The third Pop-up exhibition for Warrandyte Artisans will be held, naturally on the last weekend of the month. August 27 and 28 from 11-4 each day, so come and meet the current exhibiting artists.
Wayne Rankin and Denise Keele-bedford will showcase artworks from their studios North of the river.
Following on from the beautifully intricate botanical works by Bernadette’s Walsh and Peta Harrington, who showed alongside the stunning ceramic works of Pip Bell in July; Wayne and Denise endeavour to maintain the quality standard of the previous shows.
Underlying both artists’ production is an intrigue with the rhythms and subtleties we find in nature. Wayne states that he is, “totally inspired by the natural world ……textures….form, colour and patterns are an awesome source of inspiration and creativity.”
Denise states that, “In creating an artwork, I seek to have subtle details revealed to the audience as they engage. From a distance there is an overall view, however, deeper and more detail is discovered as the viewer moves in.”
The artists will showcase sculpture, monoprints and mixed media. They will be onsite to chat with visitors about their art practice and production offering an insight into the life of an artist.
Pop the dates in your diary August 27 and 28 at The Art Space, Community Centre, next door to the Library on Yarra Street, Warrandyte.
The ongoing program is supported by the Warrandyte Community Association.
Warrandyte Artists who would like to participate in the continuing monthly pop-up exhibitions are invited to contact the group to book a weekend to showcase their artworks. Please contact Denise at: denisekeeleb@me.com
Wayne Rankin, Stella522, Glass
Wayne Rankin, Elements, Glass
Wayne Rankin, Christmas Tree, Glass
Denise Keele-bedford, No Restrictions for Nature Series, Monoprint jpg
Denise Keele-bedford, Mallee Country Series, Mixed Media
We jumped into 2022 with some aspirations and a little reluctance, our summer more humid than before and it feels like more hot days than before. The beauty of it all, especially living in a high fire risk area, is that we have not had the hot Northerlies or Fire Ban Days that usually overshadow the joy of living in the bush.
Preparedness is key to knowing we cannot do more than we have for the safety of our home and so we keep up the watering and loving the recently installed rain water tank.
In this La Niña season temperatures are cooler and this summer was predicted to have more rain than usual.
New Year found Walter in hospital again, coming out on New Year’s Day. It was also our first anniversary with Dolly our kelpie, who is loving the Yarra bank walks, meeting lots of play mates and swimming in the river. She has grown in confidence, curiosity and trust of humans. She no longer is afraid of wheeled vehicles on pathways, such as prams and bicycles and has much respect for road vehicles.
With Qantas now flying into USA and especially Nashville TN, I am planning to get there to spend concentrated time with my daughter Cecelia and her husband Tony. They are thrilled to finally have their own house and backyard. They have revealed skills in carpentry, painting, recycling and putting them to good use in house improvements.
Walter is ‘back in the studio’ working on new paintings and pleased to be part of the AGRA upcoming exhibition of selected artists. He is planning a solo exhibition later in the year at the Victorian Artists Society Galleries. Currently my artwork Conversation is included in the YAVA Inaugural Small Sculpture Exhibition INteriorin Healesville, coinciding with the Yering Station Sculpture Art Award. Initially planned for October 2021 were postponed to when galleries could open and welcome visitors.
About Conversation:
Based on cultural tea drinking rituals, the marble tea caddies in the artwork Conversation, are a symbol for relationships. Relationships between family and friends that strengthen solid foundations through the ritual of drinking tea. Rituals that are passed from generation to generation.
February 28 I will deliver artwork, Hard Baked, to The Hut Gallery, Ferntree Gully for the exhibition Smorgasbord a MAVA collective exhibition. Open 1 – 10 March. https://www.thehutgallery.com.au/
In March 2020 my exhibition at Art at St Francis was cancelled after five days due to the first wave of Covid 19. Brigette has offered space for a solo exhibition in March. Asia Series: Cultural Costume Reimaginedwill be showing at Art at St Francis’ 9 March to 4 April. https://stonycreekstudio.art/2022/01/14/the-asia-series-at-art-at-st-francis/
The weekend of 19/20 March after a two year hiatus, showcases the Warrandyte Donvale Rotary Art Show, in conjunction with the Warrandyte Festival. Four of my artworks will participate in the show as it is a pleasure to support the excellent work of Rotary. Official Opening is on Friday March 18.
Walter and I have found a window of opportunity to take a regional gallery tour 1 – 4 March.
