At ‘Art on Cairncross’ 2012 starts with a wonderfully positive array of artworks. The theme of Looking Ahead is a way of celebrating what is great and acknowledging how art enriches our lives. We Hinterlanders are fortunate in that this incredibly inspirational part of the world has given rise to much creativity. Also, it continues to attract visitors from around the world who often come to share in the beauty of the landscape and the art. Both reasons show us that there is plenty to enjoy in life, and all on our own doorstep.

The fun of a rocking dog (from side to side as they do on the back of a ute) in bronze by Elli Schlunke (see inset and Gallery Trail image), is enough to bring a smile, while the pure finesse of Chiko Jones’ porcelain is truly captivating. The charm of Rebecca Berrett’s imaginative illustrations enthralls adults as much as children and the peace in John McVeigh-Brown’s landscapes is a welcome place to lose yourself.

One of the great delights of art is how it can easily brighten a mood, and as we welcome in the new year, it is good to know there are plenty of positive images to focus on. So treat yourself to a visit to ‘Art on Cairncross’, feed your soul and you may find something to take home too.

‘Art on Cairncross’ is at Cairncross Corner, near Maleny and open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm or see www.artoncairncross.com.au

Kendall JANUARY

WHEN Kendall’s school days were coming to an end and she told her teachers that she wanted to be an artist, she was told emphatically that “it is impossible to make a living out of art. You’ll need to get a proper job and paint as a hobby.”

Kendall was devastated. When she told her mother what had been said, her mother said, “Rubbish, darling. You can make a success of what ever career you choose as long as you stay focused and follow your dream.”

This advice gave Kendall the strength and determination to become the success that she is today.

Kendall describes her mother’s unfaltering belief in her as ‘the wind beneath her wings’.

Now, with two teenaged daughters of her own, Bridie and Hatsie, Kendall is passing on to them many of life’s lessons just as her parents did for her.

Generous to a fault, Kendall donates more than forty paintings a year to worthy causes and has painted numerous colourful murals in the children’s wards of several hospitals including Nambour Hospital.

“I just love what I do,” Kendall told us. “Painting is my passion. I get a fantastic feeling which money cannot buy.” “We are thrilled to have Kendall as our first feature artist for 2012,” said gallery manager, Lisa Powell. “Her paintings are alive with energy and vitality. She often works twenty hours a day at a furious pace painting with both hands at the same time. It is exciting to watch her at work.”

Artist of the month in February is Todd Whisson.

“To date, I have always painted in an impressionistic style similar to that of the Heidelberg school of artists”, says Todd. “Last year, I have had to turn my hand to abstract paintings and, much to my surprise, I really enjoyed it.

It is so different. I’ve had to learn a whole new artistic dictionary but was really chuffed when the TAFE purchased two of my large abstract canvases for its collection and I sold several other works to my lecturers and to fellow students.”

Open daily from 10am to 5pm, Montville art Gallery is located at 138 Main Street, Montville, opposite the Village Green. Kendall’s paintings appear under “exhibitions” from January 1. Todd Whissen’s paintings from Feburary 1 on the gallery’s website www.montvilleartgallery.com.au

The first Exhibition in 2012 for the Blackall Range Visual Artists will be held on the Australia Day weekend at St. Marys Hall on the Village Green in Montville, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 26 -29 January.

To coincide with this anniversary, the artists are busy painting works with an Australian theme, in pastel, oil, acrylic and watercolour.

Because their talents range from traditional to abstract, to outright funny, you can guarantee an exhibition that will delight all visitors.

Admission is free and commissions, as in the past, will be donated to the Hall Committee for the maintenance of this Heritage-listed venue.

The fascinating mixed media, Stanley River Workshop is with Sonja Georgeson on March 3 and 4 at the Maleny Arts Retreat.

Based on the Hawkesbury River Workshops that Sonja has conducted near Sydney, this workshop will take a palette from the Maleny environment and inspiration from the “rio abajo rio”- the river beneath the river – to create a narrative in line, mark, texture, shape, colour and words. Participants will work spontaneously without brushes and play with unconventional media allowing stories to emerge.

This workshop will teach you to “trust the process” with exploration and experimentation. Cost: $300 includes most of your materials, morning and afternoon teas. Suitable for all levels including beginners.

Enquiries: 5499 9801 or admin@malenyartsretreat.com.au 901 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Maleny, 4552.

The Looking Glass by Victoria Fitzpatrick

Follow the white rabbit down into Eudlo this month and experience the magic when Rosebed St Gallery and Studio comes alive with their latest exhibition Curiouser & Curiouser.

Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s themes in his novel ‘Alice in Wonderland’, four artists have collaborated to produce a playful collection of artwork that aims to lift the spirits, inspire the heart and take you on a magical journey.

The exhibition offers a combination of diverse abilities from visual artists- Kristen Tiver Cutlack and Victoria Fitzpatrick, and photographers Tahlee Frith and Reece Woodland.

Curiouser & Curiouser runs from January 11-February 12, with a mad hatters tea party on Friday, January 13 as the official opening night.

Reflected Dreams deep Beneath by Kristen Cutlack

A prize will be given to the guest with the best hat, so don your most outrageous head dress and come and celebrate Rosebed’s very first exhibition for the year; a great excuse to dress up with a touch of madness!

The gallery will also be holding ‘Curious Art’ workshops throughout the exhibition.

Please rsvp if you wish to attend the opening or register your interest in the workshops. Phone 5457 3780 or email annie@rosebedstgallery.com. The gallery is open 10-4pm Wednesday- Sunday. www.rosebedstgallery.com.

Mark Kalifa taking molten glass from the furnace at his Witta workshop to cast the Australian Day awards.

Mark Kalifa taking molten glass from the furnace at his Witta workshop to cast the Australian Day awards.

