Mango Frooty

Valentine's Day blog hop

2012-02-14T00:00:00.005+11:00

I'm not usually a fan of Valentine's Day but the following idea is such a lovely one from my very, very talented friend Chris Chun that I wanted to particpate. Chris invited a number of artist friends to share an image signifying love and romance. Not being the romantic sort, Chris took one of my images and added the poem above - and voila! A Valentine's Day picture that could be included.

The other participants of this idea are as follows - please click on them to view their beautiful artworks. I am so excited to be included.

...and Happy Valentine's Day.

Chris Chun
Sharon Himes
Allison Langton
Peggy Jo Ackley
Patrica Shea
Skye Rogers
Phyllis Dobbs
Barbara Johansen Newman
Natalie Ryan
Bee Strong

Gabby Malpas article in Lifestyle Asia 200

2012-02-02T08:50:00.000+11:00

My interview with Mingyue Zhou, from Lifestyle Asia was published in January 2012 and was glorious!

For those of you who missed the publication, the article can be downloaded from here in PDF format (NB: the article is in Chinese):

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4.

I have uploaded my original, raw text and images, in english - here

New work for 2012: landscape format

2012-01-19T19:34:00.000+11:00

New pictures for January 2012 in landscape format. Something new....

Gabby Malpas Ceramics from 1986

2012-01-06T18:35:00.000+11:00

I rediscovered these photos.
Majolica glaze on thrown earthenware made by yours truly as part of her degree show 1986.

I wish I'd kept them. Sigh.

Older work

2012-01-04T12:43:00.000+11:00

Looking through old photographs yesterday I found photos of work circa 1988/1989.
My work has certainly changed over the years - I think I will reintroduce some of these elements. I love the inky dark backgrounds and bright bright colours.

RIP Yvonne Therese Marie Malpas: 25 Jan 1920 - 12 Dec 2011

2011-12-19T16:32:00.000+11:00

Bonnie Malpas: Dec 2009, at Mission Bay

Yours truly on the far left

Some of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Our dear mother passed away last week about a month shy of her 92nd birthday.

Although the preceeding days were a little fraught and emotional, the funeral and farewell were lovely.

It was the first time in 42 years that all 10 of us siblings were in the same place at the same time!

The kindness of strangers

2011-12-07T12:37:00.001+11:00

While at the PYD design markets, a woman bought one of my bags made from recycled barkcloth curtains. She took a card and said she would get in touch as she had been collecting barkcloth fabric over the years and would I like some....

Fast forward to yesterday. I picked up a parcel from the post office. Imagine my surprise and delight to unwrap these beautiful fabrics.

Over the years I have been the lucky recipient of kindness from complete strangers but yesterday's gift was just outstanding.

Thank you Janette Morris from Hornsby, Sydney.

PYD Design Markets, Waterloo, Sydney

2011-12-06T15:44:00.000+11:00

The last Mango Frooty market for a while: PYD markets in Danks St, Waterloo on the weekend of 26/27 November.
The wet weather and lack of visitors made for a disappointing weekend for many of the traders which was a real shame. However, I reported my best result for markets ever.

I must say that the quality of items on offer was extremely high so I was proud to be accepted. I was next door to Melissa Tan who is a regular at the Rocks markets and is also active on etsy. Melissa was so friendly and welcoming that the weekend was a lot of fun.

I will be rethinking the market strategy for 2012.

Eugene Wang: Buying art online

2011-11-17T08:14:00.001+11:00

I don't have a problem with buying pictures online. In fact I've bought a number of them without seeing them in person first.

I know a number of you may find this strange - dodgy even. But why?

I realise art is an emotional and intensely personal thing but if you like the image, have an idea about the size and the buying experience is pleasant - why not? Sure, the colours may differ slightly between real life and the image on your computer screen but they are fairly close.

Anyway, above is a little crab painting I bought online from Canadian/Chinese artist Eugene Wang. He makes beautiful little still life paintings and sells them via his blog. I've placed the picture next to one of my own above the kitchen table where I work every day.

I'd be interested in your thoughts about buying online though....

Disco Biscuit series: Coming to Bondi Market - Sunday 20 Nov!

2011-11-14T14:00:00.001+11:00

So I'm going back to 1984, getting my Buffalo girl stance on and painted a number of tshirts in the Sydney colours of Summer. That's a one off Gabby Malpas in bold and permanent colours on a cotton tshirt for $30. Wooohoooo.

References for the motifs are amoebas, mitochondria, seed pods, marine life... I'm thinking: Vivienne Westwood, Malcom McLaren, Keith Haring, Jenny Kee, Linda Jackson...

Coming to Bondi Markets on Sunday 20 November - see you there!

The National Trust Harper's Mansion Still life prize entry

2011-11-12T18:20:00.000+11:00

This is my entry to the National Trust Harper's Mansion Art prize for Still life in October. It was selected to hang but sadly no prize.

I'll keep trying....

