Rotary Art Exhibition

Rotary Queanbeyan West Club and Art Society Queanbeyan are holding an Outdoor Art and Photographic Outdoor competition, exhibition and sale 19th - 27th September. The event will be held opposite the National Portrait Gallery (same area as Canberra Times Outdoor Art Show).

FEATURED ARTIST - Tania McCartney

How long have you been creating art and how did you get started?I have been writing for over 20 years; my first magazine article (Dolly) was published in 1988 and my first book (You Name It, Hodder Headline) was published in 1995. I’ve written in many genres including script and playwriting, fiction, non-fiction, magazine articles, reportage, interviews, reviews and children’s books. I have also written and taught various workshops. I’ve written for Time Out, beijingkids, City Weekend, and currently write for Australian Women Online and Little Star magazine (Beijing).

I decided to self-publish two books just before leaving China in January of this year… I had not planned on this – it is something that just unfolded and the success of both books has been beyond my wildest dreams. Beijing Tai Tai (a tongue in cheek memoir of family life in Beijing) and Riley and the Sleeping Dragon (a unique multimedia children’s picture book) are still selling out in China and are now being distributed Australia wide. I’m currently writing the second book in the Riley series and it’s been one of the most rewarding projects of my life.

What is the main inspiration and influences for your work?I live to write and my inspiration comes from everyday life – from the smallest things that people do and say; from the things I see. I’m heavily influences by aesthetics – beauty, colour, nature, photography, film – and of course – books. I read prolifically and am constantly inspired by what I read. I also find I’m inspired and influenced through travel – the sights, sounds and cultural disparity I’ve experienced over the years have injected much flavour to my work.

When and how did you realise, this what you wanted to do with your life?I’ve always written and have always dreamt of being a respected author. My first piece was published in elementary school. Alas, I’ve also been an easily discouraged and self-doubting person. As a consequence, I’ve wasted a lot of my working life doing ‘other things’.

Writing is not a well-paid, easy profession – it is unpredictable, unstable, and full of rejection. It wasn’t until we moved to China and I had the opportunity to write so productively and fruitfully, that things really took off. I had over 220 pages of magazine and internet articles published in just 16 months, and also wrote, self-published and marketed two books in that time. It was a surreal journey and the results have been absolute confirmation that I’m ‘meant to do’ this. Finally!


What other areas of life have shaped your work as an artist?
Becoming a mother and the confidence and sense of accomplishment that has brought me. Also, the small hardships I’ve been through – I have been determined to twist them into positives. I really feel I have earned the right to do what I love and to succeed at it. On top of loving what I do, I really want to do it for my kids and leave them something memorable and special. I want to show them that you can follow your passion and succeed, no matter the obstacles.

Receiving feedback and responses to my work has been an incredible boost to me as a writer, and this continues to shape my work in a wonderful way – it not only brings me confidence, it makes it all worthwhile. Positive comments or reactions are indelible and continue to absolutely shape who I am and subsequently what I write. Having people appreciate or even grow from reading your work is an unbelievable feeling.

How would you describe the art & design scene in Canberra?Having come to Canberra from one of the world’s most exciting, artistic and design-rich hubs, I am absolutely astounded at the eclectic mix of talent in Canberra. Who would have thought it? I am so impressed and inspired by the creative women I’ve met, in particular, and I’m also delighted by the mutual support being shown to artistic people, right across the board. It’s really exciting to see a resurgence in, and a renewed appreciation for, all things handmade. There are some very clever people here.

What have you learnt most about establishing yourself as an artist?I’ve learned I can do this. I can do what I love and I can succeed, and people can love my work. It’s one of the most amazing learnings I’ve ever experienced. Simple but true. And it’s something I want to teach my children.

Where would you like to take your art in the future?I dream of becoming a household Australian name in children’s and adult literature. I would like to infiltrate (don’t tell the Chinese, they don’t like spies!) the children’s book market in China and write directly for Chinese children. The current children’s literature setup is about to blossom in a wonderful way and I’d love to help that happen and be one of the first Western writers to enchant those beautiful kids.

I want to expand my Kids Book Review website into something teachers and parents all over the world can use as a resource. It celebrates existing and new talent in children’s literature and includes news, reviews, interviews, authors, illustrators and information on publishing. I already have several contributors, which is wonderful.

I also have a super dream of heading my own magazine, something I’ve been working on for some time. In the meantime, I’m going to focus on making my first Riley book into a series.

What advice do you have for other artists hoping to follow in your footsteps?It’s so easy to just say “go for it” and don’t let anything hold you back; that is a given. But I also say that the timing must be right. I wasted a lot of time in Beijing before getting into my writing again but I often wonder if I would have succeeded so well if I’d started things earlier. You have to be ready and you have to ‘ready’ yourself. Educate yourself, research things intently and then systematically set about your work. If you just throw yourself and a tonne of cash into things without a thought for what you’re hoping to achieve or where you’re going, you could waste a lot of time, money and creative energy. Focus is a huge component to success.

