This tested my patience a bit, but it was fun too and I’m pleased with the end result. I’ve glued it into my art journal so I can fold it out and add to it if I want. The panorama shot is a bit off and wobbly because I’m not that steady but it gives you the general idea.
The world is difficult for a lot of people. I won’t list the reasons here because of the bots, but you know what I mean (unless you live under a rock!). In my career I have a constant awareness of the ways we can contribute as librarians. Indiviually I do what I can with things like submissions when Parliament provides the opportunity. But that’s about fighting back.
I’ve been thinking about how I can lift others up, and scatter joy and light like fairy poop. The answer was pretty obvious … ART. Last night on Bluesky I listed a bunch of works with this wording “The world is a bit awful so want to spread some joy. I’m selling small artworks for $25 incl postage, NZ only. My usual artist grade mixed media supplies. Mainly pieces where I’m testing ideas, combinations. Comment sold then DM me.”
All of them are rehomed already, which is great. What’s even better though is the sheer joy in the DMs I got from people. Am I all-but giving the works away by the time I pay packing/postage etc? Yes. Does it matter? No. I create becaue it’s in me to create, and it’s good for my mental wellbeing. I’d be creating regardless, so why not share the joy and light?
Of course I’ll continue to create works to exhibit and sell on Felt. Pen Kirk & I will keep making collab works that we exhibit and sell. But this feel right at this moment in history. Sidenote – I just remembered one of my teachers accused me of “tilting at windmills”. Better that than stand by as the world burns and do nothing.
Pen and I have been creating collaborative artwork for years now. We’ve had two exhibitions, shown collab work in multiple gallery exhibitions, sold pieces, taught classes together. We’ve built a huge amount of trust in each other as artists, and in the ability for our relationship to cope with real honesty and our authentic selves.
Want to write giant black words over something the other did? Do it. Cut a piece into four and make them into a book? Why not! Pour neon pink ink all over something and let it drip. Go for it. We stopped asking permission years ago 😂
There comes a point, after the pieces have been mailed back and forth between the North to South Islands numerous times, where we start asking if it’s finished. Does it need one more mark, a line, a gold dot? There’s a time when we just know. That time always comes when the pieces are high contrast, richly textured, multi layered.
Are the collab works like the work we make individually? Yes, and no. There are elements that are absolutely our own. Penny is the queen of “feckn shiny things” and I can’t resist a good drip and some splatter. Penny’s all about rich blues, I love neon pink and orange. The hand of the artists show, but the works are uniquely ours, not mine and hers. It’s a very magical thing and I feel privileged to be creating with someone whose skills complement mine so well.
The images below are tiny sections out of large works I’ve been adding to tonight. I spent maybe 90 minutes working and used collage, transparent embossing powder, acrylic paint & ink, a green star-filled sparkly paste and a highly textured opaque embossing powder.
I’m still on a florals kick – exploring materials, styles, mark making, scale… Just playing with ideas to see what sticks.
Months ago I started two 8×8 wooden panels. I’d created multi layer backgrounds, in two or three sections. They were nice, but what next? They sat, and sat…
I’ve been watching art videos as part of my Christmas break. There’s maybe 20 artists I subscribe to, and it’s been a chance to binge watch their play lists. I was watching Gaynor Pattle create vibrant, over the top florals, and had an aha moment. What if I created florals over the top? Very different to my normal semi-abstract landscapes, but maybe a significant change is what I need.
Wow, did I have fun! They are fairly abstract, incredibly bright and far from my usual more minimalist approach. I love them, and loved the process – I don’t have a good photo of the finished pieces yet, but will take one in the daylight.
Last night I started two more 8×8 wooden panels. Tonight I grabbed two huge sheets of Art Spectrum Colorfix paper out of my stash and started another work. What’s shown below is just the starting layer. I don’t know how long this idea will hold me, but I have a feeling it might be a while!
Cath Sheard Art 