Cath Sheard Art

Category: Uncategorized

  • My word for 2014

    Every year I choose a word that is my keystone. In previous years I have had – mapping, balance, determined and, last year, learn. Each has served its purpose, constantly bringing me back to what I want for myself for the year, both at work and at home.

    2013 was not an easy year for us; Mum died in mid-December 2012 and then Tony retired in January 2013. We both had some health issues, mine caused by an accident with a drunk driver the year before. There is some hard stuff in 2014 for Tony and me, starting with major surgery for him on the 13th of January and, hopefully, a knee replacement for me later in the year. My job continues to grow, as do my professional commitments and, as always, I want to grow my art life.

    In 2013 I took an online library MOOC through San Jose University which helped clarify my values and what drives me. The word I came back to time and time again is kindness. I even spoke about kindness in the workplace at our annual LIANZA conference in Hamilton. So that’s my word for 2014. Kindness:

    • to myself
    • to my husband
    • to others in my personal life
    • and in my professional life.
      black heart edited copy

  • New Legato work finished

    This commemorates my Mother’s birth father, Fred McKenna. Sadly, Mum never knew him, but in later life got to know her half-sisters. One of them, Margaret, provided some photos and information so I could make this piece of work, which is going to Italy later this year for the 2014 Legato exhibition in Cassino. Fred served in WWI and this year’s Legato is the ideal place to honour the grandfather I never knew.

    I have been working on this piece for days; it’s 18×24″ on stretched canvas. I haven’t varnished it yet, just in case; there’s one small spot that might get adjusted yet. I have photographed the entire piece, and then there’s some close-up shots to show the details and layers. 

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  • What stood out in 2013?

    I’ve been looking back at 2013 and here’s a wrap of the year I had:

    • January – my wrist was incredibly painful, Tony retired from the Ambulance Service and I was pretty obsessed with poppies.
    • February – most of my posts were about family; I was missing Mum and, 22 years after Dad died, I was really feeling it. I was also struggling with the artworks I was trying to get done for Legato in Italy.
    • March – spent a lot of time making gelli prints, and Tony & I celebrated our 18th anniversary.
    • April – the gelli prints and journal pages continued, and I spoke at the ANZAC Day service in Waverley.
    • May – Tony spent some Granddad time with Rory in Christchurch, and it was my first Mother’s Day without Mum.
    • June – more gelli prints and a lightening of my palette to match my lighter mode.
    • July – started feeling more myself, 6 months after Mum died, and began working on the artworks for my presentation at the LIANZA conference in October.
    • August – participated in the International Signature Swap, and decided it was time to get myself better organised.
    • September – got completely stuck on the artworks for my presentation, discovered I need two new knees, and started a new library course though San Jose University.
    • October – completed my 3 yearly professional registration, attended and presented at the annual LIANZA conference and was awarded Associateship.
    • November –  got into my artwork, and discovered that Mum’s birth father served in WWI so there’s a new artwork being planned for Italy.
    • December  – we discovered Tony needs more surgery because the femoral crossover surgery from November last year has failed, and then the surgery was postponed, I also spent a lot of time making Christmas cards.

  • 2013 in review

    The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog. I’d like to thank them – here it is in all its weird details. Happy 2014 everyone.

    Here’s an excerpt:

    A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 7,200 times in 2013. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.

    Click here to see the complete report.

  • Working on the details

    This morning I am adding spots of colour, layers of gesso over the photos, and obscuring some of the writing. I’m also transcribing a letter I have from his daughter so I can write all the info onto the canvas. It is *not* as bright as this looks, but my camera’s being unhelpful!

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