Emerald Arts

Some pages from my sketchbooks

2009-11-11T02:13:00.000-08:00

In Painting class we are working from what we see around us, in particular flowers and figures. As an adjunct to this I've become fascinated with Botannical illustration. I love the detail. This is my first try... but I will do many more I think.

A terrace house in Carrington, around the corner from my teacher Dallas's studio. Still needs some work I think, shading particularly to give it depth. Might go back there in the holidays and finish it orf i think.

Check out the work of Dallas Bray, painting teacher extroadinaire:

http://www.damienmintongallery.com.au/artists/dallas-bray/

Our second Sculpture project was to make a mobile or stabile inspired by the artist Alexander Calder. I really like his stuff, it's quite whimsical, has a really good sense of fun.

http://www.calder.org/

Last friday they gave us a big block of styrofoam and told us to design something then have at it. Sketched out a few ideas, ended up going with the avocado even though it was probably the most challenging. Took quite a bit of work cutting the seed out from the avocado... could probably have done it separately but I like a challenge. Covered it in plaster, then next week we'll put some kind of finish on it.

Egon Schiele is one of my life drawing teacher's favourite artists, and judging from his work, it's very easy to see why. These warm up sketches were not really an attempt to get into his style, they were actually from the week before, but I like to write my notes around drawings these days.... thinking of making a zine out of pages from my sketchbook.

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/S/schiele.html

http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~svb/Schiele/

This is the mega talented Cherie's work:

http://www.cherielidbury.com/

Seriously, my teacher's are just insanely talented. I can't tell you how much bigger it makes my brain feel to be studying at Tafe, so many new ideas flowing in. I'm only a little bit sad that I can't spend more time there, but hopefully after I finish this course I can take something up full time.

-Emmeline

Fat as Butter 2009

2009-10-29T16:11:00.000-07:00

You know something blogger? I think it's time for a bit of time out, given recent dramas.... so here are a few photos from a massive concert I went to last week end called Fat As Butter. My awesome buddy Methody got me a ticket VIP BABY and we had the most amazing day......

Standing by the side of my favourite stage for the day. Excellent photo, thanks to Methody's knowledge of camera angles ;)

As you can see, the weather was rather damp. This bright spark decided before leaving (when it was muggy) that I probably wouldn't need a jacket... so I got completely soaked. As did everyone else though really :P

This is Methody. Witness the glee with which she greets the rain.

The Cassette Kids

Eventually, after I had apparently turned blue, a kind gentleman with very big muscly arms gave me his poncho. Saved my day.

Peace :)

Some guys from some very awesome acts.... I'll have to ask Methody their names though and then come back and name them for you. Pretty sure the guy on the right is called The Tongue though.... no, I don't know why

The sun will come out... tomorrow....

2009-10-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

Beautiful weather today. Technically it's my day orf, but in my usual fashion I'm doing paperwork and getting the washing done. I've been sick the last few days, took a couple of days off work towards the end of the week because I couldn't see straight enough to drive. Allergies turned to bronchitus and grossness. Vacuumed the hell out of the garageyroom and dusted down as many of the boxes as possible, going to ask the boys if I can move the dryer somewhere though, perhaps to the other end of the room. It's pretty dusty in there and the dryer just kind of stirs it around.

Spent Saturday and Sunday at Emerald Arts, hoping for lots of sales but both were very slow days. Had a lot of interesting chats with tourists (we had a giant cruise liner come into the harbour) though so that was pretty neat ;)

Enough of that though, lets talk Renew Newcastle. I said in my last post that I was at the end of my rope, and I was, but I've come to realise that I love Emerald Arts (and Newcastle) and I will cling to that baby like a limpet to a rock... if I can.
Lately, a few of the other Renewers have had their leases terminated due to commercial interest. Which means basically that they have a month to move out from their current space and Renew will try to replace them somewhere else... but we are out of spaces so I'm not sure how that is going to happen.

I'm hoping that the leaky windows, paint spattered carpet and murals on the walls will save Emerald Arts from extinction... but given that I am behind on my rent and that my studio is in an excellent spot... right across from David Jones... I am very very worried.

So what would losing Emerald Arts mean to me? Besides losing a space to teach my students in, somewhere to paint, somewhere to communicate? It would mean the loss of excellent storage (which is important since I am currently kind of homeless). It would mean that I would lose access to the general public, something I have come to value greatly for advice while creating artworks. It would mean that some goals had been achieved... the city centre has been revitalised to a point where shop holders are willing to come back, that the city is seen as a viable place for commerce... my little bit of it would be gone.

