Getting into Paperartzi'11...

Every two years, Albany is treated to a very unique event - Paperartzi.  Paperartzi is about contemporary art which uses paper as an ingredient or inspiration.

If you haven't had a good look at the fabulous exhibitions that are part of Paperartzi'11, then make sure you do this week before it all over - March 20th is the last day.  Shopfronts, cafes & outdoor spaces in Albany’s CBD are filled with amazing paper creations, & more exhibitions are showing in the Albany Town Hall &Vancouver Arts Centre.  Here are some of the highlights for me so far...

On the long weekend, Albany was alive with to some paper-suited street performers as part of the Paperartzi event. 

Sue Codee's beautiful paper-cut creation - "Miss Melville and Mrs Clarence" is displayed in Ricarda's window.

Kerrie Argent is currently working her way through that pile of paper you can see in the background - making her own paper (with some help from visiting school groups this week).

Beth Kirkland explored the mark-making possibilities of honey & spices in a live action drawing performance in the laneway next to Southern Sound, York Street over the long weekend.

Jillian Green's Paper Chant is displayed in the Classical Music Shop window.

Paperartzi'11 coordinator Annette Davis hard at work in the Albany Town Hall.

Indra Geidans' template "From cloth to rag" is in the window of The Singing Tree.

This amazing creation, "Nature's Lace" is by Tania Spencer and can be found in the Town Hall.

The organiser of the event, NewArts(Inc), is a not-for-profit group comprising artists and arts supporters in the Albany area. Its vision is “To promote and encourage the exposure and accessibility of contemporary art to the community of Albany and the Great Southern Region.”

Artists this year have included: Kerri Argent (Lake Grace), Sue Codee (Albany), Ann Copeman (Albany), Jenny Crisp (Albany), Peta Davies (Albany), Victoria Eyre (Albany), Indra Geidans (Torbay), Jillian Green (Kentdale), Beth Kirkland (Albany), Bo Laidler (Albany), Judith Lambert (Albany), Margaret Sanders (South Australia), Helen Seivers (Capel), Marina Troitsky (Busselton), Tania Spencer (Lake Grace), Holly Story (Perth), Kati Thamo (Albany) and Trish Ware (Albany).

Businesses I Adore ... Sharp Infusion

Meet Daniel.  

He's destined for big things - so remember, when he's famous, you read it here first!  

Daniel has a talent for creating mind-blowing-top-notch-nosh.  I caught up with him just before he kicked off an Italian Infusion cooking class last week (hence the roma tomatoes - thanks Nilla!) & this is what he had to say about wedding catering.

So, Daniel, tell us a little bit about Sharp Infusion fine catering.

 Sharp Infusion fine catering began just over two years ago. I started the business with the aim in mind of bringing together passion, local produce and creativity into the homes of my clients, specialising in fine dining dinner and cocktail parties.

The demand that shortly followed, was for weddings etc, so now, I cater pretty much anything that involves food.

Custom menus for every event, ensure that the Host/Hostess/Bride, whoever it may be, is given exactly what they want, every-time. Sharp Infusion wedding catering has become a huge success, and its just so much fun being involved in creating an experience that will be raved about!

What inspires your creations?

I’m a creative person. Dishes and ideas about food just pop into my head while I’m doing the shopping. Stumbling across a fantastic ingredient at the market place, fresh crab or fresh raspberries for example, really gets me excited, and before you know it, a new dish is born! It all comes from experience I guess.

What 5 words best describe your style?

 imaginative – creative – fresh – vibrant - local

What one tip would you give any bride planning the catering for the big day?

This is YOUR day. I mean, really, it’s not about anyone else, its about a celebration of your new future.  So make it YOUR wedding.  Get the colours you want, get the candles you want, have the food you want, create the atmosphere that YOU want.

Any dreams for the future of Sharp Infusion that you can share? 

There will be a TV show eventually.  Watch this business expand Australia wide over the next few years!

How can our readers find out more about Sharp infusion?

We are expanding our online business rapidly, as this provides everyone with access to any information they require. Sharp Infusion fine catering also has a facebook page, which is linked in with my Blog and online shopping centre. For the latest updates and events, information is posted to my website blog, www.sharpinfusion.com.au/blog

PS 

Sharp Infusion is a major sponsor of the Midsummer Nights Ball to be held at the new Albany Entertainment Centre!  The Albany Community has joined forces to hold a most regal affair  - a black tie benefit for those Australian’s affected by the WA, Queensland and Victorian Floods. Come along & take part in bidding for a  Sharp Infusion private 6 course dinner for 4 people, valued at $700.00! 