Bro cards

2011-11-11T08:48:00.000+11:00

This year's offering of seasonal cards for all those Kiwis and Kiwi lovers out there. Some of my favourite 'from home' expressions painted up in watercolour.

I am selling cards of these designs for $15 per pack of 5.

See you at North Sydney Market tomorrow, PYD markets 26/27 Nov and watch this space for details of Bondi Markets.

More bags for the markets

2011-11-09T12:57:00.000+11:00

As you may know, I unleashed my Mango frooty bags on the unsuspecting public of Kirribilli earlier this year. I'm still refining my product and also sounding out which market is a good fit.

To this end, I will be coming soon to Bondi Markets and will be at the PYD Designer markets from 26-27 November. Above is a selection of my latest efforts.

I can't WAIT!

See you there!

Introducing Maria Masi-Edwards part II

2011-10-31T17:42:00.000+11:00

As you know, I am a big fan of Maria's label 'avian'.
Maria had her second collection showing here in Sydney at the house to a select group of friends and followers.
This collection was for 'Super Vixens'. Edgier and more rock and roll than the first collection but no less attention to fine fabrics, craftsmanship and detail. Think Blondie, the Cure and the Clash - less trash. A saucy and playful collection for grownups: silk and scrumptious fabrics, enough animal print to unleash your inner cougar but well made and practical enough to wear anywhere (the skirts were reversible - crazy animal print one side, plain and coloured denim the other).

Also on show was a selection of Ms A'Marie DaisyJaw's latest prints which fitted the theme beautifully.
Watch these names - they will be going places.

You heard it here first.

Maria explaining her inspiration.

A'Marie's prints were a drawcard.

Loving those capes!

The super vixen at work.

My camera did not do justice to these fab clothes - all exclusives!

Mango Frooty images featured

2011-10-18T17:39:00.001+11:00

Well how about that!

My work is featured in an online magazine from Argentina: http://issuu.com/pluzultra/docs/issue17/63

Thank you Jeronimo Laborde!

Gabby Malpas at the Sydney Art Show 14 - 16 October

2011-10-12T20:22:00.001+11:00

Come and say hello if you are coming to the Sydney Art Show at Darling Harbour from Friday 14, until Sunday 16 October. I'm on stand D17.

I have put a sneak preview of works for sale on my website here. There will be a large number of unframed works (some brand new), and all at special prices for the show.

And for those of you who want an original Gabby Malpas for under $5 - I will be selling watercolour Christmas cards for $15, per set of 5. Each card is a one off and made along the theme of:
'The colours of a Sydney Summer'

Hope to see you there.

Mobile pouches

2011-10-06T16:06:00.001+11:00

OK, so hot on the heels of the Mango Frooty Choiceland and Aussie destination bags are my selection of mobile phone pouches. All are made of two thicknesses of stiff fabric for protection and have old mother of pearl buttons fastened with an elastic loop. Some have old mother of pearl buttons, other have little plastic tikis as decoration.

Lately we've been having a bit of aussie/kiwi sports matches so in the spirit of things I have named the selection of pouches made from Vintage Mambo fabric (2nd from left and last on right), with tikis: 'The bros love breadstealers' bags.

Geddit?

They're $12 each and will be onsale at the Kirribilli Markets this Sunday, 9th Oct. Perfect Xmas presents and to send overseas in a little envelope for about $2.

Too offensive? please let me know

Blacktown City Art Prize

2011-09-26T17:52:00.003+10:00

'Dog day afternoon' - highly commended. Yay!

Being a newbie to Art prizes, I was surprised at how well presented and at the calibre of works on show at the Blacktown City Art Prize. I had received a call on the Friday afternoon to ensure I was attending. I was planning to go and have a look but was starting to go off the idea with the thought of Friday afternoon Sydney traffic which turns most of the motorways and all roads west, into a car park.

Him indoors took me on the motorbike. We made it there in under an hour.

I got a highly commended award for watercolour of which I am well chuffed!

Mango Frooty bags - tried and tested

2011-09-20T17:12:00.001+10:00

Since my quest to make the perfect Mango Frooty bag, I road test them. I took one of my 'choiceland bro' bags on our holiday to Cambodia earlier this month. I had it with me daily.

It did beautifully - not too heavy and just the right size to carry around water, spare shoes, things for the day and with room to put unexpected purchases into. It was also exotic enough to be seen in some nice places.

As you can imagine, it was very hot and sticky. I got it home and it looked in need of a good wash so I put it in a bucket with a bit of napisan (decided not to risk the spin cycle in the washing machine with the tiki!), and it came up looking as good as new - in fact, I think the colours on the teatowel are now brighter than before.

So I can definitely vouch for these bags being: wash and go!

Art prize selections

2011-09-16T17:35:00.001+10:00

'Goodbye dear heart, the last goodbye': watercolour and collage on sewn paper. Unframed size: 57cm x 110cm

'Dog day afternoon': watercolour and collage on sewn paper. Unframed size: 57cm x 110cm

With the current financial climate, art sales are slow.

So for the last couple of months I have been applying and submitting entries to Art competitions around Australia to raise my profile but also to try and give my patrons a return on investment so to speak.

