END OF YEAR NEWS

As I look out my window and see that neighbourhood homes have been adorned with festive lights, I realise that Christmas is fast approaching and another year has suddenly flown by.
It's time to reflect on the last 12 months or so and give thanks for good health, a wonderful family, loyal friends and all the lovely people I have encountered in art events.

The year started with teaching at the McGregor Summer School, which was scheduled for 7 days but with sudden announcements of lockdowns, it was reduced to four and a half. Nevertheless, the organisers managed to pull it together and thankfully, all the students made it to my classes and we all had a fantastic time. Light effects in watercolour was the theme, so with social distancing in place with attendees spread across a huge room, it called for a new modus operandi . For the first time I taught with a computer and  huge screens to show examples of images I would normally just pass around. This was repeated with the McGregor Winter School as I was invited back to teach my 7th workshop there. I count that as a real honour as tutors are chosen from feedback and recommendations. Another Brisbane lockdown came into the equation on the first day, but despite all the problems that could have made it impossible to continue, another successful event prevailed. What a stressful time it must have been for the organisers though. I am always grateful for the team that keeps things running smoothly.

The rest of the year saw about another 30 workshops to teach and thousands of kilometres travelled. Four colour pencil workshops for the Coochie Art Group on Coochimudlo Island, others for Bienarte in Brisbane, a first time in Mapleton and even a couple in my home town of Gympie. The monthly workshops at Framed Just For You are always a pleasure as I often have 'regulars' attend who have become good friends. Just last weekend I taught watercolours for the Glenmorgan Art group out at Meandarra, a tiny town about 5 hours drive from home. The heavy rain posed some anxiety for us all as no-one knew if they would make it home or be flooded out! All made it though safe and sound back to their families. I did hear today that the town might be cut off due to flooding in the adjacent areas. Such is life in Australia.

April gifted us with another grandbaby, our ninth, born to our youngest child. It is such a pleasure seeing our children grow to become parents themselves and actually do a great job of it. Haha! :-) I will never tire of welcoming new babies into our family, they are such a joy and there is always plenty of love to go around.

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This year also brought about some firsts. I was invited to be interviewed and to conduct a painting demonstration for The Online Art Society via Zoom. Hopefully I'll be able to upload the large file on my website so you can see the recorded part of the demo. TOAS  also invited me to take part in a Zoom question and answer night, along with some other artists. Now that I know how to use the program and the new video camera I might try conducting some online classes next year.
Another first was a trip to Cairns to take part in the Australian Watercolour Muster.
My painting "The Gardener's Reward" was chosen as a finalist and was displayed in the Old Court House Gallery. It is now getting ready to be shipped to Italy for the Fabriano in Aquarello international watercolour exhibition and conference 2022. Very exciting.

Other group exhibitions included the DuReitz Art Awards where my watercolour "The Awakening' was also chosen as a finalist and The D'Arcy Doyle Art Awards on the Gold Coast saw another watercolour, "Profusion' sell to a local art collector.

Creating an eBook was yet another first this year. This is a 30 page instructional on using colour pencils and is available to download HERE.  It is free to download until the end of the year.
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Other exciting news was having an article published about me in the local "Gympie Living" magazine in the November issue.

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This week I will be hanging some floral themed paintings in a new gallery in Brisbane. The exhibition is titled Down To Earth. More details HERE.

My home studio classes have expanded to 2 days a week now and I am enjoying sharing my space and not having to travel! I used to drive a 2 hour return trip for my weekly classes, so I consider it such a blessing to teach from home.

Workshops are starting to get booked for next year so please see my new page for details. Plenty more will be added as the year progresses.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all and I hope it is filled with joyful times with loved ones. Remember the REASON FOR THE SEASON!