Sweaty Art

My glasses are sliding off my face and the keyboard is slippery with sweat, and not the sweat of hard work or inspiration either – just yucky OMG its hot kind of sweat.

In this kind of hot weather and the thick muggy air that goes with it I find it ever so difficult to be creative. My paintbrushes feel like they were made of lead and my arms simply too feeble to wield them. Am I pathetic or what…?

I have still got my to do list that is never ending; the picture books that I have prattled on about are still waiting to be finished off. I have great intentions, all of my artwork and the words that go with them spread out all over the table – I have decided not to work in my art studio this week due to it being school holidays and my kids being home. They are nice and cool in the swimming pool….

OK Back to my lack of inspiration and seemingly non existent work ethics… can I blame the weather or should I just suck it up? Do you have times when the weather either hot or cold adversely affects your creativity?

Cheers

Jacque

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Err Well, Yes…

Sometimes… I undress myself with my eyes.
It takes so much longer…

Hope you had a great weekend

Jacque

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No Longer a Flip Book Virgin

The Flip Book – or – No Longer a Flip Book Virgin

Well I have recently finished reading my first Flip Book. Initially when I began reading I was a little uncomfortable but I quickly got used to the format and by the end of the book I was smitten.

Perhaps it helps that I was reading one of my favorite authors I am not sure… have you ever read any Jasper Fforde? ‘Shades of Grey’ is the first in his new series – not too sure what the series title is but it should be something colourful.

I ordered the book from ‘Fishpond’ a website much like Amazon but Aussie friendly, free postage and the like. When it arrived it was sooo much smaller than I expected, I couldn’t believe my eyes and the novelty of this tiny book as yet unread was enough of a conversation starter. When I ordered it I had thought the book was a regular sized novel and just opened differently. But NO, this book literally fits into the palm of your hand OR better still into your pocket. The perfect handbag sized novel. My youngest son says the paper inside is Bible paper and I think he could be right it is very thin but surprisingly strong. Because I have been so busy of late and I was so amazed by the size of the book and the novelty of the idea it took me a while to read or for that matter even begin to read the book, so it lived happily in my handbag for about two months. And if you understand the handbag of a busy person you know it may not be the safest place to keep something you don’t want damaged. Anyway not so much as a dog eared page I am happy to report.

The story… ‘Shades of Grey’ well, let me tell you it is Jasper in full flight. If, like me you are a fan of anything colourful you will love it. I am amazed just how many different words there are to describe colour without being repeated. (I don’t mean colour as in Oooh La La either – just colour, you know the kind you paint with). As with other Fforde novels this book is set in England, recognizable and different in a very believable way (if you believe the Cheshire Cat could be a Librarian) and as with other Fforde novels it is really odd. I love the way his mind works… does he plot and plan these novels diligently before he starts or does he just write like the wind and go back to plug wind created holes later??

I highly recommend his novels, flip book version or regular novel – especially the Thursday Next series, in fact I suggest the Thursday Next books be the first Fforde books you read and please read them in order, the ‘Eyre Affair’ first 

Cheers

Jacque

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Melbourne Cup – Win or Lose

The big race has been and gone; the country held its collective breath and sighed. What a finish. What would they have done with out cameras – several of them? Can more than one horse win the Melbourne Cup? First and second were lest than a hair width apart and third and fourth weren’t that much different from each other either.

One bet I could win today is there are a couple of horse owners feeling pinched at the post. Amazing. There was no way you could tell which horse had its nose over the line first, or if in fact it was going faster than the other hose declared second. I put the actual photo of the finish with this post – how close is that! Can you imagine being the rider of the horse declared second? I know I would be feeling pretty ripped off.

My usual betting system failed me. I confess to having several methods to pick a winner. All let me down this year.

This year nine of my friends and I met at the local Leagues Club for lunch and the race, next year we may do a bit of a drive and head to Mission Beach for a nice lunch… not that the food wasn’t good where we were today, we just would like some more entertainment. At least a fashion parade or if all else fails some people with poor dress sense that we can pass judgment on. Speaking of dress sense… two of my friends and I happen to own the same dress (coincidence) we decided we would wear this gorgeous little Charlie Brown number and go to the lunch as a trifecta. Well, not mentioning any names (Kylie Farinelli) but one of us turned up in something else entirely…. So two of us, well… we looked like the Bobsy Twins from the 60’s. We tried telling her it doesn’t matter if you look good just make a statement! And that we did.

I wonder what people do if they don’t do the Melbourne Cup – go to work maybe.

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It’s On !

