Art exhibition! See some amazing creations created by me and other artists who have studied with Jane Kellahan.

Come along to Ohariu Valley Hall on Saturday or Sunday 7th and 8th of November between 10am and 4pm.

The opening do is on Saturday 7 Nov at 12 - boutique wine, food and music - and child friendly. I'd love to see you there!

I completed Jane's very first art workshop and subsequently went on the win the Wai Art Award - so I'm a big fan of Jane's work and her fabulously, encouraging style.

See the below re details and be sure to come along!

Labels: Exhibitions and competitions

Yellow! My personal favorite, and now according to global colour experts Pantone a world favorite too!


This from their website:

Pantone, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT), and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced PANTONE® 14-0848 Mimosa, a warm, engaging yellow, as the color of the year for 2009. In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow.

"The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation."

Best illustrated by the abundant flowers of the Mimosa tree and the sparkle of the brilliantly hued cocktail, the 2009 color of the year represents the hopeful and radiant characteristics associated with the color yellow. Mimosa is a versatile shade that coordinates with any other color, has appeal for men and women, and translates to both fashion and interiors. Look for women's accessories, home furnishings, active sportswear and men's ties and shirts in this vibrant hue.

If yellow is not your thing don't despair....here's some of the other top colours for the year ahead.

COLOR MARKETING GROUP PREDICTS
HOT COLOR TRENDS FOR 2009

Choices Driven by Concern for Economy and Optimism for the Future


Color Marketing Group, the leading international non-profit association of color design professionals, has been accurately predicting color trends for more than 45 years. CMG predicts more evolution than revolution in color trends for the coming new season.

"We're finding comfort in colors that are familiar, and yet, at the same time, we're embracing colors that make us happy -- especially as accents," said executive director, Jaime Stephens. "Everyone’s concerned about the economy, yet the spirit of the country coming together after the election is powerfully reflected in these choices. Also, the demand for colors and products that reflect an environmentally 'greener' world goes way beyond a trend. It's now 'a given.' "

According to CMG, look for these color trends in 2009:

Purple, Purple, Purple! - Emerging as a hot fashion color last fall, purple is not just a fad -- it's an entrenched trend, strongly influenced by the election. (After all, red plus blue equals purple.) Look for a greyed-out violet that works equally well as an accent or a neutral, as well as redder, plummier purples and bluer-influenced fuchsias in a huge range of products. Purple is 2009’s “must have” color.


Blue is the New Green - Various greens have symbolized "green living” over the last few years, but in 2009 the "green" environmental message is delivered by the color blue. There are watery blues, sky blues and a whole range of blues that now represent our commitment to living on a greener planet.

Cooled-down, Greyed-out Browns and Greys - Complex neutrals satisfy our urge toward classic colors in an economically challenged time. They also bridge the area between black, which seems harsh, and brown, which doesn't seem strong enough.



Yellow for Energy – The neutrals may have greyed, but look for lots and lots of bright vivid yellow to give us energy as we re-build the economy. It's the stand-out accent color for 2009.



Bright Accents from India, China, and Turkey – The exotic has become the familiar. Oranges, turquoises and teals, reds, and yellows will abound in hues from far-away countries that now seem very near. They are the optimistic touches we crave.



White is now a Business Color – Technology has produced amazing new (and very practical) finishes, which helps explain why white is showing up everywhere, even in corporate board rooms. The contrasts are all in the finishes: matte versus gloss; shine and shimmer on reflective surfaces; textured whites versus smooth -- all washable and cleanable. White also represents purity of thought, motive and result – exactly what we want from businesses now.

The Return of the "M" Word - It's mauve. Remember mauve? An old color that looks new again, in dusty violet shades, mauve works as an accent but also serves now as a neutral, punched up by those bright Asian accents (orange, turquoise, teal, red, and yellow.)


Here's hoping that the power of colour can heal the world -expect a miracle.

Labels: architecture, Colour, Exhibitions and competitions, happiness

“Everyone knows that yellow, orange and red suggest ideas of joy and plenty.”
Eugene Delacroix, artist

Yellow and orange definetly count amongst my favourite colours. Whenever I feel a bit "blah" i know splashing these colours around will help lift my spirits immensely!




Yesterday for example. I created this Rothko inspired artwrok to give a dull wall a bit of a boost.




