Art In the Park Rotorua... Last weekend.

Yes I know it's late but I've been flat out teaching, tidying  and marketing so I have only just had time to process these shots that  I took of Rotorua's annual Art in the Park event which is organised by the Rotorua Arts Village.

I may be making this into an AV when I go to a Tauranga Audio Visual  workshop in March withthe Tauranga Photographic Society.

Maxine Thompson is an award winning realist pastel artist. I went on an animal portrait workshop of hers last year  and managed to  make my cat look so life like (and adorable)  that even he was impressed. Maxine runs Art Classes from the Rotorua Arts Village and is signing up people now...

The Potters at Rotorua Arts Village, very helpful to anyone who wants to join their club.

                      The potters are also running workshops at the  Rotorua Arts Village                                                      

Chris with  a selection of top shots from the  Rotorua Camera Club of which  I am also a member.   I went out to Chris's place early this week and took shots of her with her gorgeous dogs, so watch this space for some of the results. 

  

Jane Baume makes the most gorgeous silver clay jewellery I have ever seen. She  also runs  silver clay classes and has recently moved to Rotorua from England. We meet around once a month for coffee to talk about art marketing strategies. We have also exhibited together in Kristian Lomath's gallery.

Kristian Lomath with an art buyer. Kristian runs an alternative style  gallery in Eruera Street where he encourages all Rotorua artists of varying experience to exhibit. He is a passionate abstract oil painter and is generous in encouraging other artists to shine.

.

He is renting wall space for $20.00 a month which is a bargain so if any Rotorua artists want to display their work.... give him a call.

I exhibited in his gallery last year and still have some mosaic crosses in it.

Snoopy

Natascha Hartzuker

is a great artist and talented professional Photographer. She also works at Sheiler Turner Picture Framers in Hinemoa Street, where I buy art supplies and have photo's matted.

She has been really helpful to me with photographic  tips.

Jonathon Baxter Origami Master. Has a huge world famous origami  interactive display at the Rotorua Arts Village.

Runs workshops New Zealand and world- wide.

Was the compere at Art in the Park, has very strong vocal chords.  

Geoffrey Cox.

Famous children's book illustrator.

Realistic portrait artist Exhibitions Designer and  Sculptor.

Has been a very hard working, dedicated Chairman of the Board at Rotorua Arts Village ( also handy with a hammer).

Don't you just love it?.. what a wacky idea, great to see such a  sense of humour and quirkiness.

                                                                       Joyful Elisabeth

I've always had a fascination with dolls I think they are quite powerful and contain magical qualities...

Deans  has his canvases covered.

Pleasure Painters very strong group at Rotorua Arts Village

Groovy Pumice Sculptures

De Flute Glass, exported all around the world. has an amazing glass blowing gallery opposite Skyline Skyrides.

                                                        Ron De Flute relaxing in the heat.

                    Arm Painting

Cliff Lee, Rotorua District Councillor and  member of Rotorua Arts Village Board,

 Long term member of Friends of the Library. Conservationist. Very supportive of the Arts.

                                                                

Glorious tulips

                                                                    Lovely hat

                                                                           Picture perfect

                                                          

Adventurous Uni Cyclists

The End

Nb: Not everyone who was at Art in the Park has been included due to my second battery running out . Plus some of the shots didn't make the grade. Didn't some famous photographer quote one in a thousand?

Surely not

Feel free to vote for your favourite and least favourite shot, I'm doing market research.

                                                 Creativity Quote of the Day.

            All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl.

                                                                      Charlie Chaplin

                                                  

Where did the time go? It's Tuesday already.

Creativity update:
Sunday
Spent the morning taking shots of the Art in the Park at the Government Gardens. Going to put them on a disk to give to Rotorua Arts Village Manager, Tania. Got a few quirky ones.

Monday.
Taught my after school kids. It was good to see them back. They  are doing some very creative work.
Taught my  evening watercolour painting class at Rotrua Arts Village. 
My pupils  are doing so well, really getting into tonal and monochromatic studies and letting the paint just flow.
Next week I'll take some shots to show you.

Drama
The Poplars next door were felled and I will be writing a poem about that.
Watch this space.


Tuesday
Today I will be creating another art journal page, tidying the studio (which isn't creative) , teaching my after school kids class and teaching my evening  Rotorua Arts Village Acrylic Painting Class.

