Quote Of The Day

‎"Creativity is a natural extension of enthusiasm" Earl Nightingale

I Love Painting

Through the site 'LinkedIn' I have joined a few art groups. One relatively new site called 'I Love Painting' has accepted my request and I am now busy chatting with some very talented and interesting artists. A recent on-going discussion is focusing on exposing scams that are targeting artists all around the world.

I highly recommend joining.

Moving Gallery

"Moving Gallery" was an assignment for John Neeson. A poster design for train stations.
I decided to give all those 'late commuters' an excuse.

I just may have finally got the hang of Photoshop...........it has taken all year!

Pinhole Photograph

SOLAR BLUE TONE

SOLAR TEA STAIN

NEGATIVE

Took this shot with a homemade camera........a shoe box.

Macro Photography

Shot with Canon 400D with 100mm Macro Lens

Photography Exercises

Portraits of Alyce shot in the studio.

ArtsHub

http://www.artshub.com.au/.


Established in 2000, ArtsHub is now one of Australia's leading websites serving the creative and arts industries. ArtsHub is visited over 100,000 times each month and offers the reader access to the latest news, views, reviews, jobs, events, company profiles and general classifieds from the Australian creative and arts industries. Over 600 companies subscribe to ArtsHub advertising their companies, latest events, and jobs on offer.

Wayne's Latest

Wayne's latest piece. I just love this one. It brings back memories of being single and having money in my wallet........oh those days shopping at my favourite arcade!

Botanical Drawing

Graphite on Paper
Earlier this year, our class assignment was to draw to scale, a botanical subject from life.

On Watch

Look who's watching you.

Fished Out

Fished Out

The world was made of fish, there was nothing else on the menu.

Raised in a traditional Italian home where habitual faith in Christianity naturally blended into everyday life, questioning was not encouraged. Religious icons decorated the walls and golden religious charms adorned our bodies. Our days at school began in prayer. We had daily lessons with allocated lectures on the subjects of religion and faith. Before lunch, after lunch and before going home we prayed. The last thing at night before closing our eyes we prayed one last time.

Christianity's symbol is that of the fish.

The first piece reflects the strong unquestionable faith of youth and habit. Life is filled with a knowing that being on the right path on this Earth, would be rewarded in the next. Life was in a large way simpler and more complete as there was no need to search for the right answers - they were all there in the text. We were proud wearing the symbols of faith on our bodies for all the world to see. The first piece, complete with fish and bright colours, reflects the view that all the elements are in harmony.

The work becomes more raw and grittier as doubts begin to creep in. The subject that was once force fed is now viewed through different eyes. Questions are raised. There is a revelation as the losing of trust crosses over and manifests as also a loss of identity. This is signified by the layers of tissue obscuring parts of the face. The world becomes very abstract, it is no longer the dark ages of yesteryear. With a renaissance comes doubt, uncertainty with no freedom. This renaissance is also reflected in the art, going from the realist to the stylized. The fragility of the tissue paper acts as an analogue of the fragility of the human condition, certainties easily torn and ripped asunder. The wire net wraps over the images trapping them in a confined world.

Anger is the catalyst, it is the vehicle that drives movement. The God of War, Mars, rampant on the field. However, this is letting go of a lifetime of beliefs and this is not easily done. Inner conflict is created. Much analyzing is at times accompanied by guilt, and guilt lingers on for some substantial time.

Eventually, after much deliberating, you awake to a new day, where the past is no longer impinging on the present. The wire has been cut and the slate has been wiped clean and there is a freedom to wander in a new direction and to be yourself.

Completed Works 2010

Playing around with Photoshop in George's class.

Win-win studio spaces

The 'Age' newspaper this morning featured an article on cheap hire of studio space.

The force behind this venture is 'Creative Spaces' they are a joint initiative of the MCC and Arts Victoria in partnership with RMIT's Design Research Institute and the Future Focus Group of the Committee for Melbourne.

This collaboration has cleverly worked out a strategy to satisfy both, property developers and artists.

However, I am left confused by the wording in the article as to whether the spaces are priced at, $100 per week, or $100 per month.

For more information go to:

http://theage.domain.com.au/design-and-living/a-winwin-for-artists-and-landlords-20101112-17qbo.html

Antiquated Education System

It would be worth spending a few minutes of your time to watch this fascinating, thought provoking video, which focuses on our antiquated education system. It looks at why a lot of our kids are struggling at school. After viewing this video, I am sure that you will agree along with me, it is about time that our education system has a total overhaul.

