Exhibition News

It’s exciting to have some work on exhibition again!

Now the dust is starting to settle and restrictions easing (at least in NSW) it’s time to get back to work!

A new group exhibition ‘Abstract’ was installed at Jing Jos in Kangaroo Valley this week and I am fortunate to have two pieces of work in the show ….

The first is a small piece “Meander” 30 x 30 cm which was inspired by my earlier Pathways series ( the work on the right)

Meander

Misty Morning

The second piece, the next work in the Interlaced Series “Winter” 107 x 99cm. It is made with hand dyed cotton and batik. I used a range of tones in the overlaid leaf structure.

Winter - Interlaced Series #2

CarolynCollinsArt 2019

109 x 99 cm Hand dyed cotton and batik

Winter - detail

CarolynCollinsArt 2019

The next in the Series is “Spring” ….. currently a work in progress.

Thank you for your interest in my art work and taking the time to read my journal.

Your comments are always welcome.

Autumn Day on Victoria Street

I just love Ozquilt Networks “personalised promos” for Art Quilt Australia 2019 …. these are prepared for each of the art quilts included in the exhibition - here is the one for Autumn Day ……

Thought I’d take this opportunity to tell you a little more about the work ….

The inspiration for this piece came from the amazing color of the autumn leaves on my persimmon tree in the late afternoon sun . I used the photo as the background for the label attached to the back of the quilt.

The collage background uses hand dyed cottons and silks and some natural (eco) prints from my stash. I often find that I need some additional colors or tones …. and this time I created some digital fabric prints to fill the gaps. I used a design based on an earlier art quilt design and modified in Photoshop Elements. This allows me to change the hue and saturation to fit the color combination I’m working with and has proved very useful technique.

With the background collage sorted, it was secured with a layer of stitching and then the overlay of grevillea leaves in batik were added. The applique leaf design is fused in place and a second layer of stitching follows, this time just at the edge of the applique. This helps to secure the applique and ensures the density of stitching is equally distributed across the work so it will hang flat against the wall. The final step is to add an acrylic finish to ensure the work is secure and protected.

Art Quilt Australia 2019 opens on 6 September at the National Wool Museum in Geelong and runs until 15 December. There are many amazing art works included in this exhibition …. if you are unable to see the 37 works that make up this exhibition in person you will be able to see a gallery of all the works at https://www.ozquiltnetwork.org.au/exhibitions/art-quilt-australia/ after the exhibition opening.

Thank you for reading and for your interest in my work CC

Art Quilt Australia 2019

I’m sorry to have been absent from my blog for so long … life has been tough the last few months with the loss of my much loved husband and soulmate earlier in the year. The support of family and friends has been amazing and I’m picking up the pieces and getting back to my art practice….

I had some good news recently, my work, “Autumn Day on Victoria Street” has been selected as part of Art Quilt Australia 2019 and will be on show at the National Wool Museum in Geelong, Victoria (go the Cats!) from 6 September to 15 December 2019 ….

'Autumn Day on Victoria Street'

'Autumn Day on Victoria Street' Detail

I also have a couple of new projects underway …..

The first is the outcome of a wonderful online workshop with Lisa Call …. “Finessing the 4th Dimension” . The workshop and the project both explore incorporating time in an artwork. This project is definitely pushing the boundaries for me in terms of the concept and the development of technique. The starting point was to photograph the changing patterns and colors of autumn in my garden as the season progressed. Here are some of the images I am working with ….

The second project involves developing my knowledge and experience with direct contact botanical prints (eco prints) with a specific focus on eucalyptus trees … I’m calling it the ‘BlueGum Project’ and I have had some pleasing results ….

There will be more to come shortly on both of these new projects.

Thanks for your patience and for your interest in my work ….CC

Thread Stitch Cloth

Delighted that my entry to 'Thread Stitch Cloth' has been selected to be part of the exhibition. The Exhibition runs from 21 September to 6 November 2018 at the 76 Queen Street Galleries, Concord West.

My entry is titled 'Leaf Lace - Forest Pansy'  30x30cm and features machine free motion stitching and couching.  The background cloth is a nine patch block made up of natural print leaves on silk and silk/wool ....

Thread Stitch Cloth is part of the Festival of Contemporary Machine Stitch presented by the Embroiderers Guild of NSW.  In addition there is an extensive program of workshops and demonstrations including artists such as Meredith Woolnough, Cathy Jack Coupland and Alison Holt (UK).  You can find details of all that is on offer on the Embroiderers' Guild website at www.embroiderersguildnsw.org.au

Thread Stitch Cloth would be well worth a visit if you are in Sydney with a few hours to spare !

