Cath Sheard Art

Blog

  • It’s all connected

    There’s a lot happening for me at the moment, and I’m struggling not to eat my feelings. Once an addict…

    I had a fantastic weekend with my sister Ailsa and her family in Auckland 10 days ago. I finally got to meet my niece Rosie and her husband Jason’s wee boy Harry; he’s an absolute delight. We all went to the Firebird ballet, which was incredible (thanks Ro). I did quite a bit of shopping too.

    I flew home Sunday night, so visited Tony on the way home and saw him again Monday night. By the end of Tuesday the rest home was in lockdown and by midnight the whole country was in lockdown due to a community case of COVID.

    I’m working from home and have canceled the next newspaper because community papers are out at Level 4. We may go to Level 3 this weekend but advertisers won’t be ready etc.

    In the meantime Penny and I are working on a collab, and I’m looking back through some of my old art, thinking about colours, texture etc. Its interesting to look back and see what’s changed … and what hasn’t.

    Tony turns 75 this weekend and I won’t be able to visit him. His daughter Yasmine was due to fly up from Christchurch but of course that won’t be happening either. It’s sad and awful but out of our hands.

    Work, family, art, community and COVID are all intertwined in my life. As I said, there’s so much happening. I’m grateful for all the people supporting me, and to live in a community where people look after each other.

  • The joy of Kraft

    Kraft, not craft! I love the 6×6 Dina Wakley Media heavy Kraft journals. It’s more like cardstock than paper so paint doesn’t bleed through and the substrate never warps. I’m still playing with creating basic backgrounds, exploring colour and pattern. I’ll go back and journal on the pages eventually but for now I’m enjoying pushing paint around.

    Night photos, so the colours aren’t totally accurate.

  • Layers aren’t precious

    Most of my art involves layers. Layers of collage, paint, mark making. Hiding things, revealing others, making some areas stand out. The layers are intuitive and unplanned, my hands working back and forth across the substrate.

    I was talking to my friend Penny tonight, who is also an artist. She was talking about an aspect of her process that’s important to her. I commented that, when I’m cutting painted paper for collage, I might cut it multiple times, shaving a few millimeters extra off until it feels just right. The shapes are organic, so you’d think those few millimeters wouldn’t matter – but for me they’re crucial.

    When I work in layers I’m happy to give up almost any layer, mark, colour if I need to. Nothing is so good it can’t be covered over. I can always paint another one, cut another one. There’s enormous creative freedom in being able to let go. Yesterday I shared online the layer online seen below and said I was going to start covering up most of it. A few people said “don’t”. Too late, it’s gone…

  • Isn’t it obvious?

    Tony and I’ve never made a secret of his deteriorating health, or that the decision to go into resthome care was made by the medical system. We knew the time was coming, but the choice was taken from us – which was a good thing.

    In the six weeks he’s been in the home Tony has (mainly) been quite well, although he isn’t doing so well just now. A few people have made comments about how well he looks and questioned whether he needs to be there. Not helpful, even if well-intentioned.

    Yesterday Sandra visited an old friend of Mum’s who was sensible enough to ask “is Tony seriously sick?” and expect an honest answer. Sandra simply said yes. Mum’s friend said “thought so”.

    From the way the conversation went, I gather some people in town are discussing why Tony is in the rest home. It’s simple; he’s there because he needs to be. Yes, he’s that sick. If people want to know more, ask. We’re happy to provide the truth rather than have people make up their own version.

  • A puppy and a virus

    My best friend of 50 mumble years has moved in with me, along with her dog Bruno, some fish and assorted plants. It’s lovely having company, and someone cooking for me. We’re quickly getting into a workable routine.

    Bruno is a sweetie, but Goldie is unimpressed and waits until the lights go out before coming inside. She sleeps in the car shed during the day and has food out there. When she gets on the bed with me she purrs loudly … she’s fine, just getting used to him.

    I developed a mild cold late Sunday so had a COVID test on Monday and have been self isolating. Fortunately I can work from home and always bring my device home with me. I got the negative result late this afternoon. I’m pleased I got tested, because they need to do over 800 tests in Taranaki to be sure there’s no cases in the community. The test is unpleasant but quick; this was my second and I’ll do it again if I need to.