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.

Again there is a wonderful roll up of talented tutors for Art In Action this year.  I have booked in to attend and am looking forward to the fun and enthusiasm which seems to reverberate from the very walls of the buildings.  Since I started attending the workshops I have grown so much in my art.  Not only in the development of my skills but also in the knowledge of my self as an artist.  I do not want to be a look – a - like artist and am determined to hone my own skills with what I glean from the workshops.  The networks I have formed and the friendships made are amazing.  These are the other treasures you take away from the experience of Meroo. 

Last year I won the auction of the brilliant painting done on stage by Herman Pekel and Paul Margoscy.  I am really looking forward to this year’s painting.  These artists are exciting in their delivery and the antics on stage are priceless.  I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

This year is extra special as it will be the 20th anniversary of this very successful event.  Should be quite a party!

If you haven’t booked in do so before you miss out.  Check the details on www.combinedartsocieties.com and join in the excitment that is Art in Action.

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.

There are a number of art shows coming up in Sydney where I have my artworks on exhibition.  Folllowing is the information of a few you may be interested in checking out.

1)      Oatley 101 Society of Artists’ March Gallery Weekend, 3.3.12 – 4.3.12 from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM. Admission free.    Address: Oatley West Scout Hall, 101 Woronora Pde, Oatley West. Paintings selected to hang in the recent Art of Sydney Awards will be on show.  A range of quality crafts will also be for sale.   I will be on duty on Sunday if you want to drop in for a catch up.

2)      Oatley West PS 32^nd Annual Art and Craft Show, 23.3.12 to 25.3.12 (10AM – 4PM). Address: Oatley Pk Ave, Oatley NSW, 2223.  I think there is a small admission fee.

3)      Southern Cross Art Group Sutherland Hospital Art Show, 22.3.12 to 25.3.12 (9AM – 4PM). Address:  Sutherland hospital, the Atrium (enter via main entrance).  Admission Free.  There is a beautiful watercolour painting by Jean Murray being raffled as well.  All monies raised support the hospital. I will be there for much of the show.

4)      Castle Hill Art Society Agricultural Show (Opening- 8PM 15.3.12) continues 16.3.12 to 15.3.12, admission free.  Address: Harvey Lowe Pavilion,  Castle Hill Showground, Doran Dve, (off Carrington Rd).

5)      Kurnell Art Gallery is open every weekend from about 10AM to 4PM depending on the numbers of visitors.  The coffee shop next door is very popular.  Even on the most dismal of days Kurnell is a very interesting day out. I will be on duty on 11.3.12 and I open the gallery before 9AM. 

Australia Day at Darling Harbour started damp but warmed to be a lovely day.  Not too hot or wet.  There was something there for everyone especially at the Maritme Museum.  The Art of Sydney Awards is fantastic!  What is on show is of such a high standard and so reasonably priced that the artworks are selling like hotcakes. 

I was fortunate enough to be on duty on Australia Day and had the most wonderful chats with so many people from all over Australia and the world, as well as Sydney.  Without exception the praise of the quality of the paintings came thick and fast. 

Following the fireworks and laser light show people poured in to check out what was on show.  Visitors were still buying art as the doors were shutting at 10PM.  The buzz was extraordinary. There is such a range to choose from that one is spoiled for choice.  It is a matter of buy before disappointment.  Hopefully by Sunday afternoon all works will have found the walls of new homes to grace.   

It is so exciting to be a part of it all.

Last Sunday we went for a drive to the beautiful Mt Tamborine area in South Eastern Queensland.  In Long Road, Gallery Walk (a fantastic place to check out some very interesting and exciting arts and crafts) we stopped for a coffee at “Anyone for Coffee”.  What a find that was!  We were treated to the most delicious morning coffee and hot chocolate. The service was without doubt the best one could ever experience.  If you are anywhere in the area check this boutique coffee shop out.  You will not be disappointed. 

Details:  “Anyone for Coffee” 159 Long Road, Gallery Walk, Mt Tamborine, Qld 4217

Check out the website:  www.anyoneforcoffee.com