Is Renew Newcastle a sucess though... for me personally? I don't know. I'm having a whole lot of trouble making a living... but that could be because I am trying to go to Tafe as well as run a studio/shop. Factors such as lack of stock (choice for customers) and no advertising may also contribute. I was making serious inroads while living at Mum and Dad's... because i was saving money that could therefore be used on stock creation and advertising... but being kicked out has put me back on that front a very long way.

Sigh, I don't know. I'm going to try not to stress about it, que sera sera. Emerald Arts is my heart, there is so much of me in the place... but I guess it's only a shop and I knew full well when I entered into the contract that losing the place sooner rather than later was a distinct possibility.

Gah.

Sorry for being such a mopey moose blogger.

Think I'll go for a walk, that always cheers me up.

-Emmeline

Minding Your Mouth in a Public Forum: or why Em is an idiot

2009-10-14T23:04:00.000-07:00

The saga continues, I've moved again from living with my parents back in my old bedroom to staying on a futon in the garage of my best friend forever Nifty Nige. Things had been going ok there and I was hoping to stay and save some money until moving in with my friend Emma in November, but that was not to be.

Long story shorter, a cousin of Mum's who had friended me on facebook read a status update on there that I had made in jest and immediately called my parents to find out what was going on.

Mum had a bee in her bonnet about some pillowcases I had borrowed and not returned, I got sick of explaining that she would get them back when I managed to get all my stuff back and had time to go through the hundred or so boxes. Right here I'll admit that I am pretty terrible at looking after things and the move was messy, it's entirely possible that they are lost forever.

Mum and Dad were not particularly fond of Ten, my partner, and seemed to expect me to get over the breakup more or less straightaway. It's only been a couple of months and I am still pretty shattered. I find it extremely painful to talk about him, Mum kept talking about him and his faults. So I pretended that it was because she had been bitten by a spider and was feeling so awful that she didn't understand how painful a breakup can be and kept rubbing salt in the wound by constantly bringing him up.

It frustrated me and I vented on facebook, honestly thinking nothing of it. My comments were never meant to be hurtful, but they resulted in Mum and Dad kicking me out at a time in my life when I very greatly need their help. I got home late at night to a quite horrid confrontation and was told that I was no longer welcome to stay with them. Oh I know, I'm a grownup and I should be looking after myself, but sometimes in life (particularly when you have a chronic illness) you need looking after.

I guess it's a lesson in how carefully words need to be guarded in a public forum.
What was for me a vent, was for my Mum extremely hurtful. What was no doubt genuine concern on the part of a relative, lead to homelessness and separation from my family. Sure, my parents may have overreacted but I can definitely understand where they are coming from.

So for now, I'm living day to day. Most of my money is going on petrol because Nige's house is a fair way out from town, gawd knows what I will do if my car fails. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping like hell that my centrelink application for Austudy is succesful, otherwise I don't know what I'm going to do. Either Tafe or EA will have to go, given how much I have lost already it's a pretty horrifying prospect.

I'll keep updating this blog as I can, hopefully in a month I will have somewhere steady to live and a computer/scanner to use.

Is Emerald Arts worth it? Sure the place looks great, but it's a continuous uphill struggle and with no support and next to no customers (they've been digging up the street outside for the last three weeks, the construction noise and roping off cuts me off from them). How do I know if I am a good enough artist to justify all this other crap that my obsession with the place has caused.

I'm at the end of my rope.

New video

2009-10-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

The ABC show "Stateline" recently ran a feature on Renew Newcastle, serves as a bit of an update on what has been happening and the effect that the project has had on the city centre.

If you look carefully, you'll see a very brief flash of your's truly and Emerald arts ;) WOOHOO!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=172855673242&ref=mf

Feedback is tops.

2009-10-07T03:02:00.001-07:00

There is a new poll on Facebook from the Renew Newcastle founder Marcus Westbury:

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=50532040184&topic=12730

Thought this might be an interesting discussion starter. Now that we have nearly 40 projects that Renew Newcastle has done so far, what do you think has worked best and why? I'd love to hear people's thoughts and feedback. We're curious about how what we've done is being perceived and what people have most enjoyed.If you want to look at a list of projects thus far, check out our project page: http://www.renewnewcastle.org/projectsDifferent opinions are good, but be nice to everyone!

