Seasons Greetings

All of a sudden it’s the week before Christmas, and as we approach this holy festival, we do so with very mixed emotions. Regulations restricting the movement of people across the world have resulted in plans to celebrate with family being thrown into disarray. It’s so hard to be away from loved ones at any time. On special holidays this is especially difficult.

Wherever you are, I wish you time to relax, read a good book, or watch an exciting movie. Hopefully you will be able to connect with your loved ones, even if only in a virtual manner. 

Please stay safe. 

A Decade in Australia

On the 9th December 2010 I landed in Brisbane, Australia, to begin a new phase of my life. It was an adventure into the unknown.

I came down to earth with a bump when there was a long wait to go through customs and immigration. There were many questions  - what kind of visa do you have? (I think I had a trainee).Eventually the formalities were over and I could walk through to meet Tanya. It had been a long wait - over two years...

My dear daughter, in her infinite wisdom, decided to best way to become acclimatised to Brisbane time was to keep busy. We went to the bank to open accounts and apply for a credit card. Then, because they were soon moving into their newly built house, we went to Ikea for some essential items - I mean why not? Just the thing after a flight of 24 hours and a travel time of perhaps 36 hours plus. Later in the evening, I was the babysitter while they joined friends at a U2 concert!

Visits to Australia 

I had visited Australia twice before. In 1987 I visited Western Australia we stayed with relatives in Perth. I visited the Art Gallery where I was introduced to Aboriginal art for the first time. 

In 2008 I came to Brisbane to help my daughter after the birth of my grandson. During this visit we discussed the feasibility of a move to Australia. Although it would be an expensive and daunting move we realised that it was, indeed, possible. My daughter and her family had migrated a year and a half earlier so before I could apply for my parent visa they were required to have been here for two years. It was the start of a long wait. 

A few favourite watercolours 

Deciding to relocate 

Moving country is hard and when you are older it is a big decision. I had lived my whole life in South Africa. My son and his family lived near me. We worked together in our family business. My sister and brother, and their extended families were in South Africa. I had built up a network of contacts in the art community, regularly showing work in various galleries and group shows. I would be saying goodbye to the familiar, the safe, the known.

From the time I submitted my visa application in January 2009, I had to wait another eighteen months for the visa to be granted. This was a strange time - a time when I was in limbo - neither here nor there, not able to fully immerse myself in life in Durban but also not able to fully plan my new life in Brisbane. 

In August 2010 my visa was granted. Now it was time to put my house on the market and get ready to move. I had been reluctant to do too much preparation until I knew that the visa would be granted, and although there was no reason that I would not get the visa, it almost felt as though I would be tempting fate if I started packing too soon.

Glimmering Fragments of the mist - oil on canvas  - The park across the road from my home.

Packing up

Packing up a whole house is daunting at the best of times, but when you have the added pressure of knowing that everything you decide to take with you needs to fit into a 20 ft container, you need to tackle the task with a ruthless, unsentimental approach. In spite of this last statement, I knew that I would need to have loved and familiar objects accompany me. I realised that I would note be able to afford to buy new furniture, and in any case, I loved my things. 

I sorted and tidied - books, clothes, crockery and kitchen items were marked keep or go.

I also decided to have a sale of art and staged an “Out from under the bed” event. I displayed paintings and drawings as well as other odds and ends, provided tea, coffee, wine and snacks. This was also a great way to say goodbye to many friends.

Damask Peony - oil on canvas 

By the end of November came I had received an offer on my  house, but the sale remained unconfirmed. I was getting impatient. I wanted to start my new life, and wanted to get there in time for the New Year. So I booked a one way ticket to Brisbane. The removal company packed all my worldly good into the container. Now there was no turning back. 

My brother drove me to the airport to catch my flight - I still had not heard about the house sale. As we drove into the airport, my phone rang, it was the estate agent, the sale was confirmed. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, now I could get on the flight with a much calmer frame of mind. I knew everything was going to turn out well.

And indeed I was right - everything has turned out well.

P.S. For ten years I thought that I landed on 10th December, but thanks to a Facebook post, Tanya reminded me that I landed in Brisbane on the 9th December! 

