Impressions

As a result of the mighty garage clearance last week I found I had a handful of older rather awful paintings that had been useful as a learning process at the time but that I really didn’t want to share with anyone and that I didn’t feel good about when I looked at, so I decided to recycle the boards with a different process.

I used a process that I’ve used before – something I picked up from an artist on youtube who very generously shared his work in detail. I would credit him here but it was some years ago and I can’t remember his name or channel at this stage.

The process involves a thin layer of gib stopping compound spread over a board – my paintings were on 18mm plywood. The image is then built up by pressing a variety of objects into the plaster, I use all manner of found objects, plant material, hardware, stamps, crochet doilies etc. Once dry the plaster is sealed with varnish and colours are added layer by layer with a coat of sealer varnish between each colour. At the end I used a dry brush technique to add a gold sheen and highlight over the textured surface.

Each stage in the process looks kind of lovely although it can also be a bit anxiety inducing as it changes with each layer and the end result is always a bit of a surprise. I will include images of each stage so that you can see the progression.

The result is really what I would consider to be decor art. They are really only decorative pieces but they look interesting and add great texture to the wall space.

Blues and purples being added
The first plaster impression then yellow and red layers
Finished pieces brushed with gold.
Impressions, Mixed media on plywood, 50 x 20cm, 2022

The detail in the finished pieces is amazing you can even pick up the brush strokes from the undercoat paint on the base plaster. The plaster has cracked a bit on these ones because I made the layer of plaster a bit thick but I don’t mind that and I think it adds to the overall look of the pieces. Slightly distressed and aged.

Other than the plaster impressions I’ve been working on a vintage telephone table flip which I might include in another post. So many projects so little time.

Ka kite ano

Dawn aka Smokey Gnome

the domestic goddess

I’ve spent the last 2 weeks wading through the avalanche of 20 years worth of stuff in our garage/workshop/studio. It’s been quite the journey as I’ve sifted through dust, sawdust, spiders and webs, mouse poo (horror), let alone screws, nails, 3 generations worth of tools, toys, baby gear, photographs, art materials, more art materials, even more art materials, and some leftover furniture and memories, memories and more memories.

As the domestic goddess and curator of our home I am responsible for the organisation and storage of all the minutia of possessions accumulated over time. It is a very cathartic and satisfying process to go through and remove items that are now surplus to requirements. In my role as domestic goddess I have the full inventory of every cupboard, shelf, container, file, book, and any other miscellaneous item you might need to locate in our home and garage.

Last year I worked on a series of mixed media collages which I named the Domestic Goddess series. I was inspired by the photographs on the front of vintage 60’s, 70’s and 80’s knitting patterns and some vintage Australian Home Journal magazines I found from 1954. My mother turned 21 in 1954 and she and my father married that year.

Anyway, I made 14 Goddesses and one of them was created by using the off-cuts and leftovers from all the other goddesses. I named her ‘The Goddess of the 1000 Things’. She is the goddess of small things. The million and one details that women take care of every day in the general run of their own and their families lives. I don’t mean to imply that men don’t have the same level of responsibility but theirs is of a different nature in general.

So here I present to you the ‘Goddess of the 1000 Things’

The Goddess of the 1000 Things, Domestic Goddess Series, 2021, mixed media, 20 x 30 cm

After the last couple of weeks of sifting, sorting, labelling, discarding I am even more appreciative of the indispensable role of this goddess. She stands cool, calm and collected in the midst of the chaotic jumble of life. She does her best to maintain and contain that which is needed, necessary and of value while disposing of or managing the remainder. A place for everything and everything in it’s place even if that resembles chaos. I’m very fond of her because she reminds me of my mother who’s need for order must have brushed off on me a little.

This is the first public sharing of any of these works. They were great fun to make. The 1954 Australian Home Journal that this goddess was on the cover of included the patterns for the outfits worn by the cover models. I hope to have a go at making one up at some stage. Add it to the list of projects – which has grown significantly during the mighty garage clean up of ’22. I’ve found so many gems to be going on with. I can’t wait to share them all with you, and now that I’ve cleared a workspace I have no excuse not to get cracking on them.

So many projects – so little time.

Ka kite ano

Something Magical is about to Happen

I’m not sure why fairies keep appearing in my work but they do. I have decided to embrace them. They may not be deeply and importantly meaningful but they are joyful, mischievous and eternally optimistic, useful qualities at any time. I also have kind of an affinity leftover from childhood for fairies, pixies, elves and gnomes. I like to draw from my imagination so I guess the magical creatures stem from there.

Something Magical, 2022, Faber Castell coloured pencil, 30cm x 20cm. Left hand image – original colours auto filter, right hand image – cartoon filter applied.

When I start any drawing I never have any idea really about what I’m going to draw. For this image I began with the intention of creating a positive and optimistic message that everything is working out for us all, all of the time, and then I started to draw. As I was finishing the drawing I found the quote – something magical is about to happen. The quote and image seem made for each other.

I’ve also been messing around with the filters on my phone and I quite like the results of the darker cartoon filter on the right hand image.

Good Advice Fairy, 2022, Faber Castell coloured pencil, 30cm x 20cm, Left hand image auto filter, right hand image cartoon filter.

I started this drawing last year and left it half done as life got busy and I couldn’t resolve some of the colour issues I was having. This drawing was a bit of a difficult child. I revisited it this weekend and while it might not be one of my favourites it is a reminder that it’s worth persevering and problem solving a piece of work. I like the darker filter on it as it looks like she is sitting in a night garden.

Drawings take anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks to complete depending on various factors. I generally work on them in the evenings when I have time to sit without feeling too pressured by other responsibilities and distractions. That’s when I have time to run away in my imagination and play with the fairies.

Sailing my Ship

Kia Ora

Here it is – 2022 and I’m starting something new (I’m a poet and I didn’t know it 🙃). A bit excited. A bit nervous. A lot – “I have no idea what I’m doing someone help me!” I am starting a blog. I will attempt to be consistent. Posts will be whatever I’m working on at the time.

” I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship”

Louisa May Alcott

This quote inspired the drawing that will be my first finished work for 2022. Big changes are in process in my life but it will be okay, I’m learning to sail my ship. Mistakes will inevitably occur but it’s all part of the journey and adds depth and value to the experience. The woman in the drawing represents the strength and courage that I wish to develop and carry into my everyday life. The ongoing search for fearlessness. She has a compass symbol at the head and heart, acknowledging the need to engage both areas in order to move forward with inner strength and confidence. She is also surrounded by the sun, moon and stars, symbols to help guide her way. She looks up and forward, determined to move into the unknown confident that everything is always working in her favour even in stormy weather.

Sailing My Ship, Faber Castell Coloured Pencil, 30cm x 20cm.

I was also inspired for this drawing by the great Alphonse Mucha. I’ve always admired his beautiful Art Nouveau style. I enjoy working in coloured pencil. These are water colour pencils but I hardly ever use them with water as I prefer to see the effect of the pencil strokes with the layers of colour showing through. I generally have several overlays of colour building up to the finished piece.

This is my first ever blog post, hopefully it’s the start of a long and satisfying relationship with this technology, if I can find time for it amongst all the projects and ideas I have lined up. I must admit, I didn’t expect the building of the blog site to be so challenging to begin with but I’m taking my time over it. I’m reliably informed that good things take time and that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Arohanui til next time.