sharonleeartist.blogspot.com : 2020 - 2023 Flood, fire and pestilence

Monday, March 11, 2024

2020 - 2023 Flood, fire and pestilence - But, we are back!!!!!

At Roo from 2020 - 2024 things have not been boring.

It has been biblical here at the Roo, with almost all the dreaded horrors visiting us one by one.

When I complained about the hardship of having endured a flood, a fire, mouse plague and COVID, my dear friend in America - with a smile in her voice - said, 'Ahh! But have you been visited by falling frogs?' The fact that not long after this conversation, a frog fell from the ceiling and landed on my boob, was enough to stop further speculation or complaints. Because I do not want to hear of any other possibiloities for bad things to happen.

But really - it hasn't been all bad!

I placed photos of the fire on Instagram and lived with the results, so I will not enter them here.

Just saying - while the downstairs living area was being processed, and rebuilt, the upstairs studio received little attention. So limited art was completed.

2019 - If Nature Was Watching Would You Be Kinder, exhibition at Nona Gallery BIA

2020 - Crossdale 4 Exhibition - Esk Condensary Art Gallery. limited viewing due to covid.

2021 - Crossdale 5 Exhibition - Esk Regional Art Gallery - good turn out, most works sold.

So pleased we had so much Yang before the Yin.

We had the most enjoyable 'Grand Tour' in 2019 Traveling through the UK from Devon, Wales and up through to Scotland. Accompanied by Arron and friends we then embarked on an epic cruise - Amsterdam to Budapest. With a week in Budapest and another in Singapore. Brilliant!!!!

We installed a successful Bore, for water, at the Roo. Partied in fancy dress for a significant birthday.

Lost our SNOOPY 18yo

Bore - great output

Another Birthday - Ahhhh!

Cameron discovered he is allergic to Bees

Cameron had both knee joints replaced.

Cameron had several operations for skin cancer and melanoma.

Traveled to Sydney to visit Brianna and Xavier - twice. Visited, Noosa and Straddy.

Enjoyed our usual, relaxed, indulgent, happy Christmas's at the Roo.

2020 - Fire - entire downstairs sleeping area was gutted. Rebuilt - with improvements.

2020 - COVID - Isolated here with fortnightly trips to Brissy to visit my dad.

We took the opportunity to renovate. Enclosed the entire outside sun area in glass.

Built a long shade house for our expanding orchid collection.

Built a new kitchen, book shelves, and started the process with council to install a swimming pool.

As soon as the borders were open we took the opportunity to travel. Enjoyed a three week tour of New Zealand by ship, and a four week driving holiday to Tasmania, part-way accompanied by Brianna.

2023 - sold the property that was our Brisbane home and moved to the Roo full time.

2023 - Upstairs furniture discarded and as much as possible everything was cleaned.

2024 January - Studio clean and new furniture installed, and I'm back in my studio.

2024 - is shaping up to be a good Yang year!!!

Arron is off to Japan and is forming a new company.

Brianna has been to Antarctica, Greece, Turkey, Egypt and her new book, The Work' is coming out in April.

Have three exhibitions in my sight.

1 - group exhibition, Kilcoy Art Society, gallery members exhibition.

2 - group exhibition - Paint like a Master.

3 - group exhibition - BIRDS - Nona Gallery, BIA

Time to do some work!!!

GARDEN exhibition 2018

Taxonomy of Small Joys. For me, art making is all about the process; the sharing of experiences, investigation of ideas and learning of new techniques. A quote attributed to many individuals, including Buddah, succinctly describes how I feel about working towards an exhibition - Life is a journey not a destination. In 2016, using GARDEN as my starting point, I became obsessed with the results of an extensive research project conducted by Mike Stevens, lecturer for landscape studies, at the University of N.S.W. Entitled The Congruent Garden: an investigation into the role of the domestic garden in satisfying fundamental human needs, it establishes that gardens satisfy nine human needs: Freedom, Identity, Creation, Understanding, Participation, Leisure, Affection, Protection and Subsistence across four existential states: Being, Having, Doing and Interacting. Early in this journey I knew I required a technique which would assist me in portraying these nine needs, but that it would also need to incorporate my belief that, it is not only that which we see, but also that which remains unseen, which is invaluable. I realised that laser cutting would help me portray this other-worldly, multi layered feature of the garden. Using my initial paintings and hand-drawn images, I attended courses in Illustrator and Coral Draw to produce the necessary vector files. Attending various induction workshops to learn how to use the laser cutting machine at The Edge, State Library of Queensland, has been a long and often frustrating, but rewarding process. Twelve months later, the resulting 4mm ply laser cuts, with their solid forms and variable shadows, represent a collection of moments, of the seen and elusive, which regularly occur in our garden. The overlay of colors using mono-printing and stencils portray the perpetual variables which create change, often in a heartbeat.

