Perth Workshop

Spent a week in Perth teaching a botanical art workshop. Karen Frankel runs a teaching art studio in Morley and kindly allowed me to use her studio for my 5-day workshop. I was thrilled with the venue; great facilities, great light, and a really great group of motivated students, all with fascinating subjects.

Here are a few images from my week. I am sure they all learned a lot, as in 5 days I can spend absolute quality time with every student, always ensuring no one receives any more time than the others in the group. I am always mindful what sort of workshop I would like to attend, and it is certainly not where only certain people receive attention. My students are all equal - in all ways.

The group in the workshop

Howard with his very complicated Banksia flower

Hilary painting a Eucalyptus torquata

Jilll's Leucodendron washes

Robyn's colour charts, colour study and first washes of Anigozanthos manglesii

 

 

 

 

 

Sketching Bali

I have recently returned from a sketching tour to Bali. This island offers so many opportunities for unique and diverse sketches, and is always a popular choice.

From the temples to the markets, from the sea to the mountains, from Denpasar to Candidasa - and to lots of out of the way places. On this trip I explored further and found some exciting new sketching locations and the best cultural experiences. Somethings I think it doesn't get any better.

Valley vista Ubud

Village temple outside Sanur

There may be a lot of temples in Bali, but there are no two the same. Each has very different characteristics, some are in wealthy villages, some not so. All are beautiful and offer the most tranquil and amazing sketching experiences. I can honestly say I have never been 'templed out' in Bali.

Temple protector. Fabulous carvings, detail and colour

My favourite cultural dance is the Ke-kak fire dance. This particular venue was an open air temple. A highlight.

And I did get a little time for some sketching. This is a beach at Candidasa with fishing boats.

The carved stone doorway entrance to Le Mayeur Museum in Sanur.
 The carvings and intricate patterning are amazing. These sketches are truly meditative.

And what could be better than to finish the day on the beach as the sun sets, sipping an icy cold cocktail (or drink of your choice).

My next Bali Travel Sketching Tour is 12-18 October 2015 - so plenty of time to prepare for this.

See my website www.holidaysketching.com.au and let me share my love of Bali and its gentle, friendly people with you while you join me on some off the beaten track sketching locations....

London & Venice

July 2014 - beginning - Mittagong, Southern Highlands NSW

At the beginning of July I taught at Sturt Winter School in Mittagong, which is one of my favourite venues. Winter School is so relaxed with half as many students as Summer School, wonderful morning teas delivered to us each day, fantastic staff and a really wonderful week.

July 2014 - end - London & Venice

At the end of July I flew to London, where I spent some time as a 'home base' and I taught various workshops in Botanical Art. All my botanical art students are so enthusiastic and motivated, it makes my work so very enjoyable. After teaching managed to get some free time and went to Venice.

Everything seems so close when in London. It is a Travellers Delight. So inexpensive to almost fly in and fly out. Here are a few sketches I did while in London. Love the architecture!

Kensington London

 Here are a few sketches from Venice. Every corner, every bridge, every street is an artists paradise. I love the colour, the vibrancy, the architecture and also the serenity.Would love to spend more time here. Having been many times before, I never tire of Venice. This grande old dame changes with the seasons and the sunrises and sunsets. Always magnificent.

Looking from St Marks to Giudecca Island, where coincidentally George Cluny stayed in the Cipriani Hotel for his wedding.