Enjoying the moment

(above: "standing on the edge")

Well, all works are now in the hands of Therese and Phillip at Gilligan Grant Gallery, they will hang the works over a few days and the next time I will see them is at the opening. I am enjoying not having 'work' on my mind this weekend. I can finally relax!
Straight after the opening, we are heading to Hotham for 3 weeks to make a movie - I won't have time for post exhibition blues - I'll be in "production manager" mode...stay tuned!

Finally there..

I have completed all works for my exhibition which begins on the 2nd September. Most works were delivered to the gallery Gilligan Grant for hanging a week or 2 ago (some a couple of months ago). I am still working on 2 extra's. I always planned to do 13 paintings all up - but only hang 10. It's all coming together finally! I can also give the studio a big clean and am already looking forward to working on another series.

There will be 4 framed works (on top of the 10 paintings so 14 works exhibited in total) - I finished framing the remaining two only yesterday. I am really happy with my drawings and the frame I chose is amazing! One work has pre-sold and another on hold. Fabulous!

The journey has been hard but great, I have learnt so much about how I work and what I need to get through it successfully - I had high expectations of myself from the start, every piece I had to be 100% happy with - I never let go of this. I hope sales reflect this.

Lives of the Artists

My posting habits are strange. I post frequently for a few days, then there are gaps of a few weeks. I post more when I am feeling happier with my work (which I am now after a great studio visit yesterday), when I'm behind schedule or I'm just not resolving anything, I feel a little deflated and can get quite obsessed with my work, and don't think about much else! I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I picked up a fabulous book the other day "Lives of the Artists" (Calvin Tomkins) to add to the expanding collection of artist biographies we have. I find these books so inspiring because no matter how famous, artists seem to hit the same old obstacles when producing a body of work, all the time. This book profiles artists such as Cindy Sherman, Damien Hirst and Jasper Johns (wish I was the one who dreamt of a painted American flag one night). My fav would have to be Julian Schnabel who is a painter turned film director but desperately wants to be known for his painting, more so then his films. In an interview when someone asked whether he was going to make films now instead of paintings, he answers "Listen, I've made a thousand paintings and I've made two films. I'm a painter. Does that answer your question?"

Loaded Zone

Thought I better post the painting! (re below).

BELLE August/September

My work "loaded zone" appeared in Belle magazine this month. Very exciting! It has been so nice to have collectors contact me and congratulate me. They are part of my journey, they always had faith in me so THANK YOU. One of them has 5 of my works in her home - she was so excited and so proud!

(bottom left in the pic)



I am on track with my works for the solo show at Gilligan Grant in September, what a relief! The show opens on the 5th September and I can't wait to see all of my pieces hung. It's such a great space.

A familiar place..

My work is about the rush of bodies, the sense of isolation and yet the exhilarating nature of a city space. When I moved to Rye I thought I might have some issues with inspiration, considering I was now leaving inner city Melbourne where I took my inspiration and ideas from to a lot more quieter / smaller town of 8,500 people!. Rye is bustling in summer, but with a different set of people.


Set me free (on paper) 2008

I was in Collingwood last week and said to my husband "I do miss inner city it's so exhilarating!" he replied with "What do you mean you miss it - you can be here at least twice a week if you want to, it's an hour and a quarter away!" he was right. I just need to be more organised, maybe if I do it's going to mean more to me when I create something inspired by a trip which has taken just a little bit more effort.

Hey, it's well worth it!

Painting from the Source.

My solo exhibition at Gilligan Grant Gallery will be earlier then first thought - instead of October / November, I am looking at early September for my show.

I have now cleared out part of the double garage which will be my temporary studio until we have the whole space turned into a full studio for me and office for my husband. I love working there already - the weather is still warm enough to leave the garage door open and the space is totally private, on top of a small hill with lots of trees and birds.

I have discovered a strange thing. I have actually noticed this in the past: when I am painting and someone is talking to me (about something totally unrelated) either in person or on the phone, it works really well for me! I seem to..well..paint better! I twittered this today, and another artist mentioned the book "Painting from the Source" in relation to this. Her thoughts (my twitter friend) about my discovery made sense. She said I must have been working from 'within', so my conscious mind restricted by rules wasn't active. This makes so much sense to me. I tend to think way too much when I paint which can stunt the flow of creativity.

