The Joy and Life of being an Artist!

The Year of the Rabbit has left me quite exhausted! There has been so much change, hopping about and so much to do..... so many little ends to tie up, so many decisions to be made and so many new forces to be considered. This last year has left us all a little dazed and I find myself thinking what will the Year of the Dragon bring.

So I am starting early to consider the year ahead. With a very full month ahead of me and an important solo show next April at Aarwun Galleries, it is time I knuckled down to serious work in the studio.But whew! What a year and still some to come.

This morning I was driving, no....cruising along the highway in my comfortable car, looking out over the hills and valleys of this wonderful landscape I live in; abundant growth everywhere and warm sunshine after a week of non-stop rain. I noted that the rivers were full to the brim and wonderful puffy white clouds building up in the bluest of skies overhead. I am always happiest in my car, free as a bird listening to music and cruising the landscape. My heart sings! Or in my studio, paint everywhere.... love getting all messy and seeing what works with what.

I have just had lunch with my dear friend Karrin, wonder woman artist from Lightening Ridge and a true Ehulii woman spirit. She looked marvelous! You can find her art work on her website. We always enjoy sharing together the various stories of our respective lives. True friends are great treasures to be enjoyed while we can so these are special moments when we connect with our soul sisters.

We both are acutely aware of the damage being done to this sacred land we live in and we worry for the delicate deserts and waterways being disturbed by an ever increasing mining presence. It might be that Australia will be uninhabitable in time as awareness of being in touch with the land is eroding in the face of an increasing greed. It is another invasion happening - perhaps the last! I remarked to Karrin that lately it is the aboriginal people that are buying my artworks and not the European descendants. I feel that is a privilege and shows my connection to the land is being recognised by the original land owners. But with it, comes a responsibility: a responsibility to reach out and make others aware of the 'pain' the land is in.

I hope I am up to it. Still Canberra is the place where my next show will be so maybe, just maybe I can make a small contribution to raising consciousness. I certainly hope so! So look out for "LAND /MARKS" in April!

"LAND /MARKS - abandoned" Mixed Media on Paper 52 cmx 70 cm

This painting depicts an abandoned homestead block in the western desert.Man has tried for over 200 years now to conquer the inland of Australia but marks such as these home sites left long ago show the harshness of a desert that we still have not learned to live with.

Forbes Town - what a hoot!

Well, this last week saw some of my works shown at Forbes Town Hall some 150 kms west of Orange where I live. It's always interesting to take your work into another town, especially the smaller towns and see what the exercise brings! I'm not sure about anyone else, but I had a fabulous time..... the people of our Ozzie country towns are really the 'salt of the earth', super friendly and welcoming!

One very special lady I met called Lee wrote a poem about me and she has given me permission to put it here for you also to laugh at enjoy! Lee also liked my hand painted shoes (grand-daughter's art) so much that she was inspired to paint her own..... now that's my sort of person!

"Limericks de Joy"

To Forbes came this artist extraordinaire,

Environmental from her feet to her hair.

She was surely inspirational,

Her paintings quite sensational,

Yes, Joy, your a lady with flair.

Came this talented artist from Orange,

(which doesn't rhyme with anything)

For her spectacular paintings to bring

All that nature does impart

Painted right from the heart

Glorious colours that make your soul sing.

I have to say, I was wined and dined in style, Pam and Tony made me very very welcome and the last night party! well, what can I say except that 2 days later I am still recovering! Yes Forbes, you are going to be hard to beat!

I had to add a photo of one of the many floral arrangements that the Forbes ladies put around the show....... the colours of our bush flowers are really beautiful aren't they? We all just love those blue gum tips and bright red bottle brushes. I thought this would make a nice painting..... hmmm....

The Town Hall is really quite stunning inside with a colonial architecture that reflects our rather British heritage so the show looked quite good in the space provided. One hopes that the Forbes Council learns to encourage the arts further and support the hard work of their local people. Maybe an Arts Prize or an Aquisition from the regular shows that the people of Forbes voluntarily put on.It would be good to see these country councils participate more fully and engage their arts communities by building local collections of Australian art.

So this week, I'm off to Coffs Harbour, a trek of some 800-900 kms north and to the beach! Yay! My paintings will once again go on display only this time at Opal Cove Resort - so let's see if Coffs can come up to Forbes standard! It'll be a challenge!