We will visit Michelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art Gallery, where my daughter Melissa has arranged for a tour with gallery director Adam Knight. https://mitchelton.com.au/gallery/
Shepparton Art Museum recently had a major rebuild and are currently featuring the work of Lin Onus: The Land Within. https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/
To complete the tour we will head North to Benalla to lunch with my sister from Yarrawonga and visit the Benalla Art Gallery. Situated on the edge of Lake Benalla, the gallery hosts changing exhibitions and features some three centuries of Australian Art. https://benallaartgallery.com.au/
Victoria is rich in regional galleries, who present superb exhibitions. Always well worth planning a short trip to visit a few.
Plan a visit to Warrandyte to experience the Pottery Expo on the last weekend in February 26/27, on the River bank; following the theme Clay Communities. https://www.potteryexpo.com/
The final hurrah on this blog was the Fresh Perspectives event, held at wonguim wilam park on Saturday February 5. We celebrated summer with music, food friendship and pleasure whilst enjoying the projection of photographs by local artists, under the Bridge. The display of images in Taffy’s Hut continues until June 30. Read about the event (pg. 19) in the February Issue of Warrandyte Diary. Get all the news on the Festival (pg. 13) and Pottery Expo (pg. 8) https://warrandytediary.com.au/2022/02/
To view the full image: Select and click on first image – click on the i in a circle RHB of opened page then select View Full Size.
Conversation (detail) at YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub
No Restrictions for Nature V at Warrandyte Rotary Show
Bastille Day, July 14 I enjoyed the company of Ceramic artist Jane Annois. Jane is very much a Francophile, who like me, travelled often, and embraced all things French. I was booked to travel with Jane and a small group on a walking tour in Corsica in June 2020.
Over coffee we excitedly talked of her upcoming trip to Magnetic Island and my trip in August to Brisbane. http://www.janeannois.com/
The day before I dropped eight artworks to Fitzroy Stretchers for framing. We arranged for me to go back on Friday 16 when the framer was present. https://www.fitzroystretches.com/
Bundit Puangthong their framer was absent, working on one of his major murals in the city.
As it happened, Melbourne went into Lockdown 5. Writing this Blog, I find myself having to research the dates and versions of the Lockdowns; they are all beginning to blend into one long series of restrictions with short periods of time being able to travel outside of 5 kms. Don’t blink otherwise you will miss it.
We know the drill of postponements, cancellations, zooms, refunds for tickets bought. Some of my refunds were difficult because my Credit Card had since expired causing phone calls to update the Expiry Date for remittance.
With the expectation of the uplifted restrictions on 27 July I have continued to prepare for the Manningham Arts Fellowship Event on September 19. Unfortunately, this event is to be rescheduled, possibly into 2022:
As Melbourne tumbled into Locked 6 on August 5 for 7 days, then a further 14 days……we find ourselves, early September, still here, at home in STAGE 4 restrictions, most likely until 70% of us are fully vaccinated. Big news: Walter and I have our COVID vaccination certificates.
The length of time it has taken me to write this blog Victoria now stands at 70% with at least the first vaccination shot.
2021 Victorian Seniors Festival is with us and series of podcasts are available to listen to.
Two artists with Italian heritage are featured in Episode 4, including my dear friend Liliana Barbieri. Check out the link below:
Visual artist and gallery director Wilma Tabacco speaks about the triumphs and challenges of growing up in an adopted country. Fellow artist and educator Liliana Barbieri talks about migration, family, and following her dreams.
Walter continues the rounds of medical checks, tests, in and out and in again to hospital during August. He is well on the way to recovery from skin grafts. The Victorian artists Society will create an online Profile for him and he is pleased with the recognition.
While I wait for the outcome of various exhibition entry submissions, notices of postponement have been received and some different activities in my studio are occurring.
Preparation for Deep Blue Crossing to be held at Fracture Gallery in Federation Square has continued with some difficulty having acrylic forms made during this Lockdown.
The installation will coincide with Multicultural Month in November and fortunately Fracture Gallery is a view only 24-hour space, constructed of glass and steel. The Public will be able see the work without concern.
From the Orient: Recent Works from China is still planned for Mid-November for one month.
I have edited the Spring Edition of The Bulletin for the Melbourne Society of Women Painters & Sculptors and am currently preparing more than ninety artworks from fifty members for the online Annual Exhibition. Changing Perspectives 2021 will be launched for Public Viewing on Friday 1st October.
An older friend, who downsized, asked if I would advise on where to hang her art collection in the new abode.
Having less wall space than previously we took time to work through her collection and select the pieces that had the most ‘value’ to her, not monetary but emotional and historic value. I have been assisting for several months, in and out of lockdowns and her getting to travel to Darwin for a month. What luck.
