Friday, June 3, 2011

PPF12 - THE EXHIBITION!

YEA!! It's up. I think it looks great and ...I have my first sale! I decided to do a silent auction. Start price for all canvases $200. ($50 each for the three small ones.) My friend who helped me hang has put on the first bid for, of course, the one I like least! The last, and biggest, one I painted.
I love the sea but still don't think I got the clouds quite right.
Today - cook that I am - I am making afternoon tea for the Saturday opening. Home made Danish Pastries, scones, Toll House biscuits and a very New Zealand version of ginger crunch. Who cares, you are probably thinking. What does it look like. Well, like this:
 Yes, there is the dreaded tree. I quite like it now! I added a silvery sheen to the tree which gave it a bit of life. The three small ones, I realise, I didn't do a close up of but if you want to see them they are here and here
The gallery part becomes part of the shop here, and then back to the gallery part
Here. This below, is the by the door as you come in and looks great from the courtyard.
This is as you come in on the left. On the left is my artists statement. It's not the usual thing. I have added it in full to the bottom of this post. I cut it and cut it and cut it! The dream is a much bigger story.  but hey, there is only so much anyone can be bothered to read!
To make the silent auction look OK ( I hope) I put a copy of each picture on the little sheet so they aren't just forms, but also have some colour. Final picture here is the new skyline and extra work I did to the grasses on the boat one. Makes a big difference to the picture. Left old right new.

And Finally - I am not going to be posting for about a month. I am going to Sydney, Australia next Thursday to see my brother and his family. My far too young and beautiful niece has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Then after 10 days there I am home for 4 before going to a 15 day silent meditation retreat. And I wouldn't call myself a meditator!! I just feel really called to do it. I have done retreats before and it usually takes me 6 - 7 days to settle down so a 7 day retreat is just frustrating, so hoping that I will settle and get something out of it.  Nonetheless, I have given myself permission to leave after 7 days if I haven't settled down. I will try and follow PPF for the next two weeks and if you are still in Go Mode when I get back mid July I will start posting again. Phew this is a long entry.

Now, really finally - my artists statement!

Two and a half years ago I dreamed my best friend – not an artist – was proudly showing me a large exhibition of her paintings.  As we left the space I stopped in my tracks and said “Kath, there is a problem, I feel rage, THIS IS MY ART WORK” That day my vision was full of the paintings I had seen in my significant dream.

I’ve played with art since leaving an unfortunate art school experience in the early 70's. Two years ago, a combination of the dream, the possibility of having an art studio and some good fortune gave me permission to devote myself to art. The first year was experimental. It wasn't until late last year that I confidently held a paint brush and discovered how I like to paint. Into The Sunset is the result.

Why do I paint? Because it's fun. I love the warm, bright, strong colours. I delight in the finishing touches I put onto the canvas with the iridescent and interference paints. I love the way light plays on the canvas making the painting change at different angles. Each one feels like a bit of alchemy. They make me feel good. I hope they have the same effect on you.

Why a silent auction? I want to share these paintings, so I have set the price to a fair minimum. You can pay more either through bidding, or just because you want to! And, honestly, if I don't sell anything I am going to end up with a storage problem!

I hope you enjoy these paintings as much as I’ve enjoyed painting them.


Great love to you all. Rosie

48 comments:

  1. Wow! Your paintings look wonderful all hung. Enjoy your stay with your family, I wish is was under happier circumstances. My thoughts and well wishes are with your niece and all of your family. Also, good luck with your silent retreat. To me is sounds like heaven. I can't wait to hear about it.

    Happy PPF!

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  2. I agree! Your paintings do look wonderful. Enjoy your retreat and Happy PPF!

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  3. A beautiful exhibition!!

    I hope it is a great success, that your niece can be cured and that the retreat goes well. We'll see you at Paint Party Friday when you get back!

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  4. What a wonderful exhibition! Such powerful work. They are just stunning. Wish some day I could have an exhibition. ;)

    Keeping going .... ;)

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  5. Rosie, I love your reds and oranges in particular. The colors are so vibrant. The paintings look wonderful in all of these pictures.
    All my best wishes for your niece. Enjoy the retreat.