Creative People.... Meet Lorraine

Meet Lorraine Harrison, our final "Creative Person, and a dedicated potter of over 30 years.  Being a leading member of Viewpoint Inc (promoting 3D artists within the Great Southern Region of WA) Lorraine devoted much time and energy encouraging artists working in form and design to showcase their fine craft in Viewpoint biennial exhibitions.  I  asked Lorriane a few questions about her craft...

 

What materials do you work with?
Working with clay is a two way effort - clay and me.

What's the first artwork you can remember making? 
In 1979 I joined a country pottery club, but my enthusiasm to produce large pieces were far too big for their kilns so graduated to a back yard potter.

What inspires you?
The last stage of a long journey through many processes of producing ceramics - the 'cracking open the kiln door'. Revelation - excitement or another challenge!

What has been your proudest artistic achievement so far?
Works purchased for the City of Perth collection. Life member of Viewpoint Inc.

What five words describe your creative philosophy? 
Enthusiasm-experimentation-capturing the essence!

Where can we see more of your work? 
My major galleries have recently closed - however in Exhibitions and biannual Kaleidoscope also Vancouver Cafe, Albany and my Studio in Wollaston Road, Middleton Beach.

Creative People.... Meet Raphael

And now for something completely different. Meet Raphael van der Waag.

I had such fun taking this photo - I felt like I was on the set of "Myth Busters" trying to make the most sparks fly for the camera! If you're not familiar with Raph's name, you'll definitly know some of his works of art. In particular, it is Raph's handy-work (with addition of Mark Hewson's glass - see Thursday's post) on display in the foyer at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre.  Raph took off his welding helmet to answer some questions for me.

What materials do you work with?

Predominantly metals

What's the first artwork you can remember making?

It was in high school and was titled "Wind in the Reeds".  It had slender metal reed then half way up there was limestone carved to give the effect of the wind. I sold it to a local lady.

What inspires you?

Mainly the natural elements of the landscape, with the public artworks, architecture is also important – I try to make the artwork integrate with the environment.

What has been your proudest artistic achievement so far?

Probably actually being able to make a living from my art.

How would you describe your creative philosophy?

I try and pare things back to the absolute minimum – try to say all the important things without embellishments.

Where can we see more of your work?

The Albany Leisure Centre, the Deptartment of Main Roads' new building on Chester Pass Road, plus public art at Mt Barker and Borden. And very shortly, a new scupture along the Indian Ocean Drive. Then later in the year, more pieces at Perth College and the new Path West lab in the QE2 Medical Complex.

Creative People.... Meet Annette

Let me introduce Annette Davis. Aside from her very important role as "mentor" to me, Annette has worked in a range of other visual arts roles over many years including as a well respected art curator, and as the coordinator of the annual national painting prize, the City of Albany Art Prize, and the fabulous Paperatzi events.  More recently, Annette has been stepping out of her comfort zone focusing  more on the role of "exhibiting artist" herself.

Annette has also earned the label of "marriage saviour" after rescuing my husband and I from each other during the hanging of my Southern Art Trail exhibit. Thank you Annette. I'm willing to return the favour should you ever need it. Here's Annette's answers...

What materials do you work with?

Currently I work with paint, paper, charcoal, cloth, thread - sometimes separately and sometimes altogether!

What's the first artwork you can remember making?

I can remember making a giraffe out of cardboard boxes when I was about 5 years old. I can remember thinking it was absolutely amazing, such a good likeness to a giraffe - definitely a case of 'in the eye of the beholder'!

What inspires you?

Landscape and nature - I love responding directly to a location by capturing the textures through frottage (rubbings), drawing and photography. I'm also fascinated by the layers of stories all around us - finding ways to convey these layers keeps inspiring me.

What has been your proudest artistic achievement so far?

I'd have to say that making the decision to describe myself as an artist is my proudest artistic achievement! That signified a major turning point in my life, and led to me renting a studio space in the old Masonic Lodge in Albany. Eleven other artists have studios there and it is a very encouraging, supportive environment. I feel very lucky to be there. The book "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron has been very influential.

How would you describe your creative philosophy?

Just do it, each small step is a step in the right direction.

Where can we see more of your work?

At the IN HOUSE exhibition, November 19-27, 2010, at the Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany.

