Big Hearted Business Virtual Conference 2013

Latest wip - Lowlands Beach 40cm x 40cm

 

Have any of you heard of Big Hearted Business?

 

Big Hearted Business is the brainchild of musician Clare Bowditch (clever, clever lady!) and was established not so long ago with the intent to help creative people learn about business "in ways that make sense".

 

BHB have produced some wonderful podcasts that are available on their site - talks given by successful creative types sharing their stories and artistic career advice.

 

They even had a BHB Conference in March this year with more presentations by successful creative business types (more clever, clever people!), and happily, they filmed it all and recently released it as a Virtual Conference for paid subscribers.

 

And, oh, how marvellously fabulous it all is!

 

I listen as I paint. There are videos, too.

 

It's like having my own private cheer squad in the room. Hooray!

 

 

 

Do you listen to podcasts?

Can you recommend some good ones?

I'd love to hear.

 

 

Have a brilliant weekend.

 

xxx

 

 

This month





 

This month.....

• included two weeks of school holidays,
• we went on a family holiday and stayed at a divine cottage in Nornalup for three nights (thank you, Aunty Jan!)
• the girls all had their first fishing expedition - it didn't last long but it put smiles on their faces!
• we visited quite a few artists who were showing their work as part of the Southern Art Trail (it was awesome!!) These paintings are by Serena MacLauchlan at Hotchin Gallery.
• I got a crocheting bug - three cowls later.....
• I managed to finish another little oil seascape painting - yay!
• my love affair with the Schoolhouse Tunic entered its seventh episode, this time with a gorgeous purple linen,
• my football team did NOT win the Grand Final, but I still love them!!!
• Miss M started to learn how to use the sewing machine - she has yet to earn her learner's permit (which means she can use the machine without me having to constantly supervise), but she is almost there,
• I experienced my first ever blogger/insta-meet - I bumped into Kate from 2littlebanshees while we both happened to be browsing the fabric racks at Albany Spotty at the same time.
• we celebrated Miss M's birthday with a BIG party and the most decadent ice-cream cake of all time!! Happy Birthday, my girl!!
• I have (obviously) had a break from my blog.

And it is good to be back.

 xx



Chatting with Cezanne

When we were in Perth during the week, I took the girls to the Art Gallery of WA. I know. I am still recovering.

 

But I desperately wanted to see the exhibition "Van Gogh, Dali and beyond" which is full of artworks currently on loan from the Museum of Modern Art.

 

I loved it!!

 

Even before we walked in, while we were waiting in line to enter, I caught a glimpse of the entry artworks through the door. Oh, my!!! There was the Van Gogh, but wait! Right next to it. There, glowing on the wall, a Cezanne still life!!! Ahhhhh!!!

 

*sob*

I could have stayed in front of this painting, blocking everyone else's view, for hours. But I had the girls with me, and standing still is not something they are renowned for! And so, on we went.

 

The girls found the kids' art activity section - yay....

 

And Miss E thought the view through the window into the next room was far more compelling than the stunning artwork on the wall. Hmmm.......

 

The second half of the exhibition was viewed at a rather rapid pace, but that wasn't too bad. I had to exit the room to take the girls to the toilet, which meant that we had to re-enter, past the Cezanne, in order to see the remainder. Really? I have to walk past the Cezanne again? If I must :) !

 

I haven't felt such an emotional response to an exhibition since I saw a Brett Whiteley show at the gallery in the late 1980s. I think. And the biggest difference in those 25 years in terms of gallery etiquette would have to be the plethora of technological devices that people now take with them into exhibitions, and the NUMBER of photos that they take - hey, I'm one of them (obviously!), but it just seemed, well, wrong.

 

Great exhibition, great day. And great buddies - my friend Julie and her son came with us and I am eternally grateful for her kid wrangling assistance while I was being hypnotised by Cezanne.

 

This exhibition is worth every cent, and, if I manage to get myself back to Perth before the exhibition closes in early December, I am going to have another chat with the Cezanne painting.

 

xx

Hexagon Update and Inspiration

 

 

It has been an interesting project, this hexagon blanket of mine. There have been times when I have loved it, and times when I have just not had any more hexagon love to give! But when I see those solid brights, the colours bouncing off each other and resonating with energy, I fall in love with it all over again.

 

In love once more after sewing in all the ends, I am now at the edging stage.

 

I considered squaring off my hexagons but decided to embrace and celebrate the hexagon! Let's keep the distinctively hexagony shape! I initially thought about using Attic 24's single crochet and scallop edging that she had used on her first hexi blanket. After all, the hexi pattern I used was hers. However, I just didn't feel that it suited the blockiness of the solid colour hexis.

