Cath Sheard Art

Author: Catherine Barker-Sheard

  • The year that was – 2011 as I remember it

    At the end of each year I think back on what I have done; it’s easy for achievements to sort of slide on by barely noticed. Knowing what we have done, and where we’ve been, helps map the road forward – so here a quick recap of things that stand out from 2011. When I first started thinking about this post it seemed I had not achieved much, but that’s not the case. It’s just that this years list is less dramatic than last year’s which had things like an art exhibition in Italy. Not the kind of thing that’s going to crop up year after year!

    • Joined in many of the Crusades with Michelle Ward over at the GPP Street Team site.
    • Re-elected as Co-Chair is PubSig, a national organisation that supports librarians, to serve another 2 years.
    • Did all the ‘stuff’ that needed doing when Aunt J passed away after years of suffering with dementia.
    • Accepted for Post Grad Diploma in Museum Studies at Massey for 2012 – they take quite a limited number.
    • Enjoyed another year of love and friendship with Sandra; 40-mumble years and counting!
    • Officially recognised as Deputy to the District Librarian at work
    • Co-presented an interactive workshop on Koha at this year’s LIANZA annual conference
    • Kept Mum at home for another year; safe, happy and reasonably well.
    • Appointed to the communications committee for the 2012 LIANZA annual conference
    • Supported another Kiwi artist who was offered a residency overseas

    My guiding word for 2011 was DETERMINED and I did about half the things I was determined to do. But I also did a lot of things that were not on my radar when I wrote my original list. I’m happy with what I achieved for the year. I have a fair idea of my word, and to do list, for 2012 but am not clear enough to capture it here yet. In the next day or two I’m sure I’ll post it…

     

  • Early family Christmas

    This weekend we have celebrated an early Christmas with my sister and her husband, their children and grandchildren. They made the effort to come down together from Auckland –  roughly 6 hours drive – to spend time together with Mum. Jenny is home from Singapore, so it was amazing to see her. We all know this could be the last one we celebrate with Mum. It’s been loud and fun; I’m exhausted – six-year-old Julian is *such* a live wire 😉

    On Christmas day it will be the three of us rattling round, eating chicken sandwiches, and opening the last of the presents. Quieter, calmer, but just as special. It was my birthday a week or so ago, so we remembered that too. The photos are: Goldie with  her new toy, Faith looking enviously at the cat’s new toy, and my birthday earrings from Tony.

     

     

  • Inspired

    I always enjoy visiting Casey Klahn’s blogs here and here. Fabulous pastels with the color to make my heart sing. Have you ever seen those funny ‘demotivational’ posters? I found a motivational one recently by Casey and was really struck by its beauty and simplicity. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

  • Christmas Crackers Exhibition

    I feel a bit sad writing this … I have works in the Christmas Crackers Exhibition in Dunedin at the moment, and it is the last exhibition I’ll be in for at least 12 months. I am cutting right back on art, except for personal journals, to concentrate on Museum studies in 2012. It’s not an easy choice but my library career has to come first.

    The Christmas Crackers exhibition has been organised by Tanya Dann, a talented artist in her own right, whose work I collect. I’ve blogged, with considerable excitement, about acquiring her pieces in the past. In the attached photo you can see my four black and white pieces on the top of a display.

  • All the world’s a stage: Crusade #57

    This month, over at the GPP Street Team site, Michelle asked us – what are the songs that make us sing aloud. What do we listen to in the car, the art room, wherever our music is? I tend to create art in silence unless I am using the music as part of the painting, such as painting to the tempo of a jazz piece. Other than that, silence reigns.

    I have a few CDs I listen to in the car, but a lot of the time I listen to audio books. When I do listen to music as I drive it’s a consistent mix, half of which dates back to my late teens! In the corner of our bedroom we have a big leather chair and a micro stereo. The sun pours in there in the afternoons, so sometimes at the weekend I sit in there and read – and listen to quiet music as I read. If I go to bed early to read, I do the same thing. It’s a safe haven away from all my responsibilities.