I went for gouache on marine ply to tell this stocking story. It was a satisfying feeling to finish something I started in under an hour. As usual I stumble out to the studio, found a marine ply off cut, and BAM! Here it is.
‘Walking on a tightrope’ {making}
This is about the metaphorical teetering that goes on in life. Treading on eggshells, delicately inching forward, in a vulnerable and exposed stance, maybe there are strange feelings and butterflies taking over your insides.
The practice of meditative behaviour. The tightrope walker must pay close attention to both their physical and emotional state, as both situations are precarious and dangerous.
‘Sunday morning’ {making}
I used black grout, it looks more like a linoprint now. I like it more.
Industrious {making}
Today was a studio day, the weather was glorious, the music was Brazilian chill, the dog was by my side, rather than her hysterical human licking obsessed self, the chickens were digging in the garden. The conditions were perfect.
And, there was a tradesman arriving, we all know how that goes. An entire day is wiped waiting around for the knock on the door, announcing they are here – just 3 hours later than expected.
My story was a happy one today, after 6 weeks of tardy arrivals, today 8.30am did really mean 8.30am.
I revisited this old mosaic and got stuck into the background with some black gouache. And I was instantly happy, I may have found my aesthetic. Finally. Mixed media. I love that this marine ply had been something else, repurposed. Then once the black paint hit the bumpy, flawed wood – I felt like I had finally found it. Something I would like for myself.
Then I started on this glass panel. This door is over 100 years old and comes from a sweet country town. It was brought to me, to love. Which I do. I built it into my studio as an exterior wall flanked by full glass windows.
One of the yellow panels loosened on the trip, and smashed into pieces. Rather than repair I decided to stick a clear panel into the space and set about filling it with glass bits and pieces. A work in progress.
The steps {treasure}
Spring is here and helping the sweet little wild thyme that grows between mirror, grout and concrete; make its way again through tiny passages and cracks.
Disco steps at their finest.
The sweetest wall {treasure}
How about this? The very loveliest of walls. Driving around Sydney
is always such a delicious visual feast.
The simplicity of this situation is what wins points. And it’s pink. The very pedestrian down pipe helps too – adding to the mundane notion of living in the suburbs. How could this be anything other than a daily thrill, a passer-by pick-me-up?
My studio {treasure, making}
How’s this for a colour?
With lots of painting yet to do, this colour moves between black, navy and grey. It’s a bit sexy, really.
The days are windy, freezing and not able to entice many people in my household to go outside. However, I managed to find one keen helper to help slap on black paint. She told me of her tales of woe – being in 6th grade is tricky it seems. It’s easier to listen to first world little girl problems with a paintbrush in your hand, this is a certainty. She eventually left to pursue her brother on the trampoline, it was nice to have her help – and it was nice to talk. The little people here are rapidly approaching the age where less time is spent in the yard, less questioning of every little thing, less time playing, less time laughing.
The moment was saved when my 8 year old had indeed tied himself up with rope, (the thinking was, he would get a more effective jump if every appendage was joined to the other), he needed help to escape from his self induced roping situation.
Thank goodness. All is not lost.
Because it’s so pretty {treasure}
A piece of Perth {treasure, collecting}
As I have mentioned previously. I spent some time in Perth celebrating the wedded bliss of a sweet cousin.
While staying there I was mesmerised by these sweet budgies looking at me from where I was staying. They were enormous beauties – and simply stunning. Australian Artist Anya Brock is the person behind these beautiful images. She has brought street art to a new level, and the woman uses paint brushes! Her style is very distinct and colourful – and just like a car crash, you can’t look away.
I went home, ‘over East’ and thought about my new love, a giant budgie.
For weeks I couldn’t get his little beady eyes out of my head.
As luck would have it, a limited run of prints just so happened to be available through Anya’s website. Score!!
So, I got me a lovely new friend.
Who’s a pretty boy?
>
Sneaky water lily {treasure}
I was pottering around, mowing the lawn, planting some daffodil bulbs, tidying up after a week of solid rain.
This pretty little number popped out at me from the frog pond.
Emily Red Studio 