This year I finally have the time and space to join the Instagram challenge, ‘21 Days In My Art World’
Life and work in an artist’s studio is really quite a solitary experience, so hopefully this can act as an invitation into my world - and all of those participating. I love that across the world, there are thousands of other artists joining the adventure and that this somehow strengthens the already inspiring and supportive art community across Instagram.
Day 1 - F A V O U R I T E P A I N T I N G
While I actually have no favorites as such, the memory of the process behind each painting stays with me. I can most certainly recall several paintings where I felt ‘in the zone’ and painting from ‘essence’, being continuously inspired and receiving insights from ‘somewhere larger than myself’ as the creation unfolded.
Believe you me, this certainly doesn’t always happen!!
There is only one painting that I’ve ever been inclined to keep, and even then, it’s actually hanging in my parents home and not my own.
‘Magnolia blossoms
Swinging and swaying
In the great open sky’ ~ Basho
Was inspired by the beautiful magnolia tree in my Grandmothers garden. A few months after painting this work, she passed away and the ripe old age of 100. 💝
Day 2 - L E S S O N L E A R N E D
Today’s prompt offers many possibilities. Everyday is threaded through with learning in an attempt to challenge creative boundaries.
My practice is dominated by two recurring lessons: 1) to reduce the seriousness I place upon myself (both as a person and an artist), and 2) to not succumb to agitation if a work does not flow.
I feel the energy in the studio at the time of creation embeds itself into that artwork. Both positive and negative. As such, I try to be conscious of what is going on in my life at that creative moment.
Many creatives, (writers, musicians, painters etc..) have concluded that inspired creations are not made by the individual alone, but rather a collaboration of energies from ‘somewhere else’. I completely relate to this and love that no one has been able to name exactly where this creative inspiration comes from.
Sometimes I don’t feel like ‘Nerina’ (as an ego or identity) was even present at all when stepping back after a few solid hours of painting.
Many creatives, across a range of practices, have concluded that inspired creations are not made by the individual alone, but rather a collaboration of energies from ‘somewhere else’. Recognizing this otherness has been central to the development of my artistic self. I am not interested in knowing it’s name or origin, just accepting of its creative inspiration. Sometimes, after long hours of painting I look back and struggle to find ‘Nerina’ the ego or identity present in that work.
Conversely, when a work isn’t flowing I feel little reason to beat myself up about it. Just put the work aside and channel the energy more productively on another.
In the past I’ve always made sure very few people see my paintings in the preliminary stages, and the concept of the creative flow channeling through me, rather than ‘of’ me also takes the pressure off sharing WIP’s.
In the past I’ve remained reticent of allowing others to view my work in its preliminary stages, but treating the creative flow as a channeling through me, rather than ‘of’ me takes the pressure off sharing work in progress.
Pictured is a newly begun painting, set aside for a short while until the inspiration and direction makes itself clear.
Lesson Learned
Day 3 - A C U R R E N T W O R K I N P R O G R E S S
/’m really enjoying the ‘21 days of art in my world’ challenge and the invitation for today, day 3 is to share a current work in progress.
Here is a smaller painting (101 x 101cm) almost finished to include in an upcoming exhibition titled “Resonance” showing for the month for the month of February at @eaglesnestgallery in the surf-coast town of Aireys Inlet.
More info to follow on that, but for today I’ve been enjoying some of the textural qualities and changing surfaces as the metallic foil hits the light.
Current Work in Progress
Day 4 - F A V O U R I T E A R T B O O K
It’s just hard to pick one or even a handful of influential art books from the shelf. This choice stood out today though as being the most prized and precious book ...for the longest time.
Almost 3 decades ago I pooled all the money gifted to me on my 21st birthday and bought this book, ‘The Spiritual in Art - Abstract Painting’,
For many years I kept this precious book in the safety of an unused pizza box covered with contact and lined it thick cotton wool.
Nowadays it still holds a special place on my shelf as one of the many treasured art books that continue to inspire.