So.... not to be a pest, but if you, Dear Reader, have had a fun/awesome/rockin good time at Emerald Arts and want the world to know about it, take a look and post a comment.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=50532040184&topic=12730

Eternally in your debt,

Emmeline.

You like to party? How about an Art Party?

2009-09-28T00:08:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends of Emerald Arts.... DO YOU LIKE TO PARTY?

How about an Art Party? This Friday evening Renew Newcastle will launch its series of twilight events in the City – First Friday. On the First Friday of the month in October, November and December the Renew Newcastle art and creative projects will host a collection of special events in the early evening 5 – 8pm. At Emerald Arts we're having an Art Party... details below... love to see you there.

Date: 2.10.09
Time: 5pm-8pm
Project: Emerald Arts
Location: Shop 2, 196 Hunter Street, Newcastle

Event: The Art Party
Description: Come celebrate the awesomeness of art and play some party games, including pin the badge on the Widget and Pass the Parcel. There will be drawing competitions and delicious snacks.

Emmeline.

Dusty McDust Dust

2009-09-24T05:31:00.000-07:00

Crazy amounts of dust over my part of the world lately.

Makes me:

a) sneeze a lot

b) laugh at climate change sceptics

c) laugh again because climate change sceptics are not generally Skeptics.

Found an article which counts Renew Newcastle as among one of the reasons why Newcastle is starting to undergo a mini-development boom (you can count my Dad as another).

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/newcastles-east-end-gets-set-for-development-boom/1627550.aspx?page=3

Couldn't help from putting in my own two cents worth, even though they don't make two centses any more and no one had commented for days....

Hello :) I'm Emmeline from Emerald Arts, one of the Renew Newcastle projects.

My studio was one of the first spaces to open, and in the eight or so months since I have heard every argument in the sun for and against the rail line.

Sick of hearing about it to be honest.

News of new apartment blocks on the other hand is very interesting. From a retail perspective, they and the mall being open to traffic are very positive signs. More people living in our city means that those people might want some food to eat, somewhere to chill after work, some art to hang on their walls. I think that this article is projecting a little.

Renew Newcastle has been working darn hard to bring life to the city, however, we're not quite there yet. After all.... there is only so much that a bunch of artists and a mastermind like Marcus Westbury can achieve without help from developers like GPT and a suddenly much more helpful council (thanks for the free parking on Saturdays guys, you rock ;)

We're aiming high, to bring a pretty shabby city centre back to awesome again, but I definitely think we're getting there, but there's still a lot of hard work to go

Shifty behaviour

2009-09-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

Man, it has been one crazy week.

No photos this post.... because someone came in, complimented me on my artworks, then stole my phone right off my desk. Can't afford to get a new one for a while, so it might just be writing and links to stuff I like for a while.

Such a shame because I had a mega spring clean and decoration binge and Emerald Arts is looking AWESOME!

I'm just going to have to learn to pack my things away better I guess, or keep phone in pocket if waiting for a call.

Adjusting to life post-Ten ok. It's hard in some ways because I lost our mutual friends at the same time (they haven't contacted me since it happened and I haven't had the guts to contact them and be barred). Hurts to hear that they're having parties that I'm not invited to, but I guess I'm not surprised.

Have to say though, it's forced me to do things I wouldn't usually do (attend art openings alone, make speeches in front of lots of people). I'm reconnecting with people I rarely got to see while we were dating and making new friends. Last saturday night Joe and I went to club G (local gay club... so much fun) and danced on the stage. The music is excellent there, so nice to be able to dance without getting my bum pinched too. One boy was even nice enough to tell me I look like Katy Perry. Sure he was pretty drunk, but I'll take that, thanks ;)

Also, I kind of really like having a whole double bed to myself. STARFISH!

In other news, my brother Lachy tore a ligament in his knee by crashing the quad bike he was driving into a mate. He's on crutches at the moment, having the day off school. Mum's blind furious with his soccer coach for organising a day where 17yr olds are allowed on such dangerous machines. I'm just miffed that I didn't get a go :P

Speaking of Mum, she got bitten by a white tail spider... horrid and dangerous little buggers. I won't link you to pictures, but the results can be very VERY nasty. Luckily for once she listened when I told her that she should REALLY go see a doctor, so she's going to be blotchy and sick for a couple more weeks, but she'll be ok after that.