GARDEN

Leisure with delight Gardening is ultimately a folly which allows us to make our own mark upon the land providing delight and a place in which we may rest. The sound of birds can stop the corrosive chatter of the mind. The sun and rain cleans and heals. The inaudible glide of the wind soothes with kisses. Nurturing fertile soil, sparkling clean water, expansive sky, whispers of the trees, fragrances, caresses of the wind, and the embrace of light. Content? Yes -- refreshed, yes! Rested -- while waiting.

Crossdale4 Sharon Lee artist statement.

My paintings draw their inspiration from a seemingly ordinary stretch of road between Brisbane and Crossdale which I frequently travel. Observing and documenting the unnecessary, devastating loss of native flora and fauna has resulted in this body of work which highlights the Patterns of Beauty, lost.

I have deliberately arranged the subjects into a kaleidoscope of bright appealing patterns, in the hope that I will not automatically alienate the viewer from connecting to and sympathizing with what is essentially a distressing issue. However, I trust the satisfaction I derive from experimenting with various techniques and layers while arranging nature’s complex ephemeral assemblages does in no way undermine the distressing subject – the loss of our unique flora and fauna.

Toogoolawah - Somerset regional Art Gallery

The condensery is so named for its previous purpose as a condensed milk factory packing facility. Fifty years after this area was settled in 1840, this condensed milk factory was established by the McConnel family, and in the years following 1889 there was such growth in the neighbouring township of Toogoolawah, that the Brisbane Valley railway line was extended in 1904. Nestle purchased this factory in 1906, along with seven neighbouring farms, and by 1926 it was producing its own electricity.

Then, just three years later, in 1929, Nestle moved its condensed milk production to Victoria and there was a 50% reduction in local employment. In 1951 a fire destroyed most of this building, leaving nothing but a packing shed and chimney. The site was purchased by a plumber who then returned the adjoining lands to pasture. It was only reimagined and reopened as an art gallery in 2015.

While in France - artist residency

Three weeks in Montmartre were a delight. As we were a family of three adults, I chose for us to stay in private two bedroom airBnB accommodation. The Cité internationale des arts is an artist-in-residence building which accommodates artists of all specialities and nationalities in Paris. The studio is approximately 30 sqm, comprising one large room off an entry, with a partitioned sleeping area, and a small kitchen and bathroom. The furniture is basic; with a bed, bookcase, small table, chairs and a dresser. A television is in a communal lounge. The studio is suitable for a single artist or couple. Fantastic!

ARTIST IN RESIDENCY RED GATE BEIJING, CHINA

Dear Sharon,
Thank you for your application to our residency program and your interest in Red Gate. We have reviewed your application and your body of work and suggested projects sound very interesting, we would be happy to have you join us for a Red Gate Residency. . . . .

All the best from Beijing,
Crystal Ruth Bell

Red Gate Residency
Program Director
China Artist Residency Network
Project Manager
Mobile: +86 15201543725
Phone: +86 010 65251005

Website: http://redgateresidency.com

Other Artists in Residency – August 2011

Erica van Zon, New Zealand, Sculptor

Eugenia Raskopoulos, Australia, Photo / Video Artist

Kim Schonewille, The Netherlands, Filmmaker

Vivian Orabide, Finland, Media Artist

Marc Seigner, Canada, Mixed Media / Video

Gerlind Zeilner, Austria, Painter

Georg Frauenschuh, Austria, Painter

Royston Tester, Canada, Writer

Tiffany Hambley, Australia, Writer / Interdisciplinary Researcher

Josie Martin, New Zealand, Sculptor / Painter / Installation

Exhibition. Circle Gallery, Montegue Rd. West End Friday 7th May 6.30pm,

I'm thrilled to be invited to be one of the artist involved in the Zonta exhibition for 2010, at Circle gallery in May.
Zonta club of Brisbane South invites you to attend the opening night of 'Not so secret womens business', an exhibition of 3 Indigenous and 3 non Indigenous female artists. To celebrate shared friendship, values and the female journey. The exhibition is open 10 - 4pm daily. 7 - 12 May.