One of my favourite art books
Day 5 - F A V O U R I T E T O O L
.... and the invitation for Day 5 of ‘21 Days in my Art World’ is to post a favourite tool.
For me, it was a fine line between two fave brushes.... so - here are both!
The first is a brush that I found in a market in Chinatown, Singapore. I’ve used this beautiful brush for gold leading for many years now - as you can see!
The second is a recent birthday present from a dear friend. This 100mm Raphael Softacryl Brush is the softest thing I have ever felt so while I’m not brushing my cheeks with it (!) I use it for varnishing my paintings.
Gold Leafing Brush
Raphael Softacryl Brush
Day 6 - A C U R R E N T C H A L L E N G E
The prompt for Day 6 in the ‘21 Days in my Art World’ challenge invites artists to reflect in a current challenge.
Without doubt my current challenge is having so little time to be able to physically spend in the studio.
Almost 6 years ago I had my son, Miró, who’s arrival has been both an incredible blessing and the most incredible ‘creation’ of my life.
Before having him, I was adamant that I’d still be able to work as proficiently, soon realizing the need to surrender to a chapter of reduced physical studio time. This beautiful boy is so small for such a short time.
Today I’m down the coast with my little one. While not in the studio, life continues to inspire my art practice and when I do find time for the studio, every moment is used to its fullest.
The solution, a few weeks Miró is starting school!
Day 7 - C O L O U R P A L E T T E
The prompt for Day 7 in the ‘21 Days in my Art World’ challenge invites artists to show their colour palette.
Colour inspiration comes from all manner of sources, but it’s those gorgeous little surprise finds that create the magic. Whether that be the colours on a fallen gum leaf, the oxidising process on an old copper object or the peeling layers of a vintage sign.
Here is a section from an old box with layers of colour and texture inspiring current studio work.
I’ve noticed that when one is completely immersed in the creative process, these little gifts seem to appear from nowhere to guide and inspire.
Day 8 - I N S P I R A T I O N
The prompt for today, day 8 of @taraleaver ‘s art challenge, ‘21 Days in my Art World’ is to share creative inspiration.
Inspiration for my art practice comes from so many different sources including music, haiku and zen poetry and insights gleaned through meditation, travel or spending time in nature. Needless to say, being so ‘visual’, inspiration also makes its way into my studio after viewing the paintings, photographs and creations from other artists and. Restive cultures of the planet.
Pictured here is a stunningly beautiful photo of Cradle Mountain in Tasmania by William Patino and Dan Brown.
Day 9 - W H E R E T H E A R T H A P P E N S
Day 9 already, and today in the ‘21 Days In My Art World’ challenge, we’re invited to share pics of our studio spaces. Here are a few on this 37 degree day here in the Australian bush on the outskirts of Melbourne.
Day 10 - A R T I S T S E L F I E
Day 10 of #21daysinmyartworld invites us to share a photo of ourselves.
I don’t know anyone who’s really a fan of sharing their face across the internet, but all in the name of getting to know the artist behind the work.
Really enjoying meeting all of the other artists involved form all corners of the globe. Nice to be in this together!
Day 11 - T U R N I N G P O I N T
As I’ve been painting for over 30 years (since art school) my work has undoubtedly seen several turning points and new chapters.
In addition to my art practice, I’ve also spent over 20 years of practicing as an Art Therapist, encouraging individuals to make meaning of their life experience through the medium of visual art.
On a personal level, 2018 was perhaps the hardest year of my life. Just as two of my closest friends lost their battle with cancer, my intimate relationship also dissolved. Now I had to experience intense suffering. My whole world of ‘what I had come to know’ crumbled. Waves of tumult, grief, intense loss, fear and sadness left me open, raw and vulnerable.
Before now, my personal art practice and Art Therapy practice had been two separate elements in my life, but 2018 solidified a newly formed bridge between the two.
Now it was my turn. Just as I had encouraged others to ‘lean into’ their unpleasant feelings, I knew that I must now ‘practice what I preach’.