Here are two entries that have been selected for Art Prizes:

'Goodbye dear heart...', selected as a finalist for the Heysen Centenary Art Prize 2011, Hahndorf , SA and 'Dog day afternoon', selected for inclusion in the Blacktown City Art Prize 2011.

ArtShine Interview

2011-08-23T15:47:00.000+10:00

Today I had an interview published on the ArtShine website.

I met Vinh Lam at ArtSydney in 2009. He's a lovely bloke, supportive, non-pushy and quietly achieving. True to his word, 2 years later we have an article on yours truly. It's here

Kirribilli Market - Blog writeup

2011-08-17T08:10:00.000+10:00

After two dismal efforts at Kirribilli markets so far, I was pretty disheartened. But as my stallholder chums and friends have said: I can't give up just yet, I have to keep trying.

So yesterday, I received the kick I needed to keep on keeping on, with a fantastic writeup from food maestro and 'art enabler' Roz MacAllan.

Thank you Roz MacAllen for your kindness and generosity.

For those of you who missed the link to Roz' blog - it's here.

Markets and other stuff: Madam Charli

2011-08-15T14:54:00.000+10:00

Apologies. I haven't posted for nearly a month but I have not been completely idle.

Unfortunately painting has taken a bit of a back seat with paid work on plus I've turned my attention to the Kirribilli Markets to promote and sell my bags. So far it's been very slow but I must not give up and I have met some lovely new friends.
I will be there again at the end of September and during October - Please drop by and say hello.

I also produce USB keychains for my chum Carolyn Harli of Madam Charli fame. Carolyn sources the crystal fabulous USBs and I add beads and clasps for a truly one off USB with enough bling to grace any fashionista's lappy.

Only at Madam Charli's.

Kirribilli Markets: Saturday 23 July

2011-07-23T15:35:00.000+10:00

So my first market stall selling bags was on today.

And right on cue the heavens opened and rained and rained and rained.

Please come back and visit on 14 August. I will be there rain, hail or sunshine...

Opening of 'I'll bring cake' exhibition

2011-07-20T18:30:00.000+10:00

It was a biiiiig day.

Thanks to everyone for coming and helping to make it so special. There was lots of cake and lovely things to eat, homemade lemonade, tea and champagne.

If you are in the area, do pop into the library and see the show - it's up until the end of September:
Gordon Library: 799 Pacific Hwy, Gordon NSW 2072
Opening hours: M 9am – 7pm Tu – Th 9am – 8pm F 9am – 6pm W/E 10am – 5pm

"I'll bring cake": exhibition at the Gordon library

2011-07-11T10:09:00.002+10:00

Kerry Thompson and Gabby Malpas present paintings which are a celebration of friendship, creativity and the importance of taking time for tea and cakes.

July 16 – Sept 29, 2011

Gordon Library

M 9am – 7pm Tu – Th 9am – 8pm F 9am – 6pm W/E 10am – 5pm

Opening celebration: 2 - 4pm Sunday 17 July
Yes... there will be lots of cake

799 Pacific Hwy, Gordon NSW 2072

Gabby Malpas at Botannix Studio cafe: 2 July - 27 August

2011-07-03T20:33:00.001+10:00

I hung my show at the Botannix studio cafe and Yoga centre on Saturday.

This is a small show which has been enabled by the fabulous art event maestro: Peggy Wallach. Peggy, owner Jeffrey and previous exhibitor George hung the show. I didn't do a thing apart from show up with the pictures.

I should mention that Botannix Cafe are only one of 5 Mecca coffee purveyors in Sydney. Please call in and say 'hello'.

Botannix Studio Cafe: 25 Swinbourne St, Botany.

Phone: 02 9666 7315

Secret Wars, Sydney

2011-06-27T16:45:00.001+10:00

The 21 year old's boyfriend is a street artist called 'Sprinkles'.

So I went along to take a look at the semi final on 15 June. In an hour and a half, these guys had to fill a large blank space, engage the audience and outdraw the competition. This was no easy feat. The pressure was on.

The vibe was good, the music was good, there was a camera crew but most of all, the art was just excellent. I have so much respect for these guys.

Here's more on youtube.

bags with pom poms and tikis

2011-06-21T07:37:00.000+10:00

I'm getting into the groove with these bags: pom poms and plastic tikis for that slightly kooky and out there touch....

Aussie destination bags

2011-06-13T09:01:00.000+10:00

So here we have thre 'Aussie destinations' bags. Made from souvenir teatowels, recycled fabric and recycled banner vinyl (that's what makes the bags sturdy and able to sit upright), with silver metal gromits and shoulder straps so they can double as a tote or a messenger bag.

I wish I'd seen these up in Cairns....

Kerry Thompson at St Vincent's Hospital

2011-06-08T18:30:00.001+10:00

My very talented chum, Kerry Thompson showing her beautiful and colourful works at St Vincent's Hospital, Paddington, Sydney.
The show is on until 7 July so please go and take a look if you are in the vicinity

bags of attitude

2011-05-30T17:50:00.000+10:00

Here are some of my new bags. They have PVC inners (made of recycled printed banners).

