Illawarra Crafts and Arts Network

Just a quick note recognising ICAN, who advertising, connections and Public liability Insurance to all its members. Joined the group 14/11/2011 . Nice meeting fellow artists and booked exhibition space at ican@7, Redpoint, Port Kembla. Regular updates via monthly  newsletter keeps members informed of upcoming exhibitions, workshops, art sales and legalities, studio space for hire and other artistic connections. Membership for students/conscession is only $50.00 per year-now that's an offer with benefits you just cannot refuse.
contact Helen,chair
 Kerry, secretary   42854531
 Cathy- exhibition co-ordinator (0417 372 129)
 Rae, membership and newsletter (0421 529 453 )   at Illawarra Crafts and Arts Network  42854531
  info@ican.asn.au  attention Rae

Gallery sitting at Art Arena and Black Heart Exhibition

waiting for punters and sales !

party time....

Catherine, Margaret,  and Maureen

Well, I did advertise, so I'll just have to bide my time and see who's interested.  Good old Maureen and Reg, great friends and Maureen graduates from Wollongong technical college with an Associate Diploma Fine Art next week...you go girl. We are both lovers of Central Australia, Maureen visits Alice every year since I met her 5 years ago, and changes her painting style with each new development of technique. She is a gallery assistant at Erwin gallery in Sydney and mixes with the best in the industry. I'm proud to have her as a friend and associate. Margaret is a Life model and loyal supporter. 

Black Heart Exhibition

Cannot believe how good it feels to have friends minding my exhibition for me. I must say i am impressed with the way it all looks, but I need some visitors. I chose not to have an official opening but to keep it informal but will be providing nibbles and drinks on Saturday 26/11/2011 for those "in the know" or "part of the loop".
Art Arena is a small Independently run gallery manned by dedicated  struggling artists and needs exhibitors for the coming year, 2012. Fees are the cheapest around for central Wollongong location. It's quiet and has a basement feel. parking at rear. Kitchen and toilet facilities. I'm donating a bar fridge.

Come on down.....

Black Heart Exhibition at Art Arena

"Bumped in" my exhibition works at Art Arena with the help of my sister, Margaret.4 hours of exacting, fiddling with wires and chains and no lunch, but we did it- now for the price list and more printing of flyers- exhausted and knee is hurting. I'll have to get the projector charged and photographs on hard drive ready for my adoring public. Back again tomorrow to sit and wait for viewers. Who...hoo...to be continued...

Gerroa Stay 'n Play

Spent 3 nights House and dogsitting down at Gerroa on the South Coast. Situated overlooking Seven Mile Beach, and a popular surfing and fishing spot, not to say Schoolies haunt, Gerroa is a great spot for landscape/beachscape photograhy. I managed a few great shots, from misty dawns to spectacular sunsets, I explored the possibilities whilst walking the aged but strenuous and manic Ridgeback. Thank God I did not have to administer the yellow pills in the bag upon instruction preceding storms or fireworks.
I also managed a couple of watercolour scenes, aquamarine with shots of colour to represent the numerous paragliding surfers and sailboards shooting across the choppy waters  in 20 knot winds.

I returned home wrecked as usual, with a knee the size of a football- I'll have to put some ice on that and get it checked out. Relaxing yet energetic and windblown, I will return as there are so many places to visit such as Coolangatta winery, Shoalhaven Heads and country roads to nowhere. The accommodation was first class and the junk food in abundance !

Anita Larkin

Anita at work

Anita Larkin, local resident and sculptor has been represented at every major art award in the last 10 year as well as having gained success internationall for her feltmaking and quirky scultures. I went down to Shellharbour Village's new exhibition Centre to
 re aquaint myself with her and view her beautiful handiwork. Whether you like her work or not, you can not doubt the superb workmanship that goes into each piece which has its own story. Every piece would be a welcome addition to any modern decor or fine art collector's cache. having attended one of Anita's feltmaking workshops, I have some insight into the process and possibilities of the craft and will certainly being attempting to create another piece in the near future.
www.anitalarkin.com                   

                    


                

Bloodland at the Wharf

http://www.bloodland.com.au

The Wharf causeway is a great place to meet up and watch the fantastic boats

View from the theatre 

Indigenous theatre at it's emotional best- Bloodland protrays a genre of drama which typifies Indigenous symbolism and spiritualty  as the underlying rhyme and reason for daily life and ritual in outback settlements While the family clan attempts to assimilate 20th century western civilisation anachronisms, the universal themes of teenage love, angst and rebellion against the known traditions and directives of the elders, and thefrustration in balancing the polar extremes of enculturalisation with generational development, suicide and interracial bickering are showcased. The tragic resolution is a communal funeral dirge where tradition and cleansing of the mourners overcomes all modernity. This is powerful drama, reality in an environment within our culture yet far removed from the urban environmental platform on which the play is performed..