Ideas and Notions
Tag: expression
A First For Me at Red Point Artists ‘Art & Craft on the Grass!
I’ve been a member of Red Point Artists for about 3 – 4 years however, it is only this year that I took a leap of faith and set up a table with my Watercolours at the monthly, ‘Art & Craft on the Grass’ event.
The first time I did this was in February this year. Due to inclement weather, we set up inside in the main gallery.
The second time was yesterday. It was a beautiful, sunny day so we were all able to set up outside.
As with the first time, I was just happy do be there, displaying my Art and chatting to and encouraging people to be creative and/or rekindle a lost creative passion.
I also had a sign advertising my ‘Daily Art Practice’ aka my ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day’ which as of yesterday was 5 years, 43 days straight.
My thought was that ‘if I sold anything it would be a bonus.’ As the first hour was drawing to a close, that bonus arrived! I sold the following painting…
This is the first painting I have sold at Red Point Artists, and the fourth sale overall.
I would like to thank Red Point Artists for the opportunity to have a table there, and for the inspiring Artists and Craft-makers that I am surrounded by. Looking forward to the second Saturday of April when we will do it all again.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
10 March 2024
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 12
At the end of February/early March, my Wife, Susan and I escaped for 5 nights/6 days down to Greenwell Point which is roughly 2 hours drive away from where live. It is located just past Nowra which approximately, 176 kilometres or 109 miles from Sydney.
It is a beautiful, quiet spot and was even quieter as it wasn’t school holidays.
I’ll be posting more images from our short trip over time however, here is a small selection of abstract images of subjects that ‘attracted my eye’ on this trip.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
9 March 2024
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 10
The images below were taken last week when my Wife, Susan & went into the City (Sydney) for lunch to celebrate our 27th Wedding Anniversary.
After a long lunch, we took a casual stroll around Circular Quay just relaxing and enjoying the views.
of the Sydney Opera House.
Beauty is all around us. We just need to be ‘aware.’
Till next time!
Written & Photograpghed by David Johnson
29 February 2024
Words From My Mind
Bucket List Item Ticked Off!
Yesterday, for the first time, I put my Artistic efforts on a table for sale to the general public. I did this at Red Point Artist’s, ‘Art & Craft On The Grass’ at Port Kembla, NSW, Australia. Port Kembla is approx. one hour’s drive from where we live.
I have been a member of Red Point Artists for just over three years, and this was my fifth attemp at having a sale table down there. The previous attempts, well, life got in the way as it sometimes can. Yesterday, I just took my Watercolour and Line & Wash images down.
Normally, the Artist’s tables would be out on the grassed area however, due to rain appearing when we were due to set up, most of us were inside the gallery.
So, did I sell anything? Not this time.
Was the day still a success? Yes, definitely due to the following:
- Firstly, it finally happened
- I was grateful to received quite a few compliments about my Art
- Picked up a couple of followers on Instagram
- Some people said they would check out this Blog
- I encouraged a lady who had recently taken up sketching to come along to the next Urban Sketchers Wollongong Sketch-meet
- I learned a lot yesterday about how I am going to present my Art at Red Point Artists next month, ‘Artists In Action’ at Camden Civic Centre next Sunday and other places
It is so satisfying to have finally achieved the above and am very grateful to Red Point Artists for the opportunity and the support of the members. 🙂
The images below are of the Art precinct of Red Point and some of the other Artists presenting their Art.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
11 February 2024
Into The Future
Our Path
Urban Sketchers Sydney – September Sketch-meet!
Yesterday, myself and approx. 50-60 other Urban Sketchers attended the September Sketch-meet. Our destination was the Sydney Opera House, which in a month’s time will have been open for 50 years.
I remember watching the opening in October 1973 on a Black & White TV set from our home approx. 13km/8 miles from the Sydney CBD. I still remember running up to the bridge over the railway line half-way between my suburb and the next so we could see a whole mass of balloons being sent into the sky from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Of course we could not see the bridge itself, but we did see the the a mass of balloons rise in the distance.
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most uniquely designed structures in the world.
I must say I was very pleased to attend this Sketch-meet as this the first standalone Sydney Sketch-meet I have been able to attend this year.
Rather than try to sketch the whole building, I chose to do a section of it and am very happy with the result.
As you can see from the first photo, it was perfect weather and it was quite a relaxing experience. I find the whole experience of sketching/painting, meditative, particularly when I do minute details, like the tiles in the ‘Sails.’
One of the things that I really look forward to at the the Sketch-meets is the ‘Throwdown’ as seen in the photos below. It’s wonderful seeing all the different styles and mediums that people use to create their Art. So inspirational.
All-in-all it was a great morning of sketching. It is so great to get together with a group of creators.
The ‘Urban Sketchers’ are a world-wide movement which is in over 60 countries, 394 cities with over 120,000 members. For more information, check out their website https://urbansketchers.org/ so you can find a chapter near you.
Till next time – Happy Sketching!
Written by David Johnson
3 September 2023
Sketching Fun!
Yesterday, my Wife, Susan and I attended an Urban Sketch-meet that was organised by Urban Sketchers Blue Mountains. They were invited to sketch in the Gardens of the Norman Lindsay Gallery.
Norman Lindsay was a famous, prolific, controversial and award-winning Australian Watercolour and Oil Painter, Etcher, award-winning Novelist and a Sculptor. His creativity is on display at the abovementioned gallery which is situated at his former home on 49 acres in Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains West of Sydney Australia.
The Urban Sketchers Blue Mountains invited members of Urban Sketchers Sydney up for the morning for approximately 2 hours of sketching.
There were about 30 in attendance and it was a delightful Winter’s day. We were bathed in sunshine and blue skies and it was about 19C/66F. Quite warm for Winter in the Blue Mountains.
It was a wonderful morning of sketching and relaxing. I even took a poetry book with me and spent a short time after sketching just sitting in the Sun reading. It was such a peaceful location.
After the sketch-meet was over, we decided to go on the property tour and were blessed to see the actual studios where Norman Lindsay painted and etched. We then viewed the gallery, which also featured art by Norman’s Brother, Lionel who was also quite talented as well.
On the way home we stopped at The Bunker (cafe/restaurant/bar) in Springwood and also visited the ColourArt Australia Art & Craft store across the road. One cannot pass up an opportunity to venture to an Art store that you haven’t been into before… 🙂 Picked up a couple of things there.
All-in-all it was a beautiful relaxing day in picturesque surroundings.
I have just found out today that the next Urban Sketcher Sydney sketch-meet is early in September at the Sydney Opera House, which is celbrating it’s 50th anniversary this year.
Looking forward to that one.
Till next time, happy sketching and painting!
Written by David Johnson
20 August 2023
For more inforamtion:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/norman-lindsay-gallery/
https://halloffame.melbournepressclub.com/article/norman-lindsay
Communicating Creatively 