Hmmms... what time is it? Think I'll go work on my Figure in Landscape project. I'd show you photos.... but yeah LOL

-Emmeline

Spring cleaning and playing shops still

2009-09-07T04:22:00.000-07:00

Tree mural with some more leaves on it

Oh how I wish I still had photoshop to play around with, I do miss it so.

Much as I love the red silk sheet I have been using as a tablecloth since the studio opened, I thought it was about time I tried something new, so I bought some el cheapo ones from SoLo Prices and cut them to size ;)

They also had a whole lot of pretend flowers, so I have been weaving them into my displays too

and making some large watercolours to give a bit of colour and life to le Emerald Arts

Mannequin hug?

Einstein is going to write witty things on my chalkboard

Someone scratched nice things into my tree mural already... which cheered me up after another someone stole my ipod. Well.... whadaryagunnodo?

-Emmeline

First week of September

2009-09-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

In the midst of spring cleaning Emerald Arts, giving it a makeover.

Throwing myself into art seems to be (so far) an excellent way of coping with the fact that within the space of a few months I lost my home, my dog and my boyfriend.

That said though, it's really lovely living back home with my family. I tried to keep things civil with Ten, kept the lines of communication open... but then I got sick of hearing a lot of self justifications for mean behavior... rather than maybe an apology or some kind of sign that he's sad we broke up... so I'm trying to take a break from talking to or hearing anything about Ten. People still tell me that he's out partying all weekend, friends and sister, but I've taken his number from my phone so I don't text him pathetically and have minimised his updates on facebook.

I'm getting back to happy and realising that sometimes people don't live up to the ideal we have built up of them. Sometimes boys do not act like gentlemen. Sometimes dreamers wake up and make a change for the better.

I got jealous of all the nifty Sandwish boards that the other shops had and made my own version on the back of a For Lease sign.
So cute, this little customer bought the English Bunny Jane at the Olive Tree Markets on Saturday and tied her to the front of her scooter.

I've been drawing a tree mural on my front window for spring..... because I can.

This is Ross and Kate's new baby Ella. She's adorable, perfect little puppy. Makes me dream of having my own little labrador that could hang out at Emerald Arts and keep me company. Mum says no. But I still want one.

Puppy Plinth

Cas said that she couldn't help thinking of Eddie while holiding Ella. Neither could I.

-Emmeline

Look Hear: Architecture and Design talks

2009-08-31T02:57:00.000-07:00

This wednesday I'm giving a talk bout Emerald Arts and the design principles behind it....

So far I have gone through all my photos.... thousands and thousands, and pulled out all relevant then sorted into folders, next to put them into a powerpoint demonstration, then write the speech.... better stop procrastinating then....

Is it wrong that I'm kind of chuffed the used my new haircut vanity shot for the website?

http://www.lookheartalk.org/speakers.html

Back again....

2009-08-30T00:53:00.000-07:00

Well, once again it's been awhile, but sometimes real life gets in the way of blogging, so please excuse my absence dear reader. I think I mentioned before that I have moved back in with Mum and Dad, which is just wonderful (both of them and for me). Broke up with Ten for good after finding out a few things and having a good hard think. Now I have my own bedroom back, my studio and Tafe are just down the road and people are happy to see me when I get home so everything is win.

I'm submersed in a world of Art, living, sleeping and breathing it. Here's a few shots to catch you up....

Mum came home with poppies one day so I painted them for her

My tribute to Monet, painted last weekend. Was going be for sale but when I hung it on the wall I realised that the damn thing was wonky, one side longer than the other. That will learn me for being lazy and buying a cheap Chinese one instead of making my own.

Found a Cherry Blossom tree when I was on a sketching things walk. Tore myself off a branch for the studio then spent the day playing around at drawing and painting them. Had my students do the same.

Been making wrapping paper by splodging watercolour paint onto A2 sized cartridge. V. fun.

Some of my stolen blossoms on display in the Emerald Arts shop window. Wasn't until I took this photo that I realised that the silver spinning thing next to it has cherry blossoms on it too.

Sketch made in life drawing. This lady is my favourite model. She's so gorgeous and always looks very tranquil. A dream to draw too, curves are way easier than angles. For once I listened to Cherie and drew really lightly, amazed by how much it helped. Still not finished, but quite like it.