I am encouraging my pupils to try to do a drawing every day.
Just take a book, with an illustration or photo in it.
 Turn it upside down and draw it with  an HB pencil.
You will be surprised how accurate it is when you turn it up the right way.

Do this for a week and you will see a rapid improvement.

Try reading Betty Edwards book called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain ( A course in enhancing creativity and artistic confidence. ) It is available in most libraries. I have the book and am constantly referring to it.

 It will improve your drawing and observational skills if you do the exercises.

Bye for now Janet

Creativity Quote of the Day

A drawing is simply a line going for a walk.


Paul Klee

Art Journal Challenge 21, with Milliande Let's open doors...

This is a sketch of my front door that I made from a photo with an illustration of an out of control family of dogs. I was commissioned to make this for the cover of Tauranga based  dog trainer Wendy Graydon's  self published book.  

 I love being commissioned for book illustrations.It's a challenge and it's fun.

I have illustrated four books so far. If anyone has an idea for a children's book I am happy to quote on it.

The woman in this illustration is looking out from a window of possibility, visualising peace, growth and prosperity for 2011.

Creativity quote of the day

Not knowing when the dawn will come I open every door.

                                                                             Emily Dickinson

Art Journal Challenge Day 20 with Milliande, Let's go swimming...

Creativity Quote of the Day

Chance is always powerful. Let your hook always be cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be fish.

                                                                              Ovid


http://www.milliande.com/art-journal-january-2011.html

Art Journal Challenge Day 19 with Milliande, Let's Eat Fruit...

Creativity Quote of the Day

All good things which exist are the fruits of originality.

                                                                     John Stuart Mill

http://www.milliande.com/art-journal-january-2011.html

Art Journal challange, Day 18 Milliande, Let's have lucky numbers...

Creativity Quote of the Day

If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.

http://www.milliande.com/art-journal-january-2011.html

                                                                Maya Angelou

 

Art Journaling, Day 17, Milliande, Let's be Free

Let's be Free

Water colour painting Class success

I taught my water colour class at Rotorua Arts Village last night.

All of my pupils are really lovely and doing great work as well.

I'm going to ask them if I  can put some  of their  works on here for you all  to see. So watch this space.

I have also decided that  I really enjoy being a teacher way more than being a pupil.

 But I'm going to attend some more art classes this year to set myself free from old  comfort zones.

Life is exciting.

                                                             Day 17, Let's be Free

Day 17 Let's be Free

Creativity Quote of the Day

"People envy the things their neighbours have. But it is useless. It is like chasing the wind...It is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind.”

YanTron725 Ecclesiastes

http://www.milliande.com/art-journal-january-2011.html

Milliande Day 16, Let's Feed Birds

Today I am back onto the exercises with the Milliande art journal challenge where i am creating a journal page everyday in response to her prompts.

This is about women with birdcages hanging off them.

It's probably a  piece about flying free and being fed with life which in turns feeds into your art.

Technically I am trying to add more dimension and tones into my work, while still retaining the narrative elements  of Zebra's having adventures in different worlds.

On another level it is a prompt to remind myself to stay on a path of artistic growth for 2011.

                                                               Lets's Feed The Birds 1

                                                                Let's Feed the Birds 2 

Creativity Quote of the day
Use the talents you possess - for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except for the best.


Henry Van Dyke


http://www.milliande.com/art-journal-january-2011.html





           

Waiariki Institute of Technology Introduction to Raku -Fired Ceramics

                                                      Fire with the raku pit.

You put the ceramics into the pit and cover them up with sawdust and dirt. They come out like burned relics.
Very interesting and full of surprises.

       
2011 I have decided  is the  year to extend my creativity by making a commitment to attend alot of art workshops.


I had heard such good things about Jane Matua's ceramic teaching from many different sources that I made it a goal to be taught by her one day.

You really stretch yourself  by being taught by others.
Each class has its own culture or classroom climate.


Jane Matua is a wonderful tutor.
She is  patient, hardworking, understanding, empathetic and knowledgeable.
I was really pleased to have experienced  five days of ceramic making bliss with her and happy that I had created the beginnings of a small body of work that I want to develop further.

That's what creativity is to me, it's a measure of how far I'm extending myself and having new surprises and epiphanies.

 It's not really about producing masses of art to sell because I get bored with cranking out the same sort of stuff too often and for too long.

 I make my money by teaching and I'm really happy with that because I love teaching.

The part I like best in the ceramic making process is working with my hands in the clay.

