6 days ago5 min read

Studio News - November 2024

artists palette and tubes of paint on a bench

I've tried juggling more than once....

I can definitely say, it's not on my list of successful achievements!

But set aside, for a moment, the image of a court jester's outfit and the three pointed hat with bells on the end and the pixie shoes with the curled up toes.

Because as creatives, I think we have an enormous capacity to juggle in a different way.

And I don't just mean juggling the life stuff, that's ongoing around us like a crazy circus, with the creative side of us (that's an enduring juggle).

I mean the constant stream of creative ideas that can just bounce around, here, there, and everywhere with endless energy....waiting to be either caught and kept in the air or dropped; without fanfare, comedic music or rapturous applause.

After my recent 'pause' I was left wondering whether any new ideas or thoughts would ever bounce their way back into my consciousness ever again, but I should have known better than to think like that.

New ideas just needed time to formulate themselves and go through a natural sifting process of thinking about them long and hard enough for me to want to action them, or simply just thinking about them briefly and then letting them float away, as if they were never really meant to be.

But rather than sitting and waiting for one of my juggling balls to stay in the air long enough for me to believe that a brilliant masterpiece was surely inevitable, I got busy in the studio;

cleaning;

tidying;

organising;

re-arranging stuff;

sorting;

making;

doing;

and being present in the space with my materials and processes, knowing that as long as I'm still showing up first thing in the morning, coffee in hand, I could trust that at some point some of my 'bouncey' thoughts would settle.

And they did.

I'm starting new paintings like they're going out of fashion, lots on the go, nothing resolved yet, and I only have a vague direction in mind.

I have abandoned a couple already - to be reworked and re-imagined, when my direction is stronger. But I've left them propped up on easels to remind me that visually, they're not what I'm looking for and more importantly as evidence of what a lack of direction feels like to me.

So, as I'm working away I'm aware that I have more than one creative thought up in the air, even as I'm trying to stay focused on one idea at a time (and for long enough for me to see a cohesive theme emerge from the work).

But as long as I stay committed to being in the studio and to making work, successful or not, then gradually I'll drop most of the ideas that I'm juggling, the ones that are getting in the way of my focus, and then I'll just be left with one.

And that is the direction I'll go in more purposefully; and surely even I can keep one ball in the air at a time?

I'm excited to share that I've been interviewed as a featured artist for Issue #47 of Create! Magazine, hop on over to my Blog to have a read!

"This special edition focuses on the theme of "Art and Emotion," featuring a diverse group of contemporary artists from around the world.

Through engaging interviews, insightful essays, and carefully curated works, this issue highlights how art reflects and shapes the emotional experiences that define our lives."

Read my interview

Shop print and digital issues of Create! Magazine

The annual Friends and Pottery Members exhibition and art awards show is coming soon to Cooroy Butter Factory!

This is always a highlight of the local arts scene calendar with a wonderful and diverse exhibition of 2D work by local artists and 3D creations by ceramicists, woodworkers and jewellery makers.

You'll find exquisite watercolours, masterful oil paintings, mixed media pieces, works on paper, photography and drawings across a range of genres including still life, figurative, portraiture, abstract and landscape and of course functional and decorative pottery and sculpture; there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Exhibition Dates:

5th December to 12th January

Cooroy Butter Factory Art Centre

11 Maple St

Cooroy

Gallery Opening Hours:

Mon: CLOSED

Tues: 10am - 4pm

Wed: 10am - 4pm

Thur: 10am - 4pm

Fri: 10am - 4pm

Sat: 9am - 1pm

Sun: 9am - 1pm

abstract landscape painting of hills and a tree with plants

My entry this year is 'The Eyrie'

Mixed Media on Board

60 cm x 60 cm

On now until 1st December:

This collection of diverse centre piece paintings, by 15 different local artists are works that stand boldly in place, drawing the viewer in from a distance to explore surface, texture and colour, creating a high impact focal point in any space!

Not to be missed!

I'm super excited to be joining the new Wentworth Gallery at Queen's Wharf in George St. It's a beautiful new expansive gallery space in Brisbane CBD featuring a diverse collection of work including contemporary landscapes, expressionist abstracts, traditional still life and a stunning collection of gorgeous work by First Nation artists. Work by stockroom artists are rotated regularly so do chat with the gallery team if you're looking for a piece in a particular style or a specific work of art of your home.

Check out 'What's on the Walls Today'

Wentworth Brisbane

abstract landscape painting in pink blue and yellow

So until next month, happy creative juggling and don't forget to shop my new range of prints if you're starting to think about Christmas gifts for someone special!

I'd love to hear you from you if you have any questions about what's happening in the studio, feel free to get in touch anytime!

Let's Connect

You're welcome to call into the studio anytime to view work or chat about a commission or custom reproduction print for your home or workplace, Monday to Saturday by appointment - just let me know when you'd like to drop in, either by email or phone.