It has been a most satisfactory engagement on my behalf with one piece now waiting on a valuation certificate and another which will be donated to the Golden Dragon Museum. It has been a pleasure dealing with these people and the Museum in particular are quite excited to receive the donation. When I suggested the donation to my friend, I knew nothing of her family background, the Museum, however, knew of the family connection to Bendigo. My friend is thrilled that the piece that has been in the family for well over 100 years will be well cared for as has in essence returned home.
You will recall me writing about The Year of Wonder Photographic event in Warrandyte, that resulted in a fabulous publication.
The next iteration is on the way with entries closing on 17 September for an event to be held late November. My submission was entered this week with my view on the theme Fresh Perspectives.
2021 is the 30 Year Anniversary of Redgate Gallery in Beijing.
In 2003 China opened to the world after SARS and I was one of the first foreign artists to go there. For Redgate Gallery anniversary many artists and associates have written articles, sent images, and a range of memorabilia for the celebration. The link is to my article:
Symbols of Joy is an article I wrote for the Warrandyte Uniting Church Bridge. I will make a post for the article. Based on the quirky artwork by Joan Denison, they bring a smile to faces that see them. Take a look at her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/joan.denison.52
Although it seems not much is happening in this time of Lockdown 6, with a little light coming in on Saturday, there is a lot to be thankful for, a lot to keep us engaged and a lot of reading. Just finished reading The White Road by Edmund De Waal, who wrote The Hare with Amber Eyes. Thanks, Anne Hastie, for lending me this book on a pilgrimage through the history of porcelain.
Here we are in a ‘7 Day’ lockdown which has given me time to stop and reflect on the month of May that went so quickly I almost missed it.
It was such a shame that Walter and I could not attend the much-awaited RISING festival activities as our tickets for all performances were cancelled. On the eve of Reconciliation Week, we were to enjoy Bungul in Hamer Hall and experience the magnificent projection on the Art Centre. I hope that the projection is extended, as it looks great in the video clips.
We did, however, have an at-home dinner celebration and extensive clear view of that giant red-blood moon. Joy for Walter that his oncologist does not want to see him for a year.
May came in a flurry as the Flora exhibition closed, the Nillumbik Prize opened at Montsalvat, and Walter featured on the front page of the Warrandyte Diary that reported on the Anzac Day March.
In between Walter’s medical appointments we managed a few days, with the dog, in Lakes Entrance. What a vibrant arts community, full of energy, collaboration, and some broad thinkers. We spent time with Jan Martin, Cynthia Boyle, Ngaere Donald, enjoying their creative studios, afternoon tea in the converted dairy and great conversations with spouses.
Another lovely dinner at Jan’s place with Josephine Jakobi, Andrea Lane, more spouses, and an introduction to the Lake Tyers Float residency.
At Red Gallery in Fitzroy, with Janet Boddy and many others I listened to Anne Hastie’s presentation, set amongst her artworks in the Peridot exhibition, in gallery one. In gallery three Beatrice Magalotti exhibited her Migration Series of drawings, installation, bronze, and photography.
I was wowed when I walked into an exhibition by Sue Jarvis. Art That Makes You Think was held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, a superb gallery space where Sue’s paintings were literally awesome. The exhibition was a survey of some 15 years of studio production. An absolute credit to her.
It was a privilege to attend the wake and exhibition of works for Valda Cuming OAM. Valda, at 91, passed away in April 2020. Valda’s legacy continues with the profit from exhibition sales being divided between her three favourite arts organisations. I am pleased to say I now own two small Valda Cuming artworks.
Not knowing whether June will be spent at home in our 5klm zone, Walter and I are in preparation for future activities but keep low key immediately. This time is good for, well, writing, studio work, touching base with friends and family and updating social media.
With a major installation planned for November, I am required by end of June to submit images and text for promotion of the artwork and workshops, whilst continually folding paper for the installation.
As the webmaster for the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (MSWPS) June will see me setting up an online Covid Creations exhibition due to be launched 1 July.
Also, as editor for The Bulletin, a bi-monthly MSWPS Newsletter, my job is to have the publication out before 1 July.
For more than a year I have been planning for a crate of my artworks to be sent from China.
11 June sees the crate landing in Melbourne and delivery to my studio 18 June. I look forward to having a few of my babies in Melbourne.
In February I participated in the Year of Wonder presentation in Warrandyte. The exhibition concludes on 30 June and a celebration with a book launch will take place on Saturday 3 July. I was fortunate to be able to by a copy and full of excitement to see my images included in the publication. Our Year of Wonders Warrandyte 2020 is available for purchase at $40.
To view the full image: Select and click on first image – click on the i in a circle RHB of opened page then select View Full Size.
