Raving it up at the New Lynn RSA.

I just love my local RSA, and as always, they put on a really good 'do' tonight. A terrific band playing authentic Rock and Roll, great company, food and half-price drinks. What better way to see in the New Year, may I ask? There were some great 60's outfits being worn, and the night was jitterbugged away. New Lynn rocks, it has a totally '60's feel about it, and call me an old fogie, but the NL RSA is as good as anywhere. Nice people, great times. The Te Atatu RSA isn't bad either, and the meals and drinks are even cheaper that at New Lynn, though I find the atmosphere more low-key, let's just say it's not quite as bubbly, in my humble opinion. Still a good place to visit though, and the food is really good. I recommend the steak burger adn the myriad selection of yummy salads.

Before midnight we whipped down to the waterfront to watch the fireworks display from Okahu Bay, magnificent, and well worth the traffic queues afterwards. Made me feel proud to be an Aucklander. What a jewel of a city it is, and especially at night. Happy New Year, NZ! I'm not missing Facebook at all, by the way. (New Year's resolution No 1 - stay off Facebook. Blogs are so much more fun)! Roll on 2011, may it be a cracker. An added bonus already - election year. Bring it on. Delicious! Lolly-scambles galore? Or not? Either way, can't wait for the usual electoral hullabaloo. Always fun, especially for a politicial junkie like myself. Let the games begin!

A little bit of luck...to be born female, for a start...

Personally, in the gender debate, or what is left of it, I feel that these days it is luckier to be born female. Women have as many if not more opportunities than men in this day and age, can have the joy of childbearing/birth/raising firsthand, can still work, study, and play. Yes, we can have it all. Also there is the fun of wearing the more colourful and daring fashions, a myriad arrange of cosmetics (not my scene though), and quite often, I believe, a far more artistic and emotional kind of mind/thinking. Not that men don't raise children of course or for that matter don't wear make-up, lovely clothes, but these things is and will always be, more a womans'' domain. Being female does not tie one to the kitchen sink, though if we didn't cook and clean (whatever our gender) we would live in squalor and starve)...sometimes it is necessary and even of course, enjoyable...

It's a good era to be a woman, as the female leaders of our time have proven. Ciest La Vie! I would love to see NZ have another highly versatile, deep thinking, with a genuine smile, female PM!

Travelling South...

Golden Rule Number One when travelling South, Auckland to Rotorua, - always check that there is no special event on (stock car racing,in this case), so that you don't arrive in the evening to find every room in the place completely booked out! I never normally book Rotorua because of the myriad choice of motels/hotels/bed and breakfasts'etc, and at Christmas time, it is normally fairly quiet Not this time, worst luck! Arrived in the pouring rain, in the evening, tired and hungry, to find the annoying No Vacancy sign flashing at every single inn. Fun indeed, not! Was almost going to go on to Taupo out of desperation, but as Taupo was not my intention, I decided there just had to bee a room left. After much door-knocking and enquiring, around nine o''clock at night I managed to grab the very last room available at the Heritage Hotel (paid more than I would have liked, but it was that or the car.). So, there is a lesson learned. Book ahead, always! Always, always,always. Never, ever assume! Anyway, it's a lovely hotel, with great amenities and a scrumptious, cooked breakfast was thrown in. Very nice of them. I will be forever grateful, not only for the breakfast, but for the last room, I''m sure, in the entire town!

Rotorua is a magical place. Spiritual, cultural, fun and with the most unique, gorgoeus scenery. Also, I enjoy its touristy hullabaloo. I enjoy Hamilton too, but more for the shops and hte city hub feel. Soaking in the bubbles in the hotel spa was wonderful, and well worth the drive through blinding rain, which came out of nowhere.

Happy New Year, holiday joy., The beach is out for me at this time of year, just cannot stand the chaotic queues of traffic. Free flow all the way down South, wonderbar.

Kia Ora....and cheers. Rotorua absolutely rocks, with a unique sparkle and zest all of its own.. Champion. Rain or shine, it's lovely to be here!

