Previously, I had explored human forms through drawing, so I was very familiar with them by the time I revisited them in Sculpture later in the year.
All of these works are in clay. Observation was still the key to their creation, however working in 3-D presented an added challenge.
Still, there is something very primal and (dare I say it) grounding about working in clay. It was a very pleasurable experience, I must say.
Painting projects explored not just technique but art movements too. Everyday objects were a good vehicle for this.
Traditional.
Modern.
I must say that although I enjoyed painting in both styles, I found painting in the Cubist style very freeing.
Built environments can also be depicted in paint.
These works are in oil, and depict my home.
There is a warmth and coziness about these scenes that is very different from the starkness of charcoal.
A Happy New Year, everyone. Hope you have had a happy and safe festive season.
Getting back to drawing… It’s not just about organic subjects. In contrast, the built environment is a different beast.
All those straight lines may appear restrictive.
But there is always a way to break loose, as these scenes from Cockatoo Island attest.
Determination Cap segues very nicely into the work the other work I’ve been doing in my art studies.
A large part of it was the very essential skill of drawing. No hiding behind colour here – it’s all about form. Thse organic subjects may be difficult to draw but since there were no straight lines I felt free to mark-make and add my own interpretations of light and dark.
The third project of the year was for my TAFE art studies (multi-disciplinary art) and was exhibited in the Bravery Unmasked exhibition at Casula Powerhouse Museum, an art centre in Sydney’s south-west. In the exhibition radiation masks, used to immobilise the head in cancer treatment, are turned into artworks by patients, their family and supporters.
The work is called Determination Cap and consists of a cowl and a balaclava-styled cap.
Cancer patients confront physical and mental challenges akin to those faced by generations of explorers, soldiers and mariners. To protect them from the elements, they wore woollen ‘caps’ knitted by their loved ones.
This cap has been hand-knitted in orange Australian wool to portray both the determination of those who journey with cancer, and the loved ones who support them along the way.
The second knitting project completed this year was a much quicker project than a jumper. This past winter had been so long and at times exceptionally cold that I was compelled to make myself a pair of convertible mitts using this pattern.
A very clever design, it’s toasty and warm and yet enables access to your fingertips for those times when you need it.
This year’s main project was a jumper for Hubby. We agreed on this lovely pattern by American knitwear designer Jared Flood. Knitting started in February and I casted off the final stitch in September! Thankfully, it fitted well.
It wasn’t quite winter by the time I finished but the cool Spring meant that Hubby managed to get a handful of wears out of it. Hopefully he’ll wear it a lot more next winter.
To end the trip, I visited one of my favourite places in the Blue Mountains – Leura Falls.
A challenge to photograph, but always a pleasure to visit this place.
Next was a visit to Mount Wilson, a hamlet about half an hour away from Blackheath. It’s known for its gardens, and the tour buses were out in force on the main street and the bigger gardens. I chose to visit Windy Ridge Garden, which was away from the main drag.
The garden was superbly landscaped though, with a pond and formal gardens.
There were places to sit.
And of course some autumn foliage to view.
I liked how it was quiet and private and beautiful. Worth a visit.
Static and Silence 