Gecko Studio Gallery Newsletter – October / November 2012 Our next exhibition……. “Remember Me” - A collection of dry-point etchings ranging from endangered and local species printed on geological maps - Clare Whitney - October 21 to November 17. Opening Sunday October 21 from 2-5pm. Artist Statement – Clare Whitney Opposite attractions inspire my daily workings. Something old with something new, something handmade with something found. I am the silent observer of all things, colour, form, movement, sound and touch, I strive to create a constant thread between the past, present and future, within my images. I love nothing more than lying down and looking straight up into the patterns of the clouds, treetops and grasses and getting visually lost in nature’s kaleidoscope of colours and patterns. Living in Thornbury, I have had my studio in the heart of Melbourne for the past 8 years, my inspiration is found anywhere from my local streets and parklands to the ocean and bush land both in Australia and abroad, where-ever I am ….I am observing and inspired. Local endangered species’, the human figure and symbolic shapes are captured and introduce onto old maps, music sheets and pages of text. Working within the boundaries of these collected back-grounds, endangered species are printed onto old collected maps significant to where they live whilst music sheets have common songbirds dancing across their notes; I try to create an everlasting relationship between the two. Winged things have always interested me from flying ants, precious beetles and endangered birds all the way to the ancient winged gods, the detail of nature’s mechanics and humankinds’ imagination is particularly visually fascinating to me. I am most inspired by the role Nature has played throughout history’s story telling through mythology, fairytales, dreamtime and symbology both environmentally and historically. I love a good second hand store, garage sale or market to pour over for ideas and see history and fashion, patterns and designs all sprawled out on a trestle table, they are tiny visual collections of a strangers personal belongings and past, laid out for you to see, touch, converse, remember even purchase to live another day. 1 One’s personal passing on of their stories… I want to put life back into the old music sheets, discarded maps and text books, take it off the shelf and put it up onto the wall for all to see with new eyes. I find these beautiful creations of mans original forms of communication the perfect relationship for my drypoint images to marry...everlastingly.... Bio Clare Whitney studied Fine Art at The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, 1991-1993, R.M.I.T, where she majored in painting. Since completing her degree in 1994, she has travelled, lived and worked over the years in Western Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Fiji. Throughout her travels Clare set up working studios and taught painting in local schools and community groups, from very young children to adults. These experiences allowed her the opportunity to express and exhibit her own artworks both interstate and abroad. Influenced by her immediate environment and personal experience; the landscape, human figure, and organic forms are captured and translated through rich colours and symbolic shapes on canvas and paper. Images of insects, birds and fish represent other ‘worlds’ that co-exist alongside mankind. Clare’s images illustrate the ideal of man/woman becoming one with these ‘worlds’ once again. Clare Whitney now resides in Melbourne and works from her studio in the heart of the city. Dedicating herself full time to her art, she continues to create and exhibit recent works from her studio and galleries throughout Melbourne. Clare Whitney: Melbourne painter & printmaker www.clarewhitney.com http://www.clarewhitney.com Gecko Studio Gallery What’s next? • Martin King – prints and drawings - November 18 to December 15. Opening Sunday November 18 from 2-5pm. • Letting Go - new works by Kerry Spokes - December 16 to January 19. Opening Sunday December 16 from 2-5pm. • Helen Wilkinson and Grant Flather - January 20 to February 16. Opening Sunday January 20 from 2-5pm. Gecko Studio Gallery workshops • Drypoint and white ground etching on copper plate workshop with tutor Kate Zizys . White ground method is excellent for depicting clouds, water and textural aspects of printed images. In this workshop we will be using the techniques of drypoint line work coupled with an aquatint over the plate for tone, and using white ground or soap ground to create texture and contrasting white areas to your image. It’s a great process and non toxic! Cost $150* which includes lunch and morning tea (tell us