The other thing I’d say is be prepared to work your guts out. Be prepared for setbacks. One of the best things I learned on this seemingly insurmountable journey of self-publishing from China is that each time I stared in terror at the mountainous obstacle in front of me, I just put my head down and burrowed right though (hyperventilating all the way!) and absolutely refused to let it beat me. I am still, to this day, astounded at how these very large obstacles just peeled away of their own weight. I still can’t believe it. We can be powerful when we believe, unfailingly, in what we are doing.

Be like the ‘little engine that could’ and just keep powering along. Do not give up. Do NOT give up. Each time you get scared, fire up that old classic – Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.


Riley and the Dancing Lion: A Journey Around Hong Kong will be released in time for Christmas. See my website for updates.

URL
www.taniamccartney.com http://taniamccartney.blogspot.com http://kids-book-review.blogspot.com

Out There - Canberra Photographic Society's Annual Exhibition

30th July to 8th August 2009


Please join us for the opening by David Chalker, Director of PhotoAccess, on Thursday 30th July - 5.30 for 6pm (RSVP not necessary)

Out Thereis the 2009 annual exhibition of photography by Canberra Photographic Society. The title Out There is designed to state the obvious - that this is a public presentation by the society’s members. The exhibition includes a wide range of photographic images in the traditional sense: observing and recording the world around us and capturing specific moments.

But that’s not the only meaning in the exhibition’s title. It further reflects the way that photographers and photographic artists actively go out there beyond their local surroundings, and often beyond their comfort zones, in the search for images that reflect their personal interests and ideas.

Finally, the exhibition includes some images that might be seen as ‘out there’ because of the extent to which the photographs have been manipulated, processed, combined or presented, imaginatively transformed to extend the image for personal expression or to build new ideas.

Canberra Photographic Society is now in its sixty-fifth year and as such is one of Canberra's longest established community organizations. With its wide range of high quality and stimulating images, this is an exhibition not to be missed.

OPEN THURS TO SUNDAY 10AM - 4PM
Watson Art Centre, 1 Aspinall St, Watson
ph/fax 6241 1670 email wcac@canberrapotters.com.au www.canberrapotters.com.au

Rotary Art Competition and Exhibition

ART
Rotary Queanbeyan West Club and Art Society Queanbeyan are holding an Outdoor Art and Photographic Outdoor competition, exhibition and sale 19th - 27th September. The event will be held opposite the National Portrait Gallery (same area as Canberra Times Outdoor Art Show).
Total Prizes = $5,000
Sections are: Photographic, Acrylic, Oil, Watercolour and Any other media
Go to http://www.qarts.com.au/documents/Final%20ROTARY%20entry%20form.pdf for more information and entry form

DRAWING
They are also holding a drawing competition and exhibition opening 7th November - location to be announced.
Sections are:
* Charcoal - Human Form - Exploring the human form
* Pen and Ink - Things and Places - Architecture, tools and mechanical
* Pencil - Still Life - Finding the way with nature
* Coloured Pencils - Landscape and Gardens - Following the seasons

cut.paste at ANCA Gallery

Wednesday 15 – Sunday 26 July

cut.paste is a survey of contemporary collage-based practice including paper and digital collage, assemblage, objects and new media works.

Curated by Narelle Phillips, Gallery Development Officer at ANCA, the exhibition illustrates the pathway artists take from the starting point of paper based works. Some linger with cut/ripped/folded and rolled paper without divergence perfecting their techniques and working their way through amassed materials of personal significance, historical collections, propaganda and ephemera. Some enjoy the subversive nature of disconnecting and reconnecting images.
Others add three dimensional objects and move into assemblage, exploring how cutting and pasting can be replicated with weightier materials, and still others mix it up further by refining their collage with digital wizardry through scanning, photoshopping and animation arriving at a decidedly 21st century presentation of collage which is edgy and techno-savvy.

Exhibiting artists are – Alex Asch, Jacqueline Baker, Catherine Bennetts Cash, Amarie Bergman, Jacqueline Bradley, Julie Bradley, Caroline Carruthers, Gary Deirmendjian, Yuri Doric, Ampersand Duck, Elizabeth Faul, Rebecca Hanrahan, Stephanie Hicks, Caroline Huf, Blaide
Lallemand, Susannah Low, Clare Martin, Karen Milder, Mat de Moiser, Paul Murray, Amanda O’Sullivan, Louise Pinder, Genevieve Swifte, Andrew Townsend and Kirsty White.