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  6. You must be extremely proud of this body of work! Well done utterly wonderful :)

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  7. they are all wonderful, you have gift with colors!

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  8. Your artist statement is great. I hate all the usual boloney. Great luck to you in your silent auction, what a great idea! Your paintings are fantastic in there. Enjoy your time off and your retreat, I will say a prayer for your little niece, so sad. May she overcome this dreadful cancer right away.

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  9. Congratulations on selling your art! The installation looks wonderful. I think a silent auction is a great idea, and your artist statement is down to earth and honest. Blessings to you and your family, especially your niece.

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  10. wow. your exhibit looks amazing and a silent auction is a great idea. i love yoyr artist's dream story and am so pleased for you that you are getting to live your dream. i am so very sorry to hear of your neice's diagnosis-such a bittersweet post. i wish her only good things and hope your retreat gives you the calm you need. we'll miss you on ppf but look forward to you coming back rejuvenated and inspired. x

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  11. This is wonderful! They look amazing hung up together like that. Congrats again on the exibition and for the silent bid. :)

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  12. Great work, well done! Good luck with your exhibition and your journey and the retreat. Take care, and come back safely! Hugs, Valerie

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  13. I agree with you that painting is fun and relaxing for me. I'm sure it'll sell because your pictures have soul. I hope everything turns out well and your niece will fight and win. A hug

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  14. Wow your paintings look amazing in the gallery, such a fabulous impact as you enter.
    Sorry to hear your bad news and hope the retreat gives you what you need. Happy PPF. Annette x

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  15. Oh thank you all SO much for your love and lovely comments. Niece (aged just 24) was diagnosed a couple of months ago so we have all come to terms a bit with the diagnosis. She is going really well with the chemo so far - and it will be great o see her and the rest of the family.

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  16. I loved your post - seeing your work hanging in the gallery is a real inspiration. You must feel amazing. I love all the colours - the pictures are so powerful.

    How very brave of you to take this retreat - I know I would struggle to be quiet for an hour, let alone that many days!

    I am sending healing thoughts to your niece.

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  17. What an exciting post! Wheeee!! Congratulations - I am so thrilled for you!!! Your artwork looks amazing hanging all together :)

    I really enjoyed reading your artists statement (I'm so glad you were able to find your way back to art after your unfortunate art school experience)!

    This post is so, so good... you've left us with quite a "cliffhanger" - we'll miss you while you're away. Enjoy your time with family and on your retreat & I'll look forward to 'seeing' you when you return...

    xo
    Kristin

    p.s. I will keep your niece and your family in my thoughts

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  18. Oh what a wonderful collection you ended up with! They look so beautiful together- I think the only difficulty would be in choosing only one!
    Congrats and the best of luck to you in this exciting time!
    Happy PPF,
    Stephanie

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  19. I wish you tons of success with your auction. Healing thoughts are with your niece. Enjoy your time with family and at the retreat.

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  20. Rosie, What a fun showing of all of your works. They hang so beautifully together. Prayers for your young niece and for your journey.

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  21. Congratulations on your show (it looks great!) and on your first sell! I wish I could see it in person and sample your baked goodies, too. Love your artist statement. :)

    So sorry about your niece. May God heal her and give her strength.

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  22. All your artwork looks amazing. I am thinking and praying for your niece. :-)

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  23. The pieces look so great all hung together. That vibrant color is just dynamite! Hope you have great success - I'd have a hard time choosing....

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  24. Oh what a wonderful post.....firstly it's just brilliant to see your art work in its glory, they looks fantastic all together.I can't imagine you'll have much of a problem with storage after the event! :) And I so enjoyed your statement, so lovely to capture a glimpse of where these sunsets have come from. Beautiful!
    I'm sorry to hear about your niece and am hopeful that your next visit will be under happier times. Enjoy the silent retreat....I did a similar one on my travels to Australia many moons ago...illuminating :)
    Big hugs to you XX

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  25. Congratulations on your exhibition. It looks great, hope you sell lots and lots.