Thanks for reading  CC

SAQA Benefit Auction 2018

The 2018 SAQA Benefit Auction gets underway from 14 September  to 17 October this year. 

The 12" x 12" auction quilts are divided up into 3 sections and each week a different section will be available for bidding. The funds raised from the event go to support SAQA's exhibition and outreach program.   You can view all the works at  https://www.saqa.com/auction-quilts.php

Here is the piece that I submitted this year ....

I was delighted to receive an email from Martha Sielman, Executive Director of SAQA ... someone I hold in high regard for her terrific publications on Art Quilts... her message read....

"Thank you for your donation to SAQA’s 2018 Benefit Auction.  What a beautiful landscape!  I especially like how the road changes from a pieced start to a stitched version.  Your trees are a really interesting effect.  How did you print onto the piece fabric?"

.......  made my day!

In case you are interested ... the trees are one of my photos printed onto silk organza and fused to the background.

Thanks for reading ... CC 

Art Quilt Australia's Second Outing ....

The Art Quilt Australia Exhibition,  including my two works  'Autumn Winds' and 'Grevillea Moonlight',  is having a second outing at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum in Lilydale, Victoria ....

It is very exciting to see this Exhibition having a second life and travelling to Victoria.  I have just been looking at the Catalogue for the exhibition and I particularly like this quote from Padraic Lee Fisher,  Director of the National Wool Museum, Geelong Victoria and a member of the Selecton panel for AQA 2017...  

" The works on display in Art Quilt Australia 2017 are memories made manifest in cloth and thread, where something of the maker is revealed in each work.  The slow process in a fast world - the repetitive mark as each stitch marries the nature of cloth and time honored technique with innovation and creative vision."

I won't have the chance to travel to Lilydale but I know it will be well worth the trip for those a little closer!  Love the featured work used in the invitation above ... 'Ode To Banksias 7'  by Susan Mathews.

Thanks for reading .... CC

Art Quilt Australia 2017

The last few weeks I've been spending quite a bit of time helping with the Art Quilt Australia 2017 Exhibition and Advancing Art Quilts Conference organised by the Ozquilt Network Inc .... I have recently joined the Ozquilt Executive Committee ....

The Art Quilt Australia 2017 exhibition was officially opened on 8 September at the Queen Victoria Art Gallery (Royal Park) Launceston and the winners announced.....

• OZQN Award of Excellence: Chinese Whispers Judy Hooworth: $3000 sponsored by Ozquilt Network Inc;

• Highly Commended: OZQN Award of Excellence: Overland Track Sandra Champion

• Highly Commended: OZQN Award of Excellence: Ode to Banksias #7 Susan Matthews

• Expressions Wool Quilt Prize: Klimt Print #2 Suzanne Reid. $3000 acquisitive award sponsored by the National Wool Museum.

• Highly Commended Expressions Wool Quilt Prize: Knit One Purl One #2 Jan Mullen

You can see all of the fabulous works in the exhibition including the prize winners in the online gallery posted at https://www.ozquiltnetwork.org.au/exhibitions/art-quilt-australia/

I was delighted to have two of my works included in this juried exhibition.  'Autumn Winds' (left) which I made in 2016 and 'Grevillea Moonlight' (right)  which I made this year ......

The Exhibition is an excellent showcase of the creativity and diversity of Australian textile arts  and has been described as .....

"A collection of bold, intricate and colorful contemporary textile artworks .....  

The materials, colors and techniques used to create this fantastic exhibition are simply incredible and there is an amazing breadth of talent on display"  

The Catalogue of the exhibition will also be available for purchase from the Ozquilt Network website.  Here is an image of the Cataloque cover ...

Hope you will have a look at the amazing textile art in the online gallery!

Thanks for reading ......CC

Art on the Wall

This week I've been focused on getting 'art on the wall'!

The first task was to deliver artworks to Jing Jo's Cafe in Kangaroo Valley for the new show 'Still Life' which was hung this week.  If you happen to be in the vicinity I would highly recommend dropping in for a coffee and checking out the art!!

I sent across three of my framed and stitched 8" x 10" monoprints .....

as well as a larger, pieced and stitched monoprint  16" x 20"  mounted on a stretched canvas ....

Stitched Life in Blue 1

It's always a challenge for me to photograph groups of artwork on the wall  ... we have an old house with lots of timber panels and strips of timber dividing the wall space.  

So while I was browsing the internet for some ideas, I came across a free app called WallApp which lets you upload a photo of your artwork so you can see what it looks like in a room/living space - there are half a dozen room options and you can also upload a photo of your own room.

