Insect collaborators

The photographs in this post were snapped over the course of two visits to Newstead in as many days. (See also Blog Post December 31). For some time, I’ve been wanting to document the Eucalyptus trees that provide the raw materials for my current work. Their leaves come in infinitely varied forms, with invaluable creative input from unseen insects which subtly alter the contours in ways that add immeasurably to the unique aesthetic of each leaf. The identities of my insect collaborators, however, remained unknown to me – at least until now.

Upon arrival I couldn't resist harvesting more leaves for my growing collection, It was then that I made a thrilling discovery. The sapling from which I gathered the leaves was dotted with dazzling gold and blue bugs. Closer inspection also revealed what I recognized as a species of shield bug, also - a tad less poetically - referred to as stink bugs.

Some basic research conducted as soon as we got home to Ballarat revealed that the entire insect population of the sapling are Amorbus alternatus, AKA Eucalyptus tip bugs or Gumtree bugs, which are usually found in the tropical climate of Queensland. The brightly coloured bugs are nymphs; the mature insect is brown and orange.

The photographs third, fourth, fifth and sixth from the top were taken by Shane Jones.

For more about the Eucalyptus tip bug, go HERE.

Opening today: Return to Hanging Rock

As regular visitors to this blog will be aware, two of my works, Vignette Vitrine and A Cabinet of Moth Masks, are part of the exhibition Return to Hanging Rock at the National Trust property, Mulberry Hill. The show commemorates 40 years of the novel Picnic at Hanging Rock. Mulberry Hill is the former home of its author, Joan Lindsay.

Pictured top: Return to Hanging Rock exhibition poster
Pictured above, top: Vignette Vitrine (2012, miniature canvases in display case, 31 x 31 cm). Bottom: two of its contents. L-R: Avenger and Bird Pin (both 2012, acrylic on canvas, 9 x 7 cm).

Return to Hanging Rock was curated by Cara-Ann Simpson. It opens today, January 2, and runs until March 27, 2016. Details are on the poster above. For further information, visit the website HERE.

Happy New Year

2016 is a leap year, so whatever your resolutions may be, you will have 366 days to realise them. Whether your goals include turning over a new leaf or you decide to stay just as you are, may you rise to every challenge in a year filled with happiness, creativity and good health.

A clear work top ready for the New Year and new beginnings. (My workstation at Abbotsford in Melbourne).

Back to the Future

As the year winds down, what better people to spend one of the last days of 2015 with than two of our dearest friends?

On Tuesday Shane and I visited Leigh Hobbs, Dmetri Kakmi and their dogs Snowy and Lulu at the cottage at Newstead that they occasionally house-sit. Although our previous visit there was only a few months back, it seems like a lifetime ago. It was then that I collected the first of the Eucalyptus leaves that became the basis for the Leaves of Absence archival prints.

On this occasion, I took along the proofs to show Leigh and Dmetri and was gratified by their response. Bringing the work to where it all began was deeply satisfying. It's been quite a journey, and a fitting one to end the year on.

Shane Jones and Leigh Hobbs

Leigh and Dmetri 

Lulu and Snowy

One of many things we have in common is our love of film. Leigh has promised to
lend me this book in 2016

The view from the terrace, enjoyed with a glass of Prosecco 

Gathering more Eucalyptus leaves

Flashback to the first Newstead leaves, July 2015

Leaves of Absence proofs

Season's Greetings

After the recent heatwave and with the likelihood of more to come, I suspect I'm not the only one who is dreaming of a white Christmas. May your days be merry and bright during the Festive Season and throughout the year ahead.

Our Christmas tree at Ballarat, December 2015

Our older, more diminutive, but much loved Melbourne tree, December 2015

Recent adventures in printmaking

Pictured above: the lino block for Cossodes lyonetii Moth Woman. Pictured below: a trial proof pulled this afternoon, followed by an enlarged view of the Cossodes lyonetii white moth, originally sourced from the CSIRO website. (The mask area of the linocut will be hand painted in similar colours).

The completed edition of 33 will be part of Eventide, a portfolio of linocuts curated by Rona Green. Works from the portfolio will be exhibited at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery in May, 2016. Full details of the portfolio and exhibition will be provided nearer the time.

