Back in the Saddle

March 18, 2016 in Botanical Art, Exhibitions, Flowers, Inspiration, Research

Holidays

It was lovely to have some time away at the end of 2015 and into the new year. We spent time on the Mid North Coast and also in rural Victoria. I was able to photograph some new and interesting things to paint and visit some spectacular scenery.

Vista from the Bago Bluff looking towards the Hastings river.

The 2016 Canberra show

I entered the Canberra Show again this year and won the Botanical section, I also sold two paintings!

It is sad to say but in my observation I think the days of the old style agricultural shows are numbered. It seems to be less about the display of the best quality produce, livestock, Art and crafts and more about the overpriced rides and show bags full of lollies and plastic. I do hope I'm wrong though!

Art in the Garden with Friends

The 9th annual exhibition of the Australian National Botanical Gardens, Friends of the ANBG Botanic Art Group opens this Friday 18th March at 6pm and runs until the 17th April.

There is a stunning diversity of work on display and is well worth a visit.

The creation of new work for the Friends of the Botanic gardens 9th annual exhibition.

Part time work

I have taken a part time job in an old friends Framing and Fine Art supplies store. I am enjoying being part of the workforce again and the nature of the hands on work.

The work is another way to apply many of my skills. An eye for colour and design is useful in choosing matting, frames and getting the proportions just right to show work off to it's best advantage.

I get to do fun things like test new paints and papers to see if they are worth stocking.

www.framingpieces.com.au

Other creative pursuits.

November 17, 2015 in Natural Dyes, Other Artwork, Textiles

I am a firm believer in a creative practice, by this I mean the pursuit of varied creative endeavours each informing and enhancing the other. In my case alongside my exploration of Botanical painting is my love of textiles, and within that another varied practice ranging through experiments with natural dyes, weaving, embroidery also creating and writing original crochet patterns.

The pattern writing came about as a result of having a young man with requests like " Mummy I want a bobcat to cuddle", I found there was no such pattern available so I set about creating my own. I discovered I loved the process of both the crochet and designing and writing the patterns. I also discovered I was able to sell my designs on http://www.ravelry.com/ and so Pinchyfinger Patterns was born.

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kristen-okeeffe

In the last month I have had a little break from painting and have been having fun creating and writing new patterns. It has also been a chance to use some of my naturally dyed yarns.

I have published my coin purse pattern and am currently working on my crocheted Lego man pattern. Pictured below are the prototypes. I made the red one first but I felt that the proportions were not quite right, so I made the green and maroon one, widening the body slightly, he is also made with a bigger hook that's why he's bigger. I really wanted the toy to have movable arms and legs like a real Lego toy, getting the legs right has been a challenge. I will make a few more tweaks before publishing the pattern.

Turmeric dying the yarn for Lego man's head and hands.

The Turmeric dyed yarn is the perfect 'Lego' yellow. I will need to dye up some other colours to make the final toy for photographing for the pattern.

Canberra Botanicals 2015

September 30, 2015 in Botanical Art, Exhibitions

Canberra Botanicals is an annual exhibition of Botanical art that has been running since around 2003. It is run by a volunteer committee of artists and is open to local and interstate exhibitors. This is the fourth Canberra Botanicals I have been a part of.

For further information on the Canberra Botanicals and to view the online gallery follow the link below.

http://www.cafebotanical.com/Canbot/

This year the exhibition will be held from 18 September to 5 October 2015 at the Nishi Gallery at 17 Kendall Lane, New Acton A.C.T.

This is a new venue this year, it is right in the city centre of Canberra which should be a good thing for visitor numbers, also as in other years the exhibition coincides with the annual Floriade festival which is always a popular spring attraction for Canberra.