I want to push personality, attitude and some humour in these bags - look out for the kiwiana 'choiceland' bags and some 'onya' aussie versions.

I am using worn shells I have picked up in NewZealand and Australia.

coming soon to etsy...

a trip to Cairns

2011-05-26T18:34:00.000+10:00

So I managed to escape the cold wet Sydney May weather for a little sojourn in Cairns - a tropical paradise in Australia.

A beachcombing session near Ellis beach on the way to Port Douglas turned up a multitude of these brown seed pods. They remind me of Rudraksha seeds - those seeds made into Bhuddist rosaries.

If anyone knows what they are I'd love to know. In the meantime they have had holes drilled through and are currently strung on the kitchen wall.

little pictures

2011-05-12T16:22:00.000+10:00

I haven't forgotten about smaller works.
In fact, these are very special. The last of the summer flowers and the earliest winter ones....
These are 19cm x 24cm, and 16cm x 23.5cm.

Arthouse Hotel show: Opening tonight: 11 May

2011-05-11T08:39:00.000+10:00

I hung the show on Sunday night. It looks good.

Opening night tonight - wish me luck.

Details: 7 - 9pm: The Dome restaurant and bar at the Arthouse Hotel, 275 Pitt St, Sydney 2000.

Feather brooches

2011-05-09T15:46:00.003+10:00

As part of Maria's clothing launch I made some jewellery and accessories for Saturday. Above are some feather brooches I made as accents to the clothing. They are a little Mae West and a little bit ponyclub...

Introducing Maria Masi-Edwards

2011-05-08T12:01:00.000+10:00

My talented chum Maria Masi-Edwards, launched her range of women's clothing: Avian, yesterday.

We had a fabulous afternoon tea put together by one of Maria's wonderful friends: Casey who is a true food designer and choreographer (if that's possible). My cupcakes and sausage rolls were in attendance.

Anyway, we all had a lovely time, myself especially, and a fun afternoon.

Well done Maria!

Goodbye dear heart, the last goodbye

2011-05-02T09:45:00.002+10:00

I finished my final work for a while.

This picture contains an antique letter, the envelope (addressed to St Louis), and a photograph of the sender. When I read the letter, the sentiment and elegant writing was so lovely that I felt it apt to include all to complete the story.

The other two things I found out during my research were:
1) Magnolia Grandiflora are grown widely throughout the southern states of the US. They flower in April - later the further north you go.
2) The magnolia flower has been associated with beauty and perseverance, as well as dignity and nobility.

I'd like to think this picture is full of beauty - took a bit of perseverence to finish it - does that count?

Have a lovely week all.

Thank you for stopping by

A'Marie Daisyjaw at the Global Gallery

2011-04-30T19:46:00.000+10:00

My chum, Anne Marie Daisyjaw showing monoprints and paintings at the Global Gallery, Paddington.

Lovely stuff.

Yugaflora Japanese Earthquake fundraising night

2011-04-28T18:21:00.000+10:00

Last month I donated some artwork to be sold at an art auction night to raise money for the Japanese earthquake victims and went along to watch the auction.

The owner of the cafe: Setsuko, organised the night and it was a roaring success - raising over $16,000AU. The atmosphere was electric and so many people turned out to support the event.

Here is a photo of myself (on the left) and my favourite ceramicist at the moment: Keiko Matsui. Keiko is about to give birth any day now so happy, happy, happy birthing Keiko!

Angel Restaurant - pictures from the opening night

2011-04-16T19:21:00.003+10:00

Pictures from the show. A very small but pleasant gathering.

My friend John Borthwick (image 4), opened the show in his usual lyrical and complimentary manner. Him indoors was there and well behaved (image 2), and yours truly is in image no 3.

The staff of the restaurant all came to the opening of which I was honoured to see. It says so much about a place when the staff want to be involved in events outside of working hours.

Angel Restaurant does brunches, lunches and dinner - go and have a look at the pictures and enjoy a fabulous menu.

Opening tonight: Angel Restaurant

2011-04-13T08:47:00.002+10:00

Opening: Wednesday, 13 April 7 - 9pm

Angel restaurant

29 Crown Road

Queenscliff, NSW 2096

Medium Vinyl at the Hardware Gallery, Enmore

2011-04-01T13:32:00.000+11:00

I have a picture in an upcoming show at the Hardware Gallery in Enmore, Sydney

It's not open until 20 May 2011 but I like to be organised.

Have a lovely weekend all.

WOW. Just WOW

2011-03-24T20:23:00.002+11:00

Brought home my leftover artworks tonight from the St Vincent's Hospital show.

There were 4. 4!!!

I put up 22 for opening.
13 sold in the first week.
So I put up 10 more.
And got left with 4 out of 32.

Now is that a result or is that a result?!!

Thank you St Vincent's and all who supported me in the show.

Bigger pictures

2011-03-23T13:58:00.000+11:00

and here they are...

