Time to develop your creativity - Hamilton Road Studio

At this time of the year I realise that time doesn't ever stand still. In fact, if anything, the days pass by too quickly. In January I booked flights to visit my family in South Africa, thinking that the time would drag. Now there are just over ten weeks to go before my holiday. 

Studio Vacancies 

The last term of the year starts on Wednesday 4th October and ends on the 9th December. 

Wednesday evenings - places filled

Thursday - one place available
Friday mornings -  places filled

Saturday mornings - casual attendance available.

Please let me know if you would like to enroll or if you have any questions about the classes.         

Exploring Abstraction 

The artists attending the Friday classes have been investigating abstract concepts in painting. I plan to cover these topics more extensively in the first five weeks of the term with a different approach each week. These classes will be more structured than the usual Studio classes where artist work on individual projects. If abstract painting is something you have wanted to try, this is an ideal opportunity for you to experiment. Also, if you are less experienced, the more structured class will be helpful. These mini workshops can be done on the other days as well.

Tasman Story - oil, oil pastel and Cold Wax Medium on panel 405 mm x 810 mm

Art Classes Hamilton Road Studio

Terms and Conditions

Class times:

Wednesday:   6.00pm – 9.00pm  

Thursday:       9.00am – 12.00pm               

Friday:            9.00am – 12.00pm 

Saturday:        8.00am – 11.00am 

Please note that the Classes are suitable for adults

Venue:   22/960 Hamilton Road, McDowall 4053

(Please ring 22 then “Bell” at the intercom. There is usually parking inside the complex)

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• Tuition in drawing, watercolour, acrylics and oils is offered

• During each class there will be some demonstration of technique as well as individually mentored tuition.

• Classes are small (Max 6) so each participant can work in their chosen medium and at their own pace.

• Students should be prepared to enroll for a term (usually 10 weeks). Since my Studio is small, casual classes i.e. pay per attendance cannot be offered.

Please contact me for more information or if you have any questions.

Botanique on show at Mt Coot-Tha Botanic Gardens, Brisbane

Botanique, and exhibition of all things Botanically inspired, is on this weekend in the Richard Randall Gallery, Mt Coot-Tha Botanic Gardens, from Friday 15th September at 1.00pm until 3.00pm Sunday, 17th September.

I will have a selection of paintings, a couple of large ones and a few small, gift-sized paintings. 

Peonies - ink and watercolour on Saunders Waterford paper

Orchids - watercolour on Saunders Waterford paper

Australian Bouquet - watercolour on Saunders Waterford paper

In addition, there will be some cushions and tote bags. These bags are a good way of introducing ourselves to using reusable bags instead of the throw-away plastic kind - and much more attractive too!

A view of my corner at the Richard Randall Gallery 

I've also printed a selection of cards which feature some of my paintings. 

Artichoke cushion 

Nundah NOW! Art Exhibition this weekend

I have four paintings on show this weekend at the Nundah NOW! Exhibition.

I've been experimenting lately with Cold Wax Medium and have become fascinated with the tactile quality it adds to oil paint. This technique is so well suited to recreating memories of last year's holiday in Tasmania. The granite cliffs on the Tasman Peninsula were the inspiration for this painting.

Tasman Story - Oil, Cold Wax Medium and Oil pastels on Birch panels.

810 mm x 405 mm

The park across the road from my home is another inspirational place. This abstract has its origin in the bark of trees I pass on my early morning walks. 

Bark Layers - Oil, Cold Wax Medium and Oil pastels on Birch panels.

810 mm x 405 mm

In addition two watercolours complete the quartet of paintings.

Abundance - watercolour on Saunders Waterford 535mm x 535mm

The Wrap of a Leaf - watercolour on Zeta paper 545 mm x 720 mm

Drawing - an all-time favourite

One of the all-time popular posts on Art Matters is Drawing: A thin black line. It is re-published below. 

Whenever I get into a bit of a slump I turn to my drawing materials. Of all the tools, ink is most satisfying to use. There's a decisiveness about making marks that you can't erase.  

Thursday, 14 October 2010

Drawing - a thin black line

Why do we assume that we need a special talent for drawing? Often people profess to have no talent for drawing, saying – “I can’t even draw a straight line”.

When shown that they can draw – they declare that they must have a hidden talent. 

We don’t make that assumption about other talents like reading. What if only those with a special talent could learn to read? The teachers would supply reading materials; not guide or instruct the class for fear of hampering creativity in reading. Then the teacher would sit back and wait to see what would happen. 

The kid says, “How do I read this?” The teacher replies: “Just be free, use your imagination - reading should be fun.” Some of the class would be able to read but the rest would say: “I can’t read – I have no talent”. 

We apply this strange reasoning to teaching art. We are too afraid to instruct for fear of hampering or diminishing the child’s creative spirit.

Drawing is in reality a way of learning how to see. We can learn to hone our powers of observation with the result that almost anyone can learn to draw.

In a previous post, when I was considering all the different types of media I have used over the years, I left out the two simple tools for any artist that have always been used – a lead pencil and an ink pen. I love buying new pens and pencils – I am happiest in an art supply store or even a basic stationery store. I have become addicted to finding new pens that will help me draw better.

 

Pier at Blankenberg

Whenever I traveled anywhere, first into the suitcase would be a sketchbook, pencils, pens and a smallwatercolour box and a brush or two (although I never seemed to get around to adding much colour.)  

Departing ferry, Breskens

 

These sketchbooks became a visual diary, capturing people and places. 

Paging through them takes me back to the experience of different countries more vividly than any photograph album.

 

Ferry Harbour, Breskens



Pen and ink drawing can provide drama, strong contrast and fine detail. The sketch below was done in the Museum Skone Kunst, Antwerp. I came across an artist painting a copy of Fouquet's Maria and Jesus surrounded by Angels, and couldn't resist doing a sketch of her.

 

Sketching the copyist in Antwerp, Belgium

 

Recently, I have experimented with drawing on alternative surfaces such as ink on canvas or on a wooden panel, adding a new dimension to drawing.

Seeds and Leaves 382mm x 760mm  Ink on canvas 

It takes courage to draw in ink – there are no second chances – no way to erase the errors. Instead, one has to really look at the subject, focus on where you want the line to go, and execute it fearlessly with a clean fluid line