 

Instead, I have settled on two rows of double crochet with increases reflecting those used in the hexagons on the corners, and Attic 24 ripply decreases on the inside corners. When that is finished, I will consider my final row options - at this stage it is most likely that I will use Attic 24's bobble edging, but we will see.

 

And there it is. My crochet inspiration blog of choice, Attic 24. Thank you for all your brilliant online tutorials.

 

Loving the hexis!

 

xx

  

 

Work Space

My beloved G gave me a very welcome surprise when I arrived home on Friday to find my new-to-me bookshelf had been painted - all ready for my workroom!

 

And here it is all set up! Hooray!

 

It's great to have an inspiring backdrop to work with. Brushes and paint equipment is within easy reach, and I like to place exhibition invitations within sight. You can see, too, that I have propped up one of my 'I-think-I've-finished-but-I'm-not-quite-sure" paintings so I can peep at it from time to time before it heads off to the framers.

 

The top shelf I'm saving for little arty bits and pieces that come my way. They often accompany the girls home from school - there seems to be an amazing number of box constructions that make their way home!

 

Unfortunately I have had to sacrifice some of my work table space so G has the room to set up his desktop PC, but having these shelves allows me to use the space far more efficiently than I have in the past. And even though my studio in our last house was way bigger, I believe I will get far more work done in this room. Already have, in fact!

 

I love seeing how other artists work and organise their spaces. Recently Christina Lowry Designs posted about her work table, as did resurrection fern. Not only do I love their work, but I find their spaces inspiring as well.

 

It all makes me very happy!

 

Hope you are also having a lovely weekend.

 

Sam xx

Kim Pearson

Ever since my very clever interior designer and stylist sister launched her website 5 weeks ago, she has been receiving lots of positive online attention. Today, for instance, she is having her home photographed for a major Australian lifestyle magazine. She has also been contacted by a publisher!!

 

I'm Impressed!

 

Kim has had much success in the 15 years since she started down this path. And now, the power of social media is helping to take her talent into another realm!

 

Kim helped us to style our last house so it was perfectly presented for selling. This time she is determined to get hold of our new place to give us advice before we start renovating.

 

And I'll listen. Because she obviously know her stuff.

 

www.kimpearson.com.au

 

Her work is beautiful. Check it out.

 

 

Sam xx

 

'Typically Red' at Christmas

Certificates of Currency, Electrical Safety Certificates, packing boxes, butchers paper, packing tape, Orders and Requisitions......

 

and amongst all this......I had a little win.

This morning I received some very good news. Christina, of Christina Lowry Designs, has been running a "12 Days of Christmas Giveaway" to showcase Australian artisans and their hand made artworks. Day 12 focused on the knitted bonnets by Greer of Typically Red (blog and shop) -  gorgeous, adorable pieces!



Bumpy Bonnet, Watermelon, Toddler Size. Handmade, Vintage-Inspired Woollen Hat
by Typically Red

And I managed to win! Hooray!!

 

So, thank you so much, Christina and Greer. What a great idea, to share all these clever people with us. I've been having a lovely time checking out their websites, blogs and shops, and am already looking forward to next year!

Sam xx

 

Inspiring Artist - Anna Walker

Another Artist who inspires me is Anna Walker who describes herself as an Illustrator and Story Teller - I love that - 'Storyteller', not 'Author'. Anna writes and illustrates childrens' books.

I enjoy Anna's deceptively simple and elegant artwork. I am intrigued by her palette of neutral colours and inks, and she also often includes the use of fabric collage in her illustrations; little leaves of fabric dotted through her plants and trees.  All in all, I find her work quite beautiful!

Anna's latest post is an introduction to a new short film on her life and work. It is a delight!! So, I have included it here. But, by all means, check out her blog and website as well. She is another very talented lady.

Sam xx

'The Art of Silence'

Oh me, oh my! I saw a beautiful painting exhibition, The Art of Silence, at Linton and Kay gallery when I was down the Hill on Monday; exquisite still life paintings by the Melbourne (?*) artist, Julie Davidson. Ms Davidson is truly a talented and skillful artist. Her abilities continue to develop, and so does her market - this show is almost sold out, with most sales taking place before the official opening!

I'm not sure if I am allowed to do this but, because it is promoting the artist and her work anyway, I just have to show you my favourite artwork from this show:

Still Life with Loquats and Drapery II, Oil on Linen, 153 x 122cm

If you live in Perth and have a weakness for Still Life painting as I do, Go. And. See. It!! But make sure you end up at the right place - Linton and Kay have a few premises. This exhibition is in the gallery on the corner of the Nicholson Road traffic lights, right next to the Subiaco subway. Given that the gallery puts artworks in the huge windows that front on to this intersection, I don't know how they haven't had more car accidents!!

Sam xx

* I think she is from Melbourne but she is somewhat elusive, dealing exclusively through her galleries.