Creative People.... Meet Mark

If you haven't been out to visit the Torbay Glass Studio, do yourself a favour and visit - you'll be blown away by the gorgeous creation and stunning bush setting overlooking the ocean.  One half of the artistic team at the Studio is Mark Hewson, who took some time out to answer some questions.

What materials do you work with?
We work with glass.

What's the first artwork you can remember making? 
A stained glass window in our house

What inspires you? 
Beautiful things, good wine and our planet

What has been your proudest artistic achievement so far?
Developing our house and surrounds trough the work we do - artworks no particular one but hearing people talk about what we do in a positive way.

What five words describe your creative philosophy? 
Doing anything, do it right

Where can we see more of your work?
In private homes around WA and other places in the world and at the Torbay Glass Studio, on the southern-most peninsula of Western Australia, two-thirds of the way up Torbay Hill.

Creative People.... Meet Bronwen

The very talented (and modest) Bronwen Newbury has been painting professionally for around twenty years, and has exhibited in exhibitions all around Australia receiving many awards over the years. Bronwen took some time out from her busy life on the vineyard (where she and husband David are building an excitng new cafe) to tell us something about herself.   

What materials do you work with?
I work in acrylics mostly, sometimes pastel, and sometimes mixed media.

What's the first artwork you can remember making?

Grade 1 - an orange spider web with a green spider in it.  It was held up to the class for all to see!!  After that, when I was still at school about aged 16 my parents gave me a great big box of rembrandt pastels for my birthday. That started me off, and I remember entering a pastel triptich called "see the bird" in the Katanning Art Prize. I sold it.

What inspires you?
The landscape,especially the dessert country -The light -Gathering of people - shape and colour.

What has been your proudest artistic achievement so far?
Being approached by galleries, rather than me chasing them. It always gives me a buzz .

What five words describe your creative philosophy?
simple - whimsical - atmospheric - diverse - experimental

Where can we see more of your work?
Phillips Brook cellar and gallery, Albany http://www.phillipsbrook.com.au/. Gallery 360, Hay St, Subiaco.
Gallows Gallery, Glyde Street, Mosman Park.  and The Studio Gallery, Yallingup.

Creative People.... Meet Sue

If you're an Albany local, you'll not be needing an introduction as Sue Codee is very well known for her passionate involvement in the arts community in our City.  Sue is a talented visual artist and much-respected community cultural development practitioner who works across a wide artistic spectrum including roles such as curator, arts consultant, designer, and project co-ordinator.  I recently had a chat with Sue and she kindly answered some questions...

What materials do you work with?

At the moment I work predominantly with paper and create intricate papercuts, but I have worked with large scale canvas, wood, recycled material, etc. Anything really depending on where my creative thought process is at.

What's the first artwork you can remember making?

When I was a kid I was ALWAYS sketching and drawing on paper and in sketchbooks - my mum has piles of them stored away. It just flowed on from there...........

What inspires you?

Life. My artwork is about life, people, family, community, stories of place, belonging, etc. And also presently my personal journey with breast cancer which has been an amazing source of creative material.

What has been your proudest artistic achievement so far?

Most recently I recieved a double whammy in that I recieved BOTH the awards in "Illuminate" which is an exhibition of 3D artists at the Residency Museum in Albany (curated by Annette Davis who you have also featured in your artists portraits). That was totally unexpected and very exciting.

Describe your creative  philosophy?

Follow your passion. JUST DO IT!

Where can we see more of your work?

Mark Blyth Fine Jewelry, Lower York St, Albany (until end of November).  For Perth readers,

Fremantle Arts Centre Shop "FOUND", Fremantle plus the Albany's Vancouver Cafe in November.

Creative people...

Over the last few weeks, I've had an exhibit at Alkoomi Wines Cellar Door here in Albany. Today I went and "dismantled it". It was a shame - not because I didn't want it to end, but because it nearly caused a divorce getting them up there in the first place. I had enlisted my "better-half" to assist me with the job - but it was going to end in tears. Luckily my friend Annette Davis was on the end of the mobile phone & rapidly moved into "marriage-saving-mode" arriving just before the tape-measure was about to be flung across the cellar door (and not by ME might I add!)

Thank you Annette!

The exhibit was of portraits I took of six very talented local artists in their studios & over the next few days I will introduce you to them. So, keep your eyes out for tomorrow's posting featuring the very clever & extremely gorgeous, Sue Codee.