Cath Sheard Art

Tag: art journal

  • Wanderlust25

    I’ve often started my year by participating in a paid class or worldwide project. It’s a great way to kickstart the art year. I’ve done the Documented Life Project & Creative Jump Start a number of times, along with ‘100 days of …’ and a few one-off classes. I haven’t done anything for about 4 years as Tony’s health, and some other changes, meant I just didn’t have the bandwidth.

    Part way through last year I decided to commit to something for 2025 and tossed up between Wanderlust25 and Fodder School. I went with Wanderlust25, in the hope it might move me away from being brand/product driven in my art journals. It started a couple of weeks ago and yesterday I finally set up my journal and completed week 1 with Iris Fritschi-Cussens.

    As with all paid classes I’ll share what I made, but not specifics around techniques and thinking. I’m delighted with this first spread – it already feels like I’ve gone back to 10 years ago when I was more process driven. You can see it below, along with details close-ups.

    The writing is a reminder to myself that it’s ok to rest when I need to. My health is a bit dodgy yet I very much resist resting. Talking to my sister yesterday I realised it’s because Mum used to make me rest when she was tired and I wasn’t, so I see it as punishment!

  • The promise of a new journal

    The blank pages of a new journal offer the promise of a fresh start. Maybe this journal will inspire different work. Maybe this journal will magically improve my drawing skills. Maybe this is the journal that will help transform vague ideas into a cohesive series.

    Dina Wakley MEdia had two 6×6 journals I loved working in but, sadly, they are both out of production. One was very heavy white watercolour paper, the other heavy kraft stock. I have a couple of the kraft tucked away, but none of the white.

    I’ve got lighter weight journals I like working in, but also want something with very sturdy pages. A couple of artists have reviewed the Seawhite journals and said good things about them. I hadn’t seen them in New Zealand – until this week. I found them at The Drawing Room in Christchurch so ordered one straight away. I’m excited to try it out this weekend.

  • My journals are a safe place

    My journals are a safe place to play, experiment, and say whatever’s on my mind and in my heart. I share most of the pages I create, but there are a few that stay unseen in my journals. Alan’s away at the moment, so yesterday Sandra, Bruno and I went to New Plymouth playing Munzees after I’d taken Tony out for morning tea – he doesn’t want to go out for lunch at the moment for some reason. We had a fun day, and both earned a badge we didn’t expect to – it was fun!

    I’m heading to Hokitika on Thursday for about 10 days, so today I’ve semi-packed my bag. Next Sunday Pen and I will be working on some collab pieces at Left Bank Art Gallery, which I’m excited about. I’ve have spent most of the day at my art desk. I’ve got some lovely new Dina Wakley MEdia printed transparencies and stencils, so had to test them out 😉

  • Process; back to basics

    I completed my Dip Art & Creativity (Hon) back in 2007 or 2008 – it’s a long time ago. One of the things I learned during that journey was I am fascinated with the edges of my work, my works involves memory, and I am process driven. The memories and process are more important to me than the final look of the work.

    Pen Kirk and I have done a couple of joint exhibitons which have been very process driven, and I’ve found that a wobderful mix of easy and challenging. The work I am doing on my own has been less successful; I’ve been thinking about why, and doing some research. I’ve watched some of my favourite artists on YouTube, and a new one Marabeth Quin. And there it is – I’ve moved too far from memory and process which are my key drivers, thinking too soon (and too much) about what the final work will look like.

    I thought I was ready to start a new body of work. I am in the sense I know what it’ll be about, but my “aha” moment is that I shouldn’t break out the lovely new wooden panels I’ve got just yet. I’m committing to filling at least one journal, maybe two, with playful experiments, without referring to photos of the areas, so I work from memory and with no expectation about the finished pieces.

  • I’m back – and creating

    I haven’t blogged since March. It’s taken me all that time to figure out why WordPress wasn’t working properly. Once I figured it out, the solution was easy! Sigh…

    Pen and I are between exhibitions at the moment. I’ve got a few things I’m playing with but, so far, nothing has grabbed me enough to turn into a series or even hold my interest for long. I know to just keep playing – it’ll come. Helen Wells talked about this recently on YouTube Vrbo YouTube Occasions Wins & Losses NZ EN 16×9 15s

    I’m teaching a basic Dylusions art journal class. We’re meeting one night a week for 10 weeks. It’s lovely watching people have that “aha” moment when they realise how freeing an art journal can be.

    Alan and I have been out into the back blocks of Eltham twice recently, staying in a cabin well away from the world. Log fire, no noise or light pollution, surrounded by steeps bush-covered hills and deer, with the sound of a stream nearby. Bliss!

    I’ll share a of few photos of where I’ve been and what I’ve been creating. There’s no real rhyme or reason to the art at this stage, and that’s exactly the point.