Studio Work ABOUT my art & others

 i am getting ready to do more chemigrams as soon as the rain (and winter) clears. Spring maybe, summer definitely.   So what is a chemigram? Here is a technical rundown - in short:  A chemigram is a camera-less photographic image.  You apply darkroom chemicals directly onto photo paper resulting in a unique, abstract image.  This technique is a mix of photography, drawing, printmaking.  Artistic experimentation, i think, is key. Mark making experiments yield a diversity of possibilities. This is undertaken by applying resists, allowing light to affect the paper (exposure), and placing the paper into developer and fixer solutions.  The image relies on direct interaction with the darkroom chemicals on the photographic paper. Outcomes are affected by the different resists, chemical interactions and exposure times resulting in unique and often abstract images.  have a look at the book of experiments i created whilst exploring chemigram technqiu...

                                                 I am so pleased to hear i am a finalist in this prestigious prize which will be exhibited in March 2025.  Once the exhibition is up I can post my work here. updated  April 2025. Images and artist statement of the book OISTRE posted here  

  Dedicated to #13 ..so, New Year reflections - 13 days of looking back on 13 projects over the last year Day 11 - artist books. I create books using photography, abstraction, altered books, books holding creative exercises, ICM, chemigrams and more on various projects. i also hold occasional (winter) workshops on creating artist books.

 I feel honoured to have been chosen out of over 400 entries and to have exhibited among the 35 finalists of the 2023 Mullins Conceptual Photography Award. The little book that could was chosen - a long 900cm accordian book, 13x18cm, printed on Ilford Gallerie 200gsm rag paper. The artist statement and bookplate reads : I FOLLOWED A WORM FOR A DAY This series came about by chance - the mother of intuition - when my new studio flooded with mud from the nearby creek. Once I got over the disappointment, I didn't have the heart to start clean-up but sitting in the middle of it, drinking a cup of tea, I saw what was actually happening. A momentary glimpse into the story of the creek, a way to be still and briefly stop time. A history as flow of time, imbued now with myth, poetry and personal memories. A real gift from the creek and a flooding. A couple of videos HERE in the making of the accordian book and mud prints/ The award exhibition looked fabulous; unfortunately i was unable to...

 so proud to be a finalist again in this exhibition - always nice to see your work hanging with your peers  the winning piece by Robyn Harman is the one on the wall to the left 

  Following 2 (in one week) advice of being a finalist in the Bay of Fires Art Award  and the Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize   I have updated my CV here   blackfishartstasmania is a new website, started in January this year and i am still finding my way around the how-to, so do let me know if any links don't work - i would appreciate it. I have a section underway on the website of 'learn with me' with a lot of free content. It is not yet up so i put (below) a video of colour mixing swatches - the workshop was this weekend and was an excellent two days of non-stop colour explorations, food and chit chat. Exhausted .... and off to see my piece in the Bay of FIres Art Award tomorrow - have a look at my piece hanging among its peers. Overnighting and making it a mini #getaway with beach walks and exploring St Helens.

Heading out to see the exhibition and will take an overnighter so i can explore the beaches and take time out. Always enjoy the opportunity for a #getaway, albeit a short one but will take my time driving up (and back) to fill out the two days. The artwork of mine that made the finalist list is called 'An Impossible Telling' ... images below of my piece and when it was framed, prior to delivery.  CONGRATULATIONS to Robyn Harman for taking out this years Bay of Fires Art Prize.

 So pleased to be selected in this highly-regarded award. 30 finalists out of just over 400 entries. The idea of 'conceptual' alone, is daunting enough let alone the list of finalists. I got into this exhibition with one of a few books I created following the flooding of my studio after having moved in just 3 months prior. A lovely property that has a creek running through it and my huge (shed) studio right on the edge of the creek protection overlay area. I wrote about it here. This website was created so I could blog about my experience as an artist newly moved to #countrytasmania #lifestyle #tasmania. It is new(ish) having started it recently so i am finding my way around posts, menus, submenus, links and all sorts of challenges.  At the judging (thank you to Roger for the images)

 I am very excited to be a finalist in the Bay of Fires Art Prize this year - feeling honoured when I cast my eye over the list of finalists - I am in great company. This prize is held on the East Coast, St Helens , Tasmania and is 3.5 hours drive from home. I am thinking i might combine viewing the exhibition with an overnighter - a mini #getaway and explore the area. See a list of awards & exhibitions for Gina here