about any food requirements),materials and notes. To book, phone Gecko Studio Gallery on 5683 2481 Thur to Mon or Michael on 0421 209 878, fill in the form on the website or email [email protected] *prepayment of the workshop fee is required. • Textural Monotypes with Chine Colle with tutor Kim McDonald. Saturday November 3. This workshop is an exploration of the textural qualities achievable using a variety of materials to create “one off” unique artworks. Some of the materials include Japanese and Nepalese papers, fabric, natural materials i.e. leaves, paper stencils etc. We will focus on using non toxic materials and inks, and is an ideal workshop for beginners and experienced printmakers alike. Cost $150* which includes lunch and morning tea (tell us about any food requirements), materials and notes. To book, ph Gecko Studio Gallery on 5683 2481 Thur to Mon or Michael on 0421 209 878, fill in the form on the website or email [email protected] *prepayment of the workshop fee is required. 2 • Monoprinting with tutor Mandy Gunn . Saturday November 24. Cost $150* which includes lunch and morning tea (tell us about any food requirements), materials and notes. To book, phone Gecko Studio Gallery on 5683 2481 Thur to Mon or Michael on 0421 209 878, fill in the form on the website or email [email protected] *prepayment of the workshop fee is required. • We run a separate mailing list for those interested in hearing directly about our workshops. There are currently 80+ people on the list. If you would like to go on the email list, send us an email at [email protected] or through the contact page on the website. Otherwise, phone us or let us know when you are next in the gallery. Gecko News ● Sue Gilford’s drawing classes are held in our studio at Gecko Studio Gallery between 9.30 and 12.30 and 1.30 to 4.30 Mondays. The classes are for beginners through to established artists who want to push themselves a little and find new ways of approaching their art. Sessions are $40. Easels are provided, and an extensive range of drawing equipment, materials and papers are available through Gecko Studio Gallery at 10% off retail (a discount available to all members of local art groups and classes), or you can bring your own materials. Bookings are essential due to class size. Contact Sue on 5688 1550. ● Kerry and I were in Horsham last week visiting our friend Lynne Quick in nearby Natimuk. We met a friend of Lynne’s; Marian Anderson of Red Rock Bookshop and Gallery. Marian has been a printmaker for over thirty years. Her bookshop and gallery features some fantastic books (lots of art especially artist books and printmaking) and her gallery space at the back of the bookshop showcases local artists. If you are up that way drop in, say hello to Marian and mention you read about her in this newsletter. I should say she also has a wicked sense of humour. Buy a book or artwork while you are there. http://redrockbooksngallery.com.au/ We also went to Mount Zero between Horsham and Natimuk (no idea why it is named Mt Zero – nothing on the internet I could find) and went to the café there, part of a large olive growing business. Great café, fine produce and fascinating plants and animals (lots of roos among the olive trees). Check this out •There are 4 types of people http://iwastesomuchtime.com/on/?i=44715 - there is a slight art element to this, very slight! (Note – Gecko Studio Gallery is not responsible for material found on 3rd party websites) Local Art Venues and Events Prom Coast Arts Council ● The next meeting will be on October 22 at 7.30pm at Gecko Studio Gallery, 15 Falls Rd, Fish Creek. Ph 5683 2481. All welcome. ● The PCA website is gradually being redeveloped by PCA member Luke Dearlove. It is still a work a progress but have a look at www.promcoastarts.com.au/ As well as being a vehicle to promote PCA and its activities, the idea is that PCA members can have a page on the site to display their artwork for $20 a year. Feedback on the site to [email protected] but go easy on our Luke as he is doing this out of the goodness of his heart and needs all the encouragement he can get. Positive criticism is always the best. Stefani Hilltop Gallery Artist-in-residence Bianca Biesuz-Stefani . 39 Keane’s Rd, Fish Creek. Ph 5683 2253. http://members.dcsi.net.au/hilltop_gallery/ Open Thursday to Monday or by appointment. The Celia Rosser Gallery and Banksia Café Promontory Road, Fish Creek. Ph 5683 2628 Open Saturday & Sunday 10 – 4pm. www.celiarossergallery.com.au/ Ride the Wild Goat Workshop & Gallery 5 Falls Rd, Fish Creek. Ph 5683 2661. Paintings and one-off handmade furniture & objects by Andrew McPherson . Open Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon – 10.30 – 4.30pm.