Red Point Artists Association Inc – Communicating Creatively

Another Inspiring Day at Red Point Artists!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting, Stories From Life

Yesterday was my third time having a stall at Red Point Artists, ‘Art & Craft on the Grass’ event in Port Kembla.

It was a quieter day, people-wise yesterday, as their was a Maker’s Market on at Wollongong University. Usually at a Wollongong Maker’s Market there could be anything from 50 – 100 Art & Craft stalls.

Still, we had a fun time. In between talking to the people who did visit, I worked on my Watercolour Sketch a Day project, and on another larger Watercolour that I have been working on over the last couple of weeks.

I also had some inspiring conversations with both visitors to Red Point Artists, and some of the Artists themselves. Susan enjoyed conversing with others and also did some Crochet.

After packing up, we attended an exhibition by three Red Point Members, Linda Simpson, Heidi Uhlig and Alan Blake, which is being held in Gallery Eight within the Red Point Art precinct. The exhibition features Mixed Media, Watercolour and Carvings. The exhibition is on until 17 April 2024 at 100 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla.

On the way home we stopped into one of my favourite Art Stores, Levers, which is a long established, family run, Picture framing & Fine Art materials store, or as I like to call it, ‘Art Heaven.’

If you are in the Wollongong area, pop in our check it out.

Looking forward to the second Saturday in May, when I will be back at Red Point for the Art, the craft and the conversation!

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

14 April 2024

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

Featured 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…

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!

Featured 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

My Creative Journey In Visual Art

22/09/202222/09/2022 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

My creative journey
Began with a camera
This went on for many years
I was an enthusiastic amateur

Joining and starting camera clubs
Was so much fun
I made many friends
My creative life had begun

I entered competitions and exhibitions
Sometimes I won
All in all
It was just good fun

Along the way
I became a Photographic Judge
Which gave me a different perspective
It gave my photography a nudge

Briefly, in the Nineties
I started to sketch
Though photography remained King
I felt the itch

I took a basic drawing course
In two thousand and ten
Three years later 
My photography business opened

The business ran 
For a couple of years
Then I decided 
To do something else

In the meantime my love
For sketching and painting had grown
It was battling photography
For the Title and Crown

Oil painting at that time
Was my preferred expression
It became my ‘go to’
My new expression

Joining Art groups
Has helped me to foster
My desire to create Art
They helped my creativity to prosper

Then I returned
To the first painting medium I tried
The one that had captured me 
That reminded me of Slides

Line and Wash 
Then caught my attention
It became part of me
A lifelike extension

A Watercolour sketch-a-day
Would give me loads of practice
It continues to this day
Feeding my Inner Sanctum

Oils too
Remain a passion
For me, I think
They’ll always be in fashion

Photography still
Has a special place in my Heart
It started my creative journey
Of me, it will always be a part

Though at this time
Sketching and Painting are my direction
They will for a long time
Have my attention

Written by David Johnson

22 September 2022

Refined By The Sea – Creativity Spotlight

30/06/202128/06/2021 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Creativity Spotlight

Welcome to the third article in this series!

Today I’m showcasing, ‘Refined By The Sea’ which is operated by Stephanie Thackray. Stephanie, like Helen and myself is a member of Red Point Artists Association in Port Kembla.

Stephanie is another member who displays her Art and Craft at the “Art & Craft On The Grass” which is held on the second Saturday of the month at Red Point Art, 100 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla, NSW, Australia.

Stephanie informed me that she spent five years collecting the raw materials that she then crafts into Jewellery (as displayed in the images below).

On a previous visit to “Art & Craft On The Grass” I purchased a set of earrings from Stephanie for my wife. She loves them!

If you would like to see more of Stephanie’s Art & Craft, her details are below.

Written by David Johnson

29 June 2021

*I receive no monetary benefit for promoting other Artists. I just love promoting creativity.

Helen’s Acrylic Pours – Creativity Spotlight

20/03/2021 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Creativity Spotlight

Last weekend I was at Red Point Artists Association’s, ‘Art On The Grass’ monthly event. Amongst the Artistic stalls on the grass was ‘Helen’s Acrylic Pours’ which is owned and operated by Helen J. Purdy.

I came up with the thought of having a new segment on my blog when I was chatting with Helen last week and she kindly agreed to be the first Artist in this new segment. Thanks so much Helen!

Helen (like myself) is a member of RPAA and you will find her regularly displaying her creations at the monthly event which are for sale.

**Helen displaying her Acrylic creations.**

Helen is a self-taught Acrylic paint-pouring Artist and she uses canvas and a wide variety of materials. Helen is also prepared to give one-on-one lessons. Her creations are certainly eye-catching and unrepeatable.