I also reduced visual clutter by colour coding my bookcase - I can't believe what a difference this makes!

Wear mote joy!
Feel great and look even better - wear the right colour for you!


If you could do with a colour boost check out the following resources:

Websites
Check out this very cute site....99.8% they got it right as far as my passion for orange goes...http://www.123peppy.com/games/peppy-color-girls

http://www.soothingminds.co.uk/Articles.aspx?artid=158
interesting articles including one on colour astrology – no surprise to see that not one of the zodiac signs is Black. Being a Libran my colour is green. Currently though my favorite colour is orange…but I am shifting to purple….but I thought it was interesting to learn what my astrological colour says about us “greenies:” Libra is the balancer and green is the energy of the heart chakra and harmony. Those who are born under the sign of Libra are known to be peacemakers. 'Green' people are the ones that you can go to when you have a problem as they are the most compassionate of all the astrological signs. So colour can also help clarify your vocation! As a life coach being compasssionate is essential! Check out the site to see what colour you are.

Books
Colour and Meaning- John Gage

The Complete book of colour - Suzy Chiazzari.
Includes tips on clothes and make-up, colour and interiors, colour diets for health, finding your soul colours, colour in the garden, healing with colour, your personal colours and more much more!

How to Heal with Color, Balance Your Chakras! - Ted Andrews

Color Psychology & Color Therapy - Faber Birren


Interesting facts

Several of the world's best musical composers have seen colors in music. Franz Liszt was known to say things like, "This is too black," "More pink here," and "I want it all azure."? Ludwig van Beethoven referred to B minor as "the black key." Franz Schubert described E minor as being "unto a maiden robed in white and with a rose-red bow on her breast."

In Thailand every day of the week is assigned it’s very own colour
Sunday - red
Monday - cream/yellow
Tuesday - pink
Wednesday - green
Thursday - orange/brown
Friday - blue
Saturday - black/purple
What is your lucky colour. Click here and go back and check out what day you were born to find out


Try it! It really works. My colour came out as orange! Anyone who knows me knows I wear a lot of orange – I even painted my garage wall orange!

Labels: Colour, Exhibitions and competitions, happiness

If you are not in the mood for celebrating right now the following creative tips may help:

Take a wide berth from negativity. I hadn’t realised what a gloomy effect that tapping into the media’s constant barrage of negative news about the economy was having until recently. We know it’s tough out there – what’s the point of reading and re-reading it? Nothing – it only increases feelings of despair. The same goes for hanging out with negative, pessimistic people.

Surround yourself with beauty. Creative works of art have tremendous healing power. Two of my favorite celebratory pieces right now are my quatrefoil by Max Gimblett called “Choice” and my recently acquired Len Castle bowl from his “Let The Molecules Dance” collection. And dance they do!
http://www.cassandragaisford.com/2007/11/spirituality-in-art.html

Listen and celebrate more. Get into the mood by custom designing your own inspirational sound track. Listen to songs with an upbeat feel and watch your spirit soar. Some of the songs on my 2009 motivation track include The Eagles, “Busy Being Fabulous,” the Bee Gees, “You should be dancing,” Duffy’s “Distant Dreamer” and Edith Piaf’s “Non Je Ne Regrette Rien.” I reckon there could be room for a Beach Boy’s number too!


Be grateful. The more grateful you are for what you do have the more life wants to give you. Take a note of all the things you cherish right now and put this list of gratitudes in a prominent place.

Boggie. Take up dancing or do something else that gets you moving and grooving. Exercise of any form is a great tonic – even more so when shared with others.

Celebrate with colour. Give your wardrobe or home environment a colour make-over. It’s amazing the difference wearing or surrounding yourself with the right colour can do. Artist Paul Klee got it right when he said, “One eye sees and the other feels.”

Many people drown themselves in black clothes and boring coloured walls. Black is incredibly aging and, in my view, it is also incredibly “depressing.” Too much white or Pearl Lusta can sometimes be plain dull!

If you would like help confirming what colours suit you contact me now. Call me now on 04 972 4663 or email me at Cassandra@cassandragaisford.com if you would like to book at appointment. Men and woman welcome!


Celebrate your successes. When was the last time you celebrated the things you have achieved in life? Sometimes we can be so busy pushing for more that we forget to celebrate the things we have already done.

Make a wish list of future celebrations. Wishes are motivational intentions followed by actions.

