and yes, he's that big! Zacchi looks like a little tug boat playing beside an ocean liner when he tries to get Fulvio to play!
A New Season Begins – March 2024
2 years ago
4 September 2008
new friend
and yes, he's that big! Zacchi looks like a little tug boat playing beside an ocean liner when he tries to get Fulvio to play!
3 September 2008
time out
My internet service provider has advised of problems over the next two weeks. In this time I am travelling and also have house guests. I may take time out for a while.
Zacchi is fine, and maybe there will be an occasional post from us.
Maybe.
Posting is addictive... a symptom of living alone, perhaps?
Less computer time, more exercise, more Italian, that's what we need.
.
Zacchi is fine, and maybe there will be an occasional post from us.
Maybe.
Posting is addictive... a symptom of living alone, perhaps?
Less computer time, more exercise, more Italian, that's what we need.
.
twenty years
When I was in the process of moving to Italy many friends said "it will be interesting to see what that does to your art". It has been interesting, but more than that, it has been challenging, frustrating, and painful.
When you relocate into a different culture you lose your identity in some ways. I remember writing that I would work most of all to retain/regain my independence and my "kiwi can do" attitude. I wrote that I believed a drive to communicate would be the most essential part of my "self" that would identify me.
I have immersed myself in a place where time has stood still. What happened was that in my search for acceptance, and to be financially independent, I have painted what was expected of me here, locally.
It was a form of communicating. In my art-making I went backwards to where I was twenty years ago, but in an unfamiliar environment, climate and without the luxury of a comfortable studio. I struggled with all of that. But now that it is clear to me why it happened I can move on again.
I believe that, at least in my thinking, I am back to the point I was at five years ago. There is a fundamental difference though.
This time, on good days, I feel twenty years younger. Sometimes going back twenty years is a good thing.
.
When you relocate into a different culture you lose your identity in some ways. I remember writing that I would work most of all to retain/regain my independence and my "kiwi can do" attitude. I wrote that I believed a drive to communicate would be the most essential part of my "self" that would identify me.
I have immersed myself in a place where time has stood still. What happened was that in my search for acceptance, and to be financially independent, I have painted what was expected of me here, locally.
It was a form of communicating. In my art-making I went backwards to where I was twenty years ago, but in an unfamiliar environment, climate and without the luxury of a comfortable studio. I struggled with all of that. But now that it is clear to me why it happened I can move on again.
I believe that, at least in my thinking, I am back to the point I was at five years ago. There is a fundamental difference though.
This time, on good days, I feel twenty years younger. Sometimes going back twenty years is a good thing.
.
2 September 2008
To London friends..
NZ Art for the NZ Shore Plover – Press and Preview Night
We would be delighted if you would attend our forthcoming preview night to view the art which has been donated by a number of NZ artists. This art will then be auctioned to raise funds for the NZ shore plover conservation project in New Zealand.
We are delighted that The New Zealand High Commissioner, Derek Leask, will host the preview evening which will take place at Suze in Mayfair on Wednesday 10 September from 6.30pm until 7.30pm.
Artists who have contributed works of art include Graham Young, Nancy Frazer, Sophia Elise, Steve Moase, Kay de la Tour and we hope that you will be able to meet some of the artists at the preview evening. In 2006 this event raised more than £7,000 for the Campbell Island Teal Appeal and this year’s is expected to raise an equivalent amount – hopefully more.
The auction itself (tickets £45 each to include a gourmet menu with kiwi “champagne” and wines) will take place on Friday 10 October at the Penthouse of New Zealand House. We expect the event to be a sell-out and places are strictly limited.
We are delighted, that thanks to the support of Crown Fine Arts, we have been able to bring over nearly 10 works from New Zealand and that Tom and Susan Glynn of Suze have allowed us to display the works in their private dining room for the month before the auction.
Please RSVP by emailing nzartforplover@nzsociety.co.uk or telephone Katherine Hersey-Meade on 01634 318825.
Yours sincerely
Helen Campbell
President
NZ Society
(I see I have another name change. That's how the Italians spell my name too. Fa niente... it's not important! I don't sign the front of my work except with a poppy anyway!)
and so back to art...
Two days of enforced rest thanks to a bug kindly shared by my neighbours has given me plenty of contemplative time. Add to this some lengthy conversations with one of my personal trainer/life coach whizzkids (daughter number one) and I have emerged with a much clearer view of where I am heading. My decision to go to London to the preview at Suze in Mayfair was a conscious move to drop myself back into the space I was missing, mixing with art and artists where we speak the same language about art, both literally and metaphorically.