I love talking to Artists and hearing/seeing their passion for creation. Helen’s certainly shines on through!

Thank you Helen for allowing me to feature you on my blog.

If you would like more information about what Helen does, would like to purchase some of her Art or would like a one-on-one lesson, please contact Helen via one of the options below.

https://www.facebook.com/Helens-Acrylic-Pours-104730084391759

Written by David Johnson

20 March 2021

*I receive no monetary benefit for promoting other Artists. I just love promoting creativity.

Creativity Spotlight

14/03/202114/03/2021 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Creativity Spotlight

My Wife, Susan and I yesterday visited Red Point Artists Association at Point Kembla, NSW, Australia. They were holding their monthly, Art On The Grass event.

Although I had been visiting their sporadically over the past 10 years, I only became a member of this wonderful organisation in July last year. I hadn’t joined previously as I had many things (as we all do on occasions) competing for my time.

Red Point was formed in May 2008 and it’s home is a small precinct of (what were once) retail shops set in a ‘rectangular horseshoe formation’ with a rectangular grassy area in the middle with a few established trees which provides an ideal location for their ‘Art On The Grass’ event.

Within this precinct is a Takeaway Food shop on one corner, a number of Artist studios (some shared), a main Gallery plus a smaller Gallery and a Workshop that is used for demonstrations.

Art On The Grass features Art and Craft that is for sale and the tables are manned by the Artists Craft-makers themselves and there are a wide variety of things to look at and buy.

There are always Exhibitions on from Red Point members in both galleries. The whole atmosphere is relaxing and is often complemented by live music in the form of an Acoustic Guitarist or similar.

From the moment I first visited Red Point Artists, I could feel that there was something ‘special’ about the place, the Art and the people in it. I feel a ‘sense of connection’ down there and never fail to be inspired by something or a Artist when I visit.

I’ve written on my blog previously about visits to Art On The Grass and whilst I was down there this time, I had an idea for a section on my blog that highlighted individual Artists and Craft- makers that I come across in my travels. This would also from time-to-time include Art and Craft associations as well. For more information about Red Point Artists Association, please click on the following link: https://redpointart.org.au/

Why would I do this?

I love Art and Craft and find it very interesting to see what other Artists and Craft-makers imaginations can create. I will always ask their permission to firstly, photograph them at their tables or any of their table setups before posting on this blog. I would like to help them promote their Art and Craft. I receive no monetary benefit for doing this. The benefit I receive is the enjoyment in being able to promote what other people’s imaginations have created. Hopefully, it will help them too.

I will be including their contact details and/or website so that if you like what they do or want to find out more information about what they do, you can contact them directly.

My next article in ‘Creativity Spotlight’ will be about Helen from ‘Wall Art & Resin Homewares’, whose Artistic endeavour is ‘Acrylic Pouring.’ Helen is a member of Red Point Artists Association.

Looking forward to seeing you then.

Written by David Johnson

14 March 2021

Red Point Art Association Inc

12/07/2020 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting, Stories From Life

Yesterday, I joined Red Point Artists Association Inc at Port Kembla, which is situated 93 kilometres (57 miles), 1 1/2 hours drive from Sydney, near Wollongong and about 45 minutes SE of where I live.

I had visited some years ago at the invitation of a friend, Dulcie Dal Molin who is a former President of the Association and an Honorary Life Member. I have known Dulcie for may years through our involvement in Photographic Societies.

I had been wanting to become a member of RPAA for quite a few years but had too many commitments on my plate. Those commitments have now ended and my love for Sketching and Painting has increased remarkably over the last few years. The time was indeed right!

You might ask, ‘aren’t there Art Societies closer to where you live?’ ‘Why travel that distance to join this Art Community?’

Valid questions. I have always found my visits to ‘Art On The Grass’ which are held every second Saturday of the month, for 11 months of the year, special. There is something that keeps drawing me back to this Art Community that I cannot quite put into words. Perhaps the French phrase, ‘Je ne sais quoi’ would sum it up.

The RPAA are to be congratulated as not only have they found a ’space’ in the Main Street of Port Kembla, they have found a truly inspiring space. A grassy rectangle surrounded by a ‘horseshoe’ of studios, a gallery where the members can hold exhibitions and a cafe with outside seating that all contribute to the ‘Artsy Vibe!’

On the grass and via the studios, members can also sell their Arts and Crafts and the general public can come in and seek out that special gift for themselves or others whilst beautiful music plays in the background.

Workshops and Art classes are also held regularly.

It really presents well as a delightful Community Art Space in a relaxed environment where a variety of Arts and Crafts are practiced.<

For more information please visit the following links:

Web: https://redpointart.org.au/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/RedPointArtistsAssociationInc

Written by David Johnson

12 July 2020