These are about 110cm x 57 wide.

They are watercolour and pencil on sewn paper. The top image has an antique French document/letter attached to it (hence I'm calling it 'French letter').

new pics for March

2011-03-10T12:00:00.000+11:00

Last of the summer flowers and fruit.

These will go into the April and May shows.

Working bigger

2011-02-26T20:46:00.000+11:00

I have started working on larger pieces. A bit out of my comfort zone but the results are worth it. This one is 3 times the size of my previous largest ones.

Oh yes. Him indoors had to replace the tyres on his bike before a big ride this weekend down to Phillip Island.

Marrickville X at ESP Gallery

2011-02-23T20:09:00.000+11:00

Yay!

I'm taking part in a group show at the ESP Gallery, 228 Illawarra Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204.
25 Generation X artists. Will be fabulous.

St Vincent's exhibition: First day

2011-02-19T20:24:00.001+11:00

We had a little opening this afternoon. Thank you to all who came.

8 sold in one day. Amazing stuff!

The show is on until 24 March - as it's the foyer of a public hospital it's open 24/7.

St Vincent's invitation

2011-02-11T12:33:00.000+11:00

Don't forget: opening next Saturday afternoon, 19 February 2011:

Xavier Level 3 (main foyer), St Vincent’s Hospital

390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

I'll be putting on a little afternoon tea : cupcakes and sausage rolls.

Have a lovely weekend all

More St Vincent's pictures

2011-02-06T17:48:00.000+11:00

St Vincent's sneak preview

2011-02-01T11:18:00.002+11:00

A selection of images is up on my website here.

These paintings are mostly still life and florals. I have started experimenting again with my 'sewn paper' technique. I sew pieces of paper together like a patchwork and paint on the resulting piece. The paint reacts slightly differently to each paper type and creates more texture.

painted ginger

2011-01-24T20:27:00.000+11:00

Ginger is special to me. Growing up in Auckland, I used to stand outside on a late summer or early autumn night and look up at the tall ginger spikes growing almost wild. The clear NZ sky had millions of twinkling stars. And when the moon was full, it was magical.

Summer ginger

2011-01-13T17:38:00.000+11:00

Still painting

I was looking for waterlilies last week but they didn't have any so I got ginger spikes instead.

These take me back to Auckland - the scent of the flowers in the night breeze is just magical.

Sunny summer days in New Zealand: Little Oneroa

2011-01-11T12:36:00.000+11:00

I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. During the summer holidays we would invariably spend a great deal of time on Waiheke Island so every chance we get we like to spend some time down there.

Here are some photos of Little Oneroa beach taken last week. This would be a very day - lots of families came to the beach to picnic, play beach cricket and swim. It really is paradise and the day I was there it was a beautiful Auckland summer's day.

Australia is having a terrible summer. Rainy most days and we are all terribly sad about the floods in Queensland.

Happy new year: A new year story

2011-01-10T13:37:00.000+11:00

I thought I'd give Whooga a plug. Why? because of outstanding customer service...

About a week ago I was looking to buy some ugg boots and I came across a special online at Whooga. So I ordered a pair and they arrived two days later.

Unfortunately I got two left feet. I looked on the website - no contact number only a form. Being the sceptic I am, I filled out the form, also emailed the site and thought: 'that's the last I'll hear from those guys'.

Within half an hour - yes half an hour, I had two emails from two different people saying they were very sorry and they were sending two right feet - and please, keep the extra pair as a way of saying sorry for the mishap.

I couldn't believe it. My faith in customer service in Australia for online shopping has been restored. I wonder if you would get that service in David Jones.

Anyway. Thank you Whooga Australia - your boots aren't bad either!

Christmas gingerbread

2010-12-21T20:27:00.000+11:00

Art Sydney video on NTDTV

2010-11-30T17:14:00.000+11:00

I got approached by a Chinese TV channel at Art Sydney and they interviewed me. I'm between: 0:56-1:06.

NTDTV video of Art Sydney 2010

Underground Artspace group show

2010-11-24T22:02:00.000+11:00

Art Sydney Thank you

2010-11-16T11:40:00.000+11:00

To all who came and supported me at the show this year, Thank you so much.

It was a fabulous experience and an honour to be part of it again. I had a ball.

Here are some pictures - I even got filmed by a Chinese film crew.

Gabby Malpas at Art Sydney 2010

2010-11-02T19:28:00.001+11:00

Please come and see me on Stand S6. from Thursday 11 Nov to Sunday 14 Nov.
I have posted a sneak preview of pictures on the Mango Frooty website here.

Early Christmas cards

2010-10-26T17:04:00.001+11:00

It's that time in Sydney again. In between the downpours (and when it rains here it is truly miserable), are patches of bright bright sunshine and heat.

This years theme for my Chrimbo cards is the sunny colours of a Sydney summer. Each has a little gold star and the words: Joyeux Noël on them. I love doing these little abstract paintings - I love the colours blending into eachother and each stroke taking up a big spot on the paper.

