Murrurundi Workshop - Turning the Pages

Well it's been a year since my last post and what a year it has been. My honours project is finally complete and now back into workshop mode.

The first of many began at Murrurundi, NSW with a really inspiring group called Turning the Pages. They run many art/science based programs up there. I was lucky enough to be teamed up to run this workshop with my friend and uni colleague Trevor Weekes.

The object of the workshop was to create an artwork influenced by artist Maria Sibylla Merian. This meant drawing a combination of plants, insects and birds. The first weekend participants drew their chosen plants, insects and birds in fine detail. Then the second weekend was spent enlarging, composing and creating the final A1 artwork in watercolour and pen and ink.

Some, no actually all of the artworks were amazing. Organiser and artist Hanna Kay is organising an exhibition of the final pieces along with some of Trevor's and my own artwork. This will be held on the 17th November, 2010 at Haydon Hall, Murrurundi.

Can't wait to see them all on display. Thanks to everyone at Turning the Pages for looking after us. They made us feel extremely welcome...what a great community.

Wildside festival event blown away

The Wildside "Art in the Field" event that was to be held last Saturday had to be canceled due to the second dust storm to hit the area in two weeks. I still managed to get up to Tea Gardens on the Sunday for an early morning Field trip and to do the second day with Julianne Gosper.

Even though the wind was still blowing a gale, there was still a good gathering at the Hawks Nest Surf Club. What a beautiful spot overlooking Boughton Island. Julianne showed us some wonderful techniques and everyone went away inspired.

Margaret Gooding, an active local Natural History artist is taking on the Wildside Drawing workshop as from next year. She has also done the Natural History Illustration Degree and is completing her Honours year this year. Margaret came along this year to help and see how it all works. Best of luck Margaret.