Still - on show at the Rotary Art Spectacular

I am delighted that my large painting Still will be shown at The Rotary Art Spectacular, Waterfront Place Brisbane, opening tomorrow evening at 6.30pm.

This exhibition is one of the most prestigious Art Exhibitions on Brisbane's art calendar; it showcases work by many talented artists while raising funds for charity. An online gallery has been created so you can view all the works on show.  

Still - oil on linen - 1200mm x 910mm  ©2015 Carol Lee Beckx

The exhibition has moved to a new venue this year, which is slightly smaller than in previous years, so having work selected for this show is particularly gratifying. In line with other similar exhibitions, the Rotary show has work selected in two categories - work to be displayed in the exhibition venue and work selected for the online exhibition.

I have written about the process of Still in this blog post, and here is a Flipagram showing clips at the different stages.

Two more paintings, Watching and Rocks 21st December 5.09pm, have been included in the online show. 

Rocks 21st December 5.09pm - watercolour and ink on paper ©2015 Carol Lee Beckx

Watching was the result of sketches done while on holiday at Coolum Beach during December. Rocks, on the other hand, in watercolour and ink was painted en plain air. More about those days spent sketching at Coolum can be found here and here.

Perhaps one day I will work in oils on site, but for now sketches and studio painting is working for me. The logistics of working in ink and watercolour are reasonably manageable; working outside in oils is perhaps another story altogether!

A Tea Party

What a lovely morning - a warm sunny winter's day in Brisbane. Six of us gathered for a tea party at My Beautiful Things at The Lavender Barn in Newmarket. There were four klassmates from Sketchbook Skool Beginnings2, one of my students as well as myself. I am enrolled in the second semester - Seeing1.  We had our own little area under a gazebo with plenty of space for our Devonshire tea as well as all the sketching paraphernalia. 

We were given free rein of the shop being able to gather any props that caught our fancy. I couldn't resist the tea cosies, in fact I bought one that I had absolutely fallen in love with...well I don't have a single tea cosy so really had to have one for my tea. 

My first sketch featured this vibrant tea cosy - the clever work of Rae Cooper - Tempting Tea Cosies and oops not tea but my coffee. I realised when my coffee arrived that I had sketched this particular cup once before - but it's so pretty that I decided to paint it once more.

The Pink Teacup and Tea Cosy - ink and watercolour in S&B Alpha sketchbook. 

Now it was time for Devonshire tea. I think the staff had fun deciding which of their cups we would love the most. They didn't disappoint. I loved this cup and saucer with a harvest theme. Needless to say the fruit scone was absolutely delicious. There's space on page for some text which will follow in due course. Or I might paint the business card which is currently MIA.

Devonshire Tea - ink and watercolour - S&B Beta sketchbook

There was time for one last sketch - this was fun to paint.  

Little House Tea Cosy with Milk Jug -  ink and watercolour in S&B Alpha sketchbook. 

Please note: the top photo is a quick one with my iPhone. After so much sketching the scanning and stitching is beyond me today!

Out and about with Zeta

This weekend was the 42^nd Worldwide Sketchcrawl. Sketchers met on Saturday morning - I was unable to join them so on Sunday, Australia Day I did some solo sketching. I found some interesting subjects in Racecourse Road, Ascot.

Racecourse entrance from Baguette Bistrot & Bar 

ink and watercolour in Zeta Sketchbook

© 2014 Carol Lee Beckx

The morning was made even more enjoyable by being able to enjoy delicious coffee and a snack at Baguette Bistrot & Bar. The staff members were lovely too - and because it was quiet with few people around, they were happy for me to colonise a table for a while. (Well quite a long while…)

View from Baguette Bistrot & Bar ink and watercolour in Zeta Sketchbook

© 2014 Carol Lee Beckx

I loved using the ultra-smooth Zeta Sketchbook by Stillman & Birn - the ink lines flow so easily and I love the way watercolour does its own thing.

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