From looking at the work of other artists on the NZ Shore Plover appeal artists page and following a few links to peruse other New Zealand contemporary art I was able to see exactly what I do and don't want to do in my own work. The home page of my own website carries work that I am proud of. Some of it reminds me of works not featured which I have gifted to special people in my life, and it takes me back to a space where I was really enjoying what I was doing.
So, for now, I am going small and precious again, in watercolour combined with my various evolving techniques producing a work that is (most likely) buried in resin.
This tiny work, I think 5" x 7", was a gift to a friend and marked a comic happening one pizza night in May 2004. The snail decided to invite himself to the outdoor party, and share my drink. Watercolour buried in resin, it is one of my favourites. I need to make more works that mark events, carry messages, are special to me. And if they are special to me, then maybe they will be special for someone else as well.
From looking at the work of other artists on the NZ Shore Plover appeal artists page and following a few links to peruse other New Zealand contemporary art I was able to see exactly what I do and don't want to do in my own work. The home page of my own website carries work that I am proud of. Some of it reminds me of works not featured which I have gifted to special people in my life, and it takes me back to a space where I was really enjoying what I was doing.
So, for now, I am going small and precious again, in watercolour combined with my various evolving techniques producing a work that is (most likely) buried in resin.
This tiny work, I think 5" x 7", was a gift to a friend and marked a comic happening one pizza night in May 2004. The snail decided to invite himself to the outdoor party, and share my drink. Watercolour buried in resin, it is one of my favourites. I need to make more works that mark events, carry messages, are special to me. And if they are special to me, then maybe they will be special for someone else as well.
healing
The wounds are healing.
Zacchi Fizzgig no longer trusts me. He sleeps under my bed in the centre, just out of my reach, so I can't drop disinfectant onto him when he is sleeping. It is a weird sensation when your mattress starts to growl at the same time as the fireworks explode below you in the valley!
This morning Zacchi resisted peanut butter toast crust (his favourite) because he sensed that the new packet from the chemist, delivered to the gate this morning, was for him.
He has reduced the self-harm licking and biting to almost zero. It is a cautious truce; we watch each other like hawks. He doesn't know that I am going to London next week to the preview of the NZ Society art exhibition. We will cross London bridge when the time comes.
For now it is more peanut butter crusts... for me!
The work that is in London:
Drat! That work really doesn't photograph well. Ah well... it's all vanity anyway!
Here is the original collection... May 2005.
PS: On re-reading this I quite like, in a strange kind of way, the integration of a scruffy dog and his nuisance wounds, fireworks in the Liri valley, peanut butter toast and London art exhibitions. It's a bit like life really; it's only when you separate things out that they become even remotely glamorous!
.
Zacchi Fizzgig no longer trusts me. He sleeps under my bed in the centre, just out of my reach, so I can't drop disinfectant onto him when he is sleeping. It is a weird sensation when your mattress starts to growl at the same time as the fireworks explode below you in the valley!
This morning Zacchi resisted peanut butter toast crust (his favourite) because he sensed that the new packet from the chemist, delivered to the gate this morning, was for him.
He has reduced the self-harm licking and biting to almost zero. It is a cautious truce; we watch each other like hawks. He doesn't know that I am going to London next week to the preview of the NZ Society art exhibition. We will cross London bridge when the time comes.
For now it is more peanut butter crusts... for me!
The work that is in London:
Drat! That work really doesn't photograph well. Ah well... it's all vanity anyway!
Here is the original collection... May 2005.
PS: On re-reading this I quite like, in a strange kind of way, the integration of a scruffy dog and his nuisance wounds, fireworks in the Liri valley, peanut butter toast and London art exhibitions. It's a bit like life really; it's only when you separate things out that they become even remotely glamorous!
.
1 September 2008
happy new month
A good day for new things.
Every day is a good day for new beginnings, but the first of the month gives it more emphasis somehow.
I think in New Zealand it is the first day of Spring.
Wishing you lots of sunshine, spring flowers, fun and happiness after your long wet winter!
Every day is a good day for new beginnings, but the first of the month gives it more emphasis somehow.
I think in New Zealand it is the first day of Spring.
Wishing you lots of sunshine, spring flowers, fun and happiness after your long wet winter!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