New adventure - oh Joyous!

Well hi,

It always seems a little weird, sitting here at my desk, pondering the outside world......they tell me that computers make you antisocial......not sure whether that's right in my case as I seem to get about a fair bit......yep, even at my age!

Just lately, I've taken up the new role of arts editor for Style Magazine......"the essential lifestyle guide for rural and regional NSW". And just this week, the first edition came out with my glamour shot, editorial and feature article in it! Couldn't be more thrilled really.....amazing what glossy white paper and crisp clean print can do for one's words. I have cleaned up OK for the photo.....am amazed at how good Diana's photography is. Either that or she has a fabulous camera that should be gold plated!

See what I mean! Hmmm! This is going to be a good journey for me, I feel it in my bones! And it's always good to be able to write about the thing that inspires you the most in life and for me that would be the arts! All those wonderful images and objects that people create...there's always something new to look at, wonder about or trigger something deep!

So anyway, the adventure begins.....who would of thought that at my age I'd start yet another new journey and one that will inspire me to grow more! Life just gets better!

Joy

Early Morning Australia

I don't know why but I just had to get out of bed at sparrow's fart this morning and head off for a walk/stumble in the bush. Of course, my fave spot of the moment is Gosling Creek. So off I went.

I think it was the fact that for the first time in a while, we had clouds in the sky, a promise maybe of rain but certainly of a colourful sunrise. Clean crisp and cool air.....not to be wasted I felt! The recent heat has made me very thankful for the early breeze of morning.

And there's always the beauty of watching nature paint the early morning sky.....that blend of colours, that big soft water colour, an amazing thing to watch and for me, it had been too long since I had gone out and appreciate the sunrise and bird songs.

And there's the other thing, nature painting the trees as the sun rises, the way the light captures the beauty of the branches and the eternal clear light of Australia. It's a beautiful place, inspiring and ancient.

Although out of focus, an effect I rather like as it reminds me of a soft water colour work, the light and colours of the early morning amongst our trees is always wonderful to catch.

Well, this week has seen the last of the paintings for my next show at Jayes and I am glad to be able to rest again at last. The year ahead is quite daunting with 6 shows, 2 of them overseas and 2 in major cities......it'll be a big year! As well, I am hoping to catch a trip outback......whew!

But bring it on! One day at a time and I'll be there!

Hope you have a great day painting and being inspired. Do stop and smell the roses or at least take a break and look out at the world in wonder.

And on a lighter note!

From my friends in Fuerteventura



Ida and Tito sent me this video this morning. Tito has organised and an event for the town! Wow! Well done Ida and Tito......I want to be there! Look at all the sunshine! Happy faces and good fun!

For all the biennale group, Tito painted the big bright paintings on the side ogf the building towards the end of the video! He was such a funny man and Ida made the funny video on the biennale (plus this one) that's on my other blog at

http://joyengelman.blogspot.com/

and for more of Ida's work, go to here.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAODaefNC_M&feature=email

Have a great day...the sun is trying to peep thru here in Orange in Oz!

Doings

Good grief....it's damned Toosday and I haven't had a blog for a week!

What with all the goings and comings, it's been hard I tell you.

First there was the hanging of the art at Jayes.......two funny artists Greg Hyde and Eris Fleming, 44 works to be hung and catalogued, whew! then it was the opening that I didn't (couldn't make) too busy lying on my back watching Vincent and Rebus, too tired to hold the remote even......

Here's a little vignette I put together that I endearingly call 'the village life'......reminds me of Molong!

Nice saying to put nearby, "It always good to live in a village because if you wake up in the morning and don't know what you're doing, you can always ask around!"

But a great show....the long painting is by Eris Fleming and is "The Village".....and 2 of Eris' sculptures depicting humanity!


Then there was the art class (Autumn Art School) for the ill-advised........but thye came in droves, painted and conquered the empty canvases in front of them, ate fabuluous country fare, talked too much, and drove off into the sunset satiated and tired.........I was completely farked by then.......back to the remote.......

and today is Mad Monday.........phone hasn't stopped, the flat has been like Pitt Street in a mid morning clearance sale day rush, people coming and going, more of them.........ah the world's gorn completely nuts!