In Sculpture class we are building Toas, which were markers used by certain Aborigional tribes. I'll let Wikipedia illuminate you further: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toas

I'm making mine to look like a bird, even though that's not quite in the spirit. They're supposed to be simplistic, but I want mine to be fancy. Will probably lose me marks, but for once I don't care because I can just picture how it will look and it makes me giggle.

Here are my anatomy drawings up on the wall in the upstairs gallery at Art School. I'm that proud of myself I can't tell you. First real exhibition *dances*

Le Windpipe

Oil paint crayons on black paper. Not so fond of this one, was really hard to make it distinct because they are not exactly a precise tool....

Braiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnssss

Am orf to (finally) write the speech I'll be giving on Wednesday night. It's about the design principles behind Emerald Arts....

Ciao ;)

-Emmeline

Anatomy Day

2009-08-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

Today I had the very great privledge of visiting the Anatomy Laboratory at the Uni as part of our School's workshop week. We were shown around the room, then set to work on watercolour paintings of the museum specimens and human subjects. Before I go on, these are photos not scans because I don't have a scanner at the moment, so they don't quite do their subjects justice.... but hopefully they'll give you some idea of how intricate and amazing the experience was.

Hat's off to all who donate their bodies to science. The medical profession and artists worldwide salute you.

This is the Circle of Willis. Someone had painstakingly removed all of the blood vessels that supply the brain and suspended them for study. They're incredibly delicate. Everyone thought that they looked like a rather lovely tree. Cherie brought along black paper (along with magnificent watercolour paper and paints) for us to play with. There was a gorgeous white ink there, which turned out to be rather shiny. It's not my most complicated drawing, but it's my favourite from the day.

This is the piece that I worked the most on, spent about four hours probably. Lots and lots of washes.

I'm starting to really love watercolour. Thinking it might just be my thing..... or one of them anyway. I love the way you can layer them.

This subject died of a brain embolism. You can see it as the black that surrounds (compresses) his brain, scary to look at, but also very beautiful.

A heart, or section thereof. This photo is close to the actual colours, but then I changed the settings....

and it became like this.... I really need to get a scanner.... haha i already said that didn't I :P

A lung. Don't smoke kids..... *cough*

So that was Anatomy Day. I loved it so much that I'm going again tomorrow instead of to the Sydney Gallery crawl. I have the itinerary anyways, so I'll just go later with Cas and Mum, spread it out over a weekend instead of a day.... all civilised like,

Better get to bed, it's hella late and I have a big day tomorrow.... and tomorrow night is the opening of the Margaret Olley exhibition at the NRAG OMGYAY!

-Emmeline

Hairdressers are better than counsellors

2009-08-02T23:25:00.000-07:00

Just got back from having my haircut. It's gone from long and straggly almost to my waist, to just below my shoulders. I look less like a twelve year old and more like a lady :P

This photo was sent to me by a lovely visitor to Emerald Arts called Eliza. She's trying for a baby and this is her physical manifestation of that hope. The pose that the mannequin is so beautiful, says everything that needs to be said really. Best of luck to you Eliza ;)

My Adult watercolour class students, Lindsay and Rachael. Had a lovely afternoon, pottering around with paints. They painted some translucent bluey green leaves on my tree mural.

In painting class on Friday we had a live model from whom we had to do a face study. This is my partially finished version.

This is my teacher Dallas' demonstration. Watching him paint was like going to a magic show. Yet another reason why I am beside myself to be studing at Newcastle Art School. You can see more of his work here:

http://www.damienmintongallery.com.au/artists/dallas-bray/

My stall at the Olive Tree Markets last saturday. They're held in the grounds of a local primary school, full of beautiful arts and crafts. Only on once a month, but Saturday is usually a pretty quiet day in the mall and I do so well there that it is well worth relocating the shop for the day. The only creatures left at the end were the dark blue velveteen (Bob the Accountant), Josephine and Christopher the Cuddle Creature. I needs to get sewing.

The beautiful watercolour cards that Cas made for me. I sold the one on the top. She was very excited.

Wondered all day why no one was buying the wrapping paper.... did I price it too high? Was it not pretty enough? Turns out I just accidentally hid the price sign, which may have had something to do with it ;)

I heart flowers.