Barak Obama's wish-list includes: challenging and inspirational schools; equal opportunity to go to university, regardless of financial standing; well-paid jobs with benefits such as health care; and a pension plan that will allow people to "retire with dignity.” Barak’s wishes also include the ability to "push the boundaries" of discovery to encourage the development of new technology and inventions that improve lives and protect the environment. What are your motivational intentions this year?

Labels: Colour, Exhibitions and competitions, happiness

And the winner is..........

Last year I won another competition run by the wonder people at Wai Art. I used the prize money to go to Maui and take part in a wonderful Sumi Ink workshop run by Max Gimblett. You can see who won and finalled in this years portrait exhibition here

You can follow the journey from inception to completion of my own entry below

Following in the tradition of master artists I am tackling the challenge of a painting my "self".
I thought you may be interested to see the journey toward my self portrait...


Will post regular updates and notes re colour and technique least you feel inclined to paint yourself too


I am aiming to have it completed in time for the Wai Art Portrait awards in Feb - this and two others. It is always nice to have a tangible goal to work towards


02 Feb 2009 - here is the finished version which is now hanging in the Wai Portrait Awards. You can go along and check out other fabulous works from Saturday 07 February to Sunday 22 February. With this version I tried to work from a photograph instead of my own reflection in the mirror....plus I added more flowers and played around with skin tone a bit more....not sure about this version....wonder if working from a flat photograph kinda dulled it a bit or if all the flowers are over kill

One thing I do know is how much I admire portrait artists like Marty Welch who do such an awesome job rendering people "real"




24 January
After much procrastination I headed down to my studio and transferred the changes I had made from the photo's in the previous post - you know, teeth!



Here is another of today's versions.....a few people thought the tall sunflower was a bit dominating so I painted over it (I'd tried this out first on the photo too.) It's similar to the image below (which is just cropped a bit for the camera) but I decided I needed to touch up the neck line. I can't believe Marty can knock out portraits in 10 days! I've been working on this for months - mind you, I only do a few hours a week. I definitely think it is worth perservering - I'm enjoying the challenge. Lot's of people don't think it looks like me.....I think it does so it just shows that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder!


20 Jan 2008
I spent an awesome Wellington Anniversary day today hanging out at The New Zealand Portrait Gallery. The most amazing exhibition of Stephen Martyn Welch based on the TVNZ 6 documentary “The Sitting.” Click here to see more about this amazing exhibition.

I was blown over when I recognised one of his portraits called “P”. I had admired it at what those in the art world call “the prestigious Adam Portrait Awards.” The reason I was blown over is because I had finalled in this award with my first ever portrait of my grandmother Molly.

I know people there were good, but I didn’t realize how good until I saw Marty's (as he prefers to be known) work. He is amazing – and self-taught to boot! Whooo-hoooo...there is hope for us hobbyists!


I felt so inspired after watching re-runs of the programme and seeing his work that I rushed back to my studio and did some more work on my self-portrait.

This is what I look like now – hopefully you agree that I look happier. Everybody that saw the last draft thought I looked incredibly sad.




I am wondering if I should ACTUALLY smile - so have twinked in some teeth...better?



or better with a bit of crayon and stripping out the sunflower....as you can see i am not a planful type of painter!
At least by working on top of a photo when I have got to this stage I don't have to work my canvas (and expensive paint) so much. When I compare the previous images (previous to these ones) I can definitely notice more happiness...funny how I didn't see it before. Must have been concentrating! I learnt a lot from Marty's TV chat and the importance he gives of catching someone's essence - makes sense really. What's a portrait without someone's soul?



Flower Power.....here I am - still on 14 Jan but now with some flowers. Why flowers? People used to call me "pot plant" on account of the flowery dresses I used to wear; at work people say I am flowery (in relation to my emphasis on happiness@work; I love the Dalai Lama quote: "positive thoughts are like flowers, they have to be nurtured everyday"; and lastly - I am most happiest when I am surrounded by nature. The lavender symbolises calm, relaxation and is growing around my home. The other flowers are chosen for their colour - my favorite...I'm still working out how to squeeze in a sunflower - a flower which naturally orientates itself toward the sun, and which never fails to cheer people up.

