Open Night

^ Imagine on the walls of the Cairns Regional Gallery

Last night was the opening of the Cairns Regional Gallery Open Exhibition put on by the Cairns Art Society.  The night was alive with the excited hum of the crowd, the bubbling of free champagne and the opinion sharing about the diverse artworks.  With Ashton as my sidekick we took on the night fashionably five minutes late due to a ridiculous lack of parking. We arrived just in time for the exciting part of the night, the announcement of the winning artworks. I was up for Category 4- The Cairns Post award for an abstract artwork of any medium.  I did not win the $2000 prize, however I was highly commended by the Judge Mr Ron McBurnie, the highly regarded artist of FNQ, University lecturer for JCU, avid Vinyl collector and lover of Blonde bimbos.  After the awards were presented I had a chance to have a chat with Ron and he offered me some valuable advice for where he believes I should go with my art.  Ron suggested, pushing the textile stuff even further and more chaotic, sticking with themes and narratives that are important to me and working in larger canvas sizes. 

Overall I was very happy to be recognized amongst artists who are far older and more established and experienced than I am.  I have been feeling a bit embarrassed about my age in the last few months and avoid drawing attention to it, but after doing all this I can see that my age is an asset.  I am starting young and therefore have plenty of years to experiment, find my signature style and build a name for myself, which I feel very grateful for.  So anyway, here's to many more exhibitions in the not so distant future I hope xx.  

^ Ashton and I infront of my artwork

^ You had me at free champagne

^ Cindy Lane (local artist & friend), Ron McBurnie (Judge, Artist and JCU Lecturer) and myself (hopeful artist)

^ Artworks from the Abstract Category

^ Elevator love! Art Gallery Elevator scared face photo #2

"Hands in the air for supergirl"

You're doing it your own way

Walking with your own sway

Smiling into a cloudy day

And I want you to know

How you helped me to grow

I just wanted to say

You're okay

- Kate Miller Heidke

xx I really mean it

Semi-Permanent 2009

The next thing on my artistic agenda is to enter Semi-Permanent, an Australian art initiative that publishes a book every year celebrating young contemporary art and design.  I am hoping to contribute some images that represent my latest move towards, slightly more grown up, slightly sexual, slightly sinister designs utilizing watercolour, paint and textile mediums.  The next works will feature rabbit hats, mink coats and of coarse the female form in all its glory.  Look forward to sharing them with you xx.

Artists of the North

On Friday Night I attended the Artists of the North exhibition displayed at The Tanks, where two of my artworks are on display.  I have to say the standard of artwork from artists in North Queensland is very high.  I noticed the subject matter is very much inspired by the environment and wildlife around the Cairns area.  My own work, I feel is a bit removed from the 'Tropical North Queensland' style, however I do feel very inspired by the intensity of colour within the area.  I am really starting to find peace in the concept of becoming an artist as my career path. I was always worried that there wouldn't be a future in art for me but the more I immerse myself in the art world, the more I find that the art world in Australia is alive and thriving, and profitable even!

Right about now

So party people, it is all happening for me right now, applying for uni, finding a place to live in Brisvegas, having my artwork in the Cairns Regional Gallery, lovely people in my actually existing social life and a new home with a pool. What more could I ask for?  Its scary knowing that my biggest life decisions are before me right now, but with a little help from my friends and my ever growing independence I should get through it all. Cheers to the future xx.

Regina

So good news folks.  "Imagine" has been selected for the exhibition by the Cairns Art Society being displayed at the Cairns Regional Gallery.  This means I will lose my artwork being displayed in an art gallery virginity.  Exhibition opens on Friday night the 31st of October and finishes 7th of December 2008.  What a lovely way to end the year hey!  Hope to see you there xx.