I decided to make it my spiritual practice to sit with all of the feelings that every part of me wanted to run from. From somewhere deep inside, I knew that this period of such enormous pain must be one of those ‘big life lessons’ that in time would possibly transform me and catapult me into a new experience. That same inner voice knew that this was a priceless opportunity and I made the commitment to make each decision and take each action from a place of honour. To consciously choose the ‘high road’.
Needless to say, the series of paintings that commenced in 2018 reflects the enormous positive change (I can now say!) from such a huge life experience.
Pictures is a detail from, “Silver Lining”, the first painting completed at this turning point into a new series of works.
Silver Lining
Mixed Media on Canvas
152cm x 122cm
Day 12 - C U R R E N T M O T I F
And here we are in day 12 of the 21 day Instagram challenge designed by @taraleaver. The prompt today is to share the current motif used in our work and most obvious motive in my paintings being the wave pattern. 🌊🌊🌊
Traditionally the Japanese wave pattern has represented strength, power and resilience. Historically, the constant cycle of waves has signified tranquility as well as powerful ferocity and endurance – the endless ebb and flow of water along the shore is a permanent reminder of both the passing of time as well as the dangerous power of the ocean
Initially the use of the wave pattern in my work has represented waves of water or mist (symbolizing the transient nature of things, thoughts, emotions and experiences) partially concealing mountains (which represent the unchanging element or ‘stillness’ at our essence beneath all form).
More recently I have been fascinated by the scientific discovery that sound actually created the universe and that the world is a reflection of the infinite combinations of sound patterns.
The waves moving across the surface of my paintings illustrate the constant sound and motion of the vibrating universe, including the seemingly stationary realm of form.
Pictured is a recently sold painting entitled, Waves of Creation
Waves of Creation
101cm x 101cm, 2020
Day 13 - P R O C E S S I N S I G H T
As the days keep ticking by, the emailed prompts keep coming in from @taraleaver in the #21daysinmyartworld.
Today, day 13 we are invited to share something of our artistic process.
It’s interesting how we as artists seem to develop a process taking us from the conception of an artwork through to completion. Some of the elements in this process seem to ‘stick’ and then become part of the artist’s style while other techniques develop over time - to perhaps later become part of the creative process.
There are certain elements in my current process that are similar to those developed way back in art school some 30 years ago.
Even then I was combining mixed media including paint, collage materials, drawing, bitumen, damar varnish and encaustic wax onto the canvas; most of which I still use today. Back then I also commenced each work with a series of thumbnail sketches.... which I also still do today.
One element in my process that I developed reasonably recently (well 8-ish years ago) is the introduction of screen printing over paintings. Pictured are 3 stills from a video taken by the fabulous @42kmedia in my studio of me demonstrating this process.
Day 14 - S O L D
Day 14 in #21daysinmyartworld asks that we share a recent work that has sold.
I don’t usually announce sales on social media but as we’ve been asked, here are some of the paintings that have recently made their way to their forever homes 💝
Day 15 - H O W I N A M E M Y P A I N T I N G S
#21daysinmyartworld continues in Day 15 with the invitation to share how I name my paintings.
Over recent years painting titles have actually been haiku and Zen poems from the Japanese masters.
Work included number of exhibitions saw me painting in response to a chosen haiku poem, where I endeavored to extract the essence of each poem and bring the inherent imagery to life through visual Interpretation.
In other exhibitions I chose a poem for each work after its completion. Upon ‘brushes down’ when working towards a deadline, I will factor in 2-3 days where I fully immerse myself in the multi sensory experience of reading and contemplating many poems. This is a beautiful journey into a deeper presence of life and human experience. A place where the perfect poem seems to magically show itself through a heart/body-felt knowing.
Poems that date back to the 10th century have been chosen from Japanese masters such as Basho, Issa, Shikki and Buson (to bane a few)
More recently, painting titles have also been chosen poems or koans by Zen masters including Ryokan, Santoka, Dogen and Li Po.
I am just about to finish a small body of new paintings for an upcoming exhibition entitles ‘Resonance’ contemplating waves of sound and vibration being at the base of all form. Again, I have allocated 2 days to meditate on each of these new pieces to allow the prefect title to arrive.