I have been working on getting the skin tone a bit more like my own and used a mix of vermillion (who'd have thought we have orange in our skin!) Plus yellow ochre and white...I think I may have put a dash of rose pink madder as well. For shaded areas around the nose and nostrils I have used black mixed with burnt umber. This time while working on shading I have found it helpful to mix a variety of different tones using the skin tone base so that blending is a bit more natural. I also used a glaze medium so colour is less flat looking and built up layers....seems to be working nicely and I am a lot happier with the nose...so far noses have been my greatest challenge. I have a folder with pages and pages of noses




Here I am as at 14 Jan - just getting ready to add some flowers!










This is how "i" look today 01 January 2009 - New Years Day!

I've focused on creating a more "natural" hair colour. I've used a mix of Naples Yellow, with white and a tad of Raw Umber. For the darker area I have blended Paynes Grey and Raw Umber.

I also reduced the length of my neck - proportion is everything! (this I read in a book on human anatomy for artists that I got out of the library. Plus I got rid of the green oval chair and made the background a scumbled blue. Still not sure if I will leave the blue or add a landscape backdrop to better capture the essence of where I feel most comfortable - here at our life style block where I am painting over the New Year. the flowers you can see are the long grass that sprung up when I positioned the painting on the ground to photograph it. This gave me an idea that I may follow up on tomorrow - adding flowers and making the whole thing a bit more abstracted



This is how I was looking the other day







This was how it all began - as you can see I've had a hair cut since then!

Labels: Exhibitions and competitions, happiness

Many of the people who purchase my art often ask me, "what was the inspiration behind your painting?" They love to hear the story and see the painting as it progresses. One of my clients, who purchased Autumn Leaves, has been very, very patient. He emailed me before he headed off overseas, "Hi girl…off to Samoa for a friend 60th !...need some R&R, sun & vit D…look forward to your story on return …Cheers Richard"

I love being called a girl! It makes me feel young again. Anyway he purchased the painting at the Joy'ance exhibition and has been waiting ever since - I just want to get the story just right as this piece is very personally significant to me.


This time I thought I would start the story right from the beginning. What is the inspiration behind this piece? Once again I return to joy. Partially it is inspired by my trip to Italy several years ago- the gallery in San Gimignano called "Cassandra" and the sunflowers growing wild in the fields. Partly by the beauty and symbolism of the organic square (this will make sense as it evolves"; partly it is inspired by the joy that cheerful colours inspire. Largely it is inspired by the playfulness of artists like Henri Matisse and Max Gimblett who both paint with such glee.

As one of my favourite artists Mark Rothko once said, “Painting should be ecstatic or nothing.” So I'm planning a solo exhibition and returning to "jouissance" as my theme. This should dove tail nicely into the french lessons I have just started and my dream of living and creating in the south of France.


To add to the joy while creating I'm playing a completion I created called "happy music" Right now the fabulous Bee Gee's are playing, "you should be dancing." I'm doing a wee dance as I paint....just taking time out to keep you in the loop!

Better get back to it now:)


Back now! Here is San Gi - after a few hours in my studio....this time listening to Pink!

The cool thing about this process is I can see at least four other paintings within this painting - so I guess you could say that this is the mother painting from which all others will be created.....the thing I have worked out, about an exhibition is that similarly of style seems to be the way people go. So, unlike the Joy'ance exhibtion where I showed quite an eccletic range of paintings, the Jouissance show will have a similar, unifying theme. However, I will be

exhibiting figure work (my new passion!) alongside the more abstract pieces.....I'm also going to be working in a variety of mediums, including encastic (bees wax). This is another passion, my father was a bee keeper and apitherapist who passionately believed in the curative, healing powers of bees, and who also made his own beeswax polish.

The finished art work: Licorice and Butterflies

As the painting began to take shape I was contacted by a good friend and professional colleague Lawrence Green about having a joint exhibition next year. The theme is "art should make you laugh."

So I began some brainstorming re themes and came up with so many ideas - a key one being children's birthday parties. Hence the licorice theme here with all the cheerful colours. The butterflies were added to reflect the joy of dance and inner transformation that many people go through on the way to joy.


.

Labels: Commissioning a work of art, Cultivating Creativity, Exhibitions and competitions, Spirituality in art

The Joy’ance exhibition has been a phenomenal success. So much so that our landlord has extended our lease by a week. We’ll be open right through to Sunday September 14 – 10:30- 5:30.

