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 !