Renew Reuse and Recycle Art Prize and Exhibition

The competition will be run with four sections:
- Junior - Up to 12 year - any medium. Max size 30 x 21 cm
- Youth - 12 - 18 years - any medium. Max size 30 x 21 cm
- Adult - Over 18 years - any medium. Max size 30 x 21 cm
- Sculpture - Create a stool

The competition categories prizes and sponsorship are currently as follows (we are currently looking for further sponsors – see the website for additons):
- Junior - $200 art pack from Eckersley’s
- Youth - $200 art pack from Eckersley’s
- Adult - $200 art pack from Eckersley’s
- Sculpture - to be announced

The Art Prize will be judged by prominent members of the Canberra arts community. An exhibition of works selected by the judges will open with the award ceremony on Thursday 10 September at 6pm at the Switch 2 Green Conference and Expo and continue until Saturday 12th September at the Convention Centre, Canberra. Artworks to be delivered to the Canberra Convention Centre on Thursday 10th September 2009 between 10am and 2pm. Please note that no artwork will be accepted before or after that time. See Conditions of Entry for application form.

Join us now and Switch to Green. See http://www.switchtogreen.unaa.org.au/ for more information

New Art Market for the Region

Inviting artisians to sell their work at the Queanbeyan Art Markets

Saturday mornings 9.30am - 2pm in City Link Plaza Morriset St Queanbeyan.
Free parking, foodhall, airconditioned comfort.

Artists supply and set up their own stalls. $15 per stall (insurance/promotions)
Telephone The Artists Shed on 6297 0336

A bit of fun for those who can knit!

Be a part of this daring community project to transform the front entrance and foyer of the National Gallery of Australia with knitting.

From Tuesday 7 to Sunday 12 July, Knitta Please founder Magda Sayeg and Sydney artist Denise Litchfield, with a team of volunteers, will transform the front entrance and foyer of the National Gallery of Australia. Knitta Please is a tag crew of knitters who turned their frustration with their half-finished knitting projects into a phenomenon sweeping across the world.

Knitters are invited to help create pieces that measure 10–20 cm wide and 140 cm long, which will be stitched together to create coverings for 6 large concrete poles at the front of the National Gallery of Australia. Any colour, yarn and technique is accepted—the brighter and wackier, the better!

Send your knitted pieces to the address below before the 7 July or drop them off in person to the NGA security entrance, located near the NGA car park off Bowen Drive. Include a small note stating your name, location and age (optional) because each knitted strip will have a small label stating the maker’s details.

Please send your completed knitted pieces to:
Knitta ProjectPublic ProgramsNational Gallery of AustraliaGPO Box 1150Canberra ACT 2601AUSTRALIA
For enquiries please contact knitta@nga.gov.au
This event is part of Knitta Please, a festival of events from 5 to 12 July, which celebrates the final week of the exhibition Soft sculpture.

I visited the Handmade Market on Saturday and Albert Hall was extremely busy. No wonder - the items displayed were excellent. Congratulations to Julie for organising another excellent event.

The CraftACT Shop also opened on Saturday afternoon and it is great. The items on display really do show some excellent talent in our region. Well worth a visit.

Don't forget Rapt in Felt opens Wednesday night and runs through to Sunday. Always an event worth visiting as the standard is always extremelly high.

Craft ACT Shop

The Craft ACT Shop will be officially opened 4pm Saturday 23 May, at Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Level 1 North Building, Civic Square. A warm invitation is extended to all Craft ACT members, friends, supporters and the Canberra community to join the celebration of local talent, with exquisite objects sourced directly from the studios of local makers and enjoy local wines provided by Ross Di Bartolo Vineyard Estate.

The Handmade Market is coming up on Saturday 23rd May from 10am till 4pm at Albert Hall see you there. It is looking like another great market.

I visited the Finders Keepers market in Sydney on Friday night. Fabulous venue and really buzzing. There were a lot of people there - a real jam to get around the lovely stalls. Lots of jewellery, fashion, kids items, art and lovely home accessories. The market is held in the afternoon evening (Friday 6-midnight and Saturday 12 - 10pm) I image the stall holders must be totally shattered by the end if it stays as busy as it was when I was there. The next market is the first weekend of December.

Last night I uploaded the lastest additions to the website. We now have 22 members who do some wonderful work. Please pass on the information about the site to anyone you think may like to be included.

Don't forget the Handmade Market is coming up on Saturday 23rd May from 10am till 4pm at Albert Hall.

Also you may be interested in the new Finders Keepers market in Sydney on the 15th and 16th of May. I will be going up to have a look so will let you know what I think.

Welcome to CanberraHandmade.com

Come and join the new creative web portal for artists and craftspeople residing in Canberra and the surrounding area (within 100kms). Membership is free - please go to www.CanberraHandmade.com to have a look.

Anyone within the area can become a member and provide the URL to a website showing their work as long as the product they are displaying / selling was independently designed or made. It does not matter if you create for a living or as a hobby, as long as it is your creation - you can list on CanberraHandmade.com.

Contact me at tamara@puddleduckdesigns.com if you would like more information.
Tamara