Immanuel Arts Festival

The Immanuel Arts Festival opens tomorrow night (Gala Evening) and runs until Sunday 22nd May.

I've really enjoyed being a committee member for this year's festival and I have been working along side the two chief installation experts, Rob and Heather. I've learnt a great deal about 'bumping in' a big arts festival and it has been extremely gratifying to see the art works go up onto the walls and panels. I've learnt that behind the scenes there is a great deal of thought put into placing each artwork in 'just the perfect position' to show it off to the best advantage.

I certainly hope there will be a big roll up to this wonderful exhibition to see all of the beautiful artworks, sculptures and creative pieces on offer. I remember going along last year to a very well attended Gala Evening, I hope it will be just as successful this year.

I might see you there!

Trashion Chic

I have further increased my interest in recycling, not only in my everyday attempts to make a smaller, more delicate mark on the earth but also in the use of materials (that are already in existence and generally a nuisance) in the creation of beautiful artworks. This has encouraged me to return to work on my creation "Trashion Chic" made from recycled supermarket shopping bags. I have further increased the use of tone, texture and design and (I believe) generally improved it.

The work involved in this piece is extremely labour intensive and therefore I cannot imagine creating many of this nature, however I would like to continue creating 'Trashion' and other wearable artworks from discarded materials. I would love to have a Trashion Exhibition one day!!

Trashion: a portmanteau of trash and fashion, coined in New Zealand in 2004 (source: Wikipedia)

The Garden of Cosmic Speculation

The Garden of Cosmic Speculation

I stumbled upon this gorgeous garden and it's so very beautiful and magical I had to share.

As you can tell, I tend to be attracted to art which holds an element of Fairytale. This garden reminds me of "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch, it's just an association in my brain. What do you think?

The Les Griffith Tap Seminar

I've happily filled the lead up to Easter with the Les Griffith Tap Seminar. This event was an annual one for me for many years but I haven't been for a few now, so I guess this year it was a little bit of a reunion. I caught up with some old friends from the dancing world, saw some beloved ex-students, some recent favourite competitors (who I have adjudicated in other competitions and am watching eagerly to see how their careers are progressing) and just generally had a fantastic time.

One of the best parts was having the opportunity to take a Masterclass with former Tap Dog, Garron Michalitsis. I really got my grunge on and stamped and shuffled my heart out. There's no doubt my passion for tap doesn't diminish one bit with time - I LOVE IT!

For those of you who aren't aware the Les Griffith Tap Dancing Syllabus comes from Newcastle (the home of tap in Australia) and is really the bees knees when it comes to stylish and highly technically tap dancing. I've been teaching this syllabus for twenty five years and am deeply proud of my association with the organisation and the other teachers involved.

After the seminar, I stayed on in Newcastle to watch the L.G.T.D.A Eisteddfod where the best tap dancers burnt up the floor for two days. Wow! What fun. There is some great talent coming through.

Back to teaching now and I have some exciting guest teaching appointments and adjudicating opportunities coming up.

Lyn Donald Art Exhibition

Don't miss my friend Lyn's gorgeous exhibition. Her beautiful flower paintings are so breathtaking. Get some romance back into your life and be spell bound, maybe just for the afternoon or maybe forever if you buy one.

Inge Jacobsen: Hand stitched Vogue cover

Inge Jacobsen: Hand stitched Vogue cover

These hand stitched Vogue Covers will inspire the artistic crafter. I absolutely adore them. Congratulations Inge.

More please!

Immanuel Arts Festival 19-22 May 2011

As an artist, I highly recommend this exhibition, it's a friendly, encouraging environment to exhibit your work whether or not you are an emerging or established artist.

As an art lover, it is a high quality event where you can indulge your passion for a wide variety of artistic genres.

Don't miss the Sunshine Coast's largest community fine arts event.

Venue: Immanuel Lutheran College, Wises Road, Maroochydore.