Braveheart Youth Trust Exhibition

This year I have been invited to take part in the Braveheart Youth Trust Exhibition. 

This is a very worthy cause and I am happy to take part and show my support.

"Braveheart supports, financially or practially selected programmes for young people (11-21 years) who are at risk of entering the NZ justice system. Our support may be financial or practical and our area of focus is central Auckland. We recognise that the voice of every young person is valuable in contributing to our future. We want every young person to stand tall, be heard and be happy."

- www.braveheart.org.nz

'Fortune Favours The Brave'

Gala Preview Thursday 16 October ~ Admission $60

Friday 17 & Saturday 18 October 10am - 4pm, Sunday 19 October 10am - 3pm.

~ Admission $20

Eight Years

 Eight years yesterday.

ORGA

I am going through images of past works to make a slide show for my up and coming talk on Friday for the 'Home Work' exhibition here in New Plymouth and I came across the photo of this little doll I named Orga. Looking at the photo I can't quite believe that I made her. She brings back so many memories about that time in my life 10 years ago now and reminds me of the events that have transpired to alter my life, art and means of expression. Still she is incredibly beautiful and in the collection of someone who I know will love her; in the end that's all you can hope for when the works you've brought into existence make their way out of your hands and into the world.

Lady Sea Star

Ladt Sea Star cushion created by SeraphSplendor

I know, I know, I should be saving my pennies for the upcoming exhibition in Paris and all the adventures that will entail but my mania for interior decorating and my fetish for objects that are beautiful and evocative took hold a couple of nights ago when I turned my attentions toward the guest bedroom. Our living room has a Gothic conservatory theme, Nik's study is based on a colonial war room, now the guest bedroom is taking on a personality all of its own; an Edwardian adventurers snug. 

Delicate shells of many varieties, little Egyptian figurines, an Azerbaijan wedding headdress and an ottoman jacket owned by a magician have all taken their places. On Wednesday the Moroccan lanterns will be hung and in the process of getting carried away by this other world I am creating I found this incredible cushion, a tiny work of maritime fantasy made by the very talented SeraphSplendor. I've been lucky enough to be able to add other pieces of theirs to my little jewel box of a house and I know this one will contribute its own wonder to the vision I have for the new room. 

It is on its way to its new home, tinkling as the shells fall against each other, this package passed from one hand to the next on its journey into mine. I love the moment wonderful things turn up on my doorstep; the process of unwrapping and discovering. It will take years before each of these rooms becomes perfect but it's a journey which I adore. I would have loved to have been an interior decorator if I wasn't an artist, ones living space should speak of its owner, enveloping one in the process of imagining.

Paris

I am thrilled to announce that I have been invited to exhibit my works in a group show of Taranaki artists in Paris in November! In honor of this event I am making a group of special paintings which celebrate the fascinating life of Jeanne d'Arc. 

Picaflor

I am so happy to be able to unveil this collaborative work for the cover of Jessica Talbot's new creation 'Picaflor' ~ Finding Home In South America. 

Jessica had the gorgeous idea of incorporating many symbols which are important representations of her life's path woven into a nest to symbolize her  journey through the world and the need for a nest of her own. 

If you would like to know more about Jessica, her book and the symbolism behind this cover design please click here or go to www.jessicatalbot.net. 

Crests

My avid trawling on Etsy has rendered yet another delight. I just found these charming Parisian Victorian crests designed as picture hook covers. There are five and only yesterday I began work on my fifth Jeanne d'Arc painting depicting the dream of Catherine de La Rochelle. I will use these in the upcoming exhibition at Linton & Kay, hanging my Jeanne d'Arc Cycle by chains attached to these.

I feel that these five paintings are by far my finest creations to date; detailed to the point of obsession expressing the wonder I feel at this fascinating woman's life. They show Jeanne under the fairy tree, the discovery of her sword at the church of Saint Catherine de Fierbois, the march to Orleans, the dream of Catherine de La Rochelle and Jeanne's spirit holding the banner she loved so dearly.

Vanity

Right now I am redesigning our bathroom. It's pretty basic. It looks like the vanity was bought on Trade Me many years ago, has cupboard doors that are too small and is basically one of the most ugly things I've ever seen. So where would I look for a new one? Well it would have to be Trade Me of course but I had something very different in mind! 

The other day I won this incredible old gramophone case in an intense bidding war. The seller said the top is damaged so I will fix that up and put a counter top basin on it. I discovered there is a varnish you can get which will do a brilliant job of waterproofing the wood so along with a good ventilation system it should be just fine.

First Snow Of The Year

This morning I was greeted by a snow covered Mt Taranaki. Nothing could be more magical.

Study at Banksia House

When deciding on the theme of Nik's study I wanted to create something which talked about our life in Perth as well as evoking memories of the colonial studies at Highwic and Alberton which I loved so much as a child.