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Callemondah Sculptors Exhibition

May Barrie and friends, David Parker, Robyn Rumf, Jules van de Sande, Jan Shaw and June Bennett and May's daughter Tori de Mestre.

May's place is like visiting an Italian atelier in Tuscany. Situated on a hillside at the end of a country road, at the foot of the Illawarra range, I was transported back in time to a truly inspiring place with a decidedly Continental atmosphere. 5 Sandstone buildings and outhouses, including the main beautifully decorated and furnished homestead are flanked by a magnificent garden setting into which are strategically placed marble and stone sculptures.

May Barrie at 93

May with Robyn

feature garden sculpture

             Some of outbuilding studios and gallery. The roundhouse at the centre housed June Bennett's sculptures and feltmaking

Plenty of seating for reflection and rest

Colour and form change in the garden

June's Fire sculpture

David is washing up in the main kitchen

features of the drawing room

Treasures of the dungeon

May's vegetable garden

 The use of marble is prevalent in these sculptures. Many curves with recesses, both aesthetic and functional as water catchers in a variety of colours.

more of June's mastery

June's feltmaking

The roundhouse

Inside Tori's studio

The tiles of the homestead are beautiful

 A total immersion of environment and purpose was presented at this venue. Guests were encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and sip wine in the gardens where so many intimate and communal spaces could be found for relaxation on a very pleasant Sunday afternoon. The smell of country life (cow manure)  and sounds of cows from a nearby dairy farm mooing accented the experience.
I recommend a visit to this exotic and thoroughly enjoyable exhibition which offers both sculpture lovers and artists as well as the inquisitive Sunday driver a rewarding and refreshing experience.

naked ambition

I feel this hollowness in the pit of my stomach, I can't speak, I can't see, I am alone. Is this grief or just self pity?
I haven't seen you for so long yet these feelings are so intense, more intense than ever. I remember every detail of our relationship and this is causing me an ache which has no relief.......until the grieving passes....I forget why I left and only the joy of existing with you is remembered. Perhaps you have been by my side, with our children,
always. My strength, my conviction in our lifestyle and beliefs, the way we raised our offspring, the way we loved, and cried......Our family welcomed us with so much warmth. I am so overwhelmed.
I want to write everything I feel, I want to build on this moment and create something beautiful. The music is way too strong and the emotion evoked is definitely leading me in a direction I cannot forsee. Take me, Damian, Naima and Jiles on a journey with your spirit by our sides, watching, overseeing, correcting if required.

Music is my mistress

Our fate is in your hands as we are only human, but you are now eternal, ephemeral and free from earthly concerns. You are flying high, like a bird, playing a tune listened to by the universe.

Just thought readers would like to know about This event at Callemondah Sculptors

Saturday 24/3/2012 to 1/4/2012  10am-4pm
Callemondah is situated at Albion Park at the end of Caulderwood Road, turn off on highway to Moss Vale before Macquarie Pass.
May Barrie started this Gallery in 1950 and shares with friends
Contact information Tori de Mestre 0458566118

Dobell 2011

Wow what a feast for pencil pushers. The finalists certainly seved up an excellent array and variety of large scale drawings using pastel(featured medium this year) charcoal and graphite. I absolutely loved the offering from winner Anne Judell "Breath". As a follower of her beautifully delicate style, I was thrilled she finally made it to the winner's circle. Her deft and subtle use of pastel and grahite was second to no other and the subject matter was so creative and topical she deserved the meritorious accolades. I was totally inspired and believe the standard achieved this year was absolutely outstanding and definitely moving forward in concept and technique.
http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/dobell-prize-drawing-2011/

Yiwarra Kuju The Canning Stock Route

Colourful, cultural and contemporary, yet the artists involved could not be further from this description. Plucked  from isolation and virtual non recognition, their artwork is so innovative and thought provoking. The historical account of torture and capture by white cattlemen of the stock route punctuated by harsh barren landscape and waterholes. This story is only captured by those who have direct experience with these conditions and their resulting artworks are so imaginative and symbolic, vibrant and alive. The pain and hardship, the myths, such as the story of the cannibal spirit that dwells in the river, reminiscent of when the earliest and most remote nomads were cannibals makes for a fascinating exhibition unlike any Indigenous exhibition preceding it. See it until 29/4/2012 at the Australian museum.
www.australianmuseum.net.au

Picasso !

Finally the wait is over-while people all worldwide are waiting for the arrival of Santa, I was awaitng Picasso posthumously. He seemed quite at home at the Art Gallery of NSW. But the word in the corridors is that there was not enough of him, and the choice of works exhibited.
I was suitably impressed by the clarity and purity of the maestro's presentations, indeed a true innovative experience so imitated and appropriated that to the non art aficionado, this exhibition would just seem like a visit to a Modern School of Art. Something was missing to complete the experience, and I found that in the antitheatre, where I waited in a queue to enter the main arena.  Videos and photographs showing the aartist at work and at play, his associations with the women in his life, his friends and his peers, and, of course his beloved family. Picasso the man, needed to be present to add some life and extra pizazz to an exhibition celebrating his life not his death. I really did leave with the impression that I had been to a funeral, and not a celebration of one of the most notable artists and personalities of the 20th century.
P.S. I did purchase Francoise Gilot's book "Life With Picasso" and a book of Picasso's most famous life works by Phiadon Press-the exhibition catalogue was way too heavy......

SADE...

Sultry, sassy, silken tones and incredibly classy, Sade at the Sydney Entertainment Centre was the first adult concert I have been to for years. Perhaps it was the intimate rapport Sade successfully achieved with the audience and her band. Perhaps it was the rhythmic movement and seamless background/foreground curtain/digital image set changes. Perhaps it was the inner city,'Sin City' style night scape interlude complete with narration that provided the atmosphere for an impeccable concert where special effects, light shows, massed choirs and multitudes of dancers were not required as distractions. The Nigerian diva and her musicians provided pure showmanship and such an enjoyable evening. It was all about Sade, her sensuousness, her youthful grace and her love of life, beautifully presented and a show I will not forget. Colour, empathy, subdued sadness in struggle and life changes...city/country existence

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