Cath Sheard Art

Category: Uncategorized

  • Statistically speaking…

    Crunchy numbers

    A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 5,900 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people. In 2011, there were 49 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 500 posts. There were 107 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 101mb. That’s about 2 pictures per week. The busiest day of the year was August 25th with 65 views. The most popular post that day was Pear-ing at my canvas – new pear painting.

    (or so WordPress stats tell me in their annual report – I am surprised I managed so few posts – bad me!)

  • 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.