Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Play and Creativity

Yesterday was spent doing a workshop at Arthouse Northside. The topic was Watercolour - New Directions. My enthusiastic participants had great fun - mostly playing - and were not too concerned about the end product.

Play is the key to creativity. Play gives you licence to make a mess; discover new tools; try out new techniques; mix new colours.

Merce Cunningham - watercolour on paper 320mm x 240mm ©2013 Carol Lee Beckx


Play silences the excuses; silences the monkey sitting on your shoulder chirping in your ear telling you that what you are doing is rubbish.

Playing allows you to say “This is just play, it doesn’t matter how it turns out”
If you play often enough, the monkey will be confused. He won’t know when you are doing serious “Art” or when you’re just playing.

Eventually he will give up the constant chatter and leave you in peace.

The watercolour above is a demo done during the workshop - light loose pencil lines and three stage washes with a limited palette

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

A New Look for Art Matters

I have wanted to do a design re-vamp here for some time. Lately I find that reading white text on a black background is difficult and after a while my eyes hurt...

The grey background I used to have was easier on the eye but I decided to go minimal and switch to a white background with grey text.
The Pages have moved to the top of the blog under the header but otherwise everything is where it was.

I feel a little silly telling you this when you can see for yourself the changes I've made!!

I would love to know what you think of the changes.... go on, be brave - leave a comment, please.

Saturday, 26 October 2013

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