Artist Diary 4

As I mentioned last post, I went to Murgon with hubby for the Murgon Music Muster. I am not really into country music, although I don't mind some modern country & country rock. Rock & roll, which I do enjoy, is often played at these venues so I am not left out completely. One of our local bands (Gladstone region, CQ), 'Doghouse' accompanied by Jack Viljoen, played at the muster. I enjoy watching 'Doghouse' & Jack even when they play old, country music. They are interesting characters and make music fun. Of course, I am biased as they are friends.

Below is a pen & watercolour drawing I completed of 'Doghouse' at the Ubobo Elders Country Music Campout earlier this year (April).

​While at the muster, I completed the commissioned drawing of the Bixby Bridge in California. It was only needing the watercolour layers which was accomplished quickly.

I continued working on a latch hook rug - a special project for our craft group. It is a sea scene but I cannot reveal its purpose. I can, however, share a photo of its progress. When it is finished it will measure about 77 cm x 86 cm.

I wandered back & forth between the venue, indoors in a sport stadium, & our van - watching a few sets on stage & going back to the van to work on my art/craft work. While an indoor venue is perfect for inclement weather it is not very good for being able to work on art or craft work - especially stuff that needs a table & a bit of space & could be messy. An outdoor venue is much preferred - where I can spread my stuff out in a shady spot - away from the crowd. I don't like being surrounded by a crowd & I don't like sitting idle unless chatting over coffee or wine.  Also, the sound in the stadium wasn't the best - too loud (for me) with too much echo. Okay, whinge over now.

On Saturday afternoon, I walked into town to do some sketching. After walking more than the entire length of the main, shopping area, & back again, I finally settled on a view of the Royal Hotel from a side street. At 3.40 pm it was still very hot & the spot I chose on the footpath was in full sun (hate being hot). Then, as I started sketching I was invaded by ants. They crawled up the legs of my shorts & even crawled up under my shirt. The last straw came when they started biting me on the wrist of my drawing hand. Needless to say, after being sunburnt & bitten, I called a quick halt to the sketching & headed back to the van. In the 10 minutes of sketching, I managed a reasonable likeness to the subject matter. I took a few photos on my phone before departing - forgot to take my camera & my phone takes crap photos.

On Sunday, we packed & headed home, stopping for a short while in Gayndah, to catch up with friends.

Then, Monday was wash day & I packaged the commissioned drawing ready for postage - after approval by the client.

More washing was done on Tuesday as I had 2 weeks of washing to do. I continued working on the latch hook rug because I wanted to work it beyond the wave before craft the next day.

Wednesday was craft day. When I came home from craft, I discovered that the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery was calling out for material from Merv Moriarty's EastAus Art School & Flying Arts workshops. I had been a student of EastAus Art School back in the early 1970s & still have material & drawings from that time which I am very happy to lend to the gallery.

Above: Pencil on butcher's paper sketches of Merv Moriarty & 2 of the other students. 

Wednesday evening was art class. We continue to explore pastel painting. The students are turning out very, frame-worthy works.

On Thursday, I received an enquiry about a possible commission. I provided the relevant information & now await a further response. My website (this one) was updated with the latest art works. Bags were packed for a weekend away at a conference at Coolangatta/Tweed Heads - Twin Towns incorporating the Queensland/New South Wales border.

We had an early start for Friday - breakfast & then headed off at 5.45 am - arriving at the conference venue about 2.45 pm. A rest was needed after the long drive then dinner & chat with friends & off to bed.

Saturday found us checking out the Tweed Mall for a new pair of flip flops for hubby to replace the ones that broke on Friday. Then, hubby went to help set up for the conference & dinner - & attend the conference - while I headed off to the beach & nearby shops to do some sketching & take photos.

Down on the beach at Coolangatta, after walking bare footed across the hot sand, I sat on a rock to do a quick sketch - quick because as usual I was sitting in the hot sun getting burnt. With the rough pencil sketch of the life savers' station & surrounds completed & photos taken I wandered (rather, walked quickly through the hot, soft sand) back to the beach front shops. I cooled down with a delicious gelato before looking for another spot for sketching.

​A coffee shop overlooking the beach was chosen as a vantage point. It offered coffee (of course), shade & a bar table with high stools that directly overlooked the beach area. I settled at the bar table & completed a quick sketch while I enjoyed my coffee. This time I chose the pandanus trees at a nearby park as the main subject matter. I loved the patterns made by the trunks & branches combined with the fenced walkways, the sea & distant land mass.

I went back to the motel for a sleep before showering & dressing for the dinner that evening.

On Sunday morning we packed & had breakfast before starting the long journey back home. After dinner we called it an early night & headed off to bed.

And that brings us to today - blog day (& wash day).

​Until next time
​Anne

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