Dragon Vase with Kintsugi and Magnolias

This painting, Dragon Vase with Kintsugi and Magnolias, has a special place in my heart. Many years ago, I found the vase in a back alley in Hong Kong. I think it's a really old one.

Dragon Vase with Kintsugi and Magnolias - oil on canvas 610mm x 610mm

I have painted it a number of times in various mediums. A few months ago, disaster struck. While moving a canvas out of the studio I knocked the vase off the cabinet. It fell on the floor and some large pieces were broken off the foot of the vase. I was devastated and carefully packed the vase and pieces away.

For a long time I couldn't bring myself to try to repair it. Then I remembered the Japanese art of Kintsugi - the repair becomes an embellishment and acknowledges and honours the object.

Eventually I did repair the vase but my attempt at Kintsugi was extremely feeble. When the pieces were glued together there was no trace of any gold. Then I realised that I could create a painting which would honour my Dragon vase in a different way.

Recently I have been preoccupied with flowers and magnolias in particular. A still life including these blooms which are associated with nobility, perseverance and dignity it seemed fitting to include these with the vase. In my painting the vase has been repaired with gold. I love being able to paint!

I'm pleased to say that Dragon Vase with Kintsugi and Magnolias has been selected as a finalist for the Lethbridge 10,000. I'm so proud and humbled that for the fourth year in a row I have had a painting selected.

Lethbridge 10,000 2015

Each year, for the last three years, I have painted for the Lethbridge 10,000 exhibition, and each year on the day the finalists are announced, I wait with a knot in my stomach for the email announcement. 

The selected artworks are posted on the Gallery website which is made available initially to the entrants only. The website shows photographs of all the accepted work. You have to scroll down the page to see if the photo of your work is there.

As you scroll you wonder - will I make it this year? Self-doubt rears its anxious head. 
"Oh dear, you think - everyone's work looks so good - I don't stand a chance!"
Then there's relief and delight when you see your painting! 

This year I submitted a second entry as well so I continued to scroll. It's an ink drawing called Paperbark. As I continued to scroll, there it was, amongst the online entries - wonderful! 

Pond Reflections will be exhibited in the Lethbridge 10,000 and it's the third year that I have had a painting accepted. I'm so grateful for this opportunity.

Pond Reflections Oil on linen 61cm x 61cm © 2015 Carol Lee Beckx

This painting is part of an ongoing exploration of water, ponds, pebbles, plants, light and reflections. Preparation for this painting included doing sketches en plein air and also taking a number of photographs. The reflections of the plants on the water create wonderful sinuous patterns, contrasting with the darker shadows over the river boulders. Previous paintings in this series include Windarra Reflections, Deep Ripple, Reeds Rise from Water and Still, which featured reeds, grasses and water lily pads. 

Click on each title to access the paintings and read about their creation.

Paperbark has its origin in my regular morning walk in the park across the road. As I walk, I look at the trees and marvel at the bark which is ever-changing. The layers and details of this tree hold my attention every day.

Paperbark ink on paper Image size 32cm x 32cm © 2015 Carol Lee Beckx

The exhibition at the Lethbridge Gallery 136 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington opens on Saturday 13th June and continues until 28th June.  

All the artwork in the exhibition can be viewed on the Lethbridge Gallery website. 

The Lethbridge 10,000 Exhibition

This painting Light through the Trees has been selected for the Lethbridge 10,000.

I am thrilled that I have had work selected for the second year running.

This painting was inspired by an early morning walk on a friend’s farm. The early sun shone through the trees lighting the path. I used sketches and photographs, but ultimately relied more on memory to capture the mood of that early morning. 

Light through the Trees - oil on canvas - 510mm x 510mm ©2014 Carol Lee Beckx

This is a prestigious exhibition of small works, held annually at the Lethbridge Gallery, Latrobe Terrace, Paddington. If you click on this link you can see all the Finalists.

The Opening will be on Saturday evening from 6pm. If you are in Brisbane come along for a fun evening or if you’d like your viewing more laid back visit the Gallery later during the following two weeks.

Please note: Blogger is being difficult - changing font size on a whim - hopefully things will revert to normal soon.

Lethbridge 10,000 Exhibition

At the beginning of May I sent off an entry for the Lethbridge10,000 Exhibition. It was with great delight that I recently received the exciting news that I am one of the finalists selected to show in the Gallery when the exhibition opens on Saturday.

Windarra Reflections - 24” x 20” - oil on canvas © 2013 Carol Lee Beckx

Sometimes inspiration occurs and it can be a while before the painting is created. It’s almost as though the idea and image need time to incubate, waiting for the right moment to be given life.

So it was with the images which inspired the the selected painting, Windarra Reflections.

I took the photograph of the creek on Windarra Estate some time ago. It's been there, waiting to become a painting. Excited by the light on the water and the patterns of the reflected reeds, I wanted the painting to convey the light, colour and a little mystery.

From the Lethbridge Gallery website:

“The Lethbridge Gallery has established a strong reputation for exhibiting works    demonstrating exceptional detail and creativity. With the intention of fostering the next generation of artists, the Gallery initiated the Lethbridge 10 000.

In its fourth year, this exciting art competition is open to national and international artists for small-scale artworks. Entrants may submit paintings, drawings, photographs and all 2D artworks up to 60cm (24 inches) in any direction.”

The Exhibition opens on Saturday 15^th June and runs until 30^th June.

Lethbridge Gallery

136 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington.

07 3369 4790 M 0407 005 800

Open Thurs, Fri, Sat 10am - 5pm Sun 10am - 4pm or by appointment.