RustRoo workshop

WOOPS! Try later . . .

Witches brew - Shibori

Rusty Roo workshop - Day 2 - 

after another delectable meal, beautiful sunset, lengthy memorable bonfire and a good nights sleep . . . . . 

We woke early to heavy mist, a Koala in the tree, wallabies at the ponds, birds squabbling on the bird stands . . . . and a full Cameron cooked breakfast . . .  mmmmmm!

We were all eager to open our eco dyed parcels, which looked gorgeous with all their additives . . . and then after congratulating ourselves on the great results, we got stuck straight into  tying and sewing our material - which took us all morning . . . . then when they were ready we dipped them in the Shibori vat, which Nancy had heating on a small wood fire.

We dipped out lengths of material at least three times and then took them out and rinsed them in clean water.

  

Some of us printed onto white material while others chose to overprinted the Eco dyed material with the Shibori.

Lunch, some more dipping and then time for another meal and another bonfire . . . tomorrow will see us doing out last minute projects, discussing where to from here, sharing information and then packing up . . . . I so adore these long weekends with friends learning a new process . . .

We all agreed that this is another process we will be repeating . . . 

A very enjoyable weekend . . . now to weave and sew . . . .Thankyou one and all!!!!!!

Time . . .

Anyone who knows me well, will have heard my constant lament 'where has this year gone' . . .and this year is no exception. I have neglected to blog as life has been too hectic, but now almost ready for my next exhibition, I can leave a few words and pictures here to prove I have not been completely lazy. . . .though not as busy as some.

Workshops

Kieth Lo Bue workshop at Studio West End, Brisbane

Kieth is an American born Found object Jeweler and Sculptor, living in Sydney Australia. He calls himself a 'Stuffsmith' and when you see his work made from Stuff into Objects of Artwork . . . stuff acquires a whole new meaning.

I adored the man and I enjoyed the workshop - conducted at Studio West End here in Brisbane.

If you are interested Kieth has many web sites and Blogs. Well worth a look.

http://www.keithlobue.com/

Art in the Olives. Fantastic weekend of creativity and mmmmmmmmmmmm gluttony.

 

Myself and a few friends attended the festival to do some Basketry with Therese Flynn Clarke (Winner of the 2012 Caldera Art Award.) We sat on the side of the river, and trying not to be distracted by the scenery, sound of live bands playing music and the smell of food, we used random weave techniques to create sculptural vessels from numerous fibres and cane.

  

 

 Therese Flynn Clarke  Winner of the 2012 Caldera Art Award

The Arts in the Olives is a festival celebrating the creative arts. The festival is a collaboration between the residents of the Lost Worlds Valley and BADCAP - Beaudesert and District Community Art Projects and offers a variety of workshops.

Plenty of great accommodation on offer.

Wide selection of luscious food and operators - cheeses, wine, olives, pickles, sausages, honey and gorgeous baked delights . . . .

Huge selection of workshops. We all agreed we will do Blacksmithing next year.

Fingal Workshop

How glorious to share a week with friends at the beach. . . .being creative.

My latest work - printed, grounds and painted on 100% rag

   

  Sometimes, it is hard to remember we are here to do work! 

Could not resist doing a series of photographs with this huge jelly fish. 

Rusty Roo workshops

I have enjoyed weekends at the Roo with friends in my NEW STUDIO space. . .. (not as many as I would like as we have been busy building the new studio space and bathroom and the pottery studio . . .  .) look forward to the ones organized for later in the year. 

  

 Studio has windows on three walls and double set of doors - great light

Cameron with the help of my Father and Son hauled the mammoth press upstairs into the light filled space with it's wide veranda, with great views. (Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!! )

Cameron and I installed a new bathroom upstairs so that we do not need to go down and out when we need . . .. to go. It is Fantastic.  

Lily - Sculptural art in the Landscape                            Linda Wheel throwing on one of our two new pottery wheels.



Linda firing her pots in Rusty Roo pit. 

Opening the pit after a long slow burn over the week.

Example of results from Pit firing.

Lily creating Ikebana magic throughout the property. Example of my photography which was conducted into the wee hours of the night with the help of torches, wine and lots of laughter. . .

 Something to admire while drinking our wine and watching the sun set.

