Porangahau Spring Fair...

First of all... I just want to say thanks to those who let me know their opinions on my tutu girl, it was really helpful to get a different view point.  It can be hard when you are close to a piece of work and good to see it though fresh eyes.  I have decided to have no tutu (which was the way I was probably going to go before I asked your help) but I will save the abandoned tutu for another painting in the near future.  Thanks again you guys.

The Porangahau craft fair was... well, it was windy, now when I say windy I mean like gale force gusts kind of windy!!!  I had to hold down my two easels and pendant stand the whole time I was there.  Although the wind did die down a bit in the middle of the day, there was still the odd gust that would suddenly come unannounced causing things to go flying all over again.  It was quite exhausting... But apart from the wind it was a good day, quite a few people came through and I meet some really lovely people, even someone who said she reads my blog, so sweet.  It was also great to share the experience with fellow New Zealand Handmade members Mel, Kya and Joy.

Here is a picture of my table (I took 7 photos, and this is the only one that looked half way decent).  I took the photo just after we set up and it wasn't too bad, wind wise, it actually looked quite promising, little did we know what was to come.  

It was really interesting to see what people liked, what they were drawn to, what they requested more of, what nearly ran out and what didn't even get a look in.   I really enjoyed talking with the people who came by my stall, nice to hear their positive encouragement and to meet people who had bought some of my work at other venues and recognised it as they walked by.

It has encouraged me to do a little thinking on a few new display ideas for the Hawkes Bay Design Market on November 21st.  

tutu or no tutu...

(so much time gets lost in my mind)

Just a quick post before I go to work.  I have a little dilemma... I am not sure about the tutu? I quite like it... but I also like it without the tutu as well (and I do like the little buttons that match her head gear).  I am usually so sure with these kind of things.  Whenever I try something it is often either a definite yes or a sure fire no... But today it is more of a ummmm yeah I am not sure, type thing. 

so what do you guys reckon... tutu or no tutu?

5am...

(what's at the back of your mind)

I have decided to do another three paintings for my exhibition... I am on the side with a big window at the front of the gallery, so I thought it would be a good idea to put three plinths in the window with a small easel on each and then one of the three new paintings on each easel.   So that will be 45 paintings in all for the exhibition...  phew!!!!  Now that I am on the other side of the work load, I am getting a little bit excited.  

This Sunday brings the first of the craft fairs I am attending (Porangahau Spring Fair)... I think I am all sorted, although I have just realised that we are going to have to get up an hour earlier as daylight savings starts this weekend.  The clock will say 6am but it will feel like 5am!!!  


I always feel a little nervous doing craft fairs, they are such an unknown entity.  Even doing the same one from one year to the next can be very different and the one I am going to this weekend will be my first time... eeeek!

Anyway... wish me luck and I will post some photos next week.

my best...

One of the things on my to do list was to try a few new mediums including the Golden clear tar gel, which I have tried before, but not with the two Golden fluid acrylic colours that you add to make the encaustic look... the two colours that you add are 'quinacridone/nickel azo gold' and 'interference blue'.  I added half a drop of the first colour and two of the second to about 1/4 cup of tar gel... I brushed it on the bottom pale green part of this background above and it gave a yellowy waxy look to the paint.  Next I am going to try and add more detail to the background before I brush on the tar gel mix. 

On the top part I tried a one part crackle medium (this is something I am sure many of you have tried but I have never given it a go, until now)... I first did a coat of thin white paint over a patterned paper and then brushed on the crackle medium (the thicker the medium the bigger the cracks).  As it was drying red tones from the patterned paper started coming through.  Must be some kind of chemical reaction with the medium and the red ink that the paper was printed with.  I brushed another layer of paint on top to try and cover the pinky colour but it didn't really work.  So although this is not what I was wanting for this piece it does have potential.  I think the crackle medium might be best used on patterned paper that doesn't have any red ink in the design.

We have school holidays coming up soon so I will try a few more ideas with these two mediums and let you know how I get on.  I might also focus on a few experiments after my exhibition is finished.

A friend from work gave me this sweet little badge for my birthday... from now on at work it can get a little hairy with students frantically trying to get ready for their end of year assessments and they often come into my storeroom wanting things asap... as in yesterday.  So she thought this badge was just the right thing... so cute.

on a promise...

I so wish I could send every one that commented a print and one for their special chosen person as well, I really do...

But the winner of my giveaway is number 34 Angelina... the number was randomly picked by a friend.  Angelina, if you could email me your address to katherinequinn@xtra.co.nz and let me know which two prints you want I will get them sent out to you.

 

(on a promise)

Well the art retreat was every thing I had hoped for... and it was so nice to see people from last year back again this time and a few new faces.  I got a lot of work done including this piece above (not quite finished).  

I have used silk tissue on the bottom part stamped with white ink, and I am quite liking the effect. I used to use silk tissue all the time and am pleased I took it with me over the weekend.   I also discovered a new paper that I can use as a background as my favourite one is no longer available and I only have 13 sheets left!!!  I also had a go at using a few different mediums which I will show you on Friday for those that are interested.

just the right time...

(a friend in need is a precious thing)

I am off this weekend to an art retreat for three days of creating... I have been looking forward to this for a few weeks.  I went last year as well and it was just the thing I needed at just the right time, I feel this year is going to be the same.  I will have the winner of my birthday giveaway plus a show and tell about what I got up to this weekend on Tuesday.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend too...

birthday giveaway...

Well... today is my birthday and I have decided to have a giveaway to celebrate turning 39.  

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post.  I am not really worried about turning a year older, it just seems to have come around so fast... this year has just whizzed by.

So for this giveaway I am going to give away a print from my etsy or felt shops... as well as the winner choosing a print of their own they can also choose one for a friend, mother, sister etc...   All you need to do is tell me who you would give the print to and why.

Good luck


note:  When I say today is my birthday I mean 6th September, I published it a bit too early... and also I forgot to say that the giveaway will end monday the 13th September, so you will have a week to enter.... oops