That’s great news if you haven’t been able to experience the art works yet. I’ll be there personally on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 September. Do pop in – I’d love to see you and tell you more about the joy behind my creations.

Click here to see more about the show

You can preview some of the paintings in my online gallery


Here's some feedback I've received so far:

“Your work is great – lot’s of Chi!”
Nicola – textile artist

“So like you to have them (the pieces) inspired by such positive feelings.”
Lee Campbell 02 Sept 2008

“"Wow! So amazing to see your pieces in reality. They have so much life in them.”

“Well done Cassandra – studies of energy and colour energise.”

"It is lovely to see your new joyful sunny work Cassandra! "- Moira

"Your yellow and orange work looks very spontaneous and gestural which is gorgeous to me." - Karen- August 2008

If you like the image above click here to view and purchase

Not sure if now is the right time to be buying art? Here are 10 powerful reasons to buy art during a recession

Labels: Exhibitions and competitions

You probably can see from the photo about what a fabulous opening we had last night. We are glowing with joy - so much so that I have taken to calling us the "Three Joys!" Unfortunately Nada from de Nada design was unable to get back from Australia in time but we did her and her fabulous clothing line proud! Just check out the crowds of art lovers and supporters who turned out en masse to share our joy.


We had an awesome night...Amie's new series of work made a huge impression on heaps of people -they were gagging to touch the pieces so I asked Amie for permission for them to stroke the wax...so yummy...smelt divine and Ron from Exhibitions Gallery (who I invited) loved several of the pieces and is going to talk to Amie next week about them...so well done Amie for having the courage and playfulness to try something new...and well done Paul Hutchinson for teaching us!

Deanna's work was a big hit too...so stunning...unbelievable...my friend said it was the best jewellery she had seen...and she knows a thing or two...her family come from a long line of artists......I fell in love with the earrings she wore to our breakfast where we all met for the first time! Isn't that a hoot..arranging an exhib and never having met....

There were heaps and heaps of people - all responsible drinkers..so we even have wine, which was generously given to us by Tohu Wines, left! Tohu wine is divine....

Gosh - you really get a feel for personality types when colloborating..I am definitely the "starter"..not so flash on finishing...Amie and Deanna are pro's there...so I was really rushing it to get all my pieces on the wall and only finished the price list 20 mins before people arrived! Mind you, to my defence, I will add that I was working full time while trying to get ready for this exhibition and the 15 works that I had dropped off at the framers the minute I landed back in NZ after Max Gimblett's workshop in Hawaii, had only been finished that morning!

The great thing about this exhibition was the amazing opportunity to collaborate with amazing talented, positive, passionate artists and mutually inspiring companies like Tohu Wines and businessmen like Graham Petherick who let us use this premium space. MWAHxxx

It was great to catch up with previous clients I have coached over the years - and to see that they are still happy in the work I helped them find. It was great to see good friends too...

ohhhh and it was so FANTASTIC to sell two of my favorite works of art. I loved that both the people who purchased them loved them as much as I did...as I have always said, works created with joy creates joy in return.


If you haven't had a chance to come and have a look at the Joy'ance exhibition yet there is still time. You can view all the pieces at 128 Featherston Street, Wellington daily from 10:30 to 5:30 until Friday 5 September. You can also view and purchase on line in my E-store

Have a wee peak at one of my favorite pieces I created in Maui. This will definitely be a piece of my heART I will be sad to part with. On the positive side, I know that who ever buys it will have bought it with passion!

Don't forget to come and see the Joy'ance exhibition for yourself - we'd love to see you there!

Labels: Exhibitions and competitions

posted by Cassandra  # 03:15  0 Comments

Often when money is in short supply and every newspaper is full of bad news stories and comments about recessions and depressions the first thing people do is cut back on what they perceive to be non essentials - the things that give them joy. In fact the opposite is true - the things that give us joy give us the sustenance and courage to get through the tough times. Beleive me I know...if I didn't beleive in the expansive, healing power of art I wouldn't be sharing the list below with you. I'm talking from experience - both mine and others!

Here are 8 powerful reasons why people should buy art during a recession:

1.) It could be a great investment - good art appreciates over time like a fine wine. Diversify your investment portfolio and minimise the impact of the downturn in traditional investments like the housing market or share market

2) Gorgeous, joyful pieces of art can be uplifting and sustain you during troubled times and your darkest hours. Great art makes you feel better ever time you look at it. As Paul Klee said, "One eye sees and the other feels."

