Hamilton Road Studio Term 3

The winter holidays are almost over, and for once we have had winter in Brisbane with early morning temperatures dropping to 4 deg. The days are bright and sunny - it's the just the best time. 

TERM 3

Term 3 starts again this week on Wednesday. There are a couple of places available - one on Wednesday evenings (6.00 pm to 9.00 pm) and another on Saturday mornings (8.00 am to 11.00 am.) 

The Saturday class participants opted to begin an hour earlier. (Weekday classes start at 9.00 am)
Most of those attending the Saturday class work full time during the week so the early start allows everyone to make good use of the rest of the day for family and errands. 

I do realise that getting up early on the weekend might be a stretch but once you are here and working it’s really worthwhile. We also get our coffee fix early on Saturdays. 

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.

Preserving Memories

There are more photographs taken today than there ever before. Now that our phones are also cameras, everyone can be a photographer. We record our every action, every meal. We record the sunrise, the sunset, a storm, a sunny day. Parents take thousands of photos of their kids at all stages of their lives.

We take these photos to remember; to record; to preserve. The reality however is a little different. A high percentage of these images remain tucked away on a computer and seldom see the light of day once filed away there.

When I was growing up, family photographs were taken, developed and placed lovingly in albums. A lot of these prints succumbed to early photographic processing and have faded and became yellow. Some families only took a few photos and often not many remain to preserve family memories.

 Mother – watercolour on paper © Carol Lee Beckx 2016 

Such was the case with a family who commissioned some watercolours at the end of last year. My client's husband had only three photos of his parents. Although these had been kept safely, the photos had faded considerably. I was asked to re-create the photographs as watercolour paintings. These paintings would be a special, secret Christmas present.

Dad and friend with Chevrolet Impala (with the iconic Aussie Hills Hoist)  

watercolour on paper © Carol Lee Beckx 2016

I borrowed the photos, scanned them and returned the originals. Modern technology facilitated my task of enlarging the images and boosting the clarity and colours. The aim was not for bright, vivid paintings, but rather a gentler enhancement.

A little detective work, thanks to Mr. Google, allowed me to establish the make and model of the car in a couple of the photos. I could also use images of 1950's chairs to help with the drawing of the chairs.

Mother, Father, son and friend - A picnic under the trees and again the much-loved Chevy is in the frame  watercolour on paper © Carol Lee Beckx 2016

I'm told that the present (and the surprise) was a great success and received with more than a little emotion on the part of the recipient.

I don't like to make people cry but in this case I'm rather pleased that I did. 

If you have some photographic memories that you would like to preserve, please let me know how I can help.