Flying Arts workshop

Gelatin plate workshop with Flying arts. Great workshop held at the state Library Brisbane

 

Something unrelated

Cameron and I recently attended a costume party . . . (We passed a group of small children on the way and it took all our considerable will power not to jump out of the car and scare them. . . . .  Then Mr Plod said NO!)

Beautiful pair ain't we . . . .NO?

Back in Australia - Landed and running

Well here I am back in Brisbane and slowly adjusting to my NORMAL way of life. . . .busy, busy & busier


I love these workshop as the facilities are brilliant and the workshop co-ordinator is highly professional, which combines to make for a situation that produces great results in an atmosphere that is extremely creative.I was impressed with their Art and Pottery studios, which are located at 27 Coral St, Loganlea.

I have been having some informal workshops with friends at the Roo (which are always highly entertaining, creative and a joy. I will blog about them later) and doing a few workshops through the Logan City Art Gallery. One with Children, ( YES!! It is amazing for me - the queen of, 'I don't do children' . . . . and I did say 25 CHILDREN . . . ) from a Brisbane school (which I will blog about next) doing Monoprints and one assisting Nancy Brown doing printing on Fabric.

Assisting Nancy Brown at Print workshop. September 2011

Logan Art Gallery www.logan.qld.gov.au/artgallery

A first for me recently was to be asked to attend a Saturday morning monthly meeting with the Logan artists, to give a talk on my art practise. www.loganartists.com

I have always avoided these requests as I can never think where to start and what to leave out . . . . however I was assured that there would be no throwing of rotten vegetables or booing, so I thought I would take the plunge and go for it.

I was surprised that I enjoyed the experience and that everyone was enthusiastic and interested . . . or at least well 'BRuNG UP' enough not to tell me otherwise. . . . .



They are proud, and justly so, of the fact that the studios are where Art and Friendship come together to produce a friendly atmosphere while producing some incredible art works.

They welcome beginners to the more experienced to their artistic workshops and classes in various art mediums.

You can ring 0421874225 if you want to make any inquiries regarding what they are currently offering.

Time and the ability to communicate

China, July 2011
I always feel a certainly indulgence for this country, its people and their culture.
I love the exotic layering, the intricacies of their carving, the variety of plants, and the plethora of edible delicacies. However, until this recent visit I was unable to understand their language or communicate . . . .this lack of understanding meant there was a constant film of suspicion and hesitation, that we could never penetrate with sign language (Something we managed with positive and amusing results in Italy . . . but failed at, here in China)

For the past 6 months Brianna has been studying Chinese here at the University of Fudan, just outside Shanghai.
I have been full of admiration and highly amused when she has entered into exuberant arguments with the occasional dishonest taxi driver, who thinks he can hoodwink the tourists (us), or caught people discussing us not knowing Brianna understands their conversation ... until she answers their inquiry, or asks them a question in mandarin.


The result of these exchanges is mostly enjoyable. We have discovered the people’s delightful quick humor, interests and some of their opinions. . . qualities not obvious or accessible, on previous visits.
On numerous occasions we have approached, or been approached by what appears to be stern faced individuals who appear to be obstinate, troublesome and rude. However, with the introduction of Brianna’s use of Mandarin, their expressions are instantly replaced by radiant warm smiles.
Consequently we have spent many pleasant occasions exchanging ideas, opinions and information with people we meet . . . . I also think knowing we have months, allows us the freedom of leisure and time to spend on being friendly.
.. . . . Also if I am honest, I must admit, it helps when we want to haggle.
Once Brianna starts a fluent and friendly conversation . . . Items that were originally quoted as being of an asking price of say Y500 will be reduced to Y100, with a smile and no uncomfortable haggling or serious reluctance . . . . come on!, who could not appreciate such miraculous results? . . . .. . . especially when the object of our desire is a new brush . . . . . . ceramics, jewellery, books, carvings, paints, paper cut outs . . . . . Brianna has a blog where she posts her thoughts - a good read www.poiseonarrows.blogspot.com

She has managed . . . relentlessly studied/ labored over . . . 5 subjects, to develop a proficiency in Mandarin. . .(to the extent whereby, if I am not looking, I think she is another Chinese person . . . . a wee bit disconcerting considering our name is LEE )

mmmmmm! Yes, we will need a huge reduction in price to acquire the many, many, many 'things' we covet.