Cath Sheard Art

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  • #cjs20 day 4

    Today’s artist is Andrea Gomoll, whose work I often check out on YouTube – so, as with Jane LaFazio yesterday,  it was great to see her name pop up as the featured artist on #cjs20. Her video was about colour theory essentially.

    I don’t have watercolours any more so used watered down fluid acrylics on Bristol paper that I’d taped down with washi tape. The washi tape had black dots on it and some of them transferred to the paper, which was odd. My favourite is the red and green, Tony’s favourite is the blue (possibly because it’s the most realistic).

    day 4.jpg

  • #cjs20 day 3

    Today’s #cjs20 artist is Jane LaFazio. I have followed Jane  for a few years, and have some of her Stencil Girl stencils, so was excited to see her name pop up. But, oh boy, did today’s lesson push my skillset. And yeah, ok, that’s half the point of signing up.

    Here’s my attempt at drawing part of my Pandora bracelet. I never draw realistically, so I’m pleased with this. The paper I used didn’t cope well with the watercolours and they bled, but that’s ok.

    day 3

  • #cjs20 day 2

    #cjs20 day 2

    Today’s artist at #cjs20 is Marieke Blokland; I hadn’t seen her work before and love it. Although much of her process is similar to mine, the results aren’t so I learned some new thngs and produced quite a different work to normal.

    The first one I started had a background that was too dark so the text didn’t show at all. I started again and am happy with it. But, ugh, my fluro paints have gone off in their jars and they smell revolting!

    day 2 finished

  • Creative Jump Start begins #cjs20

    I’ve done Creative Jump Start a few times over the years, but missed last year. I decided to join #CSJ20 with Nathalie Kalbach again this year. I’m always a day behind because of the timing but some people don’t post every day so – shrugs!

    I’ll share my creations every day but not the full challenge details out of respect for it being a paid class. If you want to find out more or join in, click on Nathalie’s link. I always find I learn heaps, and am reminded of techniques I’ve enjoyed in the past.

    Today I used a favourite photo of Monte Cassino Abbey from our 2010 trip as the starting point, then cut multiple stencils from paper. Once the paint was dry I added a few pen lines. This is not my usual style, but it was fun, and I’d certainly use the process again.

    day 1 finsihed 1day 1 finsihed 2

  • As 2019 ends…

    The end of another year, and the end of a decade. This year I’ve worked hard, actively relaxed, spent quality time with Tony, contributed to the wider profession, had an art exhibition with Dimmie at Lysaght Watt, visited Penny and Alan on the West Coast a couple of times, been to Punakaiki to the pancake rocks, gained a nephew-in-law and a great-nephew, kept my weight steady-but-slightly-heavier-than-I-want and increased my daily steps to 6,000. Not a bad year’s work all up…

    And the decade? Hmm. Stepped up to my current role, gained a great-nephew in Australia, sat with Mum as she passed, had weight loss surgery, renewed old friendships, had a car accident, enjoyed endless hours of art & craft, and celebrated our silver wedding anniversary.

    Looking back at my blog from December 2009 the following stood out:

    Having passed my chest infection on to my husband (remember marriage vows – for better or worse – this is worse) and my mother (blast! at 85, it’s not a good thing) – I’m feeling a bit better. Although the house still sounds a bit like a TB ward really. Now that I have my coughing under control, and a wee bit of energy back, I need to get creating. I’m still the same – creating is my relaxation and my saviour.

    This year I have some personal goals, which I am not sharing, but am internally visualizing instead. My word this year is intended solely for my art, although as I live with and use the word I have no doubt I will start to find it fits with the whole of life. Why? Because my art and the whole of my life are inseparable. So, what is the word? MAP. It’s amazing to think I have been doing #OneLittleWord for over a decade now.

    And Faith wrote: Grandma has a chest infection, but the staff kept asking about the big bruise on her arm – and Grandma couldn’t remember how it happened. When we got home Mum and Grandma were laughing, saying that at this rate the Police will be round any day to accuse Mum of beating up Grandma. I remember this so well – I was really concerned they were going to report me for abuse, and I still remember how she got the bruise.

    As 2019 draws to a close, I am grateful for Tony, Faith & Goldie, family, friends, work and art. Here’s to a great 2020.

    August 2019
    Hiding the flaws