My newest artwork

My paintings have always found a welcome home in my children’s homes. Sometimes I’ve had to borrow them back for an exhibition, but at least I have the assurance that the paintings are loved and in good homes. 

Recently my son and his wife asked me to design a wallpaper for their living room, and they wanted the theme to feature aloes. Warren has a large collection in his garden and in fact a couple of these in the design are from photos I have taken there. 

This week the wallpaper was installed on the living room wall. Needless to say, I am delighted with the result. 

Ink drawings 

Each of the aloes were drawn in first in ink on paper then scanned and uploaded to Procreate.

Planning 

The initial sketch inserted into the photo of the living room...

First draft

The DPI at 300 was too low for a print of this size and I was dissatisfied with the large tree aloe on the right so it was back to the drawing board. The texture in the landscape was also competing with the aloes so thanks to the layers in Procreate I could eliminate the background and start over.

Look - no landscape!

 I set up a new canvas with a resolution of 600 DPI and drew a completely new tree aloe.  The landscape was added back but kept soft and unobtrusive.

Here’s the completed project installed. 

I have put a short story on my Instagram page with more photos and a short video showing the installation. 

Here’s a link: 

Instagram page

A Decade of Art Matters

Ten years ago on  24th August 2010, I wrote these words in the first post for my blog Art Matters.

Art matters - it has mattered all my life and I hope that in this blog I'll give you an idea of the importance it has for me. However, art hasn't always taken centre stage as I have done so many others things along the way.

Aloes  - oil on canvas. 2010 

These iconic South African flowers were painted shortly before I left Durban. 

I had just received notification that my visa application to move to Australia had been approved. It was time to get organised. I knew that I would have to find a way to establish myself as an artist and teacher in a place where I only knew a handful of people, quite removed from the place where I was well known and had good connections in the art world. 

Creating a website and writing a blog were a good start. I had no idea whether any one would even see the blog let alone read anything I wrote but I did it anyway. Gradually people saw it and read my posts and left the odd comment.

Flinders Blue - oil on canvas 1000mm x 1000mm - 2011. 

This abstract was an early commission. 

I decided from the start to treat the blog as a way of documenting my journey from Durban, South Africa to Brisbane, Australia. From a personal perspective I enjoy looking back at some of the posts, remembering the highs and lows of the last ten years. 

Pink roses with mirrors - oil and silver leaf on canvas 900 mm x 900 mm - 2012

A commission for a local hairdressing salon Sabe Hair 

Over the years the frequency of posting has waxed and waned depending on what else was happening. When I began the blog there were many bloggers who maintained the stance of “post every day”. I decided from the start that I would only write when I had something to say. This approach has worked well. 

Deja Bru Cafe  acrylic on canvas 3600 mm x 1200 mm - 2012. 

A mural for my local cafe. 

When I landed in Brisbane at the beginning of December it was a step into the unknown. I wasn’t entirely alone though because I stayed with my daughter and her family for the first six months until I could move into my own home. 

Portofino - oil on canvas. 900 mm x 900 mm - 2012 

One of three paintings commissioned by Maverick Travel for their offices.

Reeds  rise from water - oil on canvas 700 mm x 700 mm 2013

Floods in Brisbane 

Within a couple of weeks, though, my plans for exploring the city and meeting new people were put on hold because in January Brisbane and the surrounding area were hit with terrible floods. The city centre including the art galleries were inundated and remained closed for months. Many people lost their homes and businesses. So I had to put my plans on hold. 

Riverside Trees - oil on linen 900 mm x 610 mm 2014

Winner of the Nundah Art Show Grand Prize

Watching oil on canvas 910 mm x 610 mm 2015

Damask Peony oil on canvas 765 mm x 765 mm - 2016

Evening Light - Noosa 760 mm x 1200 mm 2017

I started teaching art in first week in my own home with a couple of students. Over the years the number of classes and students have increased. New connections led to painting commissions and opportunities. Exhibitions provided a place for my paintings to have a wider audience.

Escarpment Shadows - oil on canvas 610 mm x 455 mm - 2018.

I am constantly drawn back to the Drakensberg mountains. 

