Play and Creativity

Yesterday was spent doing a workshop at Arthouse Northside. The topic was Watercolour - New Directions. My enthusiastic participants had great fun - mostly playing - and were not too concerned about the end product.

Play is the key to creativity. Play gives you licence to make a mess; discover new tools; try out new techniques; mix new colours.

Merce Cunningham - watercolour on paper 320mm x 240mm ©2013 Carol Lee Beckx

Play silences the excuses; silences the monkey sitting on your shoulder chirping in your ear telling you that what you are doing is rubbish.

Playing allows you to say “This is just play, it doesn’t matter how it turns out”

If you play often enough, the monkey will be confused. He won’t know when you are doing serious “Art” or when you’re just playing.

Eventually he will give up the constant chatter and leave you in peace.

The watercolour above is a demo done during the workshop - light loose pencil lines and three stage washes with a limited palette

A New Look for Art Matters

I have wanted to do a design re-vamp here for some time. Lately I find that reading white text on a black background is difficult and after a while my eyes hurt...

The grey background I used to have was easier on the eye but I decided to go minimal and switch to a white background with grey text.
The Pages have moved to the top of the blog under the header but otherwise everything is where it was.

I feel a little silly telling you this when you can see for yourself the changes I've made!!

I would love to know what you think of the changes.... go on, be brave - leave a comment, please.

Hamilton Northshore Sketchcrawl

The Brisbane Urban Sketchers were out last Saturday for the 41st Worldwide Sketchcrawl. The group used the City Cat service starting in the city and stopping off to sketch along the way. I could only join late - but luckily I was in time for lunch. The lunch at the Northshore Riverside Cafe was delicious. These are my sketches from the afternoon.

I used my Stillman & Birn Alpha Sketchbook which worked well for these drawings.

Little Treasures - Fiona Foley Ink & watercolour 

 © 2013 Carol Lee Beckx

Hamilton Northshore Jetty - Inktense Indian Ink  

© 2013 Carol Lee Beckx

 Hamilton Northshore Ink & watercolour 

© 2013 Carol Lee Beckx

Portrait Commission

This portrait is a recent commission. I’m pleased to say that both Grandparents and parents are happy with the result. 

Portrait of a Boy - oil on canvas - 510mm x 410mm © 2013 Carol Lee Beckx

One Day Workshops - Watercolour and Oils

  1.  Watercolour - New Directions

With Carol Beckx

Arthouse Northside One Day Workshop

Tuesday 29th October 2013 - Watercolour - New Directions

9.30 to 3.00 pm

$70 for the day

Each participant will receive:

·         a sheet of Fabriano Watercolour Studio paper 300gsm (35.5cm x 51cm)

·         a sheet of Canson Montval watercolour paper 300gsm cold press (24cm x 32cm)

To book your place please phone Arthouse Northside on 3869 2444

If you have questions about the workshops and to get the materials list please contact

Carol on 0448 886 785 or email carolbeckx@bigpond.com

2. Introduction to Oils

With Carol Beckx

Arthouse Northside One Day Workshop

Tuesday 12th November 2013

9.30 to 3.00 pm

$70 for the day

To book your place please phone Arthouse Northside on 3869 2444

Georgian oil colours will be available for participants to use during the workshop. For other materials needed, please refer to the materials list.

If you have questions about the workshops and for the materials list please contact

Carol on 0448 886 785 or email carolbeckx@bigpond.com

This workshop is designed to give you a taste of oil painting.

The different techniques will be demonstrated then participants will be able to practice these.

    Basic techniques

    Brushwork - different types and their marks

    Basic colour palette and colour mixing

    Mediums and their use

    Dry brush and scumbling

    Glazing techniques

    Palette knife painting 

Opening Night at Percolator Gallery

There was a bumper crowd at Percolator Gallery for the opening of cARTwheel Collaborative's exhibition. It was wonderful to have so much support for our work.

To view all the paintings I have on the show please go to this page Painting's at Percolator Gallery 

Exhibition View - ©2013  Carol Lee Beckx 

Reeds Rise From Water

Reeds Rise From Water - oil on canvas - 760mm x 760mm © Carol Lee Beckx 2013

From the poem by Samuel Menashe 

This painting is part of the body of work I will show at a group exhibition opening this week. The paintings are oil on canvas as well as a few small watercolours on paper.

To see my paintings on the Exhibition please click on this page: Paintings at Percolator Gallery. Once the exhibition is open the link will be live. 

The exhibition is at Percolator Gallery 134 Latrobe Street, Paddington 

Thursday 17th to Sunday 27^th October.

cARTwheel Collaborative was created in 2012 by an eclectic group of Brisbane Artists who share a love of art. The group provides a mutually supportive environment, stimulating our creative adventures. The decision to exhibit together in a group show was a natural progression.

The name arose out of a brain-storming session. It’s fun and quirky, and is both dynamic and symbolic. We enjoyed that cARTwheel has the powerful symbol of a circle, signifying an unending ring of support. The movement of the cartwheel allows us to pick up talented artists on our journey. Moreover ART is an integral part of the name.

The last term of 2013

Days and weeks come and go as the year speeds to its end. In two months’ time I will be on my way to South Africa to visit my family there - a long time - three years since I saw them last. How good it will be to catch up with everyone?

In the meantime it’s back to the daily routine. The Studio will open for classes next week as we start the last term of the year.

Classes are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.00pm. 

The classes are small so each artist can pursue their favourite medium. I have some people drawing only; others work in watercolour, acrylic or oils.

There will also be a couple of workshops before the end of term. More details on these will be posted on this blog.

There are some places available on Thursday and Friday so let me know if you are interested and I can send you more information.

A couple of commissions have kept me busy during the break. This painting was such fun. My client had recently built a Pizza oven on his patio and wanted something different for the wall.

I enjoyed including all the delicious ingredients that make a good pizza, and of course a glass of red was mandatory.I have been assured he won’t be charging his friends when they call round for a pizza!

Dotto's Pizza - acrylic on canvas - © 2013 Carol Lee Beckx

Please forgive the shine on the RH side of the painting - the black was a beast to photograph and beyond my meagre skills!