Creative Collections

After a delay due to earthquake strengthening work, Art & Company's annual exhibition for 2012 is currently on at the South Library, 66 Colombo Street. It runs until the 9th May, and contains a variety of paintings from beginners through to more experienced artists.

This is my sixth time exhibiting with this group, and I'm always impressed with how well it comes together. Maree always does a great job organising it!

It is well worth a look if you are based in Christchurch, and paintings can be purchased through the Red cafe onsite.

The following are my paintings in the exhibtion:

 Pecking order

 Standing tall

Uighur Beauty

'One Couples Quilts' Exhibition

While I was in Tapawera a couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be there at the same time as a quilt exhibition on at the school hall. The exhibition was made up of the largest private collection of quilts in New Zealand, owned by Rinny and Peter Gordon of Mapua. The Gordon's purchased 25 of the quilts from leading artists over 30 years. This includes the one pictured above, called Putanga O Te Ra (birth of the sun). It was created by Waikato artist Gwen Wanigasekera, and it won a national competion in 1990.

Another 15 quilts in the exhibiton were made by Rinny herself, who sadly passsed away from cancer a year ago. Unfortunately I didn't get a copy of the program, so I can't tell you which ones are hers. The exhibition also had quilts from local quilters, and a guest quilter, Barbara Bilyard.

(edit: This quilt was one of Rinny's)

Dad came along for a look as well, and was really impressed by the works. I was speaking to one of the organisers who was telling me how the men that came to take a look all really liked it. Especially interesting since this was in the country, so a lot of the men would have been farmers!

(edit: The quilt on the left was made by Rinny)

I was really inspired by the variety, and all the different techniques and fabric choices used. I didn't really know a lot about quilting, but this has made me think perhaps it is something I might like to try sometime. Just not this week...

All in all it was a great weekend, as this and my previous post on the painting workshop can attest.

Please excuse the quality of some of the photographs, the lighting wasn't ideal.

Vibrations art exhibition opening

The opening of the annual exhibition of the painting group I attend was held on Saturday at the Bryce Gallery, 122 Riccarton Road. This is my third year exhibiting, and it's a great way to exhibit your work without the pressure of doing a whole exhibition by yourself. As always there are lots of great paintings, in a variety of styles – something for everyone!

Our usual venue, Gallery O in the Arts Centre was damaged in the earthquake, so Maree had to find a new venue. The Bryce Gallery came to the party, and kindly offered us a space in their gallery. There are some other great exhibitions on there at the moment as well, so it's well worht a visit. Vibrations runs until Friday 3rd December.

The black and white wall ran with the earthquake theme, and before all the pictures were straightened, it was decided they fitted the theme better if left that way!

Above is my work for the black and white themed wall, titled 'Mists of Maruia'.

Below on the left is my other painting of Lyttelton Harbour.

Upcoming Markets and Events

I have a few events planned over the next few weeks, so I thought it would be helpful to put them all up now, and blog about them in more detail closer to each event. You may notice there is one missing. Some of Christchurch's wonderful historic venues have been damaged in the earthquake, and will take time to repair. This means that the Night Market has been cancelled this year, which is very sad. It will be back again next year though, once the building has been repaired. The annual exhibition of my painting class has also been relocated, as Gallery O in the Arts Centre was also damaged. Fortunately the owners of the Bryce Gallery in Riccarton very kindly offered to help out, and have provided a space for us.

27th November – 3rd December: Vibrations

A collection of works from Art and Company

Bryce Gallery, 122 Riccarton Road, Christchurch

28th November: Rolleston Community Market

10am – 1pm, Rolleston Community Centre, Rolleston

4th December: A Craft Christmas Market

10am – 4pm, Goodbye Blue Monday, Poplar Lane, Christchurch

12th December: Rolleston Community Market

(updated time) 2pm – 6pm, Rolleston Community Centre, Rolleston

15th December: Kiwi Christmas Market

5pm – 9pm, Carnegie Gallery, Hokitika

18th December: A Craft Christmas Market

10am – 4pm, Goodbye Blue Monday, Poplar Lane, Christchurch

19th December: Methven Christmas Craft Market

9:30am – 12:30pm, Venue TBC, Methven

1st January: Nelson Market

8am – 1pm, Montgomery Square, Nelson

The Lace Works

Here are some pictures of the lace work Mum is exhibiting at the VAST Exhibition in Tapawera at Shedwood Hall. It runs until the 1st February 2010.

The best crafter I've ever met

I recently made my mum some business cards for an upcoming exhibition she is participating in. She will be exhibiting some of her pieces of hand-made lace. Lacemaking is one of the more recent acquisitions to her crafting reportoire, which includes knitting and spinning among many other things. Since then she has been learning various different techniques, so when I got married, I asked her to make a piece of lace for my dress. I couldn't find any patterns that would work for a dress, so she found a book with instructions on how to design lace patterns. I came up with a design, drew it all out in illustrator, and mum made the piece of lace. It looked beautiful, and I now have a one-of-a-kind wedding dress that will be treasured for years to come.