Found this amazing glass sculpture in David Jones. It's by Georg Jenson, who I had only ever heard of making watches. If I only had $950. It is THAT cool.

Cas's birthday presents all wrapped and ready to post. It was her birthday on Saturday, but I was at the markets and then had an earache so I thought I had better not drive to Sydney. Still, hopefully the novelty of getting mail and presents will put me back in the good books ;)

This is Buddy, who is waiting in his transitional vase to be moved in with my brother's fish. I've had him since I first moved out of home about five years ago. He is so awesome. Really expressive.

Yes, I know, he is just a fish. But he is SO MUCH more than that. Buddy rocks. His best friend, a little black moor called Emo, died last week.

Feeling more like myself being in my old room, surrounded by family. Things had been difficult living where I was. Now I feel like I can breathe and get my head right.

-Emmeline

Just a quick one

2009-07-28T01:27:00.001-07:00

To let everyone know that I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth but I have been away from the interwebs lately. The weekend before last crumbs somehow got from the bottom of my glass into my cereal and I was glutened again, had to use my epipen. It's a long story that I'll elaborate on later, but Ten is going to stay here while I go live with my parents for a while and try to get the business to a stage where I can pay my half of the rent and we can get a place of my own.

Money troubles have been a giant strain on Ten and I so this is sort of a trial separation. We're hoping that a bit of a break will enable us to see that we really do care about each other and want to live together again. But for now I can't live in a place where I'm not safe. Him having to pay for everything was creating resentment and stress, me not being able to pull my own weight was making me feel worthless and being in a place that was not our own was definitely not helping matters.

So away I go, to work hard and move back in with the parents. Great way to start my 30th year :P

-Emmeline

Em's Day of Cranky

2009-07-16T23:54:00.000-07:00

Today started quite beautifully, snapped this rainbow on the drive into work.

Made some wrapping paper by splattering A2 paper with watercolour paint. So much fun to make, hopefully I price it right and people buy it so I have an excuse to make more.

Went to put the new decorations that I had made for the Winter display in the window and discovered that it had leaked again, guess the plumber didn't fix the leak after all. That or the neverending awning revamp at the Newcastle Permanent has disturbed my building somehow.

Aurgh. Poor bonsai tree, I don't think it's going to survive it's third soaking. Tried to dry it but the paper started to ball up, so I just left it to dry by itself. Really hope it's ok, but prob. not.

I have no idea why this picture has just turned itself sideways, but I'll try to sort it out.

This is my friend Nick's little patch of Renew Newcastle, "Upcycling". These are some of his repurposed Skateboards. If you look along the bottom of the windows in the moss he's growing there you'll see two little action figures fighting. Win!

Nick's Mum is an artist, these are some of her handmade cards. Violets. Gorgeous.
Back at Emerald Arts... My new winter sculpture thing. Made using a parasol found at the Asian Grocery and gift wrap from the lovely Kim.

Playing paint splatters with student Maryanne. We painted masking fluid onto canvas then splattered over the top of it and waited for it to dry.

Had a momentary heart attack, thinking that Maryanne had cut herself, but it turned out she had just splattered her hand with red paint. Phew.

Maryanne's flower painting. Turned out really well and was such a fun exercise. Modified the lesson from a class I took at Hamilton Island. Can't wait to try it out at the grownups watercolour class next Wenesday and see how they take to it.

A customer kindly let me take a photo of her very awesome pipecleaner rings. Not a bad idea for the students actually....

Right, orf to get drunk and forget about the poor sodden shopfront....

-Emmeline

A new student and a Bonsai

2009-07-16T01:08:00.000-07:00

Had such a great day at the studio today. It was miserable and blustery outside, so I cranked up my little heater and turned all the lights on, the place must have looked cosy cos I had a lot more visitors than normal...

This is Monique, my new student, making splashy watercolour paintings which is SO MUCH FUN seriously. Here's hoping Rosie doesn't have too much trouble adjusting to having someone else in her tuesday class... she seems to like that it has been just her and I so far, said she didn't want any other students... but I'm sure she'll come around.

My lunch. Ten bought me a new salt, chicken flavoured, to add to soups. The lid fell off and half the salt plus the lid went right in. Needless to say I had noodles instead.