Tomorrow I'm looking forward to the first full day I have had in my studio for a week!

Back in the game!

Oh at long last I have created something! the long legged chick with green shoes squashing co-workers (not really) Untitled at this point.

Make sure you visit: Gilligan Grant Gallery for new works.

My statement which will tell you about my works in general including this newie.

"Baiguerra works with the concept of space and relationships within a space. She examines the contrast between the wide open physical space of the country with the confined closed spaces within a city environment. Baiguerra's work explores the idea of open spaces creating closer connections compared with confined city spaces creating a sense of bustle, business and sometimes isolation.

Baiguerra writes, " when I lived in the country it seemed the more space we had, the closer we became. We depended upon each other. Living in the city and being closer physically, we seem further apart emotionally and we seem to care less about the people we share space with. The subjects in my paintings share a space. I am fascinated by their inner lives and their external expressions. I'm intrigued with how we choose to present ourselves and what we disclose to friends and strangers".

Baiguerra although dismayed with the distance sometimes felt within a city space she is also intrigued with the hustle and the bustle of city life. Baiguerra spends most of her drawing time seated near Flinders Street Station at peak hour and the surrounding areas observing passers by, conversations at coffee tables or at a bar. Baiguerra records her sights through a series of drawings. The fluid nature of the final compositions represent the rush of bodies, the sense of isolation and yet the exhilarating nature of a city space."

My San Fran Man

The figure on the right of this painting is a little like a muse to me. I found him in a magazine. Whenever I am struggling with a painting - I add him and BAM! it works. I don't know anything about him apart from the fact he lives in San Fransisco. I often wonder who he is, I would like to thank him haha.

Take a breath!

Sometimes I see the the title of my paintings, and think - am I trying to tell myself something here?? hahah. "I wonder sometimes", "to live in a dream", "no turning back", "urban pressure". I've never noticed!

Below - this painting went to a couple in Richmond, 150x100, "Take a breath"

Urban Pressure

This is one of my favourite works I completed in 2008. It didn't take long, I painted from sketches I made in Melbourne's busy CBD. It didn't take long because I was inspired and I was happy. It sold quickly.

Painters block

It's terrible, I seem to go through this state of panic every single time I create a piece. Before I begin I always think to myself, OK, you have done this many times, you know the process and it's going to be easier - but it's not. I have put it down to the amount of pressure I feel every single painting I do - each one has to be better then the last. Each one has to be the best I have ever done! it's ridiculous because as soon as I shake that off and just go for it without thinking about the result, it works. Go figure. Someone once said the more you paint, the more time you dedicate, the harder it gets. This is so true for me.

I have 6 canvases ready to go. I am working on 3 at the same time, which is a first for me usually I work on one at a time. I though this would suit me, I'm having second thoughts about this process. The pressure I feel is a whole lot worse.

I am waiting on some new beautiful acrylic called Hydrocryl - it's like butter, smooth and shiny, wonderful to paint with. My suppliers are fantastic I must add, they have been making my canvases for over 4 years and I am so happy with them - Gemel Art.

New work

I am working on this piece at the moment (this is only a small section) I keep looking at the lady on the left with the red hair - the more I look at her the more she resembles Wilma from the Flintstones! She is going to have to go!

A new body of work!

I have a solo exhibition coming up towards the end of the year (will either be October or November)..SO over the next few months I am going to be very busy.

The exhibition will include around 10 canvases and 3 framed drawings. Before I commence a body of work like this I like to try and experiment as much as I can. I get all of my ideas and thoughts - things I need to resolve and explore out of my head then I start these works. I have always been in a smaller studio - but now I have the space to set all of the blank canvases up around me and work on them together so I can produce a more cohesive body of work.

I am happy with my paintings but want to experiment a little with the works on paper. In the past I have included stitching and collage, I haven't done this for a while so am returning to this to produce something a little different. The drawing above is a collage, it's not a piece that would be sold, but it generates some ideas for me.

The Clown

The artists statement. I didn't give a lot of thought to this at Uni, but now it's something that is always on my mind because I have realised it's importance (to me and to others). I am a visual person, obviously, I am hopeless with words and find it very hard to compose a good written statement that reflects my work. I updated my statement a week ago - it took a few weeks of drafts however, when I have reviewed and updated, I feel I have a better understanding of my own work, so it's a good process to go through I believe regularly.

