It’s going on for three years since I put my working life in publishing behind me to focus solely on painting, but I still have trouble referring to myself as an ‘artist’. Yet others don’t. Last weekend I was out to dinner and twice heard my friends telling others (people I didn’t know) that ‘She’s an artist’. It wasn’t the first time. It’s interesting because I don’t recall once, in the 30+ years I was in publishing, hearing anyone voluntarily offer the detail that ‘She’s a proofreader’, or ‘She’s an editor’. On the one hand, there’s definitely a perception that the arts are that little bit exotic; on the other, I know that to refer to myself as an artist may be seen as pretentious. (How do I know that? Someone told me!) Perhaps that’s why I have a problem calling myself an artist – because I know people are likely to make assumptions – good or bad (it’s something we all do in our day-to-day lives) – and yet I know I’m the same person I was back when I worked in a different field, no more or less exotic (or pretentious!) than I am now. And I can assure you I’m very ordinary!
That aside, I’ve been busy painting in preparation for various art events that are coming up, first of which is ‘Local Gems’, a series of watercolour miniatures I’ve painted for my exhibition at Marie-France. This exhibition came about as a result of two things – an invitation to return to Marie-France where my series ‘Postcards from Paris’ was on show last December, as well as the need to come up with something to exhibit! For someone who is (generally speaking) very indecisive, that decision was easy, because not long before then I’d won the 2021 Member for Bradfield Art Prize with my painting ‘Mist over Bobbin Head’, and I knew I wanted to continue on that theme. This new series of little paintings from within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park can be previewed on the ‘Gallery’ page of this website.
As well, I have some pieces exhibited and for sale at the Easter Show; I’ve submitted works for this year’s Incognito Art Show; and I will be taking part in ‘Tender’, a group exhibition at White Rhino Artspace, timed to coincide with Mothers’ Day. Most exciting, however, will come a little later in the year when I’ll be returning to The Village Kitchen in Kurrajong with a show all of my own; and I’ll also be taking part in ‘Art in the Mountains’ at Gallery One88 in Katoomba, which should finally be going ahead after plans were repeatedly thwarted in 2021. ‘Art in the Mountains’ is a CASS event, CASS being the Combined Art Societies of Sydney.
Details for now …
Sydney Royal Easter Show, Arts & Crafts Pavilion at Sydney Olympic Park, on now until Tuesday 19 April
‘Local Gems’ at Marie-France, Philip Mall, Kendall Street, West Pymble, NSW, from Tuesday 26 April - Tuesday 31 May
‘Tender’ at White Rhino Artspace, 61 Atchison Street (Level 1), St Leonards, NSW, Wednesday 4 – Saturday 14 May
Incognito Art Show, sometime mid-June, with exact dates and venue to be confirmed; keep an eye on their website (www.incognitoartshow.com)
Until next month.