Even Henri Matisse, who was down to his last penny knew what a positive investment art was. Above all he revered the work of Cezanne. He purchased Bathers at a time when he had to make real sacrifices to raise cash. He never regretted it, and said of the painting years later: "

it has sustained me spiritually in the critical moments of my career as an artist; I have drawn from it my faith and perserverance

. " Wow! Powerful stuff. Here is bit more info re this

Quote:
After being steered towards it by Camille Pissarro, Henri Matisse bought this painting from Ambroise Vollard who, in turn, had acquired it directly from Paul Cézanne. Matisse could ill afford to spend money on other artists' work at the time, but was so moved by this piece that he signed a promissory note to Vollard for 1,200 francs in December of 1899. He paid this debt off in installments.

Over the years, Three Bathers remained an immense inspiration and affirmation to Matisse. When he donated it to the Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris in 1936, he wrote this in a letter to art curator and author Raymond Escholier (1882-1971) on November 10 of that same year:
"In the thirty-seven years I have owned this canvas, I have come to know it quite well, though not entirely, I hope; it has sustained me morally in the critical moments of my venture as an artist; I have drawn from it my faith and my perseverance; for this reason, allow me to request that it be placed so that it may be seen to its best advantage...I know that I do not have to tell you this, but nevertheless think it is my duty to tell you so; please accept these remarks as the excusable testimony of my admiration for this work which has grown increasingly greater ever since I have owned it."

3.) Great art lasts. Unlike other ways people spend their money to feel better - like an expensive dinner out, new clothes or an expensive holiday, a great piece of art, which may have been expensive initially, stands the test of time and keeps on "giving"

4.) Paintings and other creative works instantly put more colour in your life. They are a cost effective way to change the decor and atmosphere and personality of your home.

5) Great art boosts other areas of your life and can give you "more bang for your buck". People selling their properties often employ house staging companies to give their home a quick image update - often one of the key things these people add are pieces of art that show off the home to best advantage

6.) Buying a piece of art can help motivate you to achieve your goals.

Every time I look at Max Gimblett's painting "Choice" I am reminded to make fantastic, life affirming choices. I'm also motivated to get out and earn more money so I can pay for it!

7) Buying art supports artists and supports the economy. Countries like China actively promote the importance of art because they know how much income creativity and culture generates

8) Visual art is a powerful communication tool. Just look at what "Choice" says to me. Why read a hundred page book on achieving goals or motivation theory when this painting says more than a thousand words!

ohhhh I have just thought of two more:

9) Buying a painting can help memories of a visit to a beloved place last longer! (This probably goes part way to explaining why landscapes and scenes of Venice, Tuscany and Provence etc are so popular).

Here is a painting I inherited this year by CN Worsley...very sentimental (not to mention now v. valuable). It was brought by my paternal grandfather Henry Gaisford while he was visiting Italy over a hundred years ago! It was going to be gifted to The Auckland Art Gallery but on the back of the painting they found in my aunt's writing "for Cassandra...purchased in Italy by her grandfather in 1908." Lucky me!

oh so now I have next point

10) Buying art leaves your heARTprint for future generations....how fabulous to be able to leave such an enduring piece of the things that inspired you.


Come along to our Joy'ance exhibition and see what art can do for you and the ones you love!

Labels: Exhibitions and competitions

I'm so excited about our upcoming exhibition - if you live in Wellington or can make a trip to be with us we'd love to see you there. Here are the details from our press release.



Joy`ance
a celebration of joy through creativity – 29th Aug to 5th Sept 2008
Amie, Cassandra and Deanna invite you to their exhibition of artworks created in beauty and...“with sheer joy!"

Wellington visual artists Cassandra Gaisford and Amie McCarron along with Christchurch jewellery artist Deanna Gracie have collaborated to bring you an exhibition of new works that expresses each one’s obvious feelings of joy. This they have done through the creating, and now the sharing of their artistry.
You are
invited to the opening and preview to be held Friday 29th August at 128 Featherston Street in Wellington from 5:30pm-7:30pm. The artists welcome one and all to share in a joyful evening of beautiful visual art, jewellery and superb New Zealand wine by Tohu Wines. And for fashion lovers, deNada will be showcasing items from their new spring collection.

