Something for Nothing

I've just received a free $10 music voucher from a Qantas Frequent Flyer membership. (I know, the frequent flyer tag is ironic but I have it from back in the day when it was free!) If you have a membership, go to the Frequent Flyer website to download a Bandit voucher. It will take about 24 hours to be emailed to you. I have downloaded five tracks by First Aid Kit because they are super cute!

I was also lucky to win a giveaway on Georgia's Puking Pastilles blog where I received an Ankle Biters pattern. Georgia also has a great tutorial for superhero capes. Far too cute!

Year's End

I made it. I finished all my work and have completed the first year of my course. It has been the best year. The Best!

It was actually one of the worst years in other ways with family stresses. However, the course and the people I have met have helped make it the best year.

We had our exhibition night yesterday. It took all day to set up and five minutes to take down. Always the way. Even in 43 degree heat, we were all enthused. We have lovely teachers and my class is so supportive towards each other and encouraging. It has been a fantastic introduction to painting, drawing and printmaking. (Ah, printmaking! My favourite!)

The painting above is my first acrylic painting based on a beautiful photograph by Jo. (Jo, you didn't know you had a red chair, did you?)

The second is a an exercise in layers and textures, based on the first painting. I took a small section of the first and made a new painting. Then took another tiny section from the second and made a third painting, above.

Ah round bald heads. An early line drawing exercise.

Then my first ever lino prints. The funny pale one is an embossed print, where the lino block is put through the press uninked.

I loved the printmaking process so much. My prints weren't always great but the doing and thinking and making was the thing.

I'm looking forward to next year so much. I have a different outlook on life, I think, because of this course, beginning to see in a different way. I'm just beginning the learning process and want to increase my technical knowledge and skill. And I want to loosen up and do more drawing and learn more.

Caution to the wind

Whew, that was an unexpected blog break.

What's the news? I've starting a course in Visual Art and Contemporary Craft. I'm four weeks in, one day a week. And I love it so much. Mrs Picklesticks gave me some great insights into the course; she did Textiles and I'm doing Painting and Drawing.

It's such a joy to do art for a whole day a week. And there's homework too.

We're concentrating on drawing at the moment: line drawing, mostly in pen. There is also painting (water colour, acrylics, oils), mixed media, printing and digital images.

Did I say how much I love it?

My other news is that I've resigned from work. Well, I've given notice that I'm leaving at the end of term. Gosh, was that ever a relief.

I need a change and just want to do something else. So I'm going to do art for a while and then think about another job. I'm throwing caution to the wind!

Gosh! And I missed my 2nd blogoversary! More later!