It's a magical, relaxing and meditative time;  just you and your mind and soul moulding masterpieces;  or is it moulding masterpieces in your mind if not in time.
There's always a chance to dream...

I realise I like to change what I  am doing; I have a low boredom threshold and like to work thematically across several different mediums.

It's fun to see how my painting can translate to clay.

If I'm not bored; I'm engaged.

It's great...

Shots are coming tomorrow

Creativity Quote of the day
Ceramic objects are some of the oldest human documents we have. Being a potter, I like to make reference to that in art.
~ Patricia Fay

Me placing one of my figures into the raku kiln

Bisque fired figures before the raku. In theis series there were ABC figures with a dog and a hen

Little window tiles that I made which I am going to compile into an assemblage

Tutor Jane at the Raku  kiln 1

Tutor Jane taking ceramics out of the kiln and to the pit, where they will be buried.

                                              
Semi Finished Piece call the Spelling Bee on oiled rimu wood.
I will take a better picture when I have finished. I'm planning to elevate the figures with Rimu wood to give them a better balance and sense of height.
 I am also going to olace then differently.

                        

Clay Workshop Waiariki Institute of Technology

I have been so busy this week with the clay workshop that I have not been able to do any blogging until now. I am way behind with my Milliande art journal  pages but I have done the background for three of them and  I'll have a play on them over the next few days.

I can assure you that I have been extremely creative everyday.

I'll first post you a couple of oil paintings that I did on Cherie Sayer's course at Waiariki last week.

The inspiration came from a children's book and a card.
It was not exactly original because I wanted to practise some oil painting techniques that I hadn't used for about ten years.

They are a picture of a girl riding a bird and a sheep in a paddock.
 I love the colours and textures and now I'm rearing to go with oils again; they are so buttery and easy to mix.

Can you see the bird and the girl?

 I like paintings that give me some ambiguity.

 I don't want it all spelt out for me.

When people view my work I quite like it if they frown and look a bit confused. It means that their mind is asking questions and they are staying engaged with the painting for longer.

Of course you can see the sheep, but can you see the spot where I have purposfully left the canvas without any paint on it.

I always like paintings that are underdone as opposed to overdone.

The best way to avoid an overworked, tortured looking  painting is to stop painting  just before you think it is finished.

Let your viewers do some work and fill in the spaces.

They'll love you for it because it will give them a chance to ask some questions.

Which one do you prefer?

Write and tell me.

Creativity Quote of the day

Difficulty: "Painting should never look as if it were done with difficulty, however difficult it may actually have been."

-- Robert Henri

Painting workshop at Waiariki Institute of Technology with Tutor Cherie Sayer. ..

Cherie generously shared her  many top painting tricks with her willing class of enthusiastic students.  There were thirteen  people in the class altogether.The others left earlier. These photo's were taken  by me at

the end of the five days. I feel like we've all  come on a journey together. I would love to repeat the experience.

Taking an art or writing workshop is the best thing you can do for your creativity.

A tutor's input can be crucial to your development.

 Another of Cherie...

Bronwen

                                                              Bronwen

                                                             Jill Walker of travelling Tuatara's

                                                               Sally

                                                                           Jo

                                                                           Charlotte

                    Janet, I am still working on this, trying to make it have more depth...
                                              It's called Facing Fears

Thank you so much Cherie, we all learned a lot...

 I will be posting more work from Cherie's course later...watch this space...

Creative Quote for the day
The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth." ~Dan Rather

Another day at Waiariki Institute of Technology, Rotorua having fun with oil paint.

                                                               Class member for a day

                           One of the pupils bought her  little puppy into class..adorable...


Today was great painting on  Cherie Sayer's course because the oil paint was so smooth and buttery it flowed on beautifully and allowed a lot of blending  When I have finished my mini compositions on canvas  I will take a photo of them and will post  on here so you can see.


It's been so hot here that the acrylic paint is drying so quickly, but I'm not complaining because I love the summer.

My water colour for beginners class is full and I only have about four more people to sign up until  the acrylic techniques class is full .
If you live in Rotorua and are thinking of  coming on it, please go into RAVE and pay your money.

I will be starting up my Monday and Tuesday Mosaic For Beginners Classes soon so will keep you posted.

Creativity quote for the day
Painting picture by picture, I followed the impressions my eye took in at heightened moments. I painted only memories, adding nothing, no details that I did not see. Hence the simplicity of the paintings, their emptiness.


