Clockwise from top left: David Middlebrook, Geoff White, Cathy Armstrong, Robert Malherbe, Judith Martinez, Julie Harris, Mathew Lynn, Samm Hanika

Exhibition Opening: David Middlebrook

June 28, 2015 in Exhibition

Where: Lost Bear Gallery, Katoomba
When: 27th June-27th July 2015

David Middlebrook’s latest offering at Lost Bear Gallery is a collection of paintings and drawings which pay homage to the horizon and landscape.
This latest exhibition features oil paintings and sepia drawings of the Australian desert, together with a selection of black and white drawings of the Blue Mountains.
Middlebrook's painting technique is richly distinct and identifiable with the artist. With a steady hand, Middlebrook uses a palette knife to lay a fine trail of colour in horizontal strips to amass an abstract colourfield and sense of an endless horizon.

James Willebrant, Graham Hallett and Ida Halliday

Middlebrook was awarded a PhD (University of Newcastle) for his research and body of work in Australian landscape painting and art history in 2006.
His career spans 25 years, with over 30 solo exhibitions and works in numerous public collections.

The Lost Bear Gallery website describes the artists practice- Both Middlebrook’s paintings and his minimalist drawings in black ink share a sensitivity to mark making as a vehicle for distilling the essence or narrative of the landscape. There are striking aesthetic differences between the paintings and drawings, yet both come about through an obsessive practice and a unique approach. His work is quiet, with meditative qualities, perhaps suggesting more of a response to, rather than a depiction of place.

The exhibition opening at Lost Bear Gallery was treated to the music of pianist Young Ju Ku, who volunteered her time to entertain the crowd with some classics. The opening was a successful gathering and celebration of David Middlebrook's unique look at the landscape.

The 2nd Annual Collectors' Edition

June 23, 2015 in Exhibition

Exhibition: 3-26th July 2015

Where: Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Katoomba

About:

The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre is having their second annual Collectors’ Edition show with all artworks being A5 in size. The artworks will be available for silent auction beginning 6.30pm on the 3rd July at the gallery.
All proceeds from the auction go towards the galleries collection acquisition fund. Since starting the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre collection, 95 artworks have been acquired either through donation or purchase by the gallery.
I am one of many artists donating work for this exhibition. It is a wonderful way to support the gallery; and for potential buyers, an opportunity to buy smaller scale artworks that are affordable.

Katoomba Street Art

June 22, 2015 in Public Art

It is June, it is winter, and it can be bleak. But thanks to a vibrant community initiative, colour has come to Katoomba!

Launched in June 2015, a usually nondescript laneway in Katoomba known as Beverly Place became alive with colour thanks to a collaboration between Street Art Murals Australia (SAMA), The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and the University of Western Sydney.

A plaque at the beginning of the laneway states- 'The street Art Walk displays world standard street art from all aerosol disciplines. International, national and local artists of varying experience paint large-scale artworks in this precinct through a curated process of proposal and selection. Stylistically the murals cover all street art artistic disciplines and are temporary by nature’.

The plaque also offers us the history-‘ The Street Art Walk was conceived in 2013 when local resident Dave Riley suggested painting murals in this laneway to SAMA’s founder Jarrod Wheatley. At once the sites’ urban aesthetics and potential to make a positive contribution to street artists, the town and its creative economies were recognised. SAMA worked for 18 months, meeting legal, heritage, planning and stakeholder requirements. The space was launched in June 2015 after being initially resourced through a highly successful crowd funding campaign, to which 135 individuals contributed’.

You can rate the Street Art Walk on the Trip Advisor page. Post your photos of the Street Art Walk using these hashtags: #thestreetartwalk and #streetartmuralsaustralia Stay in the loop by liking SAMA's Facebook page and following them on instagram at @streetartmuralsaustralia

For more information about the space visit SAMA website

The 2015 Aurora Ball

June 18, 2015 in Events

This Saturday 20th June is the 16th Aurora Ball and is being held at Sydney Town Hall. I've been kindly asked to donate artworks for their auction to raise money for the Aurora Group.

The Aurora Group, as written on their website says- ' is a charity, raising funds to disburse to gay, lesbian and transgender community organisations. Aurora exists so people can donate to a broad range of causes that benefit the community. It is the fund raising organisation people choose when they want their money to benefit the community as a whole and not just one specific cause.'

I am donating 'Embryonic' 2012 (see below) and 'Shifting Sand' 2012. And this year, bidding on donated prizes can be done online prior to the event. Just visit HERE

'Embryonic' 2012. 57cm x 57cm. Paper, Pandorea pandorana seeds, Pine needles.

This years Gala Ball is being hosted by Andrew Mercado (Andrew is an author, commentator and TV personality), and Nath Valvo (Nath is a stand-up comedian, radio host and writer). Entertainment for the evening is set to be a stunning with the singing talents of Katie Noonan amongst others. I'm looking forward to the evening and hope the organisation raises a substantial amount of money.

'Shifting Sand' 2012. 44cm x 44cm. Paper, sand, palm fronds

A big thank you to Alison King (Co-chair for the Aurora Group) for contacting me and asking for artwork to donate to this great cause.