September Newsletter

Hello! I hope you're doing well. Well after all the excitement of France I was super inspired to get back into some art making in my studio. I've been working on a flamingo inspired pattern collection as well as a number of magpie paintings. After the exhibition as per below I'm excited to be visiting some regional places during these school holidays - Forbes, Cowra and Gloucester and I can't wait to see and be inspired by all the stunning flowers.

 

Artist Trivia 

 

Georgia O'Keefe was an American artist fascinated with nature and she spent her whole career painting it.

She launched into the art scene after meeting the photographer and gallery owner, Alfred Stieglitz, and his promotion of her helped her become popular. She died in 1986 at the age of 98! She would've been thrilled to know that one of her paintings sold for $44 million dollars in 2014 - the most expensive artwork by a woman that's ever sold. One painting - incredible!

Studio update

 

I'm excited to be participating in an exhibition in October with our Northern Beaches Art Society. I've got four paintings ready to submit and am looking forward to the opening night on Friday 1st October at the Tramshed in Narrabeen not far from where I live.

 I ended up creating a miniature of this gorgeous place I visited in Paris called Place des Vosges which has the prettiest little garden surrounded by galleries and eateries. They are all inspired by places actually...

My entries to the 79th Northern Beaches Art Society Awards 2025

Art Hack

 I've had a few questions about photography lately. I used to work as a photographer years ago and it was my second major in my art degree along with ceramics.

So it's about cropping - not after you've taken the photo but during. I've already mentioned the Rule of Thirds but what can make a good photo is to move closer to your subject - with your feet. Consider also taking the photo from high up or low down. Once you've gotten in closer then frame the photo using the Rule of Thirds and try to hit one of those cross lines with your subject. The other thing is to look around at distractions that might wreck your photo like a pole or signage - move your position to eliminate these distractions. I hope some of that helps.

School Funny 

One of our delightful students, Milly, will often say 'Help me Rhonda' imitating a staff member who likes to use this phrase to lighten the moment when things get a bit tricky (along with Hooley Dooley and Mamma Mia). Most people over the age of ?? would know this Rhonda phrase from the hit band The Beach Boys and their song of the same name.

My teachers aide and I thought it was very funny when Milly came bolting into the classroom yelling 'Help me Rhonda' and quick as anything another student, new to the phrase says with a perplexed look 'Who's Rhonda?'. Ha ha, good question!

Books/films

Frances McDormand is an amazing actress in my opinion. This film was a bit of a difficult pill to swallow at first but you just get so involved in the characters and you can't help cheering this woman on who is trying to make the local police force take more action regarding her daughters death. It's from 2017 but somehow I missed it!