WEBSITE UPDATE

I am in the process of updating my website to include the dot painting that I have been working on over the last few months. This may take a month or so, and I will need to have created a few larger artworks before I start a Dot Painting Gallery.

My two entries for the 2023 Harcourts Challenge

The theme for the 2023 Harcourts Challenge is 'making a difference'.

Making a difference to our Oceans
40 cm diameter, mixed media

Entry #1: ‘Making a difference to our Oceans’ was created with recycled plastic, including some ground down polymer clay mosaic tiles, glitter and resin. (I had to photograph this in quite a dark room, to stop the light reflecting on the glossy resin surface, so unfortunately you cannot see the glitter in the artwork). My thought was that locking the plastic into the artwork means it will not end up finding its way into the oceans.

The Great Barrier Reef
30 cm x 30 cm, acrylic paint

Entry #2: ‘The Great Barrier Reef’ was dot painted with acrylics; the 'making a difference' is intended to be shown by a reef full of coloured coral and fish grading into a colourless version in the distance. It is meant to show that we (humankind) can make a difference to the future of the reef if we try. 

Harcourts Challenge & Big Arts Day Out - 27-29 January 2023

Really looking forward to this event. I have entered two pieces in the Harcourts Challenge, which I will post after the judging, and I will have a stand at the Big Arts Day Out. My display will show the gradual transition from polymer clay dot mosaics to dot painting. There will be a range of work, all for sale, and I will be dot painting some rocks and a canvas during the weekend for visitors to watch.

Review of 2022

The latter half of this year has been spent transitioning from creating artwork with round mosaic tiles to painting with dots. This has been a very gradual process, with lots of practicing, but I feel ready to start 2023 with some confidence. Consequently, I have made a temporary amendment to my website header, until I update the whole website to reflect the new course of my artwork.

I am excited to see how 2023 turns out, with my new ideas and a new medium.

What have I been doing for the last 5 months?

The End of an Era

Since completing 'The End of an Era' (July 2022), with some of my unused round mosaic tiles, I have only made one other artwork. 'Moana' was created with recycled plastic, including some ground down polymer clay mosaic tiles, glitter and resin (photo to be posted in January 2023). I will enter it in the 2023 Harcourts Challenge (judging takes place on 27 January), which has the theme "making a difference". Locking the plastic into the artwork means it will not end up finding its way into the oceans.

The rest of my time has been spent making small hand-crafted items and Swirl-StoNZ for the Christmas/Summer markets. I have also been practicing painting with dots, and a number of small practice pieces, like wall hung hearts, decorative pots, mugs and candle holders are amongst my market stock.

Currently, I am working on a second entry for the 2023 Harcourts Challenge, which is a scaled down version of a Great Barrier Reef painting, inspired by my visit there back in 2017. (A photo of the finished painting will be posted in January 2023). I have decided to paint this with dots, although it is quite fiddly as the canvas is only 30cm x 30cm, as part of the transition from dot mosaics to dot painting. The 'making a difference' is intended to be shown by a reef full of coloured coral and fish grading into a colourless version in the distance. It is meant to show that we (humankind) can make a difference to the future of the reef if we try. 

On another level, my move to expressing artwork with the dot painting, rather than dot mosaics, is hopefully 'making a difference' to my creative productivity. 

Art After Dark - a dazzling event and a painting sold

The 'Art After Dark' event, hosted by the Arts Collective Whangamata, turned out to be a really successful evening. Held in the lounge of the Titoki Golf Club, it was a very glitzy evening, as many of the attendees adopted the dress code: Dazzle After Dark.

I exhibited three pieces of artwork. 'The 18th Hole, Titoki', painted especially for the event, and 'A New Approach' and 'Moonlight Glow' which both had an after dark vibe. 

On the night, it was the 'Moonlight Glow' painting, with glow in the dark powders, that sold. A very enjoyable evening!

The 18th Hole, Titoki

The 18th Hole, Titoki

My latest artwork can now be revealed. This is the view from the club lounge of the 18th Hole at Titoki Golf Course, Whangamata. I painted it especially for the 'Art After Dark' event, which will be held there tonight. 

Art After Dark - Friday 21 October 2022

The Arts Collective Whangamata presents 'Art After Dark'. This inaugural event will be held at the Whangamata Golf Club lounge, 5pm-9pm on Friday 21 October 2022. An evening showcasing local art, live music, drinks and canapes. Dress in your most dazzling outfit, prizes will be won for the best dressed. Tickets can be bought from the Whangamata Information Centre, The Whangamata Golf Club, Collins James Accountants or committee members.

I will displaying some artwork (for sale) including a painting, specially done for this event, of the 18th Hole of the golf course as viewed from the lounge.

The Mid Winter Mingle (Arts Collective Whangamata)

Scrumptious canapes, good music and of course the ART! This turned out to be a very enjoyable afternoon. (The bottom two photos show my entries 'The End Of An Era' and 'Dream Lamp').

Article in the Hauraki Coromandel Post 28.07.2022

Just seen this article in the local paper - was flattered that one of my sand paintings (bottom right photo) was used in the images from last years Mid Winter Mingle.