As mentioned in a previous post, I'm intending to take an extended break from linocuts in order to concentrate more fully on other facets of my work, most notably the ongoing series of Homo-insecta paintings and the Leaves of Absence digital prints, one of which is directly below:

Roundel (work in progress); digital print

Thumbnails of selected archival pigment prints - including alternative variations of two of the works - are shown on the proof sheet below:

Goldfields Printmakers in Bendigo

Goldfields Printmakers at Bendigo Art Gallery cafe last Saturday. From foreground, left: Loris Button, Penny Peckhan, 
Leonie Auhl, Josephine Walsh, Dianne Longley. From foreground, right: Jimmy Pasakos, Jackie Gorring,
Jan Palenthorpe, Diana Orinda Burns (not visible in this view) and Barbara Semler.

2015 has been a particularly significant year for the Goldfields Printmakers. In September, a folio of our work titled Not Born Digital traveled with GP founder Jimmy Pasakos to IMPACT9, the international printmaking conference at Hangzhou, China. During October-November, the same works were exhibited at Ararat Regional Art Gallery in Victoria. Jimmy Pasakos, David Frazer and I were also part of Parallel Prints, a group show/exchange portfolio. Curated by Jimmy and New Zealand artist Mark Graver, it was simultaneously exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ballarat and Wharepuke Print Studios, Kerikeri, New Zealand in early October. (To date, the Parallel Prints portfolio has been acquired by the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Federation University, Ballarat and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart). In late October-early November, two GP members, Dianne Longley and myself, were presenters at the inaugural Mildura BMW Print Triennial.

Last Saturday, December 12, a number of us met for a celebratory gathering in the elegant cafe at Bendigo Art Gallery (where, incidentally, they served the finest scones I've ever tasted).

In fact, our reason for meeting there was twofold. In early 2016 several of the group (myself included) will be part of the exhibition Elemental at Latrobe University Visual Arts Centre (VAC Gallery). It's conveniently located directly across the road, so this was a perfect opportunity for us to discuss the exhibition at length with curator Josephine Walsh and to familiarize ourselves with the gallery spaces. Elemental will run from 24 February-10 April, 2016. 

(Since Saturday's meeting, Josephine has received confirmation that Elemental will also be exhibited at Light Square Gallery in Adelaide between 9 May- 3 June, 2016).

With the Year of Print 2016 nearly upon us, the Goldfields Printmakers are ready and set for another productive year.

Queenscliff Gallery and Workshop

Six of my linocuts from the Moth Masks series will feature in the inaugural exhibition of an exciting new artspace, Queenscliff Gallery and Workshop. Hanging alongside works by the likes of Andrew Gunnell, Anita Iacovella, Anne Spudvilas, Bronwyn Rees, Carolyn Hawkins, Clayton Tremlett, Damon Kowarsky, David Frazer, Deborah Williams, Ellie Malin, George Raftopoulos, Hyun Ju Kim, Jim Pavlidis, Joel Wolter, John Waller, Graeme Peebles, Kate Hudson, Lauren Carter, Melinda Harper, Michelle Caithness, Michelle Zuccolo, Paul Compton, Phil Stallard, Rona Green, Danielle Creenaune, Sharron Okines, Sheridan Jones, Silvi Glattauer, Stephanie Jane Rampton, Tess Edwards, Yvette Coppersmith and Soula Mantalvanos, the Moth Women will be in fine company.

Agathia pisina Moth Mask, 2009, linocut, hand coloured, 15 x 15 cm 

Birthana cleis Moth Mask, 2009, linocut, hand coloured, 15 x 15 cm 

Cyana mericki Moth Mask, 2009, linocut, hand coloured, 15 x 15 cm 

Digama marmorea Moth Mask, 2009, linocut, hand coloured, 15 x 15 cm

Scoliacma bioclora Moth Mask, 2009, linocut, hand coloured 15 x 15 cm  

Thalaina macfarlandi Moth Mask, 2009, linocut, hand coloured 15 x 15 cm 

The gallery opens its doors to the public for the first time tomorrow, Sunday December 13. To visit the website, click on the link below:*  

Queenscliff Gallery and Workshop*

81 Hesse Street

Queenscliff VIC 3225
Open daily 10 am - 4 pm during summertime. 
(Check the gallery's website for updates on trading hours)

Phone: +61 3 5258 4927

Email: gallery@qgw.com.au