I heart holidays. Finally got the time (and resources) to make a custom bonsai for Angelic. I've had the cranes folded, she's been waiting for ages, but it's a pretty lengthy process making the things. Going to have to remember to take a deposit on orders from now on so I can buy supplies to make stuff.

Twisting the wires onto a pencil for shape.

The (almost) finished tree. Now I just need some moss to make it look a bit more natural and a small figurine to put in the base like the original.... which has a Jesus that Lachy found. Such a good feeling to have made it. Been bugging me not to have finished it.

About four this afternoon a couple of girls from my brother's school dropped by (different year though), we got to talking about their art projects and how it can be hard sometimes to just "make art" without it feeling forced. So I showed them how I've been making watercolours lately, by spritzing the page with water then watching the colours spread into the grain of the paper. They had a play while I worked on the bonsai, was lovely to have people to chat to at that time of the afternoon. I like the thought that they felt comfortable enough at Emerald Arts to hang out too, because that's kind of how I see the place, somewhere to chill, create, stuff like that.

Off to trivia at the Pub with Tenski, Steeeve and Matty. Here's hoping my brain will get out of holiday mode enough to be of use hehe.

-Emmeline

Epic Picture Post... catch up

2009-07-15T03:34:00.000-07:00

Creating the Winter Window.So far I have ripped up a pillow and shoved the innards down the side of the window. I'm making a lake and some trees as well as some silver cranes. I'm not sure what else yet :P

My Landscape assesment is finally MINE ALL MINE!!!!

Red painting test for Mum. I added some inteference today, which refracts the light and alters the paint it is put over. This one has an orange tinge.

The Guest Wall.Repaired the purple painting that was damaged going to and/or from the Markets. Put my prints from Digital class up on the wall too, starting to look rather well stocked.

another angle of the Guest Wall. Thanks for the gorgeous prints Flossy-P. I heart you.

The small table I yoinked from Mum and Dad with stuff on it including roses that Ten's grandma made, Joe's metal sculpture and stuff, more stuff.

A few of the new prints. I heart Photoshop now. Just so ya'll know.

Watercolour tests, was preparing for the adult class today.

The new Artist Trading Card table.There's blank cards, textas, glue, pens, stamps, all sorts of crazy. 50 cents lets you make one and swap it with one someone else has made.

The back wall is coming along. Need to make some red curtains to go behind the puppets... more cushions for the Toy Bed too I think.

The Bookshelf. Where I keep all my trinkets and art supplies.

Cas made me some new cards to sell. They're the very colourful ones. I heart them.

Right than, orf to drum up business for the holiday classes.... somehow.

-Emmeline

Meet Pig and Wuru

2009-07-06T02:56:00.000-07:00

I cannot tell you how beside myself I was to finally see a dugong in real life... I have been obsessed with them since I was very little. These two are called Pig and Wuru, they live at the Sydney Aquarium and they are the most beautiful creatures in existence.

Commentary provided by yours truly and a pair of American tourists.

-Emmeline

A bit late, but RIP Michael Jackson

2009-07-05T22:35:00.000-07:00

Like millions of kids the world over I spent most of my childhood studying Michael Jackson's dance moves and making up routines of my own to his songs with Cas.

I love him and his music, the world has lost a beautiful person and performer. Hopefully now people will stop talking about how he bleached his skin to be white (not true, he had Vitiglio), that he was a paedophile (yeah right) and a wacko. He was not.

Whatever people might say or feel about Michael Jackson, the beauty and joy of his music will be what endures, not the rest of the rubbish.

Rest in Peace Michael, I hope they let your family bury you in Neverland.

-Emmeline

Ps. I apologise that since we heard the news my family can't stop saying "Poor little Prince Michael the second aka. Blanket" because we find it as amusing as Heavenly Hirani Tiger Lily. We laugh so we don't cry. Honest.

You wanna be on tv?

2009-07-05T21:01:00.000-07:00

Very exciting news, Renew Newcastle was just featured (yesterday) on the ABC program Sunday Arts... yours truly and Emerald Arts included.

For all my nervousness in front of a camera I didn't come off too badly at all, even if my voice is a lot lower than I thought it was.... saucy.

You can read about our episode here:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/sundayarts/txt/s2615102.htm

and watch it by going to the iTunes podcast section and searching for the most recent episode of Sunday Arts.

Can't stay and chat, off to drum up business for the holiday Art Classes I'll be running.