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  26. Let me begin by saying that I actually loled at the description of Cameron´s book in your comment at my place. :D
    Then that I´m doing my best not to drool at the handmade pastries description.
    Congratulations on your show and healing thoughts for your niece. Good to read in the comments she is responding well to treatment. {hug}

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  27. Wowee...the gallery looks fabulous..your work looks super gorgeous and so colorful and enerizing...wonderful,,,,Congrats,,,shine on ...beautiful!!!
    Victoria

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  28. I 'm so happy you visited me today,, I would have found you too,, I have been visiting all the PPF blogs,,one by one,, YOUR WORK is beautifull the color,, pow!I love it,,

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  29. The colors and warmth of your works really shine in this exhibition. I hope you make many sales and new connections! Keep on ENJOYING what you do. It shows! HAPPY PPF!

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  30. Rosie, congratulations on all of your hard work paying off (and on your sale!). The exhibition looks fantastic! Seeing all of your work hanging in the gallery gives me chills. It's gorgeous. I LOVED your artist statement, too!

    I am sorry to hear about your niece. I wish you were visiting under better circumstances. Enjoy your retreat. It sounds like it will be wonderful.

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  31. Thank you so much for the lovely compliments about my watercolors and myself. It really means a lot! I'm so glad I've found some other painting blogs!

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  32. Best of luck at your show...the artwork looks beautiful! Happy Paint Party Friday!

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  33. good luck with your auction, everything looks beautiful all displayed.

    sorry to hear about your niece.

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  34. Rosie,
    Your silent auction looks fantastic! I love how your colorful paintings stand out on the white wall.
    I am terribly sorry about your niece, I will keep her in my prayers. Have a safe trip to Australia and then on your retreat. Big hug to you and may no weapon formed against your niece prosper! Happy PPF!

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  35. All the best at the Auction...your paintings are beautiful, it's a very cohesive collection and looks so vibrant hanging all together! ♥♥♥

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  36. wonderful! The silent auction idea is great as is your artist statement. I still struggle with mine. have a nice vacation and enjoy your family and your retreat. Thanks for stopping by my place and Happy PPF!

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  37. Hugs, prayers and light to your niece and your familia.
    Beautiful work!
    Happy ppf!

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  38. Thinking of you and your niece. I hope you settle down in you silence!
    Your paintings look marvelous!

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  39. Congratulations on the exhibition opening! Wish we could be there to see your beautiful art & to help devour the pastries! :) What an awesome achievement Rosie!

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  40. oh wow!!! this looks wonderful !!! congrats on your exhibit....wonderful work...your art is amazing....

    Happy PPF!!!

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  41. Thanks goodness for the dream! Good for you, these are vibrant and wonderful! Congratulations on your art exhibit!

    Hugs Giggles

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  42. Rosie thanks for your suggestion on the sign for my stall. funny enough my husband said the same thing so we're going to see if the people who do his flyers for his business could do something for me as i only have a desktop printer!

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  43. Your exhibition looks amazing! Congratulations to you. So sorry to hear about your niece. I hope that your retreat is a wonderful experience for you.

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  44. your paintings look AMAZING all together!! i wish you the best on your auction! happy PPF!

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  45. It does look great. All those colors pair up so well together! And good luck on the auction. With your amazing selection, I'm sure you will do well!

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  46. Congratulations! I hope your auction is a big success. I really love your style, your art is gorgeous and vivid. And your artist statement is wonderful, I really like the part about the dream.

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  47. Love you exhibition and show of your beautiful paintings. They really pop against the white walls. Love how you shared why you paint too.Happy PPF...a bit late. take care, gerri.

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  48. Rosie, I have really enjoyed visiting around on your blog. Your exhibition was a very colorful and gorgeous array of paintings. I wish I could have seen them in person. Keep up the good work. Looking to see you on PPF in a couple of days.

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