2008 for Wellington artist Cassandra Gaisford, has brought a sense of immense pride with the success achieved through recently entered art awards. Having become a finalist in the 2008 Adam's Portrait award and the supreme winner of the 2008 Wai Art Awards, Cassandra has decided to share her joy alongside two other talented artists, for this most recent of exhibitions. Having participated in various overseas workshops including a Sumi Ink painting workshop in Hawaii with ex-pat artist, Max Gimblett, her latest works embrace the simplicity of pleasure and personal experiences that incite joy.

“I am inspired by the East – particularly Buddhism, and the ancient art of Sumi-E ink painting. As an intuitive artist with a passion for following my 'inner joy' I hope my work captures and celebrates the 'life-giving' aspects of art, and leaves viewers with a feeling of pleasure and contentment.”

In Joy’ance, Amie McCarron debut’s artworks resulting from her new found joy in encaustic painting; the ancient and beautiful medium of pigment in a beeswax and resin base. By building up layers of encaustic paint, sometimes scraping back to reveal the artworks history all the while fusing together with heat, Amie
creates paintings with brilliant luminosity and a rich delicate opalescence.

“I find joy in the act of creating itself. Encaustic allows me to express myself without words, working intuitively and allowing the images to reveal themselves in a way that is unpredictable but honest. Within my paintings are colours of warmth and sensuous beauty, added with the delicious scent of pure beeswax wafting from their surface.”

Deanna Gracie designs and creates contemporary jewellery from her home studio, in the beach side suburb of Southshore, Christchurch.

“I find joy in the most simple of things; the perfect shape of a ginkgo leaf, the ebb and flow of the tide, patterns left on sand by wind and rain, the gentle call of a gull as it soars in the air. These experiences fill my soul to overflowing and I race to my studio to start the next piece.”

In a collection of images from the coming Spring/Summer deNada collection, husband and wife team Nada and Tomek Piątek show just what can result from a little technical knowledge, plenty of playing, a splash of colour, an eye for composition and the poverty conditions of not being able to afford a photographer!

For Creative Director Nada Piątek, “...joy is seeing something... anything... grow as the result of much experimentation, laughter and imagination. It might become a garment, an image or even just a doodle that you could never have imagined when you began. The process of opening yourself up to creative possibilities is risky - it might just be awful. But when things come together and you creative something wonderful, that risk makes the reward so much sweeter!”

Opening Preview: Friday 29th August, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
When: 30th August – 5th September, 10:30am – 5:30pm
Venue: 128 Featherston Street, Wellington

“Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Picasso

Labels: Exhibitions and competitions

Astrologer Susan Miller believes that June is a lucky month. After the call I got at 8:30 am on Saturday June the first I'll have to agree. I was woken from a deep slumber to be informed that my entry into the 2008 Wai Art Awards had won first prize. I wasn't joking when I said, "Are you sure? That can't be right? What about that other fabulous (and I mean fabulous!) paintings, especially the one of the woman and two swans?" But no, Anna-Marie (herself an amazing artist, assured me I had indeed won the first prize of $3,000 but also that a photographer had purchased the entry.


My art tutor thinks this is "flow" - I had just purchased a work of art by one of my favorite artists Max Gimblett - something I had never ever dreamed about doing (well I would have perhaps if I'd had spare cash)....no sooner had I purchased it then I suddenly wondered how on earth was I going to pay for it! Now thanks to winning and selling I am 1/3rd of the way there. That's flow...Max may say karma.

'as you will see in the piccie of Max and I together ....I wore a gold dress so I could blend into one of his paintings!.

He talked about how he had been painting for many many years before now feeling that finally in his 70's he had reached the top of his game - this didn't sound vain at all in case you are wondering, but more the satisfaction that comes from doing what you love, doing it well and working hard to achieve success.

He also spoke in a zen like way about how everyone has a essence and how in art and life it is important to be true to your essence always.... (but what, if like one of my fellow artists queried, you don't know what your essence is? My answer would be to notice what gives you life, what inspires you and fills you with feelings of contentment....that should help!)

My winning entry is also inspired by the east, buddhism and caligraphy and I love the natural "flow" created by ink. Actually I adore working with ink...it's so yummy.