Here are a few examples ......

It's very easy to use and quite fun!!! 

This led me to thinking about the reasons for choosing a piece of original art/textile art for your home.  The following are my thoughts about the possible reasons .....

The textile art creates a mood or feeling that can evoke memories or take you to another place.  It adds personal character,  can provides a color palette for the room and makes a room feel finished.  It's something to look at and contemplate,  especially  if it is a work that speaks to you .....  and can inspire and foster creativity.

Textile art particularly,  adds warmth and a softness,  it creates a connection with the makers hand that has created the work and to a long tradition working with fabric and stitch.  

What draws you to a particular piece of art/textile art ... something you own or would like to??  Please comment on why you have chosen to buy a  particular piece of art....

Thanks for reading .... CC

Art Date with "The You Beaut Country"

Had the opportunity this week to spend a couple of hours at the Art Gallery of NSW to see the John Olsen Exhibition "The You Beaut Country" an experience I can totally recommend!!

This exhibition provides a wonderful survey of John Olsen's career from his first exhibition in 1955 to his recent works and includes commissioned ceiling paintings, tapestries and decorated ceramics.

John Olsen's work has a very distinctive and personal style that definitely captures the uniqueness and energy of the Australian landscape.

I came away delighted with joyous use of yellow,  the expressive connecting lines and the way he combines a wide overview of the  landscape  with the minute detail of it's components like  fish, plants, insects ......

I love the yellows  in works such as 'Sydney Sun'  and 'Summer in the You Beaut Country'  and  'Seafood Paella'  below ... on the cover of the catalogue ... another terrific exhibition publication which I have added to my collection.

The use of expressive line is another outstanding feature of his work that is captivating.. it is sometimes bold and exuberant ... sometimes fine and delicate  .... sometimes dominating the work .... sometimes providing intricate detail at the edges of the work.    It seems to me that this is in  part how he captures the vastness of the Australian terrain as well as the character of the specific environment.  There is so much to discover and enjoy  in these paintings.

The exhibition also includes tapestries, decorated ceramics and some of the many journals he maintained over 5 decades.  These include his writings, sketches, photographs and ephemera - tickets, postcards, bird feathers! and provide a glimpse into the artists world.

The exhibition runs until June 12 at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Have you seen the exhibition?  What was your reaction?

Thanks for dropping by .....CC

Art Date .... well sort of!

I would love to see the David Hockney exhibition currently showing at the National Gallery of Victoria but sadly will not have the opportunity to travel to Melbourne before it closes and the NGV is the only venue in Australia! 

As a consolation, I visited the NGV website and was delighted with the video of David Hockney reviewing the exhibition when he visited for the opening.   Here is the link if you would like a taste......     http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/david-hockney/

I also purchased a copy of the catalogue which at A$29.95 seemed very reasonably priced. When I picked up the parcel from the PO I was surprised by its weight and even more so when I opened it and browsed through its many pages (over 1 inch thick)

With time to settle down and read and enjoy I am even a greater fan !!    Here are a couple of the things that really struck a chord with me .....

The series of 82 (yes 82) portraits included in this show.  Since taking LIsa Call's  'Working in a Series' class a couple of years ago I love this process and where it  can take you.  David Hockney's portrait series is unified by a number of parameters ... size. medium, subject seated on the same chair and the blue/green background blocks.   The pose and attire was determined by the sitter.  Edith Delvaney,  writing in the catalogue observes "Hockney shows no sign of his curiosity in this series and its possibilities diminishing".

I also fell in love with his Yosemite pieces,  capturing the light and atmosphere of this place beautifully, it makes me feel like I was back there.   The other element of these works, created on an ipad,  are the trees.  Hockney is quoted as saying ..."trees have a deep appeal ...." and I am drawn to the variety and forms of the trees depicted in the paintings and the wonderful color palette.  

While these works may have been created on an ipad they are clearly the result of first hand experience.   Simon Maidment, Curator of Contemporary Art the NGV writes " The success of translating these places is owed in no small part to the particular way the artist has chosen to experience them, dedicating time to landscapes, for looking and exploring as well as depicting."

For me,  David Hockney makes wonderful pictures and some day I hope to have the opportunity to see his work face-to-face ...... a real art date!!! 

Have you had an "art date"  recently?  What do you recommend?

Thanks for dropping by  ....CC

'Green' Collection ....

The 'Green'  Exhibition opened this week at Jing Jo Cafe in Kangaroo Valley and I was thrilled that a number of my pieces were included ......

Here is my 'Green' collection............