Sir Ken Robinson, a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), will open your eyes through this insightful video. This site, 'RSA Animate', also offers other equally impressive videos on topics which affect the way we live, and the way we are programmed to think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

Wayne's Awards

Congratulations! Wayne won Bronze Awards for both these images in the 'International Aperture Awards 2010'.
These awards are in their third year, they are run by a local Australian company ' Labtam Communications'. The head judge was 'Peter Eastway' from 'Better Photography Magazine'.
www.internationalapertureawards.com

Celebrating with my class of 2010

Celebrating the end of the year with my team at St. Georges Restaurant at NMIT.

Image in Silvershotz

Hey, if you happen to pick up the latest copy of 'Silvershotz' volume 7,
you will see an article written by my husband Wayne Cosshall. He used a
picture of my website to illustrate one way to present images online.
Certainly feels great seeing your work and name in print

My Class of 2010

My 1st Year Visual Arts class of 2010

The 1st year has come to an end. It feels so strange to have crossed off everything on the 'To Do List' and even stranger to say farewell to my school family for the year. I look forward to meeting up again next year after some well deserved r & r.

On the agenda now is, finally catching up with all my neglected friends, so expect a phone call - we are going to do plenty of coffees and lunches. It is absolutely vital to make up for missed time.

Languid Pools

Languid Pools
Featuring Citrine Crystals and Agate on Canvas

"Languid Pools" is my latest painting. Peter's painting class - using experimental techniques.

Mural

This was a Certificate IV project, in which I was lucky enough to be invited to help out with. It was an amazing experience working on this 4 panel mural. Many hours was spent on it's creation.

It's resting place will be at the Northern Hospital at Epping.

A huge challenge but I absolutely loved working on it.

Trends for Blogs

I found a great blog which is all about adding the WOW factor to your blog. Check it out:
http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/resources/design-trends-among-blogs/

Award

I have just heard that I won an award at the Mid-way show at school. It was for 'Excellent Student for 1st Year'. Well, it seems that those late nights studying did amount to something after all. It is such a wonderful feeling when your efforts are acknowledged. Thank you NMIT.

Cosmos

These two are part of my Cosmos series. They are encrusted with Citrine and Clear Quartz Crystals. You can view others in the same series or some of my other series; at Crystal Heart in Carlton, Sentient Being in Eltham, or Loosh in Preston.

Dyslexia

Having only recently become aware of myself possessing Dyslexia, I am constantly surprised at just how many people I meet who are also Dyslexic. It is estimated that it is as high as one in five in this country (although these statistics seem to change every time I pick up literature on the subject). In the UK and America, children in primary schools have been tested for it since 1982. Here in Australia, at secondary and other higher education, a system has now been put in place for some assistance, however, in some primary schools it is not even recognized. My daughter, who has also been diagnosed with it, has had no help whatsoever. I have had to hunt through many obscure channels to finally find an outside tutor who could help her. WAKE UP AUSTRALIA!!!

Mixing up words, misspelling words or even leaving out complete lines of words are only some of the common factors. Thank God for Spell Check. I have lived most of my life knowing that there was something amiss but didn't know what it was. I strongly believed that I was stupid and had a learning disability. Since being diagnosed, my whole life has changed, and now I am not only comfortable with it, but I have even made the decision to go back to study - study was something I never thought I could do successfully in the past. Understanding is the key to many doors.

AOCDRNDICG TO RSCHEEARCH AT CMABRIGDE UINERVTISY, IT DSENO'T MTAETR WAHT OERDR THE LTTERES IN A WROD ARE, THE OLNY IPROAMTNT TIHNG IS TAHT THE FRSIT AND LSAT LTTEER BE IN THE RGHIT PCLAE. TIHS IS BCUSEAE THE HUAMN MNID DEOSNOT RAED ERVEY LTETER BY ISTLEF, BUT THE WROD AS A WLOHE. IF YOU ......CAN... RAED TIHS, PSOT IT TO YUOR WLAL. OLNY 55% OF PLEPOE CAN

Photography Wisdom for iPad

'Photography Wisdom' by Wayne Cosshall, has just been launched as an App for iPad. It is online at Apple's App Store. Cost: US$3.99 A$4.99
Link is: http://itunes.com/apps/PhotographyWisdom

'Photography Wisdom' contains practical advice on improving your photography and finding your own creative voice.
Link is: http://www.technomagickal.com/iphone-and-ipad-development-and-applications/photography-wisdom-ipad-app/

Darebin City

My painting "Hidden Treasures" has been accepted by the City of Darebin. By arrangement via, Kirrily, at NMIT and a representive of the Darebin Council, the handover of the painting will be documented and published in the local newspaper. I don't at the moment know when this will happen or where the painting will be situated.