So, it is not surprising that the Sunshine Coast Council should ask Mark to design and cast in glass their Australia Day awards for 2012.

For Mark’s awards design, he returns for inspiration to the Glasshouse Mountains, which have become the ubiquitous image of our Sunshine Coast environment and lifestyle.

“Totem” - glass, wood and bronze.

Over the years Mark has devised his own narrative of the mountains, and it’s in the process he uses rather than the abstract design within the glass.

He starts with the concept of deep time – the millions of years taken to form the mountains and their gradual erosion into sand which ends up in Moreton Bay.

Of course glass is made of sand and Mark uses sand from Moreton Bay in which to cast his glass sculptures. This circular story of deep time and the glass-making process appealed to Council.

Mayor Bob Abbot said “the award design is ideal for such a prestigious occasion as it really encapsulates what the Sunshine Coast is about.”

“First there is a mountain”.

The seven recipients of the Australia Day awards will receive a glass blown sculpture mounted on regionally-sourced iron-bark, providing a wonderful contrast between the glass and the wood.

“It is fitting that the award- winning recipients will receive quality and original Sunshine Coast artworks to celebrate their achievements,” Cr Abbot added.Mark Kalifa currently has new glass works at Art on Cairncross Gallery in Maleny. These larger pieces were created in conjunction with the famed Canberra Glassworks, and also follow the Glasshouse Mountains theme with intriguing designs within the glass forms.

]]> http://www.hinterlandtimes.com.au/2011/12/09/mark-creates-sunshine-coast-australia-day-awards/feed/ 2 http://www.hinterlandtimes.com.au/2011/12/09/there%e2%80%99s-precious-little-at-art-on-cairncross-2/ http://www.hinterlandtimes.com.au/2011/12/09/there%e2%80%99s-precious-little-at-art-on-cairncross-2/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:22:08 +0000 admin http://www.hinterlandtimes.com.au/?p=10084 CHRISTMAS seems to arrive earlier every year, bringing with it perceived stresses of trying to fit everything in and what to buy for Uncle Tom, Dick or Harry!

So, ‘Art on Cairncross’ is offering “Precious Little”, aiming to bring some enjoyment back into gift-buying and solve some of the dilemmas.

For December the gallery features delightful smaller artworks, all maintaining the expected quality and originality while providing an answer to the ‘What to buy…?’ question.

There are joyful and useful ceramic bowls or small bronze native birds and animals, through to hand-made books or silk glasses cases. For someone special, what about a present for the future birthday or anniversary? Choose from Kevin Oxley etchings, Raina Ham jewellery, Peter Hudson works on paper, Nathalie Bastier mixed media on wooden boxes or Johanna De Maine porcelain.

This is a great opportunity too to start an art collection for a child or grandchild. In fifty years time maybe Christmas 2011 will still be a strong and happy memory of having laid the foundation for a life-long passion of collecting art works. That is truly a long-lasting gift. The depth of artistic talent and range of works on display at the gallery means that the greatest problem will be choosing!

Precious Little is at ‘Art on Cairncross’ until December 24 with complimentary gift wrapping throughout the month. Bring your list (or wish list!), to Cairncross Corner, Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

“It certainly keeps me busy” Jan added. “I paint most afternoons and treat it as my job. I just love to paint. I don’t get distracted as my studio is like my own little world. The time just flies and all of a sudden it is five o’clock.”

Still life and animals are Jan’s two favourite subjects. She particularly enjoys painting zebras and has visited every zoo in Australia which has zebras and taken copious photographs of which less than a hundred are usable. She has the ability to paint the eyes of the zebras in such away that you feel they are watching you.

“I also love to paint fruit,” Jan told us. Often I paint from real life but other times I take photographs so that I can capture the reflections. I start with the background and then work forward. I do the reflection first as the fruit sits on top of the reflection. I often use dark backgrounds as they bring the fruit forward so you feel you can pick it up and eat it.”

Open daily from 10 to 5, the gallery is located at 138 Main Street, Montville, opposite the Village Green.
From December 1st, Jan’s paintings will be featured under “Exhibitions” on the gallery’s website www.montvilleartgallery.com.au

What is amazing about the minute detail of her reality paintings is that Jan works exclusively in pastel. While pastel is a permanent medium it demands a great deal of control to obtain that look of crispness and precision.

Her attention to detail and her eye for colour help to execute her work with an almost photographic finish. It is also the bold and bright nature of Jan’s paintings that make them so popular. They cater to both the domestic and corporate market.

Jan Hodgson is currently exhibited at the Montville Art Gallery (see: Artist of the Month).

Workshops on offer cover a range of disciplines and are conducted by highly skilled practicing tutors –

Noela Mills will teach you to upcycle your broken bits of jewellery with found precious pieces to create new and funky earrings, neckpieces, chains and much more. Get the Sketchbook Habit and be inspired to compile the most important creative tool an artist can own with Sonja Georgeson. Draw the life model in the landscape as part of the The Naked Space workshop with Lynn Cran.

Learn to “loosen up” with acrylic paints in Gary Myers 1 day workshop. Enjoy the process of working with precious metal clay under the instruction of Rachel Azulie and take home finished pieces of fine silver jewellery. Nancy Stockman shows the process of digitally printing your own images onto amazing acrylic skins. And Sonja Georgeson will help you to achieve layers of meaning in your art by learning to combine a variety of printmaking techniques.

WEEK OF WORKSOPS: 7– 15 JANUARY.

All workshops are 2 days duration (except Gary Myers 1 day workshop) and cost $250. Discounts apply when you do more than one workshop.

For details: www.malenyartsretreat.com.au or email: admin@malenyartsretreat.com.au For more information call 5499 9801