Getting naked on a Sunday evening

Have I told you that I am going to a life drawing session on a Sunday night?

No?

Well, I am.

In Fact, I was invited by two artists whom I had not met in person (we each inhabit our own hermit shells. It's ridiculous, really) and the group meet at the Waikato Society of Potters on a Sunday evening and draw lovely bodies for two hours. I love a weird invitation.

The Waikato Society of Potters studio is fabulous place to draw in. It is covered in a fine dusting of clay powder, extruders bolted to walls, shelf upon shelf of items drying or waiting for their firing, first or second, I know not. Potters wheels, electric cords hanging from ceilings and odd notes tacked onto every allspice( " Items not removed from this bench will be thrown out!" dated 2016. Items still very much there)

Now, I don't often draw the figure. In my work, it's rather an anomaly ,but it was for that very reason that I embraced the opportunity. Say yes to the undressed.

I worked out fairly quickly that I like a sketchy image, not a perfectly executed rendition of a figure. I want mystery and shape and confusion and suggestion. Can you understand why buying me a birthday present is such a nightmare for my dear ones?!!

The boys had bought me some watercolour inks a few years back and I used them, drawing with the dropper and adding lines with a fine liner if I felt that way inclined.

I loved the sketchiness !

I missed last Sunday but will be back for this Sunday's session.

Open studio and sale

Studio sale

Please accept this invitation to my open studio and studio sale

When: 2 July 2017 10 am till 1 pm

Where: 158/2 Gillard Road, Ngahinapouri, Hamilton

There will be a selection of work available: Big and small, framed and unframed, studies and finished pieces and perhaps a few on paper etc. I am discounting work between 30% and 50%.

There have been a few changes at the studio and i am looking forward to showing them to you( it makes my life a bit easier!) and talking with you about the works and the works.

Being a maker is quite a solitary existence, so this is my opportunity to socialise and have some conversation with my audience .I am always delighted to put names and faces together and to see faces I know well , again. Did you know I have an Instagram account and a blog? True story! www.thedistractedpainter.blogspot.com and Jennie De Groot on Instagram. Easy!

If you cannot make the date and still want to come and visit, let me know and we can always make a plan.

You can email me on jennie@jenniedegroot.com or call me 0274534307

Looking forward to seeing you.

Cold wax, good wine and demystifying artist speak.

I travelled up to Auckland( I know I always make that sound like an epic journey, but I am a country mouse. Auckland is scary for country mice) last weekend at the invitation of Sandy from Takapuna Art Supplies . The invitation was extended to Jenni Stringleman, two Janets and myself to use their studio facility and brainstorm the use of cold wax medium in our various practises. We watched Sandi give us a wee demo and then all went hammer and tongs for 5 hours producing a small series of works using the wax and trying out techniques.

This interest comes on the heels of 2 successful workshops and a new book by Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin called  :Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations.

ps. Its a good Book

Anyhow, it was a great opportunity to work and play with a new medium .Thanks you Sandi.

Sandy from Takapuna Art Supplies

The lovely Ms Jenni

Mine

Janets's

Sandy's

I stayed overnight at the home of the lovely Ms Jenni Stringleman ,and was hosted with a fine meal, a bottle of Mt Difficulty Pinot noir and a super comfortable bed. Does it get any better?
Mt Difficulty, for this not in the know, is a renowned vineyard in Bannockburn, central Otago, New Zealand. It makes heavenly wine and sits close to my heart because I love the area so much.

The following morning I attended a writing workshop with the articulate and very considered artist, Lana Lopesi. I have heard Lana speak before and have read a few articles about her and was very interested in hearing what she would have to say about writing for artists etc. I was not disappointed. She's a smart, insightful young woman who has steel in her veins and genuine interest in the written words around art. I valued her considered responses to questions (and some of them were awkward! There always that one angry person...).
If you are interested in the world of revising, have a look at there online review project, Hashtag500 words. www.hastag500words.com

The premise of the workshop was to help artist write statements about their work(and others!) and to take the "artspeak" out of the statement. If you have ever read and artists statement and gone" What the hell did I just read?", then you are not alone. It seems there is a lot of that about and Lana showed us how we could write a statement and still keep out vices without once having to explain how Marxist theory applies to the work!!

Tongue in cheek. If you don't know what I mean by the above, google this and see what I mean
www.artybollocks.com   I guarantee you some laughs!