Arts North Elizabeth - Bulletins ..

First Workshop for the 2020 year

20/2/2020

Jo Dennis Workshop - Inks n Pastels

Effectively Jo's workshop was about the use of inks as underpainting for a pastel composition, albeit also allowing the ink to show through in its own right (as might be prearranged - or perhaps as might be determined serendipitously). The ink is applied as would be a watercolour or acrylic underpainting - washed, dropped in, swirled, spattered, or blown or blotted, .. or all of the above .. according to a predetermined thumbnail values plan.

the 'finished' item

now for the process ...
(click to enlarge images)

Theoretically, the ink has the potential for more 'zing' and, from observation, bolder is better (not too much ink dilution). Jo suggested that the right approach is 'kids having fun'. She recommended the use of Mi Tientes 'Tex' pastel papers.

Below, a couple of the works produced by people attending

Many thanks to Jo for her very generous spirit and approach .. and congratulations on the successful outcome.

Another year ...

13/12/2019

Better than Bunnings by a Bunch ... and the price is right!

Nice weather; a nice turn-up; a good feed (thanks to all who contributed effort and dishes); a great bunch of people; and the best (and briefest) speech on record. A very successful end-of-year BBQ.

... and (you will want to know) there was a little (promo) display of Mixed Media works/activities.

(click for mixed media page)

... and here, to catch your attention as another year rumbles off into the distance, a commissioned artwork (acrylic on board)
"Fat Bob- father and son” by talented new member Darren Howson

Merry Christmas, All, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to you!

Arts North Exhibition at Waikerie

7/12/2019

As you can see in the photo below, Hans will travel the length of the country for the opportunity to log-up some more hanging time.

Our hanging at Rain Moth Gallery at Waikerie - We received a warm friendly welcome from lovely curator Karen and her protégée Allana.

It is a very nice, well maintained venue that appears to get a lot of people visit it. Joy and Hans had interest in their artwork before they had officially opened the exhibition.

Joy Wright - Putting in a 'Plug' on ABC Radio?

29/11/2019

Joy Wright is being interviewed, live, on ABC local radio next Wednesday at 10.30 am. It is with regards to her painting of “The Castle” (above), which is being exhibited at Waikerie as part of the 'Arts North at Rain Moth Gallery, Waikerie' Exhibition (see Events and Notices). Said Joy, "A big pleasant surprise".

Getting Ahead??

3/11/2019

Incredibly, Portrait Practice has just celebrated its sixth year of being (or, for a more emotive viewpoint .."now enters its seventh year"). Considering that 'portrait practice' was looking dodgy for attendance at the six months mark (and each few months thereafter), the word 'incredible' is just apt!

For most of us, portraiture from observation is hard slog. Regardless of the individual's comparative level of skill (we all had next to no ability at some stage), little by little, everybody's work can be seen to be improving. The photos here are works done in the last few weeks. They are not masterpieces - they are reasonable 'likenesses' done in twenty minutes from a 'live' model. They show a breadth of styles and abilities (although an invitation to all to contribute works for inclusion here resulted in a bit of 'gun-shyness' on the part of our portraitists). Thank you to all who contributed.

(Perhaps everyone should force themselves occasionally to look back on some earlier works .. especially if they are honest and remember that their 'poorer' efforts have probably already been 'culled')

Springtime - Arts North 'whiter than white'

16/10/2019

A working bee and, loh, the Arts North studio has taken on the fresh look of a new canvas (only, heaven help the unfortunate who might treat it like one!?)

Beyond a 'thank you' to all who gave up time to help, a special thanks should go to Steve (Robin) who brought his expertise as well as his labour and ensured a top outcome.

The studio looks bright and cheery, just waiting for work to be hung on the walls.

(While 'Spring can hang you up the most', it can just get into into your 'head' .. look .. windows cleaned too!!)

Congratulations everyone!

General Drawing - long term recess?

16/10/2019

Please note. There will be NO General Drawing sessions in the foreseeable period (lack of numbers). Should you have an interest or wish a recommencement, please register an interest through the noticeboard or through this website's email contact (click link below)

Mike Barr Demonstration - Arts North - Saturday 5 Oct

10/10/2019

Rain on Wakefield St.

In the demonstration organised by Colleen Tooth and partially funded by support from the Playford Council, Mike Barr demonstrated his process of painting in acrylics.
Mike is a local Elizabeth artist and a regular contributor to Australian Artist magazine. He has won almost every service club art competition in South Australia at least once in recent years. He is a member of the Realist Guild of Australia.

Mike is a no nonsense painter, working in acrylics, oils and watercolour he is well recognised by his favourite subjects of impressionist rainy street scenes and enticing calm beach vistas that seem to go on for ever.

In the one-and-a-half-hour demonstration on a warm Saturday morning Mike used Atelier acrylics, A2 oil paper and two brushes – a 20mm flat and an 8mm round, both acrylic, to produce two Adelaide street scenes.

Mike did not disappoint and if you want to see more of the process he used check out upcoming articles in Australian Artist magazine (he took progress shots as he went along).

Thanks, Mike, for the dual demo.

Haley O'Shea Watercolour Demonstration

8/9/2019

Haley’s demonstration provided an eye catching and thought provoking option for background effects in watercolour.

She leans towards painting old, rusty, interesting farm vehicles and the like. Rather than beginning with the subject matter, she drops, pours and spatters a few puddles of colour onto raw best quality (600gm cold pressed) paper. Once near dry or dry she then begins to paint the previously roughly and lightly drawn outline of the subject, knowing when to wet in wet or wet on dry, creating rusty old car, tractor, tap, horse float. The results are rustic, creative and realistic. A convincing old vehicle emerged in this live demo.

Haley showed some of her many examples of art, demonstrating her versatility with minimalism for backgrounds too, where sometimes less is best.

Following a creamy, calorie enhancing morning tea, Haley stunned the enthusiastic group with a youthful portrait, begun by splattering, spraying and running together, a combination of burnt sienna, permanent rose and Australian red gold for skin tones, drying and adding painted and watercolour pencil detail, showing us how not to be precious and still create a convincing likeness.

With sincere thanks to Haley for an enlightening and very entertaining demonstration and Colleen for setting up and the yummy cakes!

Playford International College Exhib - Judd House

5/9/2019

Over the SALA month, as Arts North members have had exhibitions mounted at Playford Council's Civic Centre and at the Stretton Centre, it has been a pleasure to avail Playford International College of the opprtunity to use the walls at Judd house for their students' exhibition. (Thank you, Lachlan - a pleasure, indeed.)