Reflection

Whilst I haven't always posted on a regular basis this blog has provided me with another way of expressing my ideas and recording my discoveries. I have enjoyed the process. There is so much more to learn. Art is a journey that once you begin you are on forever. How could you possibly leave art now? How fascinating it has been to explore timelines, materials, techniques, artists and landscapes. How satisfying to produce an interactive watercolour as a landscape! An installation landscape in which the viewer is invited to sit in the artwork and view the message from within the art. For now, bon voyage - may your visual learning journeys be many.

The journey so far...

Since my last post I have been to the Gympie Regional Gallery and the History Room at the Gympie Regional Library and literally uncovered a 'mine' of information regarding the mining that settled the town of Neerdie, Aboriginal histories of the Cooloola Coast and geological and geographical information of the resources that occcur naturally here. I have spoken directly with historians, artists and neighbours in my community. I feel now that the story of Neerdie is only just beginning to be told.

For a while (well a few days) I went off on a tangent exploring mining as a global issue (see my Tangents page) however after feedback from Sue and a lecture/workshop with John yesterday I am back to my focus on community and in particular, 'a sense of place' as my contemporary issue - the creation and evolution of a community.

The next logical step is to decide how best to portray what I know at this point time. To do this I must now investigate materials and mediums in more detail. Now I can take the words and create the image. Now I can innovate.

Exploring and developing ideas

I've left the idea of exploring a wider community issue as my art work and find myself preferring to think about the small community in which I have chosen to live. Neerdie is a small rural residential township halfway between Gympie and Tin Can Bay in South East Queensland. It consists of approximately twenty 1/2 acre allotments surrounded by much larger farms and bordered by State Forest. I have always been fascinated by Neerdie. My neighbour thinks that 'Neerdie chooses it's people, the people don't choose it' - as if we are all drawn here together for some purpose.

This past week has been an exploration of colour using paints and pastels, various application techniques and a discovery of art movements and artists. I have realised how important the language and terminology of the art world is. The precise terms and use of those terms supports our interpretations of the visual image. So as well as my 'Focus and Inspirations' and 'Artist Statements' pages I have decided to add a 'Glossary of Terms' to this blog as it seems that I am discovering new terms almost daily.

The beginning...

Having spent several days now immersed in thoughts about art and creativity and feeling free to let my mind wander where it will, the time has come to put some of those thoughts down in a place where I can sift through them and begin to arrange them into some sort of end project. I am creating a physical, hands-on visual art diary too. I see this blog as a necessary extra as much of the information I am wanting to refer to is 'online'. The two will work together to inform my work. And each will provide me with a break from the other - giving me options depending on my mood and needs.

At this point in time I have collected ideas as I have driven the highway, looked around my home at the art that I have collected over the years, reflected on artists I have met and worked with as well as thinking about the things that are important to me and the places I enjoy being - the water's edge, the rainforest, at home with my family and in the garden.I have looked at impressionist art (a favourite), thought about green art and in particular the ephemeral form. I keep hearing "abstract" in my head and ignoring it! Perhaps this is something I should explore next?

I have today considered some local issues that I may be able to use as topics for my visual learning and innovation assessment - the social impact of the Traveston Crossing Dam in our region and the prospect of mega-marinas at Tin Can Bay and Cooloola Cove. There is much to consider. I am appreciating 'the importance of time' - how important it is not to rush things when planning and preparing a visual statement. The other appreciation I am developing is the impact that working in the arts has on cognition - the deeper thinking that I am experiencing - I find myself thinking about my thinking...mmmm.