forming.

I'm about to repair it.

Suitcases and Studio Storage

No matter how much space you have it never seems enough. My purpose built studio often has every surface covered with things. It's great to be able to create and return when time permits.

Sometimes I feel I've joined Pam Ayres poem about ‘Heaps of Stuff.’

I like to be surrounded by things as they are my inspiration for making but I can’t see my shelves dwindling too much.

It's amazing how recycled stuff can work as storage.

My tips for storage

I use a mapping drawers for my paper.

Cotton on wooden dowels

Yarn in wooden cubby holes

Old chest of drawers for knitting needles and magazines (these need sorting out!)

Cane basket with dividers for paint brushes

Old suitcases

Docket spike for Bernina bobbins

Recovery

I’ve been silent but still creating. In late July I flew to Auckland for another operation to fix my knee replacement done 16 months ago.

It was all a mission but a successful operation and I have my life back. Awesome.

Each day I go for a walk somewhere exciting to keep the steps up and the knee moving.

I’ve even been on a bus trip. Climbing aboard wouldn’t have been possible after the first operation.

These are some photos I’ve taken on my walk. Nature is the best therapy.

We live in a great place.

Does Life really have a Best Before Date

I’m wearing out. I’ve had a knee replacement that has not been successful.

Every step is a painful one. I'm emerging from my chrysalis with a view to make the older generation more visible.

They have a list of valuable credentials that people seem to skim passed.

You may be surprised at what they can offer and how they can help you. 

They have gone through many stages of life.

These twists and turn of life leave there mark.  So many experiences.

My Life is a Dot

“My life is a dot lost among thousands of other dots.” Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama has a fascinating history. I admire her gumption in standing up and creating art, despite her mother destroying some of it. She is a Japanese contemporary artist and at 91 is still creating.

In 2009 I saw her “Mirrored Years” exhibition in Wellington. The outside of the City Gallery was a mass of dots. The mirrors inside reflecting light and colour in an amazing kaleidoscope. The dots have became her trademark and she began creating “Infinity Rooms.” 

The mirrored fabric represents both her dots and mirrors. The media used is stitching, dyeing and collage.

Having only grey linen during lockdown, I used red and yellow dye to brighten things up. 

How to make a Sphere

I took up the challenge from Keirunga Book Arts to make a book using the topic 'Circle.’

I had some old water balloons and decided to paper maché one into a sphere. After several attempts of noting which colours had perished I chose the blue one. Japanese tissue is ideal as it dries very hard with a few layers. 

When dry pop the balloon and remove. Cover the small hole left. Fold the silver paper and cut with a circle cutter or scissors. Add your quote.

The quote I added around the circumference on a silver strip read,

• ”The next best thing to being wise is to live in a circle of those who are.” C. S. Lewis

The mini, mini circle book reads, ‘A group of people with a shared interest.'

Never Too Old

Never too old, so the saying goes.

Recently I joined up to a Sue Stone online portrait stitch course. I’m not a great one for ‘process’ but the course is designed for practise on the basics. The next stage is for more individual detail. I’m really enjoying it.

Brooklyn Sketchbook Challenge

Progress has been achieved. The blank book as been dismantled and some colour and holes added. I’m planning on attaching a spine and binding the book. 

A Beginning

I’ve signed up to participate in the Brooklyn Sketchbook. I have plenty of time until the deadline but I’m not one to leave things to the last minute.

At first I was excited as this was going to be something to work on over the next few months.

On opening the package I saw all the blank pages and felt a little daunted at filling them.

What am I going to put on each page and more importantly, what if I make a mistake. I’m gathering my thoughts and have a few ideas.

If you are keen to join up, the link is below.

https://www.brooklynartlibrary.com/sketchbookproject

Is Colour Important?

Colour to me makes things alive. It’s quite an emotional thing. My home is full of colour. I’m not a colour expert but tone on tone and vivid colours can enhance any room. I’m not brave enough to paint my walls bright but my furniture and artwork become like a gallery.

In painting blue recedes into the background and red comes forward giving a 3D effect. Traffic lights are an interesting example. Red is the colour with the longest wavelength so it was chosen for Stop as it can be seen from the greatest distance.

My garden has many colours in it. Also it’s quite random. If things grow and the precious birds drop seeds I’m happy.

And What Colour do you Choose?

Many years ago I bought a concrete bird bath from MT Pots in Haumoana. It was in pristine condition and over the years many birds have been drawn to it. They feed their babies on the grass beside it, wash themselves and play. It gives me so much pleasure watching them grow.

It's last facelift was in 2013, so I decided it was time to make it look new again. After painting it I did some research on what colour birds are attracted too. A little late, I know. Apparently they have great vision. Thrushes don’t like bright colours but prefer more earthy tones. Orange attracts hummingbirds but I don’t like my chances there!

I haven’t filled it with water yet but already a blackbird has visited.

The Push is On

Learning anything new can be a challenge. Last year I joined an embroidery group. Who could imagine there are so many stitches!

My husband had a saying, “You have to have the gear to do the job.” That was to justify every power tool and gadget he bought.

I’m getting there. I have books and and kit. Its quite exciting learning a new skill and I'm planning on using it in my art.

I encourage everyone to give it a go.
Embroidery is slow but satisfying. I have had to set a few goals though, otherwise it will not be finished until next year. The push is on to do a row a day. Progress is being made. My first sampler.

Wellington Museum Exhibition

As we slowly moved into the the exhibition there was no talking but more gasps at the shear scale of this exhibition. 546 panels stitched by over 600 people. After 125 years these women are still treasured for their hardship, resilience and determination, this is their memory.

I shed a tear looking from one panel to the next. It was overwhelming as each one seemed to find a voice.

I cherish this moment and congratulate every single person who was involved especially Caroline O’Reilly.

Thanks also to Wendy Welsh and Ryan Jennings for some of the photos

Its open until 31 August at the Wellington Museum.