The following images were taken on recent walks close to home, except for an image taken at the Bombo Geological site known as Bombo Quarry, near Kiama, NSW, Australia, which is roughly 1 and a one-and-a-half-hour drive from where we live.
This month has been a very busy month for a number of reasons, so it was a real pleasure to get back down to Red Point Artists Maker’s Market at Port Kembla last Saturday.
Due to ‘Life’ getting in the way late last year, this was the first time I had been able to get there since June last year, so it was great to back.
They always have some form of music down there. Music certainly adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the day.
When I go down to Red Point Artists, my expectation is that I will have a relaxing time, sketching, painting and catching up with other artists. If I sell a painting, I consider that a bonus. A bonus happened on Saturday.
Sold this painting on Saturday, the 6th painting I’ve sold overall.
All in all, another wonderful, relaxing day! We are looking forward to attending again next month. 🙂
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.