Gaye’s Studio News

Back in action

1 May 2023

From my more recent paintings a new series or collection has emerged. Matters of the heart were on my mind and not because of Valentine’s Day but because at that time I was diagnosed with a heart problem that required urgent open bypass surgery. Promised an increase in life expectancy of 20 years by the cardiologist; I couldn’t resist all that extra painting time. I didn’t however anticipate how painful it would be and how bad I would feel for the first month.  Six weeks have passed I think I am about back to 65% capacity.  Another 6 weeks to go!  Started some painting 3 days ago. Bliss!

Inspired by the sale of two paintings off the easel in early March where I was playing with warm earthy autumn colours, I wanted to create more.  Another two followed; possibly for an exhibition coming up at the Rosny Barn and Schoolhouse Gallery in July.

This is #0961 Music of my heart

I was very honored that my painting Stellar Winds is being used to promote the exhibition.

In the week or so I was waiting for surgery, having put my studio in order, prepared a number of substrates for new work, and planned activites for my recouperation (that I have barely touched), I created two more works, inspired by a colour palette of mainly turquoise and magenta but using the same approach to layering, Pleased I did because I am loving the colours and marks in these. As yet unnamed.

With the help of family I changed my exhibition of 12 paintings at Sandy Bay Doctors from the Carnivale to the Connections set and in doing so, caught up with some old friends lined up for flu injections which was nice.  I have only had to extend the time of all my 5 doctors clinic exhibitions by one month to accommodate my break.

Started painting again three days ago, working on 3 abstract landscapes and two in the style of the recent paintings but with a cobalt blue predominance. These are the first 3 stages of one of the landscapes.  It is a bit hard to know where they are going so I don’t try, just apply paint intuitively responding to what’s already there. I like to have a strong under painting to work over.

And these are the first three stages of one of the two pure abstracts. These are 60cm square. They will look nothing like this when all the layers are added and intermingled.

The Kingborough Art Prize Exhibition last weekend was a great success for me. I sold one abstract landscape, received a Highly Commended award for another then to top it off my third painting sold to a friend in Queensland. Great for morale!

I had to put my Bluethumb online shop on hold for a month but that is back in action now.

So where to next?  I need to continue working on the 5 in progress.  

There is an exhibition coming up celebrating Kunyani(Mt Wellington), the beautiful back drop to our city and river in a few months.  I have an idea to pursue for that.

The Art Society Annual exhibition will be coming up in August. I usually embark on more ambitious larger pieces for this. The venue is the wonderful Long Gallery at Salamanca which lends itself to larger work. Need to get moving!!