Merry Christmas, One and All

I love this time of year, and what it is meant to stand for. Merry Christmas to the few who follow this page and the many who do not. Oh well! So nice to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and what he stood/stands for. Wonderful to come to the end of the year and to have the time, hopefully, to reflect upon the past twelve months. For myself it has been a rather turbulent but also an enriching time. My design course has now been completed and I can move on from there. Good, but a sigh of relief, too. It was a slog at the end, I have to say.

More importantly though, it has been a good, fulfulling year with my family and friends, my two lovely boys, but very sad re the Miners and the Christchurch earthquake. Makes one take stock and reflect upon the smallness of our seemingly large problems, and the fact of how every day, how lucky and blessed we are, just to live in this lovely land. Blessings, New Zealand, and best wishes for 2011. Merry Christmas. God Bless. Family time is the best.

De-Facebooked, forever.

Having deactivated my Facebook acconnt awhile aback now, (not for the first time, though, I'm sorry to say), I am this time around not missing it at all.  Tired of all the inane commenting, by both myself and others, for me, it became a dangerous drug. This sounds over-dramatic, but I was a Facebook freak for far too long.. I have finally realised what a huge time-zapper it can be, and just how empty it is, although sometimes it had its uses. Celebrity pages are the most interesting, but can be static, and often a one-way event. I just don't see the point in having loads of 'friends' who I've never even met, and I'd rather meet the ones I do have face to face over coffee, etc. Does the technical world have to take away everything that was face to face, for real, and in the moment? Nope. Far nicer to see people in the flesh, to see their facial expressions, to have a laugh with them, to enjoy their actual company. I have avowed not to return to the drug of Facebook, and its one New Year's resolution I intend to keep. Also gives me more time for reading books, writing letters, doing art, hanging out with the family, watching movies, cooking, etc, etc, etc. Social networking. I'm over it!

Working Mum versus Stay At Home Mum, guilt still rules

Having tried it both ways when my kids were really small, staying at home full time, against working four full days a week, it's really hard to be guilt free either way. With working, you feel like you're leaving the raising of your littlie's to others, missing out on magic moments, on quantity rather than just quality time, whereas staying at home is far more relaxing I found, lovely having all that time on your hands with your babes, but the guilt remains; no longer are you earning money so you have no right to the usual little treats, no one thanks you for what you do (not that they often did in the workplace either, and there is less of a feel-good, achieiving, I-can-do-this job, and love it, factor. But at the end of hte day, I think there can be a balance; work part time, work from home, work when the kids are in school. Overall, staying at home with the kids was the best choice, and I would hate to get back onto the working full time and mothering treadmill, now. Their smiling faces have been worth it, and the time just goes so fast.....teenagers soon....a whole new ballgame....or not! Support groups like Mainly Music, coffee mornings etc, was really great, the mums very relaxed and friendly, when I was staying at home. I am happy not to return to the corporate world, they don't and will never ever understand the plight of the working Mum!

European Masters Exhibition at Te Papa Museum, Wellywood. Awesome and awesomer!

A favourite...Mothehood...or Ín the hammock''

Really enjoyed the European Masters Exhibition currently showing at Te Papa. There are a wide range of paintings on display, including some Monets, Degas and a Picasso or two, plus of course, a whole range of others. The variety on show is really interesting, and its amazing to see the works in real life. The show is well curated, and the information available about each painting and painter is in-depth and varied. It's a show that needs a good couple of hours to take in, or a return visit or two. The entry fee was $18.00 for a student, $28.00 unsubsidised, not bad at all. I have been having a rest from painting of late, have been feeling all painted out, but seeing this exhibition has gotten me all fired up again. Wellington is these days a very cool place; arty, cultural, character-filled, pretty.  Glad I drove from Auckland rather than flew, travelling via Whanganui and New Plymouth, talk about grand scenery; summer lights on the greens of the rolling hills; just beautiful and crying out to be rendered on canvas! Sometimes there is nothing quite like the freedom of the open road, with time and space and the beauty of choices, on one's hands. The only snag was, as Auckland drew closer I became melancholy and sad...why are the end of holidays so depressing?.Back to reality can be the absolute pits! But oh, what fun was had, loved it, every moment...highly recommend the outer Northern suburbs of Wellington as well. what happening place...variety galore.

