Reflecting on the May IMB Residency

Taking photos of one's work and seeing they are channelled to the appropriate places is quite time consuming. I just updated the website and revisited this post of IMB Dna drawings. I have yet to photograph some large DNA artworks painted for the May 18th event celebrating the International Fascination of Plants Day at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience here at UQ in Brisbane.

This was one of the paintings completed in that 3 week period...  titled 'Cotyledon Patterning' it was somewhat playful and happily soon found an owner. 

'Cotyledon Patterning' 

90 cm square, acrylic on linen collaged on canvas

This is a digital artwork that used imagery found whilst at the IMB.

The Arabipdopsis cotyledon was such a striking form.

This collage format below is via Pic Monkey, a simple to use, free photo platform shared with readers by lovely blogger Lesley of Printed Material. I liked the collage format she used for her gorgeous garden photos ... and on a whim visited Pic Monkey and found it as easy to use as suggested.

I took a great many photos at the IMB... some were worked into digital images, others journal drawings and paintings.

The plant photographed here is the commonly used Arabidopsis ... the white mice of the Plant Lab world. It so intrigued me all the seemingly endless coding and maths that this little plant could generate.

It was an invaluable and truly enriching experience doing this residency. I gained such an appreciation for the work behind the research, particularly the high level of collaboration and discipline that comes with the peer revue process. It is a model that could well serve other professions and walks of life... the studious yet collaborative element certainly and the standard of quiet, disciplined striving.     

July in the studio... workshops and hours spent painting!

Staying in at home to work on computer has been far overtaken by the desire to get to the studio, only 15 mins away, for long sessions of painting. The simple fact I am not online at the Paddington studio is the reason I've spent far less time online since June.

Sessions spent working on paper and journal pages messing about are freeing...

I greatly miss friends from the blogosphere and find I am less likely to keep up to date with posting on new work... esp at the website. Its also easy to forget about things coming up as I am not getting email reminders.

BUT...

the paints are out and its is go, go, go over there.

I have sorted out all kinds of work from past to present, reviewed works on paper, looked at what could be better resolved and continued to work on new pieces, large and small.

Its a delicate balance of focus really remembering whats coming up and must-dos, workshops and meetings.... and all the while being hugely immersed in thinking about painting just now.

Here's a glimpse... a little random!

Working on paper I find liberating as it matters not whether as idea comes together ... especially since I  will work over anything in sight if i feel inclined. The layering process offers much room to experiment.

A recent work I altered to colours when nearing completion was this one below. A friend visited one day and saw clearly what was missing ... giving me really the perfect idea to go forward. The linen I was working on was wonderful too... quite thick and textured. I liked the way the paint felt working on it.

close-up

colour, patterning, seed forms...

more work on paper... above panels... below large sheets

Working on canvas...

20 x 20 cm squares

20 x0 20 cm sq

close up

Rethinking a 90 cm square work... reintroducing seed capsule cross-sections motifs.

This theme will feature in the work I carry out on residency in Far North Qld later in September.... so I have been exploring material from late 2010 that is relevant to this next stage of the project.

motifs from rainforest fruits seed capsules... cross-sections

Stitched work... have been thinking about this again.... the closeup of a work below got me thinking about it too.

 and these stitched pieces I've been playing around with ... thinking about collaging them onto canvas...

So... there's much happening... work in progress is something I really enjoy. Not one given to painting one work from beginning to end... one after the other. I like things to grow and sit quietly and have time to be mused over.

Flat out in the studio... with places left in workshops!

Workshops kicked off last Sunday....

I got so utterly engrossed in working with everyone, and hearing the stories that spanned different continents due to the origin of participants, the I forgot to take photos of all the wonderful material people were producing.

SO... two images.... early on above... and Wendy below making marks for a book she later put together that she took home to keep working on. 

Satsuki sent me a message later that was so heart-warming:
 
         "Thank you for your art class. It was the most productive art class I have ever attended."


Svetlana touched my heart with:

Dear Sophie,

Thanks a lot for the lovely day yesterday. It was a productive day for me. I enjoyed using my left hand.

Drawing with the music was very relaxing and helpful to start the day. I can count myself as an advanced student and even for me there were some new ideas, new approaches to start a painting. Thanks for the inspiration, for your honesty and kindness. Providing lunch was very generous of you and especially such a beautiful homemade soup. Thanks for the recipe, I’ll make it today for my family. I don’t mind if you use my feedback. I’ll be spreading information about your workshops.

Many thanks,

Svetlana

 If that hadn't already cheered me considerably this certainly added much. My friend Marilena popped in to the studio this week for a visit and cup of tea... bringing this Birthday gesture (belated gestures offer that feeling one's birthday didn't pass too quickly) that was just fabulous. Her own spice mixes, Lemon Myrtle soap, exotic jams from her larder, homemade seedy Lavosh and a spicy dip she'd made as well... and a cupcake as birthday cake!
How indulged did I feel...and all seed related gift I night add... totally in theme. Note the pods in the bottom right and the stone candle holders that will be lit for a night-time event in the studio before long!

The studio is feeling very warm and lived in ow...I have been painting like a trojan... long hours and darting between works and materials.

I have not kept up with documenting painting in the last few months... especially all the work of late... so here are a few pics...but many more to come!

'Cotyledon patterning' 90 cm sq, acrylic on collaged linen on canvas

This painting was shown at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience in May when on residency there. I was a little timid about showing it as it was by far the most informal and bold work I did on that residency. Yet it sold to the second person who viewed it and was commented on all day.... a reminder that there is room for colour and going a bit out there.
Sharon who decided it was destined for the walls of her home curiously is now a Landscape Architect but started her career in Microbiology and was involved in earlier days of Molecular Bioscience...so completely related to the Cotyledon and liked the irreverent approach.



After the May IMB residency and the workshop with Dorothy Caldwell I was delighted to spent some slow nights watching films and tv  (rare with days and nights on computer or in studio or rushing about)  I like to have something to do as I relax in front of a screen... so started this stitching on linen... think they may well end up collaged to paintings. Ive been collagen fabric to convas to paint on for about 6 years.... this idea tales it a step further!

Winter workshops with Sophie Munns@Percolator Gallery, Brisbane

Click on image to enlarge for reading or email  for the flyer to be sent to you.

A couple of seats left in the 5 week course and on the weekend ONE-DAY workshops I am assembling classes around demand.  Make a time to visit the studio by email or ph: 07 3262 4296  if you wish to know more or see whats happening here!

I'll post images as we go...
cheers,
Sophie