The new year has arrived with an abundance of new energy and new projects... so many exciting things under way. I've been assisting the wonderful Hannah Bertram install at Maragaret Lawrence Gallery, celebrating making with the crew at Frankston Arts Centre as facilitator for their fabulous Hot Arts for Cool kids program, Mixed Up Masks at Frankston North Community Centre, and now enjoying the beginnings of new adventures close to home with weekly drawing classes at Tilba Hill Studio. Thursday evening classes started with observational drawing and self portraits and have moved on to mark making with ink. With two sessions left in our Draw 4 workshops, I've been inspired to spend more time in the studio, experimenting, exploring, creating studies and going deeper with my practice. About time!
Next month see's my very first (local) drawing workshops specifically for kids launched. Bookings are now open ... and I'm so looking forward to more play time with a crew of young artists.

So I am now officially a part of the gig economy... with the changing employment landscape and the popularity of flexible work options, I'm keeping up with the times and going all air tasker. And this lovely thing was my first gig. Its a Sopwith Camel. The kind that Biggles used to fly. The very charming "Andrew" put the call out ... he needed a biplane to wear (of course - what else does one wear to a queens birthday weekend winery tour with a bunch of high spirited buddies?). And I answered the call. Yep... I could make a biplane.
And so the R&D began... with maquettes and tests and drawings...it all started to come together. The conversation with Andrew progressed and I began to have the sneaking suspicion that I was in fact making a plane for Robert Downey Jnr masquerading as a mild mannered Melbournean professional. This guy is cool - you know?
Anyhoo - after a couple of weeks construction was complete, and the true nature of the Sopwith Camel emerged despite battling inclement weather to get the damn paint dry. Phew - the pick up was arranged and and I prayed that the cat wouldn't decide that the aircraft was all his and he'd tell everyone so by marking it in the way that only an evil cat can do (dont even ask what he did to the last sculpture).
With the 'Camel carefully loaded into the car (actually it was too big so we had to remove the tail for transport - detachable tail. NICE I'll remember that for next time) and strict instructions to consider both spacial boundaries and the benefits of gaffer tape in emergencies; I sat down to think about my first venture as a professional costume maker via airtasker.

Overall - it was great. I learned heaps, got to practice my craft and think about the possibilities of becoming an aeronautical engineer. I did SEVERELY underestimate the amount of time the whole thing would take me and so will likely end up making the princely sum of $7/hour. Better than nothing - right?

And I got to meet a really nice young man - who still likes playing dressups. In a very cool way.
(Oh - and he didnt turn out to be Robert Downey Jnr in disguise but he was very nice just the same).

I'm not usually one for clip art but sometimes its too hot to do anything but sit in front of photoshop and make something political. I had visions of paste ups and stencils and printable matchbox covers and t shirts. Whether or not I actually get there is another thing all together but here it is ... my first (potential) foray into a whole new world...

Its here. My very first solo installation. Welcome to Tracery.
The wonderful folks at Frankston Arts Centre  have supported an amazing variety of artists though their ongoing exhibition program. In participating in the 2014 FAC Open Exhibition I was fortunate to have received the Peoples Choice Award which gave me the opportunity to put together Tracery.
Its an iteration of a piece originally conceived for The end of year show at Chisholm Frankston and has come to life bigger and brighter at Cube 37.
Officially open from Thurday Jan 21 until Feb 17. During the day take 10 minutes to enjoy the story of a lonely fisherman who rows out onto a lake one dark moonlit night, or after sunset take a look at the projection of a lunar eclipse cycle through hand woven nets.
Join me on Tue Feb 2nd for an artists chat at the Arts Centre, Davies Street Frankston and cup of tea at 11...