Edvard Munch

Newspaper article about my acrylic and watercolour classes for beginners

Each person after a six week course will have at least 6 finished pieces of work they can frame or hang up on the wall as a stretched canvas.

Beginners Acrylic Painting Classes

Tutor: Janet Keen

 Qualifications :BA, Dip Visual Arts, Cert Adult Teaching

Dates: Tuesday Nights, February 8th to March 15th (6 weeks)

Times: 6pm to 8pm

Class size: 8 to12 adults

Cost: $130.00 per person, plus materials (listed below).

Where: Studio 2, RAVE


What you will achieve:

· This is a perfect class for people who have never picked up a brush but have always wanted to.

· You will learn a variety of acrylic painting techniques that will help you produce six paintings on canvas that will make up a series.

· You will have access in class to Janet’s modern collection of acrylic painting books for added inspiration.

· You will be able to explore your creative side, have fun, relax and open your eyes to the power and potential of this versatile medium.



Materials list:

Resene testpots of acrylic: black, white, bright, red, yellow and blue ( Resene, Old Taupo Road)

Six 10 by 10 or 10x12 stretched canvases ( Warehouse Stationary or Ayjays, or the Warehouse)

Gel Medium (Warehouse Stationary)

3 Hogs hair brushes, medium, large, small (AyJays or the Warehouse)

Rubber, HB pencils, Bottle of PVA Glue, Masking tape (Warehouse Stationary)

Acrylic small fine brushes ( Warehouse Stationary)

White plastic plates for palettes ( supermarket)

Paper towels for wiping brushes( supermarket)

Plastic icecream container for water

Optional: Atelier acrylic varnish.( Warehouse Stationary)



What past students have said about this course:


“Wow I have never painted before and had no confidence to try. Now I am painting at home by myself. I am loving it.” Lesley

“I am using a brush! I am painting! Ok so not a Picasso but this course has given me all that I expected. It has been enjoyable.” John

“I enjoyed the camaraderie and the techniques learned.” Karen



Hurry Book and pay for your space now at RAVE ( Rotorua Arts Village)

Queries about the course: Janet at (07) 346-3435 or RAVE 348-9008

Email: jkeen@clear.net.nz

Web: www.jkeen.net Blog: http://janetkeen.blogspot.com/


Creativity Quote of the day

Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life. ~Henry L. Doherty

Page 15, Milliande Art Journal challenge, Let's face fears

This was another composition from the still life in the Waiariki Institue of Technology,  Introduction to Painting Class that I am attending which is being run by Cherie Sayer.

I have made a large acrylic painting of this, again focusing on trying to achieve a convincing tonal range so that the painting has a 3 dimensional quality to it.

This is harder than you think and requires a lot of concentration.

I am used to working more gesturally, quickly and with  a shallow depth of field; so it is challenging  and frustrating at times, but that's all part of the learning process.

As a teacher I  think it's important to put yourself in the shoes of being a student, it keeps you empathetic. No matter what class I  attend, I always learn something of value that I can carry into my own work.

Daily Post Weekender

Speaking of teaching  art classes; I had a front page  photo and an  article on page 3  in our local paper the Daily Post Weekender  last Friday.

A very positive arty article was written by Imogen Crispe and some great photo's taken by Stephen Parker.

This article attracted a lot of response from the public. The phone has been ringing hot with the result. The  beginners watercolour class  is just about full and the  beginners acrylic  painting class still has some places left.

So a big thank you to Imogen and  Stephen, I really appreciated them taking the time to interview and photograph me.  

Creativity Quote of the Day

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us."

-Marianne Williamson


http://www.milliande.com/art-journal-january-2011.html

Day 14 Milliande Art Journal Challenge...Let's drink Green Tea

 I have  been attending an Introducton to Painting course with Cherie Sayer at Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua  this week.
We have been concentrating on value and tonal work from still life arrangements.

It has been fun to immerse myself in painting again with no distactions.

It's been good to connect with other artists and it has been a challenge.

 I have made this post from a still life that we set up with a teapot, a toy hen and  a rattle which I turned into a mirror for Milliande's mirror art  challenge. .

I put tin foil on the mirror.


Ill be uploading it to the Milliande site soon.


Creativity quote of the day
Tea beckons us to enjoy quality time with friends and loved ones and especially to rediscover the art of relaxed conversation.

DOROTHEA JOHNSON

http://www.milliande.com/art-journal-january-2011.html