Eve

This is my latest series in Printmaking, they are copper plate etchings. I have called her Eve. The middle one has been embossed, however it is difficult to see in the photo. The other two are chine colle and I am very happy with all the results.

Storm

My painting 'Storm' is now happily situated in Denise's beautiful new home.

My completed books

Here are 3 books I made. The largest was for Kirsten's class and the two little ones are for Geoff and George. They all have my images, the two small books are my version of 'A Rake's Progress'.

November 2011 Exhibition

It is now confirmed that in addition to the 'Thou Art Mum' June exhibition at Eltham Library, another one will be held in November at Montsalvat. It will keep me busy!

New Outlet - "Loosh"

Exciting news - my paintings are now selling at "Loosh" at 93-103 High Street, Preston.

Loosh is an exclusive Holistic Wellbeing Store and Therapy Centre. An urban oasis amidst the urban jungle.

Drop in, meet Diana and feast your eyes on their beautiful products. My paintings will be there happily and eagerly waiting for the right person.
www.looshexclusive.com.au

Escha van den Bogerd

This painting is part of the series that I am interested in. I love the way that her figures and their surroundings are unified.

Quote

Creativity takes courage.
Henri Matisse

Artist Statement

Moments In Time

This body of work is a continuation of my exploration of the various aspects of the human condition. Specifically, my interest lies in the roles in life people play, the interplay of light and dark in their lives and the boundary conditions between a person's inner and outer worlds. I explore these not only through the subject matter but through metaphor: firstly, the way light and shadow forms around the curves of the body and secondly, the relationship between the body and the surrounding space.

In my art, I like to experiment with different styles and mediums. As my art has matured my style has become looser and freer. In this latest collection I made a conscious move to use broader strokes and my preferred mediums to work with is either charcoal or pastel. I find that these mediums allow me to work quickly, thus, creating an easy spontaneous flow. Recently, I have discovered that after the drawing has been outlined, I then paint over it with water or another wet medium – the effect is a soft and fluid result. I also intentionally paint outside the lines as this process brings the surrounding background into the body, and vice-versa. I do this to emphasis the correlation to the outside world and the unifying connection of all things.

When I painted this series I was in awe and strongly influenced by the way Escha van den Bogerd captured this notion completely in her work. Whilst her work is darker and heavier, I purposely created my series to look light and airy.

TAM Exhibition

Next year's 'Thou Art Mum' exhibition has just been
confirmed.

We are booked into the Eltham Library.
3rd to 22nd June, 2011.
The theme will be "Moments In Time".

I have just put on my thinking cap.

Barnowlby Bubbles

Sarah Hardy (a wonderful friend) has finally finished her book.
Yes it is here. The launch of "Barnowlby Bubbles" children's picture book, written by Elisabeth hardy and Illustrated by Sarah Hardy. Come along and celebrate with them on Saturday 11th December at 2pm, at the Eltham Multi-purpose room, Eltham Library. There will be 2 exciting guest speakers, as well as drinks and nibbles, and of course the opportunity to purchase this wonderful book. See you there! It's going to be a blast!

Henry Moore

There's no retirement for an artist, it's your way of living so there's no end to it.
::: Henry Moore :::

Procrastinating

When I work, I work very fast, but preparing to work can take any length of time.
::: Cy Twombly :::

Action Shots

The Zoo is a fantastic place to catch some great action shots. You never know what you are going to see. Caught with SLR high shutter speed.

Night Lights

Night lights - painting with light. This was made with sparklers and using a long exposure.

Chuck Close

“I am going for a level of perfection. That is only mine...
Most of the pleasure is in getting the last little piece perfect.”
- Chuck Close

Libby Schreiber

Below are some prints by a brilliant printmaker, Libby Schreiber. I am so lucky to be able to claim Libby as a friend and a fellow member of 'Thou Art Mum'.





Libby describes this work as: "My work is very personal in the sense that it reflects my thoughts about my life and how and where everything and everyone else fits into it. I am quite self analytical and my art acts as a kind of visual diary. At times the truth is stretched, at other times humour is used to help me see the light side of life. At the end of the day I want my work to be accessible to all, so I use objects and symbols that are familiar to most of us with a little stylization.

Some of my images come to me seemingly out of the blue whilst others are the result of focusing on a thematic starting point. When I have a few ideas I begin drawing onto the lino and re-work the image until it comes together which can take months. Print is an exciting medium as you never really know until you print, whether the image has been successful or not. I hope to continue developing my imagery and techniques well into the future.".