Jan Martin
Cynthia Boyle
Ngaere Donald
With Walter and Dolly at the Cowtell
Lake Tyers Float Residency
Anne Hastie Invitation
Flotilla 5 by Beatrice Magalotti
Sue with Construction Worker 1 and Landscape of Disused Signs
Two months on and a fresh perspective on my world.
Well actually it is three months on. Wow that went fast.
With ups and downs, cans and cant’s, sudden restrictions on again and off again our lives have been in a state of questions.
Do we make plans, buy tickets to a show, arrange dinner with friends, book the restaurant etc. for if we do will it be postponed, cancelled or become a non-event?
Here I am three months since the last blog, festive season come and gone, Walter in treatment for six weeks, come and gone and moved into 2021.
We are living within a freedom of movement that can be restricted at any time.
As always flexibility is the key. Yes, we make the plans, buy the flight tickets to South Australia, organise a night with friends and book a restaurant to celebrate the end of Walter’s radiotherapy treatment.
Somethings we can do, somethings we cannot do. With a sudden five-day lockdown recently, we cancelled five different activities, movie ticket purchase reimbursed, just sneaked in the new studio shelving, new worktable delivery postponed, Church service back to Zoom, Gallery visits cancelled and postponed meet up with friends.
I was due to start an artist-in-residence with Manningham Arts on February 22. Would it happen, would it not happen? Fortunately, restrictions lifted and life continued.
In the past three months I have managed to attend some exhibition openings, covid safe environments are a bit spasmodic and I do set my own criteria.
I have managed to start an exercise class, just skimming either side of a five-day lockdown.
I have entered Art Shows and actually taken artwork to the framers.
I have rearranged my studio, had new shelving installed and had a new worktable delivered.
I do not know what is normal anymore and continue my mantra of flexibility. Activities and events that pre 2020 were part of everyday life take on a different significance.
Strange experience today to walk around the supermarket and choose products, so different to online ordering and having groceries delivered to my car boot.
I went to Bunnings, physically walked into the store and asked where I could find certain products. I enjoyed the time sifting through the storage bin shelves. Just a little exciting.
As we hover at the edge of March and look at a twelve-month anniversary of the first restrictions and cancellation of my exhibition at Art at St Francis, we can thank our own resilience and personal strength that has carried us thus far.
To view the full image: Select and click on first image – click on the i in a circle RHB of opened page then select View Full Size.
TODAY I submitted my Entry for the Annual Warrandyte Art Show. The rotary club have undertaken to Fundraise through an annual art show in Warrandyte for 36 years. It is a fabulous achievement and well supported by local and broader living artists. Read the information for entries; and do come along to see the show 20 – 22 March 2020
Dear Artists, The Rotary Club of Warrandyte Donvale extend an invitation to exhibit at the 36th Annual Warrandyte Art Show, to be held on the 20th, 21st & 22nd March 2020
The Rotary Warrandyte Artshow is run in conjunction with the Warrandyte Festival. This attracts thousands of visitors to our unique tourist centre from all parts of Victoria.
20th – 22nd March 2020
Total Prize Pool of $7,500.
Best in Show $2,000,
Best Oil or Acrylic $1,000,
Best Work on Paper $1,000,
Highly Commended 5 Prizes of $100 each,
Best Small Painting $500,
People’s Choice Award $250,
Emerging Artist Awards – 3 Prizes of $750 each (Entry by invitation only)
Again this year’s Art Show will be held in the Warrandyte Community Church Complex in Yarra Street Warrandyte.
It runs in conjunction with the Warrandyte Festival which attracts thousands of people to our unique tourist centre from all parts of Victoria.
Please note no photographic or ceramic prizes.
Artworks personally delivered by the artist will be received on Friday 20th March 2020 only between 8.30am and 12noon at the Community Church, Warrandyte,
Delivery by couriers is available from 2 to 4 pm on Thursday 19th March 2020.
Any unsold works may be collected on Sunday 22nd March 2020 between 5-00pm to 6-30pm.
Couriers may collect artwork Monday morning after 8 am 23rd March 2020.
One complimentary invitation to the opening night will be offered to each exhibiting artist to enable them to promote their art.
Please indicate on the application form if you will be in attendance for the Friday evening Art Show Opening. This will assist us in our catering arrangements. You will be aware that the majority of paintings sold are on opening night. Should you wish to invite extra guests to the opening, additional tickets are available at the door for $25 per person. Tickets are all inclusive & include entry, catalogue, entertainment, and supper. All proceeds go to support Rotary community activities. We look forward to receiving your application and assisting to showcase your art.