Only two and a bit weeks until Art Sydney. Can I get excited yet?

chunky necklaces

2010-10-06T18:13:00.000+11:00

I'm making chunky jewellery for a friend's website. These are designed to be fastened by ribbon allowing the wearer to determine how short or long the necklaces should be.

Coming soon to the Mango Frooty site near you!

beach bags

2010-09-27T11:37:00.001+10:00

Beach bags... now with added stiffener, in a variety of tropical sarong and batik colours.

more pics

2010-09-25T13:53:00.000+10:00

And here are some magnolias. The Sydney winter magnolias have been gone for a few weeks now - it is only now I am getting around to finishing them off.

These are larger: 39cm x 57 cm unframed.

Art Sydney 2010

2010-09-03T20:04:00.000+10:00

The 'new improved' Art Sydney 2010 website is now live - and I'm in it - hooooray.

Well I'm excited!

Have a lovely weekend all.

Exhibition invitations and posters

2010-09-01T13:53:00.000+10:00

I haven't posted for a while because him indoors has been back in hospital with an infected leg. Surgery, morphine and heavy antibiotics have been the order of the week. Thank goodness for modern medicine and fabulous hospital staff at Blacktown.

I haven't been completely idle. I have been busy painting for Art Sydney in November, a show at St Vincent's hospital in Feb 2011 and a show at a restaurant in April 2011.

Here is a draft invite for St Vincent's, designed by my fabulous niece Emma Harris. God this girl is talented - she makes my work look stunning.

Mango Frooty on Redbubble

2010-08-21T10:08:00.002+10:00

Well I was put on the home page of Redbubble last night.

That was marvellous - so my art is having activity while I sleep.

It's here.

Have a great weekend all

bags bags bags

2010-08-19T15:53:00.000+10:00

I've been mulling over fabric bags ever since I got back from Bangkok with a suitcase full of cotton sarongs in printed tropical Thai colours and Indornesian batiks. I also bought some fabric stiffener and not knowing how to use it, it's taken a couple of months to make these up.

The pink ikat fabric is actually from Uzbekistan - via ebay. It has batik fabric handles with plastic tubing inside to make it more comfortable to hold. Other handles are of thick cotton cord for a total beach look. All bags have a patch pocket inside to hold your keys and wallet - the large ones are perfect for the beach. the smaller ones surpirsed me with just how roomy they are - big and strong enough to carry a bottle of wine and a large sized plastic lunch container.

Oh, and did I tell you? They go in the washing machine.

Pictures from the gallery opening 5 August 2010

2010-08-14T17:36:00.000+10:00

more camelias

2010-08-13T19:56:00.000+10:00

It's camelia season in Sydney. Pale pinks, whites, rose and deep reds are all on offer.

Of course I'm picking any overhanging numbers I come across and squirrelling them back to the kitchen table.

They don't last long - fading and dropping within a day or so.

Happy weekend all.

Tassel pendants

2010-08-11T11:59:00.000+10:00

I have been working up new pendant ideas since I came back from Thailand with a bag full of stones.

These are loosely based on the good luck chinese bead charms with lucky knots and tassels you see often hanging in car windows.

I've teamed up Indian cut beads with my forged silver circles (such a strong feminine symbol), and jewel bright colours to put a sparkle in your outfit.

These will be around $45AU each. Please get in touch if you are interested.

more still lifes

2010-08-06T12:59:00.000+10:00

These ones are the big size: 39cm x 57cm.

The japonicas came from a garden in Marrickville, Sydney - I asked the homeowner if I could take some. She seemed quite puzzled but agreed when she realised I wasn't going to rob her or ask for money.

Have a lovely weekend all.

mud crab in blackbean sauce

2010-08-02T14:45:00.000+10:00

I like to eat what I paint. Him indoors took me to the boathouse restaurant on Saturday night and mud crab was a special on the menu. We got the last one.

I had not come across these things before I got to Australia. Once you manage to crack into the extremely hard shell of the claws, you have the sweetest crab meat imaginable. This one was smothered in blackbean and chilli sauce.

And no, you can't eat whole crab daintily. Ever. Uhuh.

Underground Artspace group show

2010-07-28T14:53:00.000+10:00

Opening on 5th August from 6 - 8pm
Underground ARTSpace Gallery
Suite 1, 294 Sydney Road, Balgowlah
Sydney

Work gets delivered tomorrow. wooohooo

more still lifes

2010-07-21T18:47:00.000+10:00

Bless him indoors - he's scanned my images.

Here are copies of the latest offerings - still lifes with some background and shading. A slightly new direction.

still lifes

2010-07-14T10:00:00.005+10:00

I'm moving in a new direction. I'm starting to put in backgrounds and shading to give my pictures some depth and also to make them look a bit more like still lifes.

Here are my first two offerings. On the image with the purple cloth background, the initial result was so bright it was overpowering the orchids in the foreground.

