My most frequented subject for my art over many years has been the coast.
I love living on the coast. I can sit and watch the waves roll in for hours. I have painted many other subjects…. recently geological inspired works, but even that was often rocks along our coastline.
My most recent painting medium is encaustic. I love the fluidity of molten wax, I love the fluidity of the ocean. Combined…. encaustic painting with the coast as the inspiration is, for me, a “match made in heaven”.
2017 was the third year of a gathering of creative people (about 150 artists) in Tasmania’s Wilderness…… Takayna (the Tarkine), on the rugged West Coast. This unique area should be offered more protection by affording it National Park status, not to “close” it to visitors but to maintain its environmental and heritage values so that future generations can enjoy it as we do. Art is a language which we hope will give more insight into the inherent value of Tarkayna.
An exhibition of works is currently on display at the Long Gallery in Hobart, Tasmania showcasing artworks created. These are my entries in that exhibition , along with the promotional invitation
“South of Temma”, Acrylic, charcoal and sumi ink on colour fix paper
“Coast”, Encaustic
3 sets encaustic bracelets and matching pendants…. all SOLD
“Enchanted”, encaustic,
“Layered”, Encaustic SOLD
“Tarkine Treasure: Trowutta Arch“, pigment ink on Vellum, miniature. SOLD
Promotional flier
“Turmoil”, encaustic. 
“Unleashed”, acrylic on stretched canvas
Fine art originals (encaustic paintings) in jewellery settings. “Day’s End”. SOLD
Fine art originals (encaustic paintings) in jewellery settings. “Sarah Ann Rocks”. SOLD
Fine art originals (encaustic paintings) in jewellery settings. “Rain Forest”. SOLD
Every year Tasmanian Regional Arts has a themed competition open to female artists. This year’s theme was Serendipity (entry was in 2016 for the 2017 exhibition). I am proud that for the fourth year in a row I am one of the finalists with a work titled “Les Femmes”. Accompaning the work is an artist’s statement, addressing the theme.
Les Femmes
“SERENDIPITY”. My favourite word.
In my art serendipity is perennially evident…. the flow of wet in wet watercolour, spattering, spraying and working in partnership with the medium to see what evolves. Fluidity and serendipity…. they go hand in hand in much of my creative, non-illustrative, art. With my students I also encourage them to be brave, go with the flow and enjoy the serendipity of some styles of art.
I have worked with encaustic waxes with the little craft iron in craft work for a few years but this year went to a workshop in NSW to do larger works on board with encaustic medium brushed on and using a flame (heat gun), incorporating oils, and even setting fire to shellac on the surface. “Art-alchemy” and what wonderful fluidity and serendipity as forms emerge out of the coloured, molten surface. A degree of control, decision making about scraping back and other approaches but enjoying the serendipitous nature of this new medium.
In this work, “Les Femmes”, female forms emerged….. …….2016, an exciting new, fluid medium, suggestion of female, and the theme of Material Girl….. serendipity indeed!!!!
Post Script…. unfortunately TRA will cease due to cut in government funding. Sad for the art world of our tiny island state.
My Friday afternoon art class currently has primarily people who have worked in various Science fields. I too was a maths/Science teacher, so often our conversation turns to discussions related to Science and of course, art. One of the ladies, Caroline Smith, wrote this article for Earth Song. She conveys my thoughts very well….. primarily that observation is the key linking factor but the method of/purpose behind recording those observations changes.
I was so proud that of all the excellent articles with art work in this issue of Earth Song, my painting was chosen for the cover. The bird is painted reasonably accurately (within the limitations of a very rough textured watercolour paper) while the interpretative background is painted freely, incorporating spattering, blowing paint trails and energetic use of a rigger brush.
Destination Unknown, watercolour with Sumi ink and Chop signature)
Tasmania is an island. The first white settlers came by sea so a porthole format for presenting artworks seems to me to be connected with our history. I have chosen that shape for my latest creation, collaborating with an expert wood craftsman, Bruce Hays. I wanted Tasmanian timber surrounds in which to present my watercolour on silk miniatures. Originally they were to be pendants but I decided on brooches or, in this case, with a small timber back stand attached so it is free standing.
This prototype, inspired by the greens of our Northwest Coast of Tasmania (especially at present after all the rain), is in a Houn pine frame
I have been looking over artworks I have done in the post year and selecting 12 (plus one for the cover) for a 2017 calendar with the theme Tasmania from my Brush. I wanted variety within the cohesion of Tasmania, generally with locations identifiable to some degree. Then there is consideration of selecting ones that will fit with the format of the calendar (though the silk fire one will have extra space either side, generally I chose landscape format). They also need enough contrast to print well. These are half of the works I will use.
Nelson Bay, Tarkine Coast SOLD
Quartet
Tarkine Inferno SOLD
Tessellated Pavement, Eaglehawk Neck
The Great Western Tiers
Tors, Mt wellington
Sarah Anne Rocks, Tarkine Coast
This is “my Tasmania”, just over one hour drive from home. Painted with a palette knife, using acrylics. A palette knife is great for the clean edges I want on parts of the building (old boat shed). I don’t mix the colours on the palette often, preferring to merge them on the painting when necessary. The sky, I painted with my fingers and for the water, I find the brush gives my preferred finish. Basically, “use whatever tool gives the effect you prefer”, was my advice to my students…. with a caution that they will probably feel more comfortable with a brush, so try not to just use a brush. The palette knife effects are more alive I feel, even in this very traditional work.
SOLD to Gwen in Sydney (thank you for your support Gwen)
The Old Boat Shed, Cradle Mt, Lake Dove, Tasmania, Australia
10″ x 14″. Acrylic (Atelier Interactive) on canvas board. SOLD
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