Mid-Year Update From Jo
First order of business is the GIVEAWAY. A set of 6 cards of your choice. Is it you? check at the end of the newsletter
Everyone’s is saying it and I agree…. What a busy first half of the year it has been!! Between the workshops, family affairs and backyard renos, the art studio has taken a little bit of a back seat. That being totally true, each time I have had even a twinkling of an idea and a decent amount of time I have started drawing. As a result, I have been able to make 6 plates made in both etching and collagraph to proof when things settle down a bit!! I am happy with that.
Studio News
Working in a new and smaller studio space (not to mention the backyard imploding) requires much more strategy and efficient use of space. Soon I’ll be proofing the new prints. Stay tuned to Instagram for some progress news
A new addition – an A3 size Kanga Press. Beautifully sturdy and handmade locally in Australia. This little beauty will allow me to print my relief prints with pressure coming from the top down. Soon to be put into action!!
Workshop News
Masterclass at Sutton Village Gallery.
In this small group workshop participants were able to build on skills achieved in a previous class. They enthusiastically explored expressive possibilities in printing with collagraph plate and drypoint in combination. All of the group also had fun with drypoint on a Tetrapac incorporated into a textured collagraph background. A print of collaged plants trapped under alfoil proved to be the winning way to print when glue was taking too long to dry on a late autumn day. The results were totally stunning.
Keep an eye out for other workshops being hosted at the Sutton Village Gallery @suttonvillagegallery
Tuggeranong Selection Collage
Gelli print workshops at Tuggeranong are continuing at a rapid pace with each of the participants leaving class each week with a pile of prints which will finally be used to create an artists book. Gelli printing is definitely addictive with a lovely supportive vibe evolving as the weeks went on. Week by week we have built on new techniques creating prints with botanicals , stencils and found objects and learned to work in layers of colour and pattern.
The resulting books were original and creative. This has been a very satisfying way to spend a couple of hours every Tuesday evening.
ASOC workshops beginning Gelli printing and continuing Gel printing are still to come on 6,7,8th of July. I’m looking forward to these workshops too’
Register your interest in small group classes focusing on drypoint etching. Collagraph. Creative relief printing and gelliprinting. I can let you know when the next workshops are planned.
Around Town: Exhibitions
Waterford Natural History Art Prize: On now at the S. A, Museum. . I always look forward to this biennial exhibition featuring the cream of Australian Natural History artists. National Archives host a selection of highly commended works here in Canberra which is always a thrill to see. Also thrilling is when some of your favourite local artists are part of the finalist cohort. Hilary Warren’s fine photopolymer photogravure study of Hakea petiolaris leaves has been Highly Commended and will be part of the exhibition when it comes to Canberra. Opening on June 28 th . Also notably shortlisted is Nicola Dickson, co-incidentally currently also exhibiting at Beaver Gallery with paintings inspired by the discoveries of Louis Freycinet whilst on Scientific explorations from 1817-1820. Hopefully her shortlisted works will be on view in Canberra at some stage as well. Congratulations
Joan McKay “Touched by our Fauna” exhibits a new body of work using scratchboard technique. So good to see at Strathnairn Arts, Holt . stop by for a coffee at Stepping Stone Café while you are there.
New in store:
Restocking cards and card sets @strathnairn, @blackdaisytrading and @uniquestate
Cards and card sets are also always available online @johollierartist.com or @mrs.smith.com
Get Involved:
2024 CRAFT + DESIGN CANBERRA CREATIVE JOURNALLING CHALLENGE runs from July 1st-31 st a daily word prompt will be sent to your email for you to respond in any media of your choice. Go to https://craftanddesigncanberra.org/blogs/news/2024-craft-design-canberra-creative-journalling-challenge to join up
And the give away WINNER is….. LIBBY EYRE
YAY
You get any card set of your choice
I will notify you separately to organise delivery.
Take care everyone.
Stay warm,
JO