Parliament, live...!

Watching Question Time live is far more fun than watching it broadcasted. To be there in person, to see the debate as it happens, the voices loud and clear, the fun, the camardarie, the jeckling, heckling, interjections, to see our representatives face to face. And completely free, except for my time. Really impressed with how well National handle the questions posed to them. Talk about live theatre. Lovely surroundings, love the history involved. Great fun, and definately not a waste of time.

Now for the museum...Wellington is indeed the best little capital around. Having not being down here for eight years or so, it's refreshing to visit again. So much on offer, yet tranquil and quaint. Love it, including the surrounding hills and suburbs, and such a contrast to glittering, sprawling, sometimes chaotic, Auckland. Supercity? Sometimes. It  often depends on the suburb, the beach, the day, the event, the mood, etc.

I'm voting for the Kiwi Party next year.

My vote (and all electoral energies) are going to go to the Kiwi Party next year, as they have done an admirable job of trying to uphold our democracy over the smacking referendum result. National and Key have no right ignoring the people's voice on this, and it beggars belief that they think they do...so disappointing. Old news maybe, but far too important to forget or let go. Democracy, democracy... or is it?

Also, the Kiwi Party is founded upon Christian beliefs...one of the few left here in NZ, sadly. Is this being reflected in our crime rate, high unemployment and poverty levels, our general social ills?

My Seminar on the art practice of Colin McCahon, due Monday, I have opted for Question B. My Research Practice Influcences, Explain using specific examples the way in which the artist research method has influenced the way that our work or your practice. Explain what you have learnt from writing this seminar.

 

Six Days in Nelson and Canterbury, 1950, oil, McCahon

McCahon

The Promised Land, 1948, oil on canvas, McCahon

Internationally renowned New Zealand born painter Colin McCahon painted on large scale canvasses,
using the paint mediums of oil and acrylic. His influences were other abstact expressionist lanscape painters such as Toss Woollaston. McCahon was also heavily influenced by Biblical and Spiritual motifs, and he painted with a dark, murky palette. Cubism and tonal painting were of interest to McCahon. Later on in his career, McCahon added text to his work, and he was known to paint barren landscapes, inspired by the hills of Otago, Northland and Nelson (as depicted above), as well as some of the Titirangi region, especially the many Kauri trees.

 My own work is influenced by McCahon as I enjoy the atmospheric, muddied colours he painted with. I also enjoy the form of his landscapes, and the isolation that his paintings so often depict. His painterly style is of interest to me, the thickness and thinness of the application of the paint, and the relationships of oranges against brown, creams and black. This lends impact and atmosphere to the work, wish I wish to push in mine. McCahon actually travelled many of the landscapes he painted, and as a practicing Christian, he added Biblical motifs to his work, such as the Crucifixition. McCahon also added spiritual symbolism to his works, such as candles and jugs, as in the painting above, titled The Promised Land. The tones he chose to paint in also add an interesting realm to his works.

The three above images of paintings by McCahon are diverse in their range, but connected by both sytle and colour. McCahon was interested in both figurative painting and exploring colour.. This has enthused me to push my own work towards a more conceptual direction, to grow my own research practise (towards more contemporary New Zealand landscape painters), and to study figuaritive painting on an intensive level, including looking at the painters who greatly influenced McCahon, such as fellow New Zealanders, Toss Wollaston, Rita Angus, James K Baxter and the movement of German Expressionst painters, such as the German Expresionist painter, Edvard Munch.

I really enjoy the fact that McCahon added text to his later works; with this he was pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable at the time, and he felt that his paintings without words were not expressing his message fully. My own landscape painting has changed because due to my study of McCahon, and I wish to express the isolation and atmosphere that McCahon was such a master at. I too wish to borrow from the schools of Cubism, Tonalism and Abstract Expressionism, and to paint about painting, rather than merely depicting a view.

