It’s been such a hectic year, I haven’t had time to post about a couple of the year’s highlights. Most notable of these was my artist residency at the Art Vault in Mildura. Pictured above is apartment 1, which was my home away from home from 11 July – 24 July. On the left is one of my linocuts, Clipped Wings, (2008, collection: the Art Vault). The studio that I've occupied for all four of my stays (my previous residencies were in 2009, 2011 and 2014) is directly across the courtyard.
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| The studio viewed from the front door of the apartment |
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| Studio view looking towards the apartment |
Occasionally I would start my day with a walk down by the Murray River:
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| Soon after my arrival a huge printmaking show opened at the Art Vault. It included works by Michael Kempson (L) and Euan MacLeod (R). An impromptu turn by the wonderful Nicky Crayson (performing Antonio Carlos Jobim) was an unexpected musical treat. |
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| L-R: Michael Kempson, Euan MacLeod, and the Art Vault's co-director, Julie Chambers |
I had some delightful visitors to the studio, none more so than these fine folk (and also Susan Jarvis, who took the photo). L-R above: myself, jazz singer Nicky Crayson and artists Michael Kempson and Euan MacLeod, whose works featured in a superb printmaking show running through both of the Art Vault's gallery spaces (see the two photos preceding this one). Susan Jarvis appears second from left in the photo below.
They all left for Sydney the
following morning. It was enormous fun getting to know them during their all
too short visit.
These first works in progress were begun in
the Ballarat studio, but put aside when other projects interrupted (it's been
one of those years). However, it made it far easier to get the new work underway than if
I'd started with a blank sheet of paper. By the end of day 1 I had developed a steady working rhythm that continued unabated until the end of my stay.
Following are progress views of the first of several new drawings I made at the Art Vault. The remainder will feature in my next two posts. The drawings are pencil, india ink, pigmented drawing inks and gouache on hand-made Khadi paper, each sheet measuring approximately 15 x 11 cm.