I have always been a figurative painter, but lately I have paid more attention to facial expression and clothing, dressing my figures up like dolls. My latest painting called 'the Clown', (when I painted this 'family roles' was something I started to read a lot about and I became particularly interested in exploring changing roles from childhood through to adulthood) spurred on this statement update.



I find this statement better expresses the next part of my journey:

"I have always been fascinated by the inner lives of others and its external expression. I’m intrigued by how people choose to present themselves, what they disclose to friends and strangers, which secrets they choose to keep. It’s only as I’ve gotten older that I have gained an understanding of other peoples trials and tribulations and the marks they leave. The character that has been formed by life.

When I lived in the country it seemed the more space people had the closer they became. We depended upon and supported each other. Living in the city however the closer we are physically, the further we are apart emotionally, the less we care about the people we share limited space with.

The subjects in my paintings share a space. I like my viewers to explore and describe this space themselves. I want them to question different elements as they view this space over time. I believe the life of a painting should evolve and reveal different meanings throughout the changes in the life of its owner.

I have always been an optimist. If I see something wrong I like to fix it and move on. I aid the figures in my work by adding color to their faces and clothes to brighten up their lives. Birds often appear, representing freedom, a guiding light, or simply a different path to follow."

Bushfire Appeal Art Auction at BSG tonight!

It's been a long time between posts - I have been a busy girl! (I know that's a poor excuse not to take half an hour out of my day, twice week, to post something but I can't help but write it :)).

I have donated a drawing to the Bushfire Appeal Art Auction at Brunswick Street Gallery which in on tonight (Tuesday 3 March) at 6pm. You can find more details and see some images here: BSG Auction. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross.

Please also get the word out - you still have time - at the facebook group page.

Come and grab some great art and help out people who suffered from the bushfires at the same time. I have seen the works being hung and they are GREAT.

The piece I have donated to this cause is called "The Clown" below. This is a framed piece.

More paper!

I popped into one of my regular art supply shops yesterday in Church St, Richmond and picked up a slab of Bockingford paper for half price. It's usually an affordable paper anyway, but I couldn't resist buying a dozen sheets for $3.50 each. That was it though - I bought all they had left. And I must say the lady who served me there who I haven't seen there before, was fabulous! I left the store with a big smile on my face.

I got home and drew for a few hours on the balcony - nothing better. I think every artist loves a new influx of materials. I didn't do my 20 sketchbook drawings but I figure some larger works can make up for that.

Daily sketches

I don't commit to many things (apart from getting married) so I am surprised that I have stuck to my daily drawing task now for 3 days! I love doing this, and in a small amount of time I can see progress (I think).

I am working on some small sketches for the Linden post card show at the same time (inspired by Daniel). I won't have time to frame anything but I am sure I will find something amongst what I have been doing for the past few days, to enter into this show. I have never entered the Linden postcard show - but really want to exhibit some work (if only 2 pieces) this month somewhere. I have been mucking around with water color pencils in some of the drawings. One of my goals this year is to experiment with as many different tools / techniques / media on paper as I possibly can.

Two 'paper' Galleries I love in Melbourne are the Australian Galleries - paper (Monique Auricchio, Peter Churcher (wow), John Wolseley and Deborah Williams are favorites of mine here) and also Australian printworkshop in Gertrude street where we have purchased prints from before (and referred many there).

Family secret disclosure

"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together."
~Erma Bombeck

I have always been interested in people, and as far back as I can remember have enjoyed sketching and painting them. Family dynamics interest me. I had a fairly sane upbringing and it's only now as I get older, that I am getting a sense of how fragile family relationships can be.

I have been looking at candid shots from weddings (thinking about my next project), noticing strange looks on faces, and can't help but wonder what lies beneath.

"I don't have to look up my family tree, because I know that I'm the sap".
~Fred Allen

A great fit

A collector was kind enough to send through a photo of a painting of mine which she purchased last week, in it's new habitat.
It's like giving away a puppy and finding it's gone to a good home! The painting looks fabulous in her bedroo and I am so happy that she is over the moon. What a great birthday present for her.