The aim of the exhibition is to raise funds to provide a bursary for an indigenous female student to attend the University of Queensland.

Contact Denise Dillon Bolland about ticket sales.
info@unlimitedcreativity.com.au

Exhibition 2011 Beauty of Patterns lost

I am thrilled to be invited to submit a proposal for the Logan City Art Gallery for 2011.

I hope to continue with my theme of 'Patterns lost'.
Travelling to the Roo on a regular basis we have been made aware, for some time, of the wasteful slaughter of so many beautiful animals, birds and reptiles on our roads.
I hope to represent their 'loss', through the beauty that was.

I will start with monoprinting, screen printing, lino, stencil and layering of mixed media to try and investigate their complex designs.

What a waste is ' road kill '

Work in progress Sharon lee 2009 Acrylic on Canvas

I'm thoroughly enjoying being involved with several different groups, of wonderfully creative individuals, to complete various projects. The idea is to continue, commence or develope these ideas throughout 2010.

The main concept is FUN through SHARING.
If you feel you would like to join us in one of these projects . . .please email lees.art@live.com

The 30cm x 30cm progressive canvases for 2010. We each start our works and then pass them on, to be added to by the next person, picked at random. 'Letting go of your obsessive possessiveness'.

The unbound book project. Producing leaves/pages of unlimited creativity, to create and swap. The sharing of process over coffee in a different venue each time is a major part of the appeal.

Group exhibition at the Logan City Gallery.

Printers delight. The making of small works through the process of mono printing. These works are layered, collaged and continuously added to and forwarded. There is a set plan to the destination of each piece as it travels around the world . . . . a set size . . . and after that the control ends.

Do you have any projects ?

No matter how magnificent. . . . feathers do not make a bird.

Much to our delight The King parrot has found a flock to hang out with. It no longer screeches out longingly, for it's lost mate. Part of me is grateful for it's acceptance of circumstances, that has allowed our peace to return.
Part of me is dissapointed that it has moved on . . . . . I still have the birds luscious bright feathers.

I can't forget how it's spectacular red plumes split the sky. How can it no longer exist ?
It's absence is a constant niggle. Oh ! I know. It was but a minute loss in the scheme of things. But, i feel it's absence keenly. It's loss is a reminder that we are ephemeral, fleeting and constantly at natures whim . . . .

A lovely friend of mine composed this while at the Rusty Roo.

Saturday at the Rusty Roo by Wendy Morgan

The parrot's head:
drenched red after it's brush with
the sun's round saw.

A bush - fly
plane buzzes lazily
in the ear of the sky.

Creating and sharing our stories
we women wreathe
a double helix.

Snake skin whispers
of the one
that outgrew it.

Lines of change
feather the quill
of my mouth.

Crowned by starlight
I understand myself
very little.

New body of work

Flights of fancy

For me, birds have always represented unlimited, unbound, ever changable, mercurial possibility.

The ability to fly facinates, the building of a new home with materials found to hand appears extremely effective, the song has unlimited potential and the loyalty of a life time of partnership heartens me.

When we lived in PNG on an Island, the migration and seasonal changing of the birds was very obvious. Where do they go ? Do the same ones return ? Do they bring their family back ? How do they know their way here ?

Here in Australia the complete departure at a particular time, is not so obvious to us. Feeding the birds has secured a certain degree of loyalty and steadfastness. We have regulars that don't leave !

