Wednesday 30 April 2014

Miniature African American Jazz Group







A trip to Myponga today and  a visit to a chock full of goodies antique shop to find these little lovelies... and to make them even sweeter they were gifted to me by my friend.  They are so gorgeous my little African American jazz singers and saxophonist. Sadly the piano player is missing. All for a bargain price of $2. Too cute!
The quilt behind the players is a photograph of a chintz medallion quilt - unknown maker- c.1810 which is part of the collection held by the Embroiderers Guild New South Wales Inc. the central panel is Broderie Perse applique.

Also found op shopping : a stack of embroidered doilies and a Queens Green jug to add to my collection and a big bag of cottons for crochet - super cheap - super happy.

On the way out to Myponga we happen to see a herd of kangaroos lounging in a roadside paddock so I had to stop and grab a few pics. They were a little too far to grab a decent shot on my phone camera.






Tuesday 29 April 2014

Dark Heart

 The Dark Heart Exhibition is part of the South Australian Art Gallery Biennial exhibition of Australian Art. It is a showcase of contemporary Australian art, 28 artists in total, displaying differing mediums of textile, photography painting and sculpture.  Here is just a taste of the collection available to view, free, at the gallery.

Julia deVille exhibition space in the Dark Heart exhibition shows her skill as a taxidermist with artistic flair for costume . Her focus was a representation of a Victorian childs room full of whimsy and fantasy with a bent to the macabre.


 Taxidermy piglet with detail of beading on skin and lace to nose and rabbits dressed for the show


Victorian cat mummy


 Check out the sleeping baby in the spoon..such attention to detail!

Ah Xien

Bronze busts, eight in total, by Ah Xien :
This one Evolutionaura2:Xi in gold and bronze



Sculptural rope forms in macrame . Sorry I didn't take note of who made these




Caroline Rothwell




Cast metal sculptures and PVC paintings are representative of man's influence on the earth's climate and touches on the issues of global warming
"Rothwell explores this colonisation of the climate by making a series of sculptures that appear to perform certain effects on the environment" - (SA Art Gallery)



Fiona hall :

Out of my tree, 2013 mixed media installation. I'd like to hire her to decorate for my next halloween party!








Del Kathryn Barton



the heart land  - a focus on the female form, representation of life cycle and influences in our environment. 
"The heart land centers on the inverted female figure who gives birth to, and at the same time springs forth"from, a tree" - SA Art Gallery write up


the exhibitions title the dark heart is represented through the exposed heart of the marsupial in her painting

A closer look at some of the intricacies of barton's work


Monday 28 April 2014

SAHMRI -South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute


Just check out the statement out fair little city is making! This new research building makes me feel excited for our state. Somebody finally allowed innovative and modern design to form a commanding presence on our miniscule sky line. A building of note and worth, that gets the artistic side of me hopeful for our future.
It really punches a WOW statement and makes the world look at us as a center for excellence in health research and captures the imagination.

The triangulated  grid "skin" apparently based on a pinecone..I would have gone for pineapple but who's being picky.  The facade adjusts to the environment to promote optimal working environment for its 700 or so researches to be housed in a total of 9 modules. There are two impressive atrium spaces and I'm sure many other design features that will win  Wood's Bagot awards at the architectural design awards.









This was just an appetiser to my day but you can get picture overload so Ill show the art gallery exhibition of Dark Heart tomorrow. I actually said to my friend Richmal it is one of the best exhibition that I have seen in a long time and it was Free! Stay tuned.

Friday 25 April 2014

Hummingbird Stamp and .......Lest we forget

Lest We Forget
ANZAC DAY


They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
we shall remember them


Some Australian military paraphernalia :  RAAF  clip and army buttons
...................

Hummingbird Stamp









A while ago I drew a quick picture of a hummingbird and have since intended to carve it out as a stamp. As usual all things take time and weeks later I finally got round to finding the time to carve it.
Just need to decide on a flower to accompany the bird  and then a printing we will go!

If you are interested in stamping / hand printing I have listed all my blog posts with easy links to that blog post in the PAGES sidebar (look to the top right of the post bar)

Thursday 24 April 2014

To market , to market ,,,,




It's Autumn...as recognised by the Adelaide market
Isn't it a fabulous poster  representing harvest,color and gathering of the end of the summer season produce
A turning of leaves..mellowing to autumn shades...earth tones of red and brown


A bazaar of vibrant colours..activity..change and movement


bountiful fruit and vegetables


exotic spices 


And mellowing mounds of cheese dressed to the nines in flowering delights



a bonanza of postcard advertising to delight


A day at Adelaide Central Market.. renowned as a feast to the senses