Day 16 - S M A L L E S T P A I N T I N G
Day 16 in @taraleavers #21daysinnyartworld invites us to share our smallest painting.
Generally my work is over a metre at the shortest length but back in 2014, at the request of a gallery, I completed a series of smaller paintings.
These 3 ‘Bee Collages’ were 76cm x 61cm
Day 17 - L A R G E S T P A I N T I N G
Day 17 and we’re almost there! The email prompt today requests we post an image of our largest artwork.
This painting was created back in 2012 and is the largest work to date at 152cm x 152cm.
I know so many paint on a much larger scale, but for me, transporting these big babies is quite tricky!
I remember the day I had to deliver this painting to its new home. It didn’t fit in my car, a friend’s van or a trailer..... so, falling short of having to hire a truck, over to ‘Plan D’ ..... a dear friend, and fellow artist, Amanda came to the rescue with her open tray ‘ute’.
Good thing delivery was local!
From far and near
Hearing the sounds of Waterfalls
Young Leaves ~ Buson,
Mixed Media on Canvas
152cm x 152cm
Day 18 - C E L E B R A T E
Day 18 of 21 days in my art world invites us to publicly celebrate something we created or that otherwise came about through our art.
I’ve kind of taken the word ‘celebrate’ a little differently and am choosing to celebrate the celebration of exhibition openings!
Finishing a body of work is enough to celebrate in itself, but to then name the body of work, name each work within that series, write about it and speak about it - all helps fully savour the essence of the creations.
Sometimes it feels as though a finished body of work has a life on its own and I’m just the P.R. person or the ‘events coordinator’ undertaking the varied tasks involved to widely celebrate the collection.
On a personal note, there is nothing quite like the wonderful feeling of raising a celebratory glass to toast a chapter completed.
Today’s photo, is taken from an ‘ISIIAD’ article by author Jeanette Davison back in 2011. Here I’m saying a few words in celebration of ‘Seizui-Essence’ an exhibition opening at Montsalvat, Melbourne.
Day 19 - F R O M T H E A R C H I V E S
Does anyone remember these??
I got a little side tracked in the studio today when I found an old box of old slides of work from the late 80’s - early 90’s. Long before digital photography (and certainly mobile phones with cameras!) taking slides as a record of one’s art work was the done thing.
Thanks to the loan of a friends’ slide scanner, I’ve been able to have a look at a few of these ‘sketches’ created back in art school while immersed in the quest of painting music.
These ‘pieces’ were created while listening to world musical ‘pieces’ as part of my post grad year.
It’s interesting that I’ve currently returned to my interest in exploring sound and vibration though my paintings all these years later.
Day 20 - F A V O U R I T E T E C H N I Q U E
Day 20 of #21daysinmyartworld invites artists to share a favourite technique.
Thanks to the lovely @taracmoorephotography some time back, here I’m applying metallic leaf to a painting. One of my favourite techniques :)
Day 21 - B I G D R E A M
And here we are at the end to a fabulous “21 Days in my Art World” challenge on Instagram.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed responding to the daily prompts. I’ve also loved connecting with so many other artists who joined the adventure from across the world, inspiring one another and strengthening the already supportive global art community across Instagram.
Today, at day 21, (although a few days behind after a trip to the coast) our prompt is to share our ‘big dream’ for our art practice.
To be honest, I feel I’m already ‘living the dream’ - so privileged to have a gorgeous studio nestled in the Australian bush, blessed to have a supportive family and to be a part of a strong artistic community, honoured that I feel I am able to offer a gift to humanity and grateful that my work makes its way into the homes of collectors with effortless ease.
If there was something to put on the New Year’s intention list though, as my gorgeous little one is about to start school, I am ready open up to connect with select galleries to commence a relationship and ongoing representation. After intentionally measuring my studio time while Miró was young, my dream is to spend more time painting and to reach a wider audience with my work.
An enormous thank you to @taraleaver for designing such a fabulous challenge and to all you who have taken the time to share this wonderful experience with me. Xxx