'

The wind scatters the golden leaves - oil on canvas 2019 

This year has been one of the most challenging with the arrival of COVID 19. My classes in the Hamilton Road Studio have been replaced by Zoom classes. Recently, with the support of Farm House Kedron I have the opportunity to teach in person on a Thursday - it’s so good to teach face to face again. 

Strelitzia squared - oil on canvas 500 mm x 500 mm 2020 

A huge thank you all my supporters over the years - the collectors who bought my paintings; the local businesses who commissioned paintings for their offices and lastly, and most importantly, all those artists who have attended my classes, supported me, befriended me and helped establish a haven for creativity. 

I look back on these years and realise - I did it! I have a good happy life. 

Thank you. 

Art @ Farmhouse

Update 4th November 2020 

The good news for Farm House is that the cafe is now open for dinner on Thursday and Friday evenings. This means that, unfortunately, the art classes can no longer be held at this venue. 

I’m loving teaching people face to face during Thursday’s Art @ Farmhouse. After months of screens only it makes a pleasant change. Last week we drew and painted magnolias (not real unfortunately) but beautiful all the same. 

This week we are “ Painting Pop Food” - milkshakes, smoothies and burgers. 

Last year I worked on a commission for Milk Cafe Ashgrove. The refurbishment  of the cafe included a new wall mural of a sketch I had done in the cafe previously and new watercolours for vinyl window coverings. It was such an enjoyable project.

The Interior of Milk Cafe Ashgrove

A view from Ashgrove Avenue

A delicious Burger and chips

Coming up Thursday 20th August Harvest Table 

Art @ Farm House

UPDATED 1st August 2020

Thursday Art @ Farm House now 6.00 to 8.00 pm

Have you been creating art on your own at home?

Do you crave some face-to-face social contact with like-minded creatives?

 

Classes at the Hamilton Road Studio have been held online using Zoom. These were more successful than I had anticipated, and those who attended coped really well. 

 

But… we all missed the social camaraderie we enjoyed in the physical Studio. Trying to find a way to reopen the Hamilton Road Studio safely under the current restrictions has been an ongoing dilemma for me. 

 

Now, through the generosity of Amanda from Farm House Kedron we have a wonderful solution. She has offered us the use of the Farm House Kedron Café on a Thursday from 4.30 pm

 

Art @ Farm House

While you create you can enjoy a glass of wine or nibble on a cheese platter; and most importantly catch up with old friends and as an extra bonus make some new ones. The venue can accommodate up to 40 people while remaining safe. Teaching such a large number is not part of my plan so the numbers will cap at 20.

 

These evenings will be a way to spend some together as I am sure you crave some face to face human contact in a creative setting. We will work in the large Farm House Hall which will ensure proper social distancing.

 

You will be able to book and pay for each evening through the booking feature on the Farm House website. At the same time, you can order a drink or snack. In addition, Miss Sophia’s Gelateria will be open all the time so you can indulge in a sweet treat. 

There will be large tables, but no easels and you would need to bring your own supplies as communal art media cannot be shared.

Café Sketching

Sketching in a café is a popular activity with urban sketchers. However, COVID 19 put this on hold. If you are a novice it can be intimidating to pull out  sketchbook and start drawing. Our first session of Art @ Farm House will give you an opportunity to practice. There is an array of fascinating objects, succulents and pot plants that will be available as drawing subjects as well as other inspiration we’ll introduce over time.

There is an array of fascinating objects, succulents and pot plants that will be available as drawing subjects. Other techniques and mediums will be introduced later - please let me know where your interest lies.

 I have often sketched at Farm House as you can see from these sketches.

What to bring…

The materials should be whatever you have on hand – keep it simple.

 

A few suggestions:

 

• Drawing paper – loose sheets or a sketchbook 

• Drawing tools: Pencils, pens, either fine liners, fountain pens or ballpoint pend, markers, or pencil crayons – these can be watercolour pencil crayons or standard pencils. 

• If you have a set of watercolours you use for urban sketching this would be useful. 

 

Art @ Farmhouse 6.00 to 8.00 pm

9 Somerset Road, Kedron

BOOKINGS - click for bookings page

• Cost $22.00 

• Drinks and snacks extra

• Bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance i.e. by Wednesday 6.00 pm.

