The Southern Cross Art Group’s Art Show at Sutherland raises a lot of money for the hospital.  It is the focus charity for the society and is very well supported by the members of the group.  For this show Jean Murray has donated one of her extraordinarily beautiful watercolour paintings and tickets are on sale at the hospital until Saturday.

Waiting in the Wings - Acrylic

Yesterday, while we were setting up the show, my painting “Waiting in the Wings” was sold.  The buyer said that she thought it was so very beautiful she had to have it.  It does the heart good when people connect with your art.

The wonderful pieces of very affordable art at the show make one spoiled for choice.

These are exciting days, filled with possibilities.  I have been invited to participate with 11 other top Sydney Women Artists in an exhibition of our artworks over the Easter period.  This includes opening night on Friday 30th March and continues until 29th April 2012.

Opening night is always an exciting experience.   Do come along and join the artists.

Venue: ARTISTS EXHIBITION CENTRE,  46 EdwardSt,  Summer Hill

Dates:  30.3.12 to 29.4.12

Opening Night:  30th March 2012  ADMISSION IS FREE. Wine and finger food will be served.  Time: From 7pm

EXHIBITION WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 29^TH APRIL

GALLERY HOURS: 10AM – 4PM.

FOR SECURITY, DOORS ARE CLOSED, PLEASE RING THE BELL FOR ENTRY

ENQUIRIES:   ANDRE KHALIL 97982700  EMAIL:  artistscentre @idx.com.au

There is parking at and around the centre.

The sun came out and so did the fun and frivolity.  I was on duty at the March Gallery for Oatley 101 Society of Artists along with a number of other artists.  We met some wonderful people who came to check out the outstanding work on show.  Although the weather became a little humid during the day it did not challenge the upbeat mood of all who dropped in during the day.  It was certainly a great way to spend one’s time.  We had visitors from Canberra, Adelaide and Bathurst as well as many locals.  I was so pleased to catch up with some really lovely customers I had met at the Gallery in Kurnell.

The hall is surrounded by beautiful gum trees and the crimson rosellas were having a field day.  Along with some kookaburras, a couple of magpies and some currawongs we were totally entertained by a wonderful Aussie concert.

This was not work.  I talked and laughed so much (not unusual I am told) I almost lost my voice.  By about 3PM there was bit of a party feel happening in the hall as artists gathered to collect their artworks. You have got to be involved in this kind of community as you always leave on a high.  Great for the soul!  This is the place to rub shoulders with the likes of Shirley Hagarty, Diana Garth, Joe Cartwright, Freda Surgenor, Trish Bennett, Keith Barnes, Noel Carrig, Monica Graf……….the list goes on, is exciting and it also includes me!  How good is that?

What an experience!  The rain held off just enough yesterday for our long awaited visit to the Art Gallery of NSW to view the Picasso Masterpieces.  Ten rooms holding such a cross section of this amazing artist’s works.

We took our time wandering at our leisure through the exhibition and the went back to favourite pieces discussing the techniques he used and the style of the time.  He used such a variety of materials and I was pleased to note that gouache was included.  “The Head Cutter”  was the first painting we saw where he used gouache to bring drama to this rather maudlin painting.  “Celestine” from the blue period of his work was remarkable.  One can almost see her there in the flesh.

From the classically beautiful Olga and the “Village Dance” to the drama and ugliness of war his work is an historic narrative.  “Massacre in Korea” was particularly compelling depicting callousness and vulnerability in stark contrast.  I found myself in quite a reflective mood while looking at the pieces in room 7.  His series of works on bullfighting was fascinating particularly the “Death of the Toreador”.  Among the photographs on display there was a powerful shot of Picasso in the audience of a bullfight.  He painted these experiences with every feeling blended into the very fibre of the art.  Exciting!

I could see that not all works were finished and understood that Picasso knew when he had reached the stage that it didn’t need to be finished.  I must say I did not like all that I saw but I certainly appreciated the genius of the man and the powerful affect he has had on the development of art across the board.

To sum it up I thought the exhibition was brilliant.  A must see on the ‘things to do’ list.