If Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei's NGV exhibition is a little 'art anyone could do' (from cat pics to soup cans) then Lurid Beauty, an exhibition of Australian Surrealism, is art anyone can feel. Unlike Warhol and Ai Weiwei, little of it is repetitive, except for the feelings the works inspire. The works are weird, visceral, … Continue reading Exhibition Review: feeling the disturbance
Art
Exhibition Review: meme themes
The Ai Weiwei Andy Warhol exhibition is on at the National Gallery of Victoria - International in Melbourne. I went in the knowledge that while I understand the importance of Warhol, I'm fairly unmoved by his work. I am left as flat as his famous multicoloured prints. It's all too familiar. Pop art too popular, … Continue reading Exhibition Review: meme themes
Seeing art and negotiating space
Went to see the Catherine the Great Hermitage Winter Masterpiece exhibition at The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) ages ago. At first I was under-whelmed because it was two rooms of diagrams and dishes, plus an imposing portrait of Catherine. This was followed by a video tour of the Hermitage, which was glorious, except for … Continue reading Seeing art and negotiating space
Ipso facto NaNoWriMo
I have put a lot of pressure on myself over a long to prove I am a writer, and to improve and to hone my craft while I sweat blood over the merest detail of a finely tuned short story. As my recent week full of rejected submissions demonstrates, this job is never done. Even … Continue reading Ipso facto NaNoWriMo
Holding Patterns
Everything ebbs and flows. Interests wax and wane. Seasons change. Things are shaken up and settle down again for each of us in our brittle, safe, enclosed snow dome worlds. While I wasn't blogging for a while earlier this year, I poured my spare time and energy into drawing. It was a way to not think about … Continue reading Holding Patterns
Inner promptings vs external stimuli
I went interstate for a bit. There was scenery to look at and memories and feelings. I was inspired. I was going to write about it. But I don't think I will. I may write it or express it somehow, perhaps in some story, perhaps not. But about it seems to corrupt it, or exhaust its … Continue reading Inner promptings vs external stimuli
Art of Inspiration
Inspiration for writing comes from everywhere. For me, sometimes it's found in art. It can be through book illustration, or a visit to a gallery or a library (so much art at libraries), or using my own photographs. It can be through Pintrest (where many hours can be whiled away), or thumbing through art books. It … Continue reading Art of Inspiration
Oops I drew it again
I just attended my second Zentangle class at Abbotsford Convent with Beverley, who is gently encouraging and wonderfully welcoming. The time magically disappears in what is the perfect place for lessons like this. On the edge of the city and not so far from the free way, it is at once busy and peaceful. While we were … Continue reading Oops I drew it again
Optical delusions
A few weeks ago I posted about art. Admitting I could only see what I couldn't get 'right,' I felt, for a long time, art was something I let down, due some mysterious defect. This attitude limits not only what I think I can do, but what I attempt. Basically, if I don't try, then … Continue reading Optical delusions
Art/less Disadvantage
My mother was an artist: lively pen and ink portraits, wry and whimsical cartoons and sculpture in clay and wood. She held exhibitions and sold her pieces. Her wake featured some of her best works. My grandmother produced remarkable charcoal landscapes and haunting portraits too. My aunt, I believe, had talent with water colours. The boxes … Continue reading Art/less Disadvantage
Writing Bec 