March madness…

Firstly, I have to say…this is not my image, but my son’s.”Upside down moon” is its title I believe. I have posted this, as for the first time ever, I have no new photos or art to share with you. My camera has been collecting dust over the past few months as I have been focused on completing some study and family priorities which have consumed me recently.

So, here I am, in nearly March and not one single blog, photo or art to share…not that I haven’t been thinking about it all…I have the application for the Lysaght Watt Trust Art Award for this year and am close to a decision on a piece to enter..imagine winning twice!!!  It is an interesting theme too, being “Yin Yang” which has me thinking about the endless flow between light and dark, solid and fluid, old and new, good and evil, morning and evening, hard and soft,  masculine and feminine and the other Yin Yang examples found in nature and around us and also in us….two opposite and opposing forces at play…

I am thinking also of another GARDEN Art Exhibition this year (after our great review last year) and also a photographic exhibition of Taranaki photographers… and I dream to enter a portrait competition and also of having an exhibition of my Italian photos and setting up a real physical art support group too – to share ideas and support each other, even more than we do now……so many ideas. Maybe I just needed some creative down time over recent months to re-emerge stronger, more creative and inspired than ever before? The balance of creative forces in my own body and mind and heart are shifting again and I feel  a re-awakening happening…

May March bring you joy and creative inspiration also.

Reflecting on what was 2016…

Well 2016 has been and gone and it seems timely to reflect a little on what was great about it before launching into 2017 plans and goals. So here are my top 3 highlights for 2016.

The absolute highlight of 2016 was winning the prestigious Lysaght Watt Trust Art Award for 2016 with my photograph “Daily life: Under the Eiffel Tower”. This is my absolute proudest moment as a photographer and artist.

 

 

Another highlight this year was participating in the Taranaki Arts Trail and having my gallery/studio open this year at home…with my photograph “The Rejection of Ariadne” displayed under the Taranaki Arts Trail signage at the Gallery profiling all the artists.

 

Finally my third top highlight was organising and participating in “GARDEN – An ART Exhibition” which involved over 20 distinct and talented Taranaki Artists and showcased a wide variety of artistic talent from drawing to sculpture to fibre work and pottery, all with a garden theme, and was on display during Taranaki region’s Garden Festivals in late October/November this year. I was extremely happy with my own entry  – a photograph printed on linen.. Botanical Beauty.

So, all in all a really great year. I had other goals this year…a new book, a new improved website, but they didn’t quite happen…watch out 2017! It’s going to be busy….

ps.. “The Fantail Collection” of my curated collection of original vintage NZ art and collectables is also awaiting a new separate website so I can share my love of original NZ art in its own space…2017 is going to be very busy!

So, watch this space…its going to be another busy year this year and I hope that you also have some big plans and dreams to make 2017 the best year ever!

 

The rejection of sleeping Ariadne.

My latest Photograph and entry into the Taranaki Arts Trail Exhibition 2016.

Titled “The rejection of sleeping Ariadne”.

Description:

A 3rd century BC Roman copy of an ancient Greek sculpture of Ariadne.

Ariadne awoke from her peaceful slumber  to find herself abandoned and rejected by her lover, Theseus, according to Greek mythology. This sculpture captures her final moment of peace before she wakes and realises the devastating betrayal that has occurred.

She is left to dream alone…rejected then by her lover and now, it also appears, the public.

Three sisters…

Like three sisters…these three paintings are genetically similar. ..same canvas, same paint pallet,  same creator… but each is in individual, unique and has its own strengths and weaknesses …the same but different.

It feels good to be painting again after a bit of a quiet period as I have focused on photography and writing. I have missed it. I have attached a close up shot of one of the paintings too…so you can see the pinks and indigo and whites…colours of my  favourite black sand beach at sunset. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Fading pink in the heat of summer….

The hydrangeas are out in full glory. Perhaps this seemingly endless summer is even too hot for them this year, as they look drier and pinker than usual.

Of course, I love the muted shades, the messy variegated colours seen as they slowly die off from what was a glorious bloom, and this hedge was a perfect example of the colours.

A Little Christmas Advent Alphabet Book by Black Box Art Studio

Very exciting news!!!!

I have just ordered the first copies of my first Black Box Art Studio book. It is a little black 6 inch x 6 inch square book called “A Little Christmas Advent Alphabet Book”. This is completely designed and produced by myself and using my own writing and my own art and photographic images to count down to Christmas. It is a 100% original Black Box Art Studio product.

It is printed on gorgeous thick exceptional quality photographic paper built to last for generations and is a professional quality lay-flat photographic book – so it can lie flat on a table or stand upright with the image clearly spread across the two pages…absolutely beautiful.

Please have a look at the preview…its a wonderful gift and Christmas heirloom item – can be used every year as an inspirational way to count down the days until Christmas.

http://www.asovx.com/upload/Preview?projectId=LkwUeas0YXo%3D&bottomPadding=10&baseSize=790&baseAsWidth=true

Pre-order to secure your copy by leaving us a message or purchase now via our website. Copies are extremely limited.

Singapore…the land of the fan.

With 38 degree heat, high humidity and intense smog from forest fires (off shore), it wasn’t really conducive to exploring, but I did spot these gorgeous plants – a fan in a silvery, green hue…both function and form in perfect harmony.

Journal dreaming…

I went a bit mad on journals while I was away…I found so many that I fell in love with… I will be putting some on the website soon, but here they are on our Pinterest site, if you would like a sneak preview…just click on the link below…

https://www.pinterest.com/BlackBoxArt/black-box-art-studio/

Reflecting on the Len Lye Centre

Our new contemporary art gallery and Len Lye centre looking rather stunning at night, reflecting one of our oldest hotels (The White Hart – now fully restored) in the night lights. I love the contrast between the shiny modernistic mirrors and the gracious, old and beautiful building being reflected…how two so very different buildings compliment each other so well. Opposites attract and look good!

Opening day….

We opened the doors today – our first ever shop…it looked fabulous and it was great to meet so many lovely people who came in to see what we were doing and enjoyed the mix of my art and photography, the Fantail Collection, vintage treasures, Start Something kits and gorgeous flowers. The kids art/play area was also pretty popular with the younger crowd…

Here are a few pictures of the gallery/shop…