Ok, NaNoWriMo starts today the 1st of November. I have just watched a YouTube video by some NaNo Nuts and am thoroughly and suitably inspired.

But I am worried, I may have a problem achieving my word goal… I have had to set my laptop up in a very weird way; you see both my shoulders are still suffering from the past few months of hard labour and I find it painful to lift my arms. Luckily I paint and draw and cut with both hands (not at the same time) otherwise one of my shoulders would have left home by now. There is a fluid build up (so the chiropractor tells me) in my shoulders from over use and unless my arms are hanging limply by my sides I am in agony… well not agony, that is an exaggeration but hey I’m a writer its what I do. Embellish facts. I know what you’re thinking – sook, well yes, a little. I hope I can manage my 50000 words in the month. It breaks down to 1165 words a day … and look I have already written 187.

My plan for NaNoWriMo this year is to write my blog every day…. Lucky you – I promise not to mention my shoulders again. I am also going to be working on my novel ‘The Clockmaker’ (working title). In my next post I will have an update on what my story is all about – hopefully.

While I am not writing I will be painting, I have to finish three works for ‘UnderArt Gallery’ if ever you are in Cairns drop in for a visit, Spence Street, near the casino and the Louis Vuitton store, there is some gorgeous art work in there for all purse sizes.

Well there it is 297 words, the tip of the iceberg, wish me luck I may need it.

PS. I know I promised not to mention the shoulders again… but now that my laptop is set up like this I am finding typing easy and not painful at all. I may have to paint lying down or some other way. (358 words, counting this one).

Catch you tomorrow

Jacque (362)

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Light at the End of the Tunnel

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I can see it I think… the light at the end of the tunnel. As my previous couple of posts indicate I have been ridiculously busy. It is as though I have been climbing an enormous spiraling staircase, quite beautiful with glorious views out of occasional windows but seemingly never ending just up, up, up. However I think I have reached a landing and managed to almost catch my breath, I see that light. Mind you I am aware that this staircase will start again as I can never manage to do ‘not much’.

The Writer’s Retreat I attended last month was welcome in so many ways. Firstly Venero Armanno (the tutor from UQ) liked my writing which was a nice surprise (in fact I didn’t believe him because he was so enthusiastic) and the work covered in the retreat was endless. The only problem, I have been so caught up with my painting and exhibitions I have had no chance of writing at all. So starting tomorrow November the 1st I am changing that.

NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month starts tomorrow and I intend to glue my bum to a chair for a certain amount of time everyday and write. I completed it in 2009 and had no idea of what I was going to write; this time I have a plan.

The art exhibitions I have been involved with have been successful. The biggest one, the Innisfail Biennial looked great and the opening was well attended also we had four businesses approach us to sponsor next time – always a positive sign. I won two sections, miniatures with an etching and digital art with illustrations for one of my children’s books.

The exhibition in the Cairns Regional Gallery was interesting… the judge was… interesting… but I am happy to say one of my larger paintings sold so now I don’t feel too bad going back to Summer School in January, it can be paid for with artwork.

Writing again soon, I promise

Jacque

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Busy part two

Yes I would still like to pull a Bruno Mars and lie in my bed but alas I can only dream about it.

Apart from my art commitments, this weekend is a full one. I am involved with ‘Book Creators Circle’; it is a group of people and businesses who have something to do with the book industry. It is a world wide group. Weather a writer, publisher, printer, editor etc. there is a place for you. To find out more visit www.bookcreatorscircle.com.au You will find it very interesting.

This Saturday Book Creators Circle are having a book Expo. Visitors from out of town will be here in Cairns, writers will have tables and there are two new books being launched. Spike Milligan’s daughter will be here as one of our visitors and guest speaker. The Expo is from 10am at Rydges Hotel, Cairns Esplanade. Come along and purchase yourself some new books, with every purchase your name goes into a draw for some fabulous prizes.

Also on this weekend (and what I am attending), is the Cairns Tropical Writers, Writers Retreat. The presenter, Veny Armanno, is senior lecturer at UQ and has published quite few novel of various genre and has won, and been shortlisted, for quite a few literary awards. The retreat will be broad-based but will cover mainly novel and memoir writing. There are obvious things like character development, plot structure included, but he will cover much more.

It is to be held at the Cairns Colonial Club. The retreat includes 1 night’s accommodation, breakfast, morning and afternoon teas, buffet dinner and a one-on-one feedback session on Friday afternoon for anyone who sent a sample (10-12 pages of their novel – chewing my nails about this) by 1st September.

The retreat will start at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday. Which means, I need to be over at the ‘Rydges Tradewinds’ early. I have to set up two tables and get back to the Colonial Club in time for the retreat start. I won’t have time to worry about all of my unfinished artworks this weekend.