What I have learned from writing this seminar is that a diverse range of research materials, such as books, DVDs, magazine or blog articles, etc, really helps the cause, that editing is vital, this seminar is to be presented for three minutes only, that I struggled to master Power Point, and that adding visuals to my text adds impact to the overall result. To answer the question posed, to avoid going off into tangents.

 I also learned that I wish to go much further with my own painting, to push the conventions and boundaries, to improve my colour mixing and to play with varying styles of paint layering, such as thick thin, the use of palette knives and to experiment with painting on surfaces other than canvas, such as wood, board, paper, linen, cloth, soft material, lino-cuts, and to add to my painting tools, to use charcoal, Indian Ink. pencil, pastels, graphite, to draw and paint on varying scales. To explore my interest in photography further, to mix it up with and perhaps combine with the language of painting. To paint landscapes from real life,  but to mostly paint about painting itself. To improve upon my research practice, and to take the time to research at a more in-depth level. For example, to look into the influences upon Toss Woollaston, and the wider influcences upon McCahon, such as the German Expressionists and Surrealist painters,followed up by the influences upon them. To ensure that my research is fully layered and contextual. Thank you for listening. Any questions?

Bibliography:

I Am TVNZ documentary on DVD
www.colinmccahon.com
www.Biblical references.mccahon.com
Art New Zealand Magazine, issue...
www.the art of tosswoollaston.com
www.newzealandpainters.com
the Dundedin School of Art
www.Wikipedia.McCahon
www.James K Baxter.com
Colin McCahon Artist New Edition, Reed, NZ, 1984

Hockey!

Trees...

Having fun with the camera...

Looking at landscapes, trying for atmosphere...

Playing with the Camera settings...

More photos, fruity....

Still life, for painting...

Research Assignment on Colin McCahon, pending, completed on paper...

The objective of this assignment is to discuss the works of painter Colin McCahon, his influences and the range and history of his practise. I have opted to study McCahon as his style of painting influences mine. I consider his work to be inspired, visionary and atmospheric.

Colin McCahon is largely known as a landscape painter. Along with his contemporary Toss Woollaston, he is locked into the history of New Zealand art. (to be continued...)

As below, experimenting with 'at home' shots.

Experimenting with surrroundings, colours and textures...

Enjoying my borrowed camera...

My old suburb, childhood memories...

Lemons in print...

Still life in photography;...flow on from painting...

Still life in photography, carrying on the theme from painting...

more photography...through the trees...

More playing with photography, railway crossing

Floral still life, acrylic on canvas.

Painiting experiments...watercolour and acrylic

Experimenatal photography...having fun with reflections, etc.

As per below, experiements in photography.

photography, I liked this shot I took, so posted here.

Atmospheric?

As per post below, scanned this in over photos, still in progress...

Graphic art is a step-by-step process which, I prefer doing my own hand-drawn work, but it has been an experience learning it, or trying to! It's amazing what Photoshop can do, once you know your way around the program! The end design will be going on to a t-shirt...kind of different. The above was of course hand-drawn, but there are just too many colours, which for me, is not unusual!

Grahic Art...project in progress, "Represent" my neighbourhood....

This is my work so far, for the Represent project I'm doing for the graphic art module, this is very much still in progress, I've got to get down to three colours only and make the image work. I have a better version I've yet to upload. I drove to Orakei, took photos of landmarks (from my childhood), scanned them in and  learned how to photo shop them, a very different process to painting, I'm still working on the final design, but my final colours are green, black and red, and the design has been changed again.., it's not so blocky or multi-coloured.  I will upload here in due course, I'm much happier with the final version...I think! It will end up on a T shirt, badge and swing ticket, the three of these can have differing designs, and probably should. Good fun, was refreshing to try something different, but I have to admit, I struggled with the computer somewhat! Photo Shop is an amazing concept!

