Connecting in the Understory

Art prizes can be a bit silly, being based on subjective choices. As artists we need to be aware of the emotional toll of submitting and being rejected much more often than we are accepted. Often we experience a disconnection from our peers and a sense of ‘not meeting the grade’. So are they worth…

Moreton Bay Art Prize – Between Worlds – Repair

It’s pretty obvious I am not a digital native, and I often feel a bit foolish paddling around the edges of social media platforms. But we are all told we have to get out there, right? Especially visual artists… Here’s something I’m quite chuffed about: Outdoor Gallery This year Moreton Bay Art Prize offered a…

Graphic Recording a dance practice?

I’m super excited to be graphic recording a dance practice with Emma Wilson. The way Emma dances is different to anything I’ve seen before – it’s an unpretentious way of exploring self and place that warmly opens a space for awareness. Emma and I met at a performing arts forum Moreton Bay Regional Council held…

Digital Graphic Recording, when you love paper

I’m finally offering digital graphic recording! Getting there however, was comedy of technological errors. With a strong love of analogue work, I needed a big push to lay down my pens and paper and face the digital world. South of the Queensland border, my colleagues had been forced onto digital platforms two years earlier. A…

Graphic Recording – stories of active hope

I’ve been doing a lot of graphic recording in the community sector in the greater Brisbane region. Much of the work has remained confidential, but I have a few images I can share. What stands out to me is the tenacious commitment and resourcefulness of the organisations and communities involved in this sector, as they…

Life Drawing – Refresher

Here’s a Saturday class and a chance to refresh and build your life drawing skills. I’ll be supporting you to find your way, valuing your unique approach, and teaching approaches to working dynamically and drawing proportionally. We’ll start with a presentation and discussion, followed by two hours of drawing with a model. Beginners and intermediate…

Understory, a conversation

I’d like to invite some reflections on the theme of ‘Understory’ because it’s not just about me – it’s about us and what holds us. Here’s a brief starting point, and further down the page, more reflections from the understory: A starting point I live in the upper catchment of Kedron Brook, where water draws…

Park Life Drawing Returns!

With the cooler weather of autumn I’m happy to announce a new season of Park Life Drawing! We gather our picnic gear and frolic forth with two sessions in May, featuring musicians Glyn Hickling and Kate Barzdo as our models. The sessions are part of the Hills Festival, supported by Moreton Bay Regional Council. Both…

Drawing a Sense of Place

When C-19 locks you out of your regular haunt where you’ve drawn together for over 6 years, what do you do? There’s only so much you can do online – find out about how we creatively adapted, kept going as a group, and discovered unexpected benefits along the way. This short doco was a joy…

Park Life Drawing #6

A special event, this Park Life Drawing session features the renowned musician Francis Gilfedder. Francis is bringing an assortment of wind and percussion instruments from around the world that will be interesting to draw and listen to as he poses for us in the cool shade under a leafy tree. It will be a relaxed…

Costumed Life Drawing

I am excited to be presenting Shamani Nair for our first Costumed Life Drawing event back at Bunya House. Shamani is an Indian Classical dancer trained in a genre known as Bharata Natyam,  an art form that combines melody, rhythm and expression. Dating back 2,000 years, this sacred art form originated from Tamil Nadu, a…

Park Life Drawing #5

This is our fifth Park Life Drawing event and I am excited to be presenting Shamani Nair. Shamani is an Indian Classical dancer trained in a genre known as Bharata Natyam,  an art form that combines melody, rhythm and expression. Dating back 2,000 years, this sacred art form originated from Tamil Nadu, a state in…

Park Life Drawing #4

Drawing costumed models in outdoor settings is on! This is our fourth event and I am excited to be presenting Glyn Hickling and his trumpet! (We hope he and we won’t need to be wearing a raincoat though!) It will be a relaxed morning in a Ferny Hills park under trees away from the maddening…

Park Life Drawing #3

Drawing costumed models in outdoor settings is on! This is our third event and I am excited to be presenting Des McPherson as our model, interpreting a late 1800’s mandolin player. It will be a relaxed morning in an Everton Hills park under trees away from the maddening crowd! Our model is quite extraordinary and…

Park Life Drawing #2

Drawing costumed models in outdoor settings is on! This is our second event and I am excited to be presenting talented musician and yogini, Kate Barzdo as our model. Kate will play her harp for us at times during the session, so it will be an enjoyable and relaxed morning at a special spot in…