I put on a couple of dull washes and the effect looks quite like the faded patterns of a sarong. This looks quite good with the asian ceramics I think.

more work in progress

2010-07-12T16:56:00.004+10:00

Feverish activity is on at the house. Aside from work, the project bike is being rebuilt after various bits came back from the painter and I have three exhibitions to prepare for between now and March next year - hopefully some more.

I guess this is the closest we will ever get to working together... call it 'quality time'

Wish the kitchen didn't smell of petrol though.

fish on Friday

2010-07-09T20:59:00.002+10:00

So it's Friday again.... fish on Friday is the go.

These are mussels, sardines and our old friend: the blue swimmer crab.
Won't be buying sardines again - they really stank after only one day.

Have a lovely weekend all.

sweet williams for a Friday

2010-07-02T20:27:00.000+10:00

Happy Friday all.

fish pictures

2010-06-30T20:51:00.004+10:00

A slightly new departure for paintings: fish.

These came from the fish market in Marrickville Metro. I'm not sure what they are but the one with the long spike thing from its lower lip is a garfish.

They were very fresh and shiny when I bought them - not so much now.

playing ladies

2010-06-29T13:34:00.003+10:00

On the weekend about 15 of us went out for a morning tea in Sydney's iconic QVB building in the city to celebrate a birthday. There is a posh tearooms on the top floor and on Saturdays it is abuzz with grande dames having morning tea, shoppers having a break and some mothers/daughters - all with a sense of occaison and excitement over this very special treat.

Silver pots of tea were dispatched along with tiered trays piled high with tiny cakes and savories. Everything on rose patterned china and with flutes of champagne to accompany.

It has to be one of the loveliest ways to spend a cold Saturday.

New pendant designs

2010-06-28T15:26:00.003+10:00

Myself and him indoors went on a long awaited break to Thailand. Him indoors sat around the lovely posh resort in Chiang Mai and I went on daily little forays to the local markets for exotic snacks, fresh fruit (it's currently mangosteen and lychee season), and of course all the stuff I use to make jewellery and gifts - that left all the locals scratching their heads as to why anyone would want such items.

Just before flying home we stopped off in Bangkok where I managed a trip to the world famous weekend market at Chatuchak and bought more beads, fabrics and silver bits to tide me over for the next few years.

New pendants and jewellery designs are being dreamt up.

First up is a new range of colourful tassel necklaces. The top one is Smoky quartz, Garnet and silver with a cotton tassel. The one below is Amethyst, Carnelian, Serpentine and silver with a green cotton tassel.

More boho chic.

salad and shrimp

2010-06-12T19:59:00.004+10:00

For a long weekend.

From the markets in Sydney. The plate next to the beetroot was given to me from my sister in Brisbane - she's definitely getting better at presents!

camelias

2010-06-07T19:23:00.004+10:00

I am eagerly awaiting this year's crop of winter camelias in Sydney. So far the smaller, single-row, petaled variety is the only type flowering - the lavish double blooms appear later in the year.

I think this variety may be the closer cousin to our friend tea - hence the teabowls in each painting.

I had to work so fast - as soon as you picked them the petals faded and dropped.

strawberries for winter in Sydney

2010-06-04T20:33:00.004+10:00

Him indoors has finally gotten around to scanning new artworks

Here's some strawberries (painted in february)... to brighten a very wet Sydney day and hopefully cheer you all up.

The house got flooded today - one of the drains overflowed. I guess the positive is that the floors got properly washed for the first time in ages!

Have a fabulous weekend all.

New addition to the studio

2010-06-02T15:55:00.002+10:00

As part of my fight to reclaim the kitchen back as my office/studio I've decided to try and make it a nice place to work in.
I've always loved fish tanks. There is something so soothing about watching a little underwater garden complete with fish and other living things going about their fishy business.

So I've installed a little tank, planted some water plants, put in some stones I collected from NZ and the NSW coast and a whole school of little mosquito fish that have been breeding like crazy in the pond in our front yard since I introduced them in February.

Aaaah. So Zen.

daisy chain necklace - shorter length

2010-05-29T16:18:00.004+10:00

Here is a heavier daisy chain necklace made of coral, turquoise, carnelian, lapis, smoky quartz, cloisonne and sterling silver.

As it is a heavier weight I thought I'd make this one a little shorter. It sits perfectly outside your favourite roll neck.

Have a lovely weekend

sharing the studio - again

2010-05-21T17:03:00.004+10:00

Well it couldn't last...

Him indoors got a friend over during the week to pull his project bike to bits so it can go off for a repaint before putting it all back together again.

The bike is in bits and sitting in the kitchen. Yes, I am working around it all - you can see they cleared my office space/studio - which is the table in the background.

You'll be pleased to know my painting output is still slowly progressing but some days I would just love a room of my own.

cakes and porcelain

2010-05-08T11:54:00.005+10:00

On Thursday I backed some tiny cupcakes for a girl's morning tea which included a 2 year old. She loved them, in fact started climbing on chairs to get at more.

As I laid these out on a dish I bought at Chatuchak market in Bangkok many years ago I thought about the various pieces of porcelain I'd collected and kept with me over the last 15 years or so which have recently become features in my paintings.

