Tag: Illawarra

Watercolour Nature Journalling Workshop – So Much Fun!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Last Sunday, I had the absolute pleasure attending the workshop above. It was run by Linda Brown who is a professional artist from the Illawarra Region, south of Sydney. Linda is a fellow member of Red Point Artists, which is based at Port Kembla.

My Wife, Susan gave me a gift certificate for my birthday in March. The certificate was to be able to attend any of Linda’s workshop’s, and I chose this one as thought it sounded delightful, and it was. 🙂

We were asked to bring various natural subjects down, like Autumn leaves, twigs, bark, driftwood, shells, flowers, etc.

Linda guided us through different techniques during the day, which culminated in producing a Watercolour on Watercolour paper after first practising on sketchbook 110 gsm paper. This way, we could experiment on cheaper paper first.

As with any workshop, the people attending make it great as well, and there was a good mix of beginner to experienced artists, all ready to jump out of their comfort zones.

Here is my creation below, expertly guided by Linda Brown Artist. Thanks Linda! 🙂

Linda is running more of this type of workshop, plus others so if you see them advertised, I would highly recommend you check them out.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

6 May 2025

An Emotional Connection – My 7th Watercolour Painting Sold!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Yesterday, my Wife Susan and I attended Red Point Artists Makers Market (formerly known as Red Point Artists Art & Craft on the Grass), at the Red Point precinct in Port Kembla, (south of Wollongong) on the New South Wales coast.

It was a little bit different yesterday though as we formed part of the Annual Port Kembla Festival which included street stalls and live music up and down Wentworth Street, the main street in Port Kembla.

One of the highlights of the day was that I sold my 7th Watercolour painting, “Distant Mountains”, which appears below.

Materials:

  • Baohong The Master’s Choice Artist Watercolour paper, rough, 300gsm 18cm x 26cm.
  • Sumikondo Japonesque Watercolours
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours
  • Aquawash brushes

The lady who purchased it said it reminded her of where she grew up. Interestingly, the image/composition came from my imagination.

We never will truly know who will be interested in our creations. Just keep painting, sketching, and be confident enough to display your Art. Someone, somewhere may just have an emotional connection to your Art.

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

13 April 2025

Red Point Artists – March 2025 – Painting #6 Sold!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Yesterday, Susan & I went to Red Point Artist’s Maker’s Market for the first time this year, having missed the first event of the year last month. It used to be called ‘Art & Craft on the Grass’ which, I still think, is a better name.

There were not as many stalls this time, and was wondering if the inclement weather was to blame?

Regardless of how many stalls are there we always have a relaxing time. Between chatting to the visiting public and sketching/painting, it is always fun. You just never know who you might meet or help to encourage on their artistic journey.

There is always an exhibition as well and live music. All adds up to a great time.

As a bonus, I sold an A5 Watercolour painting yesterday, the image below called “Beside the Lake.” So grateful!

All in all, another enjoyable day!

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

9 March 2025

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 21

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

This posts images come from a variety of places:

  • Local walks
  • A Car Wash
  • An Urban Sketcher’s Wollongong Sketch-meet at Port Kembla
  • My backyard
  • Sydney CBD

Some of the subjects I photograph may end being reference photos for sketches, watercolour, line and wash or oil paintings.

Even though I don’t photograph a lot with DSLR camera’s these days, I like to ‘keep my eye in’ with my phone camera. At some point, I will purchase a mid to high range compact camera that can fit in a suit pocket that I can carry anywhere.

Till next time!

Written & photographed by David Johnson

22 February 2025

Back at Red Point Artists

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Today was our first time back at the Red Point Artists Art & Craft on the Grass event since April this year. The May event was cancelled due to bad weather and we couldn’t get to the June event as we both had Covid (for the first-time after dodging for 4 1/2 years).

Today was also the 4th time I have had a stall there.

Once again it was a fun time, a little cool and windy for the first few hours, then the Sun came out and warmed things up a little.

Today also represented ‘5 years, 168 Days’ since I started my ‘Daily Art Practice.’ The image below is today’s effort.

I have already booked my spot for the August event, and there are a number of things I need to do in the next month to ‘upgrade’ my presentation at the stall.

It was also great to see a few other Artists brave the Winter day and come to display their creative efforts. It’s always a joy to see their latest creations.

Looking forward to next month’s event!

Written by David Johnson

13 July 2024

Looking For A Sign

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Haiku Poetry

A First For Me at Red Point Artists ‘Art & Craft on the Grass!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

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…

“Country Cottages”

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

Bucket List Item Ticked Off!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting, Stories From Life

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

Urban Sketchers Wollongong Field Trip – Innovation Campus, Wollongong

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Earlier today, I attended my first Urban Sketchers Wollongong Sketch-meet this year. I don’t actually live the Wollongong (Illawarra Region) in NSW however, we quite often visit the region as I am also a member of Red Point Artists, which is located on the coast to the South. The beaches of Wollongong are the closest beaches to where we live, some 66 kilometres away (41 miles). For us, that is a short drive.

Today’s outing was only 51km (32 miles) away and it was held at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.

Only 7 Sketchers turned up today (it was very hot), and we met at the Campus Cafe, called ‘Piccolo Me’ cafe. We had a half-hour chat then ventured out to select our subject.

I found the unusually-designed building below…

I’ve lightened up the shadows considerably here to show te detail in the panelling.

After deciding to do this one, I have to decide how much of it to do. For some reason, I seem to gravitate towards subjects with lots of lines. Knowing I only had a relatively short time-frame, I decided not to do the whole scene.

I found doing this sketch quite challenging and would do it differently next time I think. I haven’t done a lot of en Plein air as yet. I really do enjoy it though.

After the sketching, we all had lunch and had a ‘throw-down.’ This is where all the sketches are put on the ground (this time it was a table) so that everyone can see what has been sketched and we can see all the different styles. Unfortunately, this time, I don’t have a photo of all the different sketches.

I really enjoyed the company and the ‘Arty’ conversation once again.

Looking forward to next month’s Sketch-meet!

If you are interested in finding out more about the Urban Sketchers, I shall put a link below. There are Urban Sketch Groups all over the world.

Till next time – Happy Sketching!”’

Written by David Johnson

4 February 2024

https://urbansketchers.org/

Urban Wollongong Sketchers

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Last Sunday, I met up with the Urban Sketchers Wollongong on a field trip for the first time. The meet was held at Port Kembla, near Wollongong, NSW, Australia.

Port Kembla is well known in Australia for Steel manufacturing and it covers a huge area of land near the Pacific Ocean. I can still remember going on a school excursion there back in Primary School. It was (and is a massive place).

Our field trip location was at the end of Christy Drive, Port Kembla and one of the subjects people were sketching appears below.

I had been down to this location once previously, with my Wife, Susan and remember remarking that, ‘wow, that would take some patience to sketch’, as I turned away to sketch something that I thought was easier to sketch…

So, here I was back there and this was one of the subjects to choose from.

Here is my effort below.

Overall, I am happy with the attempt however, I am conscious that I added too much water to the sky, particularly around the edges. Another learning experience, for sure.

Before we headed off for a coffee and lunch at a nearby lunch spot, I managed to complete a pen sketch of a nearby pier. I added the colour to it last night.

4 years, 162 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time meeting, sketching and interacting on a social level with the Artists from the Urban Wollongong Sketchers and am looking forward to attending the next field trip in August.

Happy Sketching/Painting!

Written, sketched and photographed by David Johnson

8 July 2023

For more information on the Urban Wollongong Sketchers:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/UrbanSketchersWollongong