An array of my more recent work...not a great photo, I have to say!

We all had to embellish a jacket...I went for the painted look.....,

Mu 'Painterly' Designer Jacket, .....paint on denim...haven't worn it yet!

Another Biblical painting...soft angel....

This is from last Semestr's five week painting module, I'm now doing Graphic Design, but still paint when I can! Five weeks of painting was great, yet it just flew,

Bertie's beautiful designer jacket!

Blurry umbrellas, sports day in the rain...madness, butfun!

My son's school cross country, mud, water, rain and umbrellas!

Glass bottles, reflectons...

Photography....some glass botltles, Loppdell House, Titirangi, as much as I enjoy taking photos, I prefer the texture and immediacy of paint, the hues, the density of the colours and the fun of mixing my own colours...a world I disappear into!

One of my muted, but abstract works, based on my Christian beliefs...need to improve....!

Looking at scale.......

Scale...

Looking at typography for my "Represent" project...

T

Graphic Design...here I come

My Orakei design so far... 

Graphic art for this module, "Representing" my neighbourhood. Will post the outcome later, !!! A t-shirt, swing ticket, printed scarf, etc, etc...my neighbourhood will be the place of my childhood, which is Orakei. Now, how I wish I still lived there, with those million dollar views! Well, parts of it, anyway...memories........an interesting place, a suburb of sharp contrasts...even the state houses cost megabucks, and Orakei School, really atmospheric, such character, almost forboding...

The above design is goiing to end up on a poster and T-Shirt, it's still in progress though.. the final design is due by the end of next week...fun!

De-Fazebooked

Once again. Addictive yet static. Back to study tomorrow, the less distractions the better. At least one or two public figures actually participate on their Facebook pages, respond to comments, queries, and know what social networking means; not a one-way street, nor a place of endless deletions of polite dissenters -.join the conversation....but do it my way...!

The state of Hollywood movies, Comic-strip mania, but where are the serious films?

One has to really pick and choose movies these days. Long-gone is the wonderful selection of old, such as Ordinary People, Terms of Endearment or Schindler's List, for example. Hollywood these days seems to be catering to the teenage market only, with serious, adult and good movies being left-out in the cold, or not being made by Hollywood, at all. It is now up to the Independents to make gritty, dramatic and sensible cinema. The selecion on offer at the mainstream movie complexes these days is for me, pretty unappetising. I have absolutely no interest in seeing a movie based on a video-game for example, or a comic book or even a blog. This seems to be the mainstream selection these days, movies I consider junky, if the slick, animated, comic booky posters are anything to go by. Robin Hood, with the crux of the story removed, The A Team, but updated and crude-looking, Sex In The City 2, oh yay, or swashbuckler, The Prince Of Persia, based on a videogame. Honestly. Why step out the door for any of this hard-edged, unsubtle and computer-generated entertainment? No thanks. Sadly, one has to travel miles for 'proper films'such as The Last Station or Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky. It used to be vice-versa, the adults had the pick of the decent, worthwhile and lasting stuff, while the jaded, comic book, action-packed but drama-light fare was kept for the holidays only. Thank goodness for the invention of the VCR and DVD machine, or the choice would be appalling indeed. Still, it would be nice to be able to zoom down to the local multiplex and have an adult, subtle, stand-the-test of time, reflect real-life, novel and play based cinema. Oh, how I wish! The film posters of yesteryear were great, beautifully drawn and subtle, with soft colours and designs aptly depicitng the films they advertised; these days it's either just a photograph still or glossy, computerised hard-edged graphics. Are we seeing a plethora of wasted opportunities and plasicated junk that will fail the test of time? I wonder.The invention of VHS really did change cinema for ever, but not for the better, in my view!

Another stunning work my Judy Millar, born 1957. She works in Germany and Auckland and is world renowned. Her works breaks boundaries and breaks-down taboos. This work is quite sculptural and graphic in nature. I have chosen these works here and as below as I feel they tie-in with the five-week painting module I have just completed. Using colour and placement, light and effect, and different media. I started out with painting still-life and ended up with quite abstract works, which I intend to post on here soon.

footnote: Judy Millar Web

'Framed' - an exhibition of sublime painters in cyberspace!