Then on Friday, my sister sent me a lovely porcelain dish with delicate patterns all over it so I thought I should photograph a little collection.

You will recognise the ginger jar - this is one of several, and the plate from my sister is in the foreground.

Have a lovely weekend all.

candy beaded bracelets

2010-04-29T13:53:00.004+10:00

Candy coloured gemstone and crystal bead bracelets on stretchy elastic.
The silver charms are hindu good luck charms from Hydrabad, India - I managed to find a silversmith who a) had a stock of these charms and b) were willing to sell them (I encountered a number of craftsmen who were reluctant to sell me stuff - maybe they were too holy? maybe they were for other clients?). Ayway, I have a few of them but I doubt if I could get any more unless I went back to Hydrabad.

I'm going to put these on etsy.

Punk pussy pelmet

2010-04-16T17:18:00.005+10:00

Long before I became a middle aged, uncool step mum I was an art student, a punkette, a rock'nrolla who was able to whip up something outrageous for the weekend with an old sewing machine, some fabric offcuts and safety pins...

I've been a bit preoccupied of late with him indoors' motorcycle injuries so have neglected the 19 year old except to shout at her to do the dishes.

She's a sassy kid with a hot nightlife. This is a prototype for future nightclub ideas. It's my little homage to the late and marvellous Malcom McLaren to go with her calf high doc martens.

Have a rocking weekend all.

Silver and gemstone daisy chains

2010-04-07T14:58:00.003+10:00

and here is another take on those daisy chain necklaces.

I have been making bead chains for a number of years and although I like them being so delicate I wanted to add a bit of oomph so decided to mix it up with different coloured stones and some of my forged silver circles.

The results are not too shabby: delicate but eye-catching and not too heavy. These are 88cm and 83cm in length respectively.

crab and scampi paintings

2010-03-24T18:07:00.006+11:00

and here are three of the six latest seafood paintings.

You might be asking yourself - what are those lines on the images? I have sewn a patchwork of paper together to add a bit of texture to the work. At some stage I will also add some collagey bits: stamps, old labels some kanji script etc.

Must get him indoors to scan them...

work in progress - crab paintings

2010-03-20T20:34:00.004+11:00

I am going to be exhibiting in NZ in May at the Plunket Art show, Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru.

I was invited back after showing there last... oooh around 1994.

Seafood is the order of the day as well as florals. Here are some crabs in progress. The crab smells really bad by the way - it's been frozen and defrosted 4 times and counting. The Hong Kong Choi Sum came from a Vietnamese grocer in Marrickville, Sydney.

I have revisited the sewn paper technique - it adds texture to the paintings.

weekend bracelets

2010-03-14T20:44:00.004+11:00

Some pastel coloured quartz point and bead bracelets and coral bead bracelets with a Thai Hill Tribe silver flower charm.

Just the thing for a relaxed weekend.

NZ greenstone pendants

2010-03-12T08:57:00.004+11:00

NZ jade is called 'Pounamu', in Maori. It is a sacred stone and is found only in the South Island of New Zealand. The remote river where it is found, is still only reached by trekking into the area and cannot be taken by the general public.

Any visitor to New Zealand will see a huge selection of carved jade pendants in souvenir shops around the country. I suspect most of the carving is not completed by traditional artisans but by workshops in SE Asia. I doubt that the jade used is even from NZ.

As an antidote to this practice I have sourced some rough pieces of pounamu. Some are pebbles, some are offcuts of larger pieces. They are unpolished.

I think these pieces are more beautiful and spiritual than any factory-carved pendants.

For longevity, prosperity and luck. Jade also promotes happiness.

Have a lovely weekend all.

Winter scarves: dyed wool and printed silk and silk batik

2010-03-11T12:55:00.005+11:00

So the cooler days of autumn are here in Sydney. It'll never be as cold here as a European winter but there will still be days where a scarf will be useful.

I've been experimenting with wool mix fabrics I've found in charity stores and recycling centres, mixing them with previously dyed/printed fabric and batik silk fabric from Indonesia. If I dip dye the fabric you get a graduated effect which works nicely with textured wool.

Here are two:
The silver screen print was taken from an old natural history print of coral and I printed this in a friend's workshop in London circa 1997. I like to think I'm channelling a bit of Timney Fowler.

These are for sale - they will go to Bundeena markets or you can contact me to buy.

more gallery pictures

2010-03-05T20:19:00.005+11:00

This is my friend Sean from Choiceland (NZ), visiting while the exhibition was still on. While he was there, a woman came in and bought 4 paintings.

The top photo is of him with Elizabeth who owns Art at Home.

I have been busy making bags and scarves and jewellery but because it was all done in such a rush I have no photos.

Alas!

the show...

2010-02-07T12:47:00.008+11:00

Well, it went off swimmingly

Sadly it poured all day as only Sydney can but there was a great turnout of people, people came after seeing the writeup in the paper and him indoors' biker buddies turned up with a lovely show of support.

It was more than I could hope for.