So, we were recently shocked to have one of the regular king parrots that has been visiting our Rusty Roo garden for years, be taken by a hawk. While recognising the necessity for each to survive by means that often seem brutal - none the less we were saddened.
The mate of this late bird continued to visit the tree for days, weeks and it is now months, with it's plantive call resounding mournfully through the bush. Occassionaly it hears a call and with a swift shrill of hopefull recognition it answers and soars off.
We have lived in hope time and time again, that it has found another friend . . . only to have it return alone again the following day.. . . to repeat the pattern.
This tragedy, loyalty, hope, anticipation and continuous seeking, has led me to start a series of birds, that I am adding to with each sighting.

The hope of finding a friend, through flights of fancy is a celebration of this . . . .HOPE

2010 Exhibition Threaded Layers at Logan City Art Gallery in 2010

' Threaded Layers '
It seems like a long way into the future, to be invited to exhibit in 2010 - but, on reflection it is only 14 months away.

The artists collaborating on this group exhibition all use layering techniques as an important feature of their work- either with layered paint, paper in collage or papermaking, or both combined in mixed media. This is seen as the common thread in our art practices.

Our intention is that we will initially explore themes of the natural environment at an artists' retreat and use this as a central focus for our artwork. This will also serve as an opportunity to share techniques in workshop sessions.

It is anticipated some divergence will develop from that point in terms of individuals' subject matter, but the initial common starting point as well as the commonalities in style of working should provide enough coherence throughout the group.

Rusty Roo artist's retreat

The Rusty Roo is a retreat that allows artists the opportunity to work without distraction in an inspirational setting. The studio is fully equipped with an etching press, easels and plenty of table space. The workshops provide artists with the opportunity to learn; to focus on their art, share ideas or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful views and the company of other people who share our passion to be creative.
Sharon and Cameron's generous hospitality, delicious food and comfortable accommodation are an extremely benificial and welcome bonus. Walking through the peaceful Esk shire bushland or sitting out under the magnificent star studded sky by a warm fire of an evening, are moments that you cherish long after returning to the urban jungle.
It is truely one of those rare finds, that you feel privleged to have discovered.
It is a true joy to visit the Rusty Roo . Nancy

Rusty Roo workshop Aug 08 with Lily Karmatz

Lily has had a busy August so far...Ikebana in and from the Landscape at Rusty Roo artists' retreat in early August '08What a fantastic weekend. Thankyou to all involved, it was extremely enjoyable.Great group, perfect weather and lovely N.Z wine !! Cheers Sharon & Cameron

Next workshop. MULTIPLE LAYERS - An Experimental Process with Nicola Moss.October Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th 2008.Groups are kept to a maximum of 10 people per workshop. This workshop will be an opportunity to experiment. To try ideas, let go and work through process without knowing the end point: We will explore ways of layering: working with techniques of glazing, mark-making, silhouette, print reduction and multiple views* We only have 3 places remaining.contact Sharon at lees.art@optusnet.com.au for more information.
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If you are a qualified or experience tutor and have a workshop you would like to offer at the Rusty Roo - please forward proposal and course outline for 2009.
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Lily Karmatz recent Ikebana Exhibition 'Dialog with Nature' - Botanical Gardens There is also another Ikebana Master Demonstration on at GoMA

Comment. Ikebana workshop member August 08

Hello Sharon, Cameron and Lily. Now that I am home I have had a little time to reflect on a very special weekend with you all. The highlights for me were the environment, it was so perfect for the retreat with all of Australia's elements at our finger tips! I loved the earthy components and the abundance of them...
Food... I have a few excess pounds to work off!
people... everyone had such interesting backgrounds, it was a pleasure listening to the various stories. Sharon I think you should write a book!
ikebana, Lily I promise I will remember 'Heaven Earth and Man' when I attempt my next Ikebana works. At times I was totally enthralled by everthing and forgot that I was at the Rusty Roo for "Ikebana"!
railway sleeper heap! That was my biggest highlight! Thank goodness there were no snakes stirring in the rubble!
art techniques. Sharon I can't wait to get into my studio and explore some of the techniques using bitumen, shellac, gesso and all the other goodies.
I do hope we have the opportunity to be together some time in the future.
Special thanks Cameron for transporting us back to Brisbane, this was very much appreciated, you went out of your way for us.
I wonder what Sharon and Lily got up to after we left??

Thankyou again it was a special few days!
Sincerely Rhonda