Mum has many other crafting skills, quite a few of which she taught me when I was young. She showed me how to knit, sew, spin, weave and crochet. I still have a collection of soft toys and other things I've made. I've have slowly been picking these skills back up again over the last few years, and am enjoying the renaissance craft is having. It's nice to have learnt all these things from my mum, rather than a book. The skills have gone from generation to generation without missing a step.

If you are in the Nelson area in the next week or two, pop over to Tapawera and have a look at the annual VAST Art Exhibition. It's on from January 23 until February 1 at the Shedwood Hall, Main Road, Tapawera.

Felt featured seller

I have been lucky enough to be profiled on the featured seller section of felt. In it I talk about what I make, and where I get my inspiration from. I also mention a couch which is part-way through it's second re-covering. It's had quite a life, and anyone who spent any time at my Hereford St flat will probably remember it. It's about to move to it's next, much more grown-up stage of life. I will post before, before and after pictures when I finally finish it. Watch this space!

The Night Market last night was a great success, thanks Lucy for yet again doing a fantastic job of organising it. If you weren't able to come along last night, and still want to do a spot of craft shopping, or maybe would like a piece of art for your wall or a gift, head along to Art Attack, held at Thorrington School from 11am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. My candles and paintings from the recent exhibition will be there, along with many other great paintings and handcrafts, delicious food, music and raffles. It is a fundraiser for two Cashmere High School students.

Upcoming Markets and Events

I've got a busy few weeks ahead, so I thought it would be a good time to list all the places you can find rose among thorns goodies. Firstly, no matter where you are in the world, you can buy them from felt. If you would like international shipping prices, send me a message and I will let you know the prices for where you live. You can also purchase my mini teardrops from Sanderson China and Pottery in Waikuku.

If you feel like an outing to a market or art and craft exhibition, you have the following to choose from:

29th November: Rolleston Community Market

A great community market featuring local crafts, food and produce. It is held from 10am till 1pm on the grassy area next to the Rolleston Community Centre. If it's raining, it will be held indoors at the stadium. Click here for directions.

3rd December: The Night Market

Hot on the heels of Craft2.0, Felt is proud to present The Night Market, a Christmas shopping event on Thursday 3 December from 6pm till 10pm, for those who like something different. Featuring some of the best and brightest of the Christchurch craft community, The Night Market is a treasure trove of beautiful handmade products, including jewellery, accessories, candles, books and all manner of gorgeous Christmas decorations and gift ideas. Head along after work or make a night of it!

5th-6th December: Art Attack

Art Attack is a new Art and Craft exhibition to be held in the Thorrington School Hall on the 5th & 6th of December 2009 as a fundraiser for two Cashmere High School students. Jasmine is to attend Space Camp at Nasa, USA and Hope to Shanghai, China with Cashmere High School Music Tour.

There will be a large variety of paintings sculptures and crafts for sale. Also featured are the finalists of the Art Attack Students Art Competition. There will be delicious food, music, raffles and much more.
As this is an exhibition I won't be there during the day. If you are interested in participating in this event, contact Maree through the event page, or email me and I will send you the details. It's a great opportunity to sell some of your wares and help raise funds for the girls. While it's on, you could be at home creating more crafts, or outside soaking up the sunshine. It's up to you!

13th December: Rolleston Community Christmas Market

A great community market featuring local crafts, food and produce. It is held from 10am till 1pm on the grassy area next to the Rolleston Community Centre. If it's raining, it will be held indoors at the stadium. Click here for directions.

If you come to either of the Rolleston Markets, or the Night Market, bring along your old candles for me to recycle, and receive a 10% off discount coupon for rose among thorns. If you have any old tealights, please bring them, as I have starting making recycled tealights and need some more.

Exhibition Time

It is time again for the annual exhibition for the art class I attend. It is also that time for the last minute rush/panic that always seems to accompany such events! This year there has been the inclusion of a black and white themed wall, with artists able to paint anything of their choosing onto a 40cm x 40cm canvas. I wanted to do one but unfortunately I didn't have time. This year I am fortunate enough to be able to include my candles in the exhibition, in addition to the two paintings I have done. So I've been replenishing my stocks and planning how it's all going to look.

So if you're in Christchurch between the 27th of October and the 2nd November, pop down to Gallery O in the Arts Centre to see a wide range of paintings, from beginners through to experienced artists. If you haven't seen my candles, or would like to see them again, this is a great chance to have a look at them, and smell the different fragrances.