I know it’s only Thursday but I have to get in as much painting as I can before I leave Friday lunchtime I also should be packing everything I need for both weekend activities. Phew.

Are you exhausted … I am.

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Busy part one

Just like Bruno Mars ‘Today I don’t feel like doing anything’…

But unlike him I can’t just lie in my bed, I have deadlines to meet.
In the next couple of weeks I have two major art competitions to be ready for. Eight works for one and two for the other, and this weekend I will be away at a writers retreat. The retreat is something I also need to be prepared for and whilst I am at the retreat I have another event I need to set up and dismantle on Saturday.

So today rather than lie in my bed I will be in my studio PAINTING (and packing writing gear for the retreat). I kind of know what to work on first…

The Innisfail Art Society Inc. Biennial Art Exhibition has a lot of different categories (19) and you are allowed up to eight entries, so I won’t be competing against myself. I have till the 5th October to be finished – 13 days minus the retreat days.

Of my eight pieces I have finished
• A computer generated art piece
• A miniature (etching)
• A large canvas with a semi abstract urban landscape painting
• A large semi abstract painting on paper (framed)
• A large representational painting on paper (framed)

What I am working on
• An artist book
• A portrait on canvas of a well known Cassowary Coast resident
• And maybe a drawing….?

For the Cairns Regional Art Exhibition I need two works. I have finished one, a large 2D work – which is a semi abstract painting on paper (framed) and have three canvases on easels to decide which will be the chosen piece, I am working hard to create a semi abstract urban landscape – I have 7 days for this minus the three I will be away for the retreat, so only four… for this one I have to send images of the completed work with my entry form. I’m not too worried – yet.

… As for the retreat ….

To be continued…..

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So Much To Do

Yesterday as I turned the lights off and walked out of my studio I thought to myself ‘Would I accomplish more if I could focus on one thing at a time?’

Most people would answer yes to that question, I know my parents would (I used to drive them nuts). At present there are 10 canvases started in my studio, 2 sketches for the printmaking I plan to do next weekend, a half made artist book that requires 26 tiny pen and ink drawings and needs to be finished by the end of September; I am also working on my novel and yes the picture books (4-5 of them) are still in my sights and well there’s the blog too…

Rachelle Gardener is an American Literary Agent and I follow her blog, this morning I laughed when I read the short but sweet words, ‘What’s on your Sticky Notes?’ Her biggest day to day difficulty is the sheer number of things that need to get done. She says sometimes her to do list is so long, she gets paralyzed. So she has a sticky note right by her computer. It says:

One thing at at time.
First things first.
Start now.

Good for her, I think in a way in a way I am too scared to attack my projects in that way. Each of my projects can only be tackled by ME; no one else can help because each project is a part of me and my imagination. There is also so much to do, so little time to do it, I’m not getting any younger, and any other cliché I can come up with.

To be more organized and pull off the impossible I have started working from a calendar with a list of deadlines. This has helped me focus on the more ‘urgent’ pieces. I am working with two types of deadlines, the real ones and the ones set by me for myself; so far this is working well. Mind you as disorganised as I can be I have never not got something finished on time.

However I still have a studio overflowing with projects… so… if you come for a visit just call out over the loud music to get my attention.

Cheers

Jacque

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I’m pregnant … with a creative project.

When an artist or writer is finished working on a project and reveals it to the public eye for the first time, it is like showing off a new baby. It is something precious; it is a part of them.
For many artistic people these projects have been a part of their lives, holding their attention for months if not years.

It’s a funny thing, unlike the human baby, multiple of these babies can be carried together, at the same time, floating around in the same womb but they are birthed individually, months and years apart.

As I have mentioned in previous posts I am working on several picture books, a novel, two non-fiction books and I manage to keep several galleries full of art work. Most times I don’t know if I’m Arthur or Martha. I have to keep an up to date calendar full of deadlines, writers’ festivals, art competitions and exhibitions and of course workshops I either attend or hold. Occasionally I have managed to give birth to twins.

Speaking of children, my parents are visiting at the moment. I love having them, but they can be a little distracting to my work, even when they try not to be. In fact the more they try to be helpful the more distracting they can be. I told my Mother the other day – ‘Even if I am sitting still with a far away look in my eyes … I am working’. She thought I was kidding. I have resigned myself to enjoy and make the most of what time they can spend with me and my children and catch up when they head home.

So I will stay pregnant with my projects for a little longer. I hope I don’t get too many stretch marks.

cheers

Jacque

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