I liked this statement from the exhibition which I think explains quite well why I enjoy working with paper so much:  Paper makes the world go round. The backbone of the modern world, paper holds knowledge in the form of books, stimulates economies through currency and communicates ideas between people. A blank sheet of paper can be a terrifying concept but it also presents a world of possibilities. Paper's versatility makes it the perfect medium for artists wanting to experiment by cutting, folding, tearing, burning, crumpling, gluing and assemblage.

You can find two of my works at the exhibition, 'Coral Forms' a small work using cut cardboard and acrylic, and 'Waterfall' a photograph woven with strips of recycled paper. I particularly liked these two works:

My landscape work has always been a response to the patterns and textures found in nature, and in what I have titled my Regeneration collection to tie in with the show, it focuses on the Australian outback, mostly with an aerial perspective.
I enjoy working with an aerial view for landscapes as it highlights the commonality of patterns seen in nature and the reoccurring designs found at any scale, from the microscopic to the satellite. To show along side the landscapes I have produced a few pattern pieces inspired by tiny pollen grains seen through an electron microscope, the Mulla Mulla plant (sometimes called Pussytails) is widespread throughout mainland Australia and can often been found flowering in the desert.

The Australian outback is a rich tapestry of changing colours and patterns. Some of these same arrangements are found at the macro or microscopic level in the plants, water and rocks. Tiny dots of vegetation, wild flowers and shrubs, come and go or alter in shade with the seasons. Regenerated by rivers and creeks running like threads through the landscape.

Regeneration runs from 20th - 30th June 2018
Wednesday - Saturday 10:30am - 4:30pm
53 Kennedy Tce, Paddington

Opening Night is Saturday 23 June, 4pm - 6pm

I'm so excited for June to have on show all together for the first time works from my new variegated series, plus, also for the first time I'll be taking part in the Samford and Surrounds Arts Trail and Open Studios!

From the 24th May-24th June you can find my work in the beautiful old Butter Factory building in Dayboro, just a short drive out of Brisbane, at the Mezzanine Gallery. On show is 'Natural Selection' a group exhibition. It really is a very unique space just above Entangle Living Art, the perfect spot to celebrate plants in art.

DEMO DAY: On Saturday 16th June from 10am I'll be at the gallery working on some new painted paper weavings. So pop by and say hello.

The gallery is open Wed-Sun 10-4pm at 38 Williams St, Dayboro.

This month sees the SNAP photography exhibition at Brisbane's Aspire Gallery come round again for another year. I really like to make a point of taking part in this one as I feel it's so important to accept and celebrate photography as the art form it is; unfortunately there are too many art sites and competitions that don't allow photography in as though it is somehow less worthy. 
This year I wanted to show a different way of using photography. Rather than the photo being the finished piece itself, it is the focal point and an important part of the art making process. Several images were mixed together to create an abstract background which then formed the basis for each of the artworks above. Both include the same selection of photographs - a piece of patterned fabric, paper scraps, a string of lights and the studio desk covered in paint. Together they combine with some images of green watercolour washes to make the texture which has been collaged and painted over. The vase and the hanging basket made from woven recycled paper, and yes, the succulents are lots and lots of punched paper circles.

SNAP18 runs from the 14th - 24th March at Aspire Gallery, 53 Kennedy Tce, Paddington.