Before and After

Here are a couple of images of my work in my temporary studio. I'm still working on this floral - will create a point of interest - perhaps a dragonfly. And am desperate to paint poppies next, but must get some sleep first!

A little bit about me

I've been looking at other blogs lately and trying to figure out what I like to read about most. Honestly, I really love to see other artist's studios - there's something that really draws me to know about how other artists work - the tools they use and the space they create in.

Here is a pic of my current work space - I've set up an easel in the house, in front of my amazing Janine Daddo painting (inspirational! - I will feature it in a different post) and the giant fish tank (hmmm, a bit mucky, not too inspiring). It's just been too cold to take the bub up to the big studio, so this is where things are created right now (usually v late at night). This pic shows a couple of the 30x30's I'm working on for the show on 22 Sept. I'm enjoying going to town and trying out a whole lot of ideas that I've had in my head for a while - definitely no theme going on, just lots and lots of ideas. I'm about to do poppies - can't wait to post about a bag I painted last night. I'll put up a photo when it's sewn.

And because the hat stand is next to the fish tank, and it's covered in bags, I thought I'd post this pic of my very first ever bag - you can see it's actually painted on canvas and folded over. The background is a metallic rose colour. I did two at the same time, both from paintings of girls that I didn't think had "it" (ie. deserved to be hung on a wall - but still had 'something'), and Mum has (and still uses) the other one. Both were sewn on my mother's 37 year old Elna Lotus sewing machine (it wasn't easy) and I was really feeling my way, totally trial and error. Now the bags are so much better made, the PVC, thread, industrial sewing machine, paintings... so this is pretty much the "acorn" for the business that has become "Shiny Happy Art".

Back to work now! Bub's asleep!

I'm loving Golden!

If you haven't yet tried the Golden Fluid Acrylic Colours - you're going to love them! I sell them at my studio and they will soon be available online through my http://www.shinyhappyart.com/ site (being constructed as we speak!). They're QUALITY QUALITY QUALITY. Nic Hohn is also loving using them in her collages and journalling.

Check them out at http://www.goldenpaints.com/ - but here's some info to whet your appetite!

Fluid Colors

Fluid paints contain near the same pigment strength as Golden Heavy Body colors in a pourable, low viscosity formula.

I love these fluids. A little bit goes a long way. Intro pack of colours available from the studio.

Fluid Iridescent / Fluid Interference

Familiar for their radiance, GOLDEN Iridescent Colors produce a luster by themselves, with other colors, or mixed with mediums. GOLDEN Interference Colors offer a unique "flip" when viewed from different perspectives.

I'm really loving the golds available in this range. And they're in little bottles with a small spout and a flip lid so they don't dry up or spill easily and I DON'T DROP THE LID WHEN I OPEN THEM (I really hate that!).

New art bags on website

These are some of the new bags I've just uploaded to my website shop - there are more to come, but it's a good start! I'm just loving my new black vinyl shoulder straps. Very professional looking! And each large bag sewn from now will have a triple pocket inside, two sensible sized ones and another for a pen. Now I have to update the front page and everything will be on track again.

Have you red bubbled yet?

I've just put some of my paintings up on www.redbubble.com.au so they're available as cards and some can be prints also. I need to get some better photos taken so they can be reproduced at the larger sizes, but it's a start. Please check it out! As soon as I got 2 images up I started getting comments and then lo and behold I was featured on the homepage. So please go and have a look and let me know what you think!

The Reason

This little lady is why I haven't got new art to show here. But I am working on some dancer paintings for a wine label project, and will photograph some new bags in the next few days. Please stay tuned.

Getting back on track

Well, the baby's just lovely, the guests are thinning out and we're getting back on track.
Watch this space for more artwork very soon!