-Emmeline

It's Holidays... but I can't stop myself from painting :P

2009-06-30T00:59:00.000-07:00

Blew up the picture that Mumoir wanted me to paint from so I could see it a bit better, tested the new paint colours underneath so I could get a look at them. Bit hard to tell from this, but the gold we bought is just AMAZING! So shiny, couldn't wait to try it out. Completely in love with the Vermilion too, v. pretty.

Prepared a canvas board that I found at a cheap shop down the road for $2.50.... bargain! With a tube of Red found at same shop. Mixed a little bit of orange in to give it depth, then left that to dry while I set to work with the gold on a purple base I prepared earlier...

Started by squidging out a line of gold then smoothed it in and scraped it off with a broken old ruler I had been saving because I knew I would totally need it one day (not because I am a compulsive hoarder).

Created quite an interesting effect. The gold in the newspaper photo is heavily applied, quite possibly used as the base, but I like things a bit more contrasty, so for these tests I wanted to start with the colour first before laying on a few coats of gold. Going to do three or four of these layers and see what sort of depth I can get out of that. Will keep you posted.

Then I took a self-portrait, MySpace style, feeling like a complete dork whilst doing so, but I wanted to show off my new haircut. It's all part of my new marketing plan. Look polished, have hair and nails done, wear paint splattered apron and somehow look like a Bohemian yet put together artiste.

We'll see how long that lasts :p

Then we have Rosie, who is my sole student at the moment. She has been with me all term and she is an absolute sweetheart (when she wants to be... as most kids are really). Rather than spending all my dosh on advertising and trying to get a whole lot of students all at once, I've focused on learning how to be a good teacher to one student. You wouldn't believe how much she has taught me! I've learnt that kids will not always want to do the activities that we have so carefully planned out for them. Kids will have trouble using scissors. They will get glue and paint everywhere and should always wear an apron. They will have chirpy days where they want to do a thousand things at once, and they will have quiet days when they just want to draw stuff and that is all.

Rosie is hysterically funny, very good at picking colours and quite the little artist. I hope she is my student for a very long time.

Sculpture and shopping with Mumoir

2009-06-29T00:29:00.000-07:00

Sculpture assesment was on last Friday, these are my submissions, featuring "Rex" the wooden fish with kissing lips, a rather featureless head that was made the day Eddie died thus never finished and a skull that from this angle looks rather happy... good for him ;)

On Saturday I was rather hungover whilst in at Emerald Arts, so I wandered up to GoLo to see what gluten free sugary delights they had for me there. I found this apple flavoured killer python for $1.49 and was absolutely beside myself. Excitement dimmed somewhat upon eating, there wasn't much flavour there, but it was still pretty great.

Mum and I had a lovely art afternoon today, bought supplies from Eckersley's and had coffee and tiny cakes at Lime.

I'm going to paint a couple of pieces for mum, as well as a Life Drawing for Richard at the office. So I'm going to use the oil sticks for that. Mum liked the paintings that appear behind the guy in the news article, so will get Dallas to help me figure out how to create the same effect.

Ooohhh *shivers* I love trying out new techniques. So glad it is holiday (from Tafe) time so I can work on Emerald Arts and creating the commissions I suddenly have Oh Hurrah!

Am Orf to have baked dinner at West's and watch Top Gear at Benny's.

*MWAH*

-Emmeline

In my family we don't smack for accidents

2009-06-25T04:05:00.000-07:00

Took the big yellow canvas outside so that a coat of varnish could dry... wasn't counting on the wind that a painting that big can pick up behind it on a suddenly blustery winter's day

It fell down onto a chair and ripped twice

so I sewed it up with embroidery thread, and now I kind of like it even more

Today in Life Drawing we each picked our six favourite drawings from the semester then pinned them on the wall. Then we had a chat and said what we liked about each other's work. V. positive and lovely.

My six favourites, clockwise from top left.

A cross-hatch study

tonal study of plaster casts

sepia ink wet on wet technique

ripped paper 3 tone portrait of Scott

painted ink lady

Oil stick study of marble bust

I think I need to work on the neck and the cheek a little, but pretty good for a first try

Two very colourful giraffes being installed in the front lobby. I can't tell you how much I love them. They are so beautiful. I was a bit late to class because I couldn't leave them this morning.

He wants to live in my backyard and be my friend.

Always late but worth the wait, Joe putting up his drawings ;)