Thursday 18 October 2012

BARI Open Studios

We had our Open Studio beginning last Saturday, 13th October. It was a really great day. Thanks to those who came and those who had good intentions. You do know where good intentions lead you right?

Jokes aside, I enjoyed sharing my creative process and look forward to more of it in the future.

mel davis' studio


visitors in mel davis' studio

Paul Harris in his studio

Paul Harris' studio

Paul Harris' studio



As an artist, I know that I'm pretty good at underestimating the true worth of relating with others on the creative, philisophical, and technical levels. Today was a sweet reminder of how relating to one another within the 'creative experience' helps us to grow, and to expand our [experimental] horizons, so that we're able to break through old habits in our 'ways of seeing'.

On Saturday and Sunday we sold quite a few works, and as another rewarding aspect of the endeavour, I found that by having unfinished works on the wall not only opened up a conversation about the processes involved in creating a work, but allowed people to then commission me to finish them. So thank you! My hard work has been, and will be, well worth the effort.

These are some of my works sold, and others still on the wall looking for a good home...

Caught in Contortion (triptych)
Oil on Board 50cm x 20cm 2010
SOLD

Gaymers
Sharpie and pencil on Paper A4 2012


Hand Study
Mixed Media on Paper A4 2012

Last leaves of Autumn (diptych)
Oil on Board 62cm x 11cm 2012
SOLD


Leaves alone
Mixed Media A4 2012
SOLD

Nude
Graphite on Paper A4 2010

Nudes
Graphite and Ink with wash A4 2012
SOLD

Nudes
Ink with wash A4 2012

Redheads
Graphite on Paper 10cm x 15cm 2004

Skull dramatic
Conte' on Paper A4 2011

Vanitas study
Graphite on Paper A4 2012
COMMISSIONED

Vanitas
Watercolour on Board 12inch x 15inch 2012
COMMISSIONED

Nude
Print 20cm x 20cm 2009
SOLD

I'd like to thank Jugglers Art Space in Fortitude Valley for having given us this opportunity to open our studios as part of the BARI Festival; making it an event that has shifted the course of, at least my own practice. There is also a more collaborative feel to the studios now, with the table in the kitchen from Saturday 'serving' (excuse pun) as a collaboration station, where we share ideas about our process; breakthroughs and pitfalls... jotting down ideas for new paintings, sketching each other and experimenting with different drawing media. There has also been a few visitors at the table over the past few days.




Jugglers founded the Brisbane Artist-Run-Initiative (BARI) Festival in 2008. This year the festival has been running since October 5th, and finishes October 26th. There are two exhibition openings left as part of the BARI Festival. At the Judith Wright Centre at 420 Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley, the InHouse ARI will be opening theirs at 6pm - 8pm, and The Wandering Room will be opening their exhibition at The Box, 29 Vulture Street, West End at 6pm - 9pm.

Drawing and painting over a beer (thanks to Little Creatures) and conversing about things that matter to us is an activity sure to continue at the Norman Park Studios. And for you to make sure you don't miss out on all the fun, please come and visit us before 4pm Saturday, 20th October. At this time works will be coming down, and we'll be getting back to the grind of creativity, such a chore...

There are some works left that are at a great price. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity in terms of having an eclectic mix of works up for decent prices. There is no middle man here, it's straight from the artist; a more personal approach to exhibiting works, which we're hoping will take off with the other Jugglers' artists as a regular activity.

You'll also be able to see the works of many of the Jugglers' artists, at the X Show on November 9th 2012... at Jugglers @ 103 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley. Featured artists include: Sue Beyer, Anna Carluccio, mel davis, Emily Devers, Jan Van Dijk, Emily Fong, Joanna Fuller, Bridie Gillman, Carmel McGregor, Peter Kozak, Edward Niznik and Nic Plowman.

That's it for now folks. I'll update very soon on Paul Harris' work. 

Thank you to Little Creatures for sponsorship. Quench a well earned thirst you did!

Friday 12 October 2012


We at Norman Park Studios are opening our doors for one week starting Saturday 13th October from 12pm - 4pm, as part of the BARI Festival 2012. We've worked hard for this event and despite having survived on very little sleep this week, I'm awake in anticipation for the chance to chill out with great people; cider in one hand and paintbrush in the other.


An informal event, works displayed finished and unfinished, for sale, in progress for exhibition, old works new works... There really isn't much we haven't put on the walls of our humble studio house which, by the way has been made available to us thanks to Jugglers Art Space at 103 Brunswick Street, in Fortitude Valley.

I recommend anyone driving, to park in either Agnew or Bennetts Road. Our street is very poky and near impossible to 3 point turn in, especially when the street is full!

Drop in and have a chat, we'd love to see you all there!

Greater Heights study (A4)
mel davis