Cath Sheard Art

Author: Catherine Barker-Sheard

  • Get ya gelli on!

     

    I decided I wanted some gelli print samples that have a description of my process on the piece of paper, so people who come to gelli classes have visual reminders. I’ve spent time this afternoon recording my process. I don’t find that easy because I get distracted and keep creating, then can’t remember exactly what I have done! Here’s a sneak peak ahead of classes in Hawera this coming Wednesday 10 July and Greymouth on Saturday 20th July. Email at cathsheard @xtra.co.nz if you’d like more information.

    process photo
    Paint on the plate ready to print.
    gelli print 20190706
    The finished print.

     

  • An iterative process

    Developing a body of work is a strongly iterative process for me. I start with an idea and play with it, refining and revising until I have a huge pile of works, especially if I’m working on paper. Perhaps only 30% of those works will make the final cut.

    The final works often bear no resemblance to the initial ones; sometimes I can only ‘feel’ the linkages, not really see them. But the linkages are there, because each work is a visual representation of the ideas in my head. When I am deeply engrossed in a body of work there are repeating colours, shapes, lines and patterns that appear over and over, often without my being aware of it at the time.

    My process is really about the process, not the final image. A lot of my current works are small – either A6 (4.5×6”) or A5 (9×6”) on beautiful Hahnemuhle watercolour paper. I might have 10 or 20 pieces of paper on the go all at once. I put down colour on each piece in layers, then work back into them making marks, adding patterns or collage – back and forth amongst the pile, strewing them all round me as I work. It’s messy and intuitive.

    Choosing pieces for on the advertising ahead of time is stressful because I don’t know what the final works will be. But choose I must – and I have. Dimmie, who I am exhibiting with, is going to produce the poster etc with her awesome design skills.

    The photos show some of the possible works, and a pile of works I’ve done to date. 

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    hokitika gorge works.jpg

  • Find love

    Playing in my small art journal. Always good to pour out my feelings.

    Paint: Funky fuchsia, Tangerine dream & Lemon zest. Stencils: Holes, Old school numbers & Fronds of foliage. Stamps: Dy’s alphabet. Other: Distress collage medium, Distress ink, Archival ink, white gel pen, Tim Holtz tall text rubber stamps.

    find love 20190630.jpg

  • I finally did it!

    I have tried to learn Te Reo a few times over the years and, although I picked up a few words, I never managed to learn much or pass the course. One provider even said “I needed a more basic course” and it was their beginner level one! Hmmm. I don’t have an ear for language and suspect it’s tied to my utter lack of musicality.

    This time I enrolled in the Te Waananga o Aotearoa Papa Reo course, with has books, audio and a wonderful local Kaitiaki to support me. One year on … I have passed the course. 

    Am I proficient? Heck no. But I can introduce myself, ask & answer basic questions and so on. Now that the course is complete, I’m going to go back to book one and start again, learning all the extra words I didn’t have time for initially. I highly recommend the course; the structure is good, and the support makes it so much more achievable.

    We-love-Te-Reo.jpg

     

     

  • When your privilege shows

    I’m (slightly) hesitant to write this, but angry enough I will anyway! I won’t use the sportsman’s name because he doesn’t need more publicity. A prominent sportsman is raising money via GoFundMe to fight a legal battle he can well afford form his own bank account.

    He says it’s about religious freedom, but no one is stopping him practising his religion. The problem is him using his sports profile to spread anti-gay anti-transgender etc hatred. That’s dangerous, especially when he was a serious following in Pasifika youth.

    The page has raised a lot of money very quickly, which is sad when other pages, such as for kids with cancer, are struggling. Now people are giving money to LGBTQ causes instead, in anti-him pledges. That makes my heart sing.

    My family is rainbow – I won’t bother trying to explain, because who cares? They’re all awesome people who we love. We have a mix of pronouns and, again, who cares? I use she/her, some use he/him and one is – I think – opting for they/them over ze/zir.

    My friends and colleagues are rainbow too. When people attack the rainbow community it’s deeply personal to me. If your god makes you hate people, find another god, because your god sucks. If you have a god, and I don’t, I’d hope they encourage love, kindness and respect. If you interact with me on social media, please show  respect – thank you!

    rainbow-tables.jpg