Stimulation . . .it's all out there . . . . bring it on !

What did we do prior to blogs and emails ?

I adore the connection with people from around the globe.
Receiving emails is rewarding, but . . . having them arrive with
pictures is a huge buzz that delights my curiosity.

It is like receiving a new book at Christmas . . . but, every day. WOW !

Jacob Hashimoto Acrylic discs Rhonda Hoffman gallery, Chicago

We are a very lucky generation to be able to access all this amazing creativity so regularly & with such ease.

Progressive canvas

Jennifer Hamilton 2010

Work in process

Here it is 2010 and we are starting, the letting go . . . . .

The Progressive canvas project.

We have now established who is involved.

There were quite a few interested, but not all shared the same 'joy of process' and reasons to be involved, that we do. Those who will contribute will have to be willing to have their works contributed to, painted over, changed and all together altered during the process.

They must have a studio and be willing to share process with other members. They must be willing to photograph each step and maintain good documentation for final presentation.

The group have spent the last week discussing the size, width and other properties of the canvas, on which the works will be done.

We have drawn up an outline of guides for the continuing progression of the work and are now about to start !

Someone asked, ' why do it . . . what are your desired outcomes . . . who gets to keep the works? " . . . . . Well, I guess the reason to do the works . . . . . is to form a group who meet regularly. To share our knowledge of different processes in a practical, functional form, in a creative way. . . . . while learning to let go of what we can be too precious about. Hopefully throughout the project we will break down some of our inhibitions & blocks . . . so we can see what changes will improve our own art practice.

We will meet each month to show what we have been doing and to have a practical demonstration of processes applied to canvas's. We then meet the following month to share thoughts behind our individual applications during that period and swap works.

We are starting with 9 canvases each. We each start our processes as we desire and then they are passed on to the other individuals in the group . . . . .until everyone has contributed to each canvas.

The project will start in the first week of February, with the last meeting being in the first week of October. At the end we each will have 9 canvases . . . . one from each individual involved. . . . . with their contribution being at the beginning, middle or completion.

In October, over a long deliciously indulgent weekend, we will have a final show and tell with works and presentations at the Rusty Roo. We will share some final learnt processes and make any final marks to our canvases . . . . it is then that we will decide if we wish to exhibit the 36 canvases . . . or start the process again.

I'm looking forward to the sharing. . . . the camaraderie is already evident, the processes already suggested . . . . limitless, the ideas and the learning to let go . . . . frightening . . . . . . . but, I'm excited!

I will keep you posted !!!

Navigating Christmas

Christmas was a very eventful affair.

We had the usual lead up with extremely enjoyable parties and 'drop in for drinks' with friends . . . from Cameron's work place, my work mates and long time 'in mates' from long ago groups, initially formed through days when I nursed, attended BIA art colledge and when we were the parents meeting with our children.

Our front yard 'Beer garden' saw a lot of use.

A celebration in Brisbane with my family, the Boyces . . including BIG brother Peter and his beautiful wife, Yanyan, Mum and Dad, Brianna, Sam, Arron and us. It was very intimate, sharing and peaceful. We started the day with Dad presenting a fully cooked BBQ breakfast . . . we ended the day with left overs from a luscious lunch created by Mum and a slide show of Arron's pictures, he took while in Vietnam. I discovered information no mother likes to hear. . . . like bike accidents ! But, all up it sounded and looked like a successful trip.

Then we ventured to the country to celebrate with Cameron's family, the Lee's . . . . they are a far larger group. It was noisy, full on and the true in your face family affair. We decided it was the best Lee family Christmas ever. . . . . . not because of the food or home, but because All the members, young and old, appeared content with their lot and happy with the years outcome. A true blessing.

Then it was through to Woodford to drop off Brianna at the folk festival to assist Nancy fancy pants for a week. Brianna looks forward with unbridled anticipation to this event each year.

We traveled through to Maleny to visit friends and stay for awhile. It was a pleasure to chill out amongst the green and mist. We visited galleries, ate too much and had a bit to drink while sharing the relaxed atmosphere and laughter of jokes that have percolated over many years.

Then we made a meandering trip, that took an entire day to travel what is normally an hour and a half trip, to the Rusty Roo. We dropped into shops, friends for lunch and afternoon tea at a quaint place that served delicious scones and clotted cream with home made quince jam. Bliss.
I had only sworn off food after the weeks of gluttony . . . . the previous day . . . . ha!

We enjoyed a visit from my entire family from the 28Th - 31st. It was great to have time to talk, eat and relax while watching the wallabies, possums, green frogs, birds and being blessed by rain. Over the 3 days the place near the side of the house actually met up to it's description, for the first time in 7 years. . . . . . A lawn. The wallabies love it as much as I do.

We then said good bye to Peter, Yanyan and Arron as they made their way to join Brianna at the Woodford folk festival, while Mum, Dad and Sam returned to Brisbane.
That afternoon we had friends arrive from Brisbane to help us celebrate the arrival of the New Year. We ate, laughed and shared a few drinks around a roaring bomb fire. We watched the spectacular fire works herald the New Year, kindly supplied by the local youth camp down in the valley . . . .
After a few days our friends withdrew to Brisbane and beyond.

Then, Cameron & I embraced a few peaceful days to ourselves. Lots of book reading and watching of choice DVD's . . . . . . and more eating. Well, we did have to get rid of all the left over's.

So a very full on Christmas without any dramas and enjoyed by all. A time to catch up with Family and friends and feel very fortunate that we are able to celebrate the passing of one year and the introduction of the new, in such a blissful way.

I hope your silly season celebrations were as enjoyable and happy.

Wishing you a great New Year.
I look forward to another year of creativity and keeping in touch.
Cheers x x x