Decided today that there is no economic downturn, only a media furphy to keep the slaves in serfdom.......my decidely small budget hasn't changed.......and managed to sell a painting on weekend to a rash of tourists.......it pays to be on the lookout.......

Sorry I didn't take any snaps to give you a gander at the rabid goings on in the bush....so you'll just have to guess or go and look at my friend Phil's website (lookaround.com.au) He's usually got the happy snaps thing going!

The bat phone is still ringing and someone's due in for dinner sometime tonite ....good grief it could be midnight before they make a show......ah well back to the remote!

Life goes on in downtown bush........

Josephine Jagger-Manners New Art!

Well last night was a blast! Really! It was a fantastic night with probably 200 people all up! They were spilling out of the Chop Art Shop and all over the pavement in every direction......

The Chop Art Shop Directors, Nina and Tonya, looked very pleased and so they should.....everyone had a fabulous time....the wine from Borrodell was great (as usual!) 17 artists work adorned the walls and plinths, contemporary and new bouncing off the Victorian interior with energy.....

Dinner after at Tonic was good.....the company was better.....Aida is very funny....haha.... and her friend Robyn was a delight. The conversation hilarious as is usual for our lot. Libby and Hugh are always good value. A wandering young girl flashing her rather flat chest at us late in the evening through the window also helped to bring the table to a roaring finish! Noisiest table in the room and not for the faint of heart!

But today.....today we head off out to Molong for Josephine Jagger-Manners new works. This is her first show and is being held at ther home. Her interiors are very intricate and elicate and remind me a little of Grace Cossington-Smith. I think she will do very well with these. It should be another grand gathering and most of us are looking forward to Michael's art in catering....!

So if you're around this way, this is where you'll need to be today in Orange!

CHOP ART SHOP

Ah! Today's the day that Nina opens her new venture at Millthorpe, arty little village near where I live......it'll be a grand opening I am sure and we are looking forward to heading on out in our best pink and purple hair to commune with other arts bores over a vino etc So.....if you care to join us, please do at 6.30 at 25 Victoria St.

Some smart names, Alan Sisley to open the show, always entertaining - all the right ingredients for a good feast!

later we'll head off to Tonic - that very smart restaurant up the road for fine wining and dining of the very best kind.......and arts talk!

Have updated my little online shop of prints etc this morning , added a few more images etc etc.....but my right hand is giving me grief! It has a little tendonitis at the moment....from too much work....yeah yeah I hear you say.....but it's true. Can't seem to pick anything up aaargh!

Maybe a new artform.....left handed paintings - been done before I know but new for me....anyway away! see you another day!

Welcome to my diary!

Found this fellow on a headland just ready to fly. He had a little chat with me about how peaceful it was floating above the earth and sea, like a bird! and WOW!

I dunno about you, but I have found the last few months exhausting......several of my dear artist friends from all over the world are also finding it hard this year! There seems to be so much bad news these days, that for many of us, it is dragging us down.

I love to paint....I am always happiest with a brush in my hand or a forest to sit in....or a beach to listen to.

This last week I have been lucky enough to head to the beach and finding the open air, the fresh sea breezes blowing, the sun shining and the endless call of the sea still there made me feel alive.


I have returned to see last night's TV, all gloom and doom, then a show of some sheila cutting up a body (oh yuckie!)....and it all tumbled in on me again....I think I'll just go on back and sit by the sea.... Now I don't want to beat on the press, but when are they going to realise that we're all so sick and tired of their endless moaning and groaning that we are turning off to them in droves....no wonder Facebook, Twitter etc are winning over the press....it's all a breath of fresh air and most important of all, it's 'real'......good stories about 'real' people! Gotto love the web.....

So a few photos to remind me of what the world is really like....for those who care to take matters into their own hands and head on out and about....

Sat and stared at this wonderful surf over good coffee at Birubi Beach! The dunes just went endlessly to the horizon and beyond, much like the desert that I love......gives you such an awesome feeling of being small in the world! Always good for a big bird like me!

So this morning, I though, I think I'll start an online diary....for anyone who's interested....Thought it might be a bit more fun than Facebook, a bit more personal, no ads etc....so if you care to join me here, feel free to speak easy and from your heart......

Joy