This is by the wonderful Henri Matisse, master of colour and placement. This work has a harmonious effect and the blue and pink off-set each other. What I have taken from Matisse is to tone down the colours in my own painting, and to play around with placement and various objects. There is a look of cubism to this work and like a great symphony, it just works as one, the overall effect is great.

Judy Millar, NZ artist, outstanding

Acrylic and oil on canvas by Judy Millar. This is a very contemporary work, which is bold and beautiful. The paint looks to be piled on. The intent is to push the boundaries and achieve something new, perhaps. It is three dimensional to look at,and reminds me of super highways. The work is quite sculptural in feel and is unforgetable and effective.

footnote judymillarartsite

Harmony in Yellow, by Henri Matisse. The content of this painting is still life and pattern, with the artist using base colours and interposing black against yellow paint. There is quite a lot of pattern in this depiction, and the emphasis is on the bottle, plate, glass and cup. These are rendered in white, grey and blue and stand out against the highly coloured background.

footnote: Henri Mattisse prints.com

A gorgeous Biblical work...

The Ascension to Heaven by        . This is included as it is a theme I'm interested in, and something I had a go at, but in a modern style. Definately a painting which tells a story. This would fit into the context of religious art and figure painting. It is rich in detail and colour, yet has almost a washed out feel.

This painting by Matisse is entilted The Music...Although it features people, it is still about placement and colour. The form of the painting is just that; placement, colour, tone, balance. It is a picture which tells a story and is rendered with great confidence. It is done with mixed media. I enjoy the pastel look to it and the warmth of the shades. Matisse painted right till the end of his life and was an expert with colour and form.

Paul Cezanne, fruit

This is a still life painting by the impressionist painter Paul Cezanne.  I have included this work in my show as it ties in with the still-life theme I chose to work with during my five-week painting module. I enjoy the rich, warm colours in this painting, and the confidence of the brush. The subdued background works nicely, and it is almost a tonal painting in colour. The method of the work is oil paint on canvas, with the fruit being outlined in black or brown. The painting is rendered in an impressionistic style, and Cezanne also was interested in fruit as shapes. This almost has a watercolour feel to it, the paint is used as a wash.

Another stained-glass window lookalike.

Superstition

Like a stained-glass window, this is a stunning work. Once again, I love the positive beauty of it, the soft hues, the lightness of the work, the life-affirming theme.

Simply entitled Hope...

Simply entitled Hope, this speaks for itself...

This work has a graphic look to it, cartoon-like, and the theme of the skull is still there, intertwined with a myriad of bold and undiluted colours. Loud and brash, but stunning.

 I love this picture. This is made from real butterflies, and was made with the help of assitants (as is often the case, similar to how Andy Warhol worked with The Factory). This is a life-affirming work, and the series was based on some of the Psalms, a lovely idea. I like the intricate details, the superb use of colours, the enlightened theme and the femininity to the work. It reminds me of stained glass windows (harking back to a religious theme) as well as antique doilies. Painstaking and gorgeous, wouldn't you just love to own this?

Francis Bacon, one of Damien's mentors

I have included this work by esteemed artist Francis Bacon as Bacon's work is admired by Hirst, and nilhistic themes of death, decay, squalor. I love the expressive use of colour here. The content of the work is stated as above, the context fits into the canon of the post modernist painters, and expressionism, the form is paint on canvas

An interesting statement

This is a controversial work by installation artist, Damien Hirst. The contexts are controversial art, Hirst headed the Young Brits movement, modern day life, ánything goes, the content is instillation art, a dead object placed in liquid, the intent is perhaps to add shock value. It is an interesting piece of work, exploring yet more themes of death and decay.

Damien Hirst's installation art

Damien's own work at the Tate Gallery, no helpers involved, slammed by the critics.