I was already a big fan of Max's ( especially the pieces with gold - you know I love gold) and have always loved zen buddhism and caligraphy) and the man is so incredibly nice. When we first met him I was so overwwhelmed and totally surprised to see him I went, "oh my god - you're the mastro" he smiled softly and didn't laugh at me las though I was acting like an idiot...that was when I knew it was love!!

He signed my painting "to cassandra with my love" and put his arm around my friend and I and told us all about the inspiration behind it! I'm still fizzing...oh and in case you're wondering - he was being genuinally nice and not sleazy at all. I also got a very specially signed book with a collection of his art - he drew what I think is me....it first I wondered why i have three faces, then Ron my friend said, "look up the three faces of Eve" Turns out Eve was made up out of the quiet, self-effacing wife and mother; the relatively stable Jane, and the wild, fun-loving Eve Black - her second personality to accomplish things she herself did not want to do. This sounds about right...great to be able to pick and mix personalities....in management speak we would call this situational leadership!

Unfortunately I have had to wash the cheek where he kissed me - turns out now that perhaps he has the Midas touch and I have benefitted from his greatness by winning a prize! I mean - wow...once again this is the first time I have worked in that medium and I won first prize. When I did my first portrait in oil I finalled! that is flow for sure - my romance writing never took off quote like this. As Joseph Campbell said, when you follow your bliss doors open for you that wouldn't open for anyone else." or something like that!

Max Gimblett gave his floor-talk at Page Blackie Gallery in Wellington on May 27 (also my daughter's 17th birthday) as part of an exhibition of new paintings in NZ (his country of birth and a country he still calls "home" before showing at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

“It's the first time a New Zealander has been asked to exhibit in the Guggenheim so it's another step in opening the international art world's eyes to New Zealand art. When you look around international art fairs, you realise New Zealand art stands up but is yet to be really recognised. Max is taking a huge step and we are exceptionally proud,” says gallery owner James Blackie. (James himself is a fabulous career success story - following his passion for art he is now co-owner of a fabulous gallery - achieved at the age of 27 after starting out licking envelopes!)

Of this amazing opportunity to exhibit at the Guggenheim Max was quoted in Mindfood magazine saying, "what this exhibition to me is what I would call karma. It means my life has followed its true path and my dreams as a child become my actions as a man."

I love that! Max is my guru for sure!

I've just got back from a fabulous trip to accept my prize at The Wai Art Awards and to be photographed for the planned press releases. My friend Graham picked me up about 9 and we raced literally - (geeze boys love speed don"t they!) over the hill to the Wairapa..stopped in at the lovely deli cafe In Greytown and then on to meet Vanessa from the Village Art Shop who generously sponsored the prize money. Graham says I should not cash my check but have it framed...yeah right! Vanessa and the Wai art gals were such honies...here's a few picks..as you can see I am still fizzing....



....more flow...

Graham owns a commerical building in town and out of the blue has offered me free use of the ground floor, shop front which has come out of it's lease to hold an exhibition in! Now there's a challenge. It's incredibly generous of him and very inspiring for me and such a great, great location...right in the central city on Featherston Street. I am so excited...but shockingly scared also. Will have to get a body of work together...plus the RiverEast Gallery in Greytown has expressed an interest in my work...so wow! Things look really exciting...another sure sign of flow! As I said before, I couldn't have achieved all that I have in such a quick period of time had it not been for other inspiring artists who have shared their talents with me - people like Megan Schmidt and jane Kellahan whose workshops I went to, and Amie McCarron and the rest of the Arttalkers who encouraged me to enter competitions and gave me great feedback on my works in progress. And of course my fabulously dynamic friend Carla who is learning to paint and whose infectious enthusiasm fuels my own passion for art.

These last few months so far has all been about flow - from getting the perfect contracting role (imagine getting paid to make people happy!), to spending time with fantastic people who support me, to meeting up in person with my guru Max Gimblett, to winning The Wai Art Awards with my flow inspired painting, "Love Stain." The following quote from powerfully sums up the magical power of flow:

“Natural abundance comes from “gettng into the flow” by doing work that that brings a sense of inner excitement. The phrase “follow your inner joy” is actually the key to abundance. Once your follow your inner most joy and adapt your situation to doing work that you love, then synchronisity begins to flow. synchronisity is the Universe’s way of telling you that you are on the right track.”

Owen Walters, Author

Labels: Exhibitions and competitions