.... a set of 4 Stepping Stones pieces - 'Winding Way' , 'Peaches & Cream' - Grevillea 3 and 'Down by the Bay' - Mangroves 2.

 Even more exciting,  my grevillea piece was chosen as the image for the show ..... Thank you Belinda for all your hard work bring this exhibition together!

If you are in the vicinity of Kangaroo Valley I highly recommend the exhibition. ... there is an excellent variety of work on show .... and the coffee and food at Jing Jo's is excellent.  Here is the link to their site if you need their address and opening times ....  http://www.jingjo.com.au

If you visit,   I'd love to know what you think???  CC

Monoprints in Green

This week I've been concentrating on two things ....

Completing  the stitching on a pair of small monoprints in green .....

 I'm really pleased with the subtle quality of these prints and I'm enjoying the stitching!  

The second focus for this week was the opening of our drawing class exhibition today .....  I helped with the hanging of the exhibition yesterday and was very interested to see how our class teacher,  an exhibiting artist herself,  approached this task.  There was a wide variety of art works to hang and the end result is a terrific display and it all came together very nicely ... here are a couple of photo's from the day .....

So its been a good week.  Thanks for dropping by ..............CC

"Draw" Exhibition Invitation

The drawing class I go to is having an end of year exhibition at the local Regional Gallery.   We've started planning and getting our work ready .... a great learning experience for me.

I volunteered to put together an Invitation/Flyer for the group.  This week,  I worked out 4 designs/layouts and the class members voted .... 

This is the design that they chose.....

I am very happy that my teacher is going to let me include my Mangroves textile piece in the exhibition ... it was inspired by trip the class made to the Mangrove walk at Huskisson  and the drawing work  we did.

It will be fun seeing how it all comes together .....

Thanks for dropping by .....  CC

Australia Wide Five & Art Studio Re-organised!!

This week  I am celebrating some achievements ...... 

Firstly, the OzQuilt Network, Australia Wide Five Exhibition opened at the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries,  64 Wittenoom St Bunbury on Friday 23 September and runs to Sunday 6 November 2016 before continuing on tour.  The gallery is open daily from 10am to 4pm and entry is free.

My piece 'Forest Pansy' is part of this Exhibition.  Click here to see all of the fabulous work that will be on tour.

Secondly .....  its done!!  After the delivery disaster earlier in the month, I took the opportunity to revisit the plans for my studio and decided to 'keep it simple'!!!  

Feels so light and spacious now and there is room for all the important things ... including a spot for my devoted poodle!!!  Now I just have to deal with the chaos in the spare room!!!

So it's back to work ....   

Thanks for dropping by .....   CC

Reunions and Reconnecting with Grace

Last year I attended a school reunion (for the first time !) ...  thanks to the encouragement of a good friend from school days.  The lunch included a tour of the school.  While it was fun to catch up with some of my old school mates .....  I was very impressed by the fantastic new facilities, not the least of which is an art gallery that has been set up in one of the old boarding houses!  

The gallery is the Grace Cossington Smith Gallery at Abbotsleigh on the Pacific Highway at Wahroonga and was established in 2013 with the intention of providing an on-site educational resource for the School. Opening the gallery to the public provided the opportunity to engage with a wider community.  

This year that engagement has led to .......

I am delighted that one of my art quilts will be included in this exhibition,  not only because it is associated with my old school but also because of the connection to Grace Cossington Smith after whom the gallery is named.  Grace was  also an  "old girl", one who lived and worked for many years in the same area of Sydney where I grew up and whose work, especially during the 1950's and 1960's, is an inspiration!

 In this period " Grace Cossington Smith came to realise her aim: to express form in color - color within color, vibrant with light"  Grace Cossington Smith: A Retrospective Exhibition, National Gallery of Australia 2005.

 If you haven't come across her work it is well worth a look.  One of my favorites is 'Interior in Yellow'  1964 ...... google it! 

The 2005 Retrospective Exhibition biography by Deborah Hart concludes with the following observation .....

" It is ultimately Cossington Smith's steadfast resolve to be true to herself in her art, to experiment and evolve at her own pace, revealing a depth of feeling for the world around her, a sense of adventure and a faith in the spirit underlying all things - ' the golden thread running through time' - that makes her one of the most brilliant artists of her generation."

Something to strive for!

Quilting for Sydney Quilt Show

Most of my energy this week is going into the quilting of LeafLines #20 for the Sydney Quilt Show in June this year ... I've still got a couple of weeks up my sleeve ... but it's time now to get it done and not allow myself to be distracted by other ideas and inspirations!!!