• Book and pay on the Farm House website. Select Events and the date. You will receive a booking confirmation email and materials list.

Bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance i.e. by Wednesday  4.30 pm.

I hope you will come along and join us for a creative time with like-minded artists up in this exciting new venture.

 

 

 

 

Man’s Best Friend

Over the years I have painted Man’s Best Friend a number of times so today when I was asked to send images of my work I decided a blog post including the doggie portraits would be a good idea. 

Norbert - watercolour on paper 

Kinsey’s pup - watercolour on paper


Laura’s pup - watercolour on paper



Laura’s pup - watercolour on paper

Blaze - oil on canvas 

Dakota, above and Belle below - both oil on canvas 

 

Autumn in the Studio

Update 15th May 2020

Tuesday class is underway, but newcomers are welcome. Please contact me at carolbeckx@bigpond.com


It’s been a month since the Hamilton Road Studio moved online using Zoom. Theoretically Term 2 starts this week. It seems that we will remain online for some time to come so I would like to offer more variety. I have created a new online class using Zoom and will work in the same manner as the existing weekly classes where the artists interact with each other, share work and develop new skills.

Experimenting with materials

The emphasis will be on experimentation with simple materials that can be done in a small space - the kitchen table for instance.There will be a theme set prior to each week’s class with suggested materials that will be needed. Each week I will demonstrate some techniques so I will be experimenting as well.

The new class will run in addition to the regular three hour weekly classes which will continue as scheduled. 

I wanted to offer something shorter (although we do have time in abundance!) and more affordable. We will also be recycling older work that’s been lying around for some time - think collage, concertina books from paintings and revisiting previous themes that can be more fully developed. 
Zoom

If you don't have Zoom please use the following link and download the app.

You will need to register and create a password. You can use your desktop, laptop, iPad, tablet or phone  as any of these will work. The larger screen will enhance your experience.

Studio classes - one month on...

Since establishing the weekly classes in my Studio almost ten years ago, one of the most treasured aspects is the strong sense of community that has been nurtured here. I love that I have  seen experimentation and developing creativity; artists mastering skills and techniques; and also the sharing of experiences - often happy and sometimes sad. 

It’s been a month now that we meet, not in my little Studio but online, I am both happy and thankful that this sense of community remains. 

I thought I would give you an idea of how it all works. 

The class schedules remain unaltered and we meet on the same day at the same times - routine is good. I start a class in Zoom and then the artists sign in. By the way, we have had no security issues using Zoom. At times the connection might be a little slow, (thanks to the whole world beong constantly online) otherwise it's been relatively easy. 

We can see and hear each other; have a chance to touch base and chat about our week; share work in progress and offer suggestions, advice and encouragement. The community atmosphere of sharing and friendship remains. 

The smiling faces of the Saturday group.

Before the class starts, I am sent photographs of work in progress. Then by using my iPad connected to my laptop we can all view the work. I can annotate the photograph showing any possible amendments. This is particularly useful when beginning a work and the design needs to be altered. I have worked like this in the Studio for some time so its good to be able to continue in the same way. 

Here we were talking about the contrasting vertical and horizontal aspects of this lovely watercolour of giraffes, and how the shadows at the bottom would add a strong design feature. 

This is a photograph of a still life set up was sent to me. Here, using Procreate I can demonstrate the wide range of colours found in the photograph - it shows that green is not just one green and brown has many variations too. 

Term 2 

Since none of us were going anywhere a communal decision was taken to continue with classes over Easter so the first term will happily roll into the second.

Invitation 

If anyone would like to join us please send me an email at info@carolleebeckx.com, we would love to have you. There is also the opportunity for one-on-one sessions and individual mentorship. I would love to discuss your personal requirements. 

Review

A recent mail from a Studio attendee:

Hi Carol,

Count me in Carol. Same time, same place.

I commend you on the effort you have put in. I was so surprised how you managed to make the class enjoyable and productive. You should feel very proud of yourself.

The accountability is good for me, and the rewards from producing my art ........ words cannot express.

See you tomorrow🎨👌