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.
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| The End of an Era |
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.
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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!
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| The 18th Hole, Titoki |
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.
Have just completed this little orb sculpture, all made from polymer clay over a glass form.
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| Forget-me-not Orb Approximately 15cm diameter x 15cm high |
Forget-me-nots symbolise true love and respect. When you give someone these tiny blooms, it represents a promise that you will always remember them and will keep them in your thoughts. They are also considered a symbol of fidelity and faithfulness.
The reef or square knot tying the rope around the vase is also known as the Knot of Hercules, love knot or marriage knot. It is a strong knot created by entwining two ropes and is believed to be the origin of the phrase “tying the knot,” used when getting married, since it symbolises binding.
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.
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| The End Of An Era 40cm (16 inches) diameter |
This piece was created with the last of my handmade round mosaic tiles, marking the end of my phase of dot mosaic art.
