Visiting MONA

 Greetings from Tasmania!

I have been down here on this beautiful island part of Australia since Saturday. Based in the Devonport area we travelled south to Hobart over the weekend and spent all day Monday at the MONA museum. What a fabulous art gallery this is, with some amazing art work on display. Some of the works can be confronting but never boring. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit yet I can highly recommend it, it is an extremely well curated collection of art. But for those who would like to see some of the art I have found this online to give you a bit of a taste: Tour

MONA is underground, and the sandstone walls of the dug out area are kept on display - natures art (1.20 time). The water wall is amazing (1.25) One of my favorite pieces was the Leda and the Swan sculpture (at 2.45 time). The cabinet of wonders holds rare book editions and a delightful collection of antique hand held globes (3.14). People are confronted by the vulva wall (5.42), and the bubble car is a hoot (5.46). As I said, it is a wonderfully astonishing collection of art, very well presented.

We drove the Midland Highway down to Hobart, and on the way up and back I had fun trying to spot all the silhouette sculptures of 'Shadows of the Past'. I managed to see 12 of the 16, so a pretty good score.

A fabulous weekend  - oh, if you are considering a trip to Hobart, I can highly recommend the Waterview B & B in Margate. It's a bit out of town, away from the horrible Hobart traffic. The bedroom views are stunning, the host welcoming, the breakfast substantial! A lovely place to stay.

Charcoal Studies

 Playing with charcoal is fun... messy, but fun. Here are some demonstration works from my recent Thursday morning classes:

Reductive drawing of Sunflowers by Linda Weil ©

Reductive charcoal drawing (or reverse/negative drawing) is a creative method where you first darken the entire sheet of paper with the side of a charcoal stick, then smudge back with your hand or rag to create an even grey tone. Your eraser then becomes your drawing tool and you use a white eraser to define the main forms. A kneadable eraser or blue tack or even tape can be used to further define white highlights. Darker elements are added with soft charcoal. It is a very malleable and almost sculptural way of drawing - but make sure your paper can handle the process.

Positive charcoal studies with white charcoal highlights on toned paper by Linda Weil ©

Drawing in a positive method is often more intuitively comfortable for students, and charcoal is a quick and expressive medium for fast studies. By using a toned paper and white charcoal for highlights you can get some good effects. The top page are all studies where each was done in under 3 minutes. The bottom studies took a little longer, each shell between 5 to 15 minutes. 

Inktober52 & upcoming shows

 All caught up!

#22 Mountain: by Linda Weil©

And the new prompt for this week is: 

𝄗𝄗𝄗𝄗𝄗𝄗𝄗𝄗𝄗𝄗

Two local shows coming up soon - I will have works in both. 

Camberwell Art Show 2022

25th June to 3rd July 2022
First started in 1969, the Camberwell is one of Melbourne's oldest and most respected Rotary Shows. It's a big show, with lots and lots of works on display - so plan on spending a good few hours there. Information HERE

Moonee Valley Art Show 2022

St Bernard's College, Essendon West
9 & 10 July, Gala Opening July 8 at 7pm

Since its inception 10 years ago the Moonee Valley show has grown in size and prestige. Relocating this year to a newer, larger venue this show makes the trip across town worthwhile. Information HERE

Inktober52 catch up

Whew! I have really fallen behind the eight-ball with these Inktober52 drawings. No excuses, just plain lack of motivation really. But I sat down on Thursday and started from where I left off and now I only have this weeks to do, which is:

 #23 Mountain.

But until then, here are the last four:

#18: 'World' by Linda Weil ©- the Earth map is always shown with the Northern Hemisphere prominent. Just thought I'd show it the 'right' way up as seen from space. Australia in its proper ascendance. 

#19: 'Origin' by Linda Weil © The news out of the US over the past few weeks has been very sad and disturbing - which is what influenced this take on the prompt.

#20: 'Flower' by Linda Weil © For this week's class I set a Charcoal Reductive drawing of sunflowers as the exercise. As I had a few sunflowers left from the session I thought I would try them in ink.

#21: 'Mouse' by Linda Weil © This one was easier - one of my 'Mecha-Mice' in ink.

Good news!

All three of my submissions for the Camberwell Art show were selected. So look out for them there this year at: Camberwell 2022

As well, my little echidna sculpture will be shown at the National Awards Exhibition of Miniature Art, NSW. So for all my Sydney friends, or if you Victorians are travelling north, do drop in and visit this rather wonderful exhibition

Catch ya's later!

Nature Drawing

Just last week I had the great pleasure to lead a Nature Drawing Workshop with the Cranbourne Botanical Art Group who meet and work at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne: RBGC  It was a very enjoyable day out - the weather was mild, somewhat overcast and the gardens were, as usual, beautiful. We did a lot of specimen drawing to begin with, mainly leaves that people had collected and brought with them as subjects. 

Demonstration drawing - specimen drawing:
Liquid Amber leaf using Staedtler Mars Karat color pencils in my new Hahnemuhle 190 gsm journal.
Linda Weil ©

After specimen drawing we ventured outside to do some on site sketching - first some close observation in graphite, then after lunch some color work on site using 'zoom in- zoom out' techniques. This style of drawing concentrates on seeing the plant/tree as a whole (zoom out) and then zooming in to detail observations of parts of the plant, like a seed pod or flower. Composition across a double page spread with appropriate notes or prose can work really well.

Prostrate Candlestick Banksia - on site drawing using Windsor Newton pan watercolors and Adele black pen detail and washed in my Escoda 200gsm journal.
Linda Weil ©

And I enjoyed doing these so much I worked on a few other specimen drawings over the last week or so:

Rose Hips: Inktense pencils washed with Adele pen details in Hahnemule journal. Linda Weil ©

Unknown autumn leaf: Inktense pencils washed with Adele pen details in Hahnemule journal. 
Linda Weil ©

It's always good fun to do a bit of journaling - no pressure to create a masterpiece drawing, just enjoy nature and respond to it on the page.

Inktober52! plus a friend's Open Studio

 Doing a bit of catching up at last! First up is #16, Sci Fi. This one was rather fun once I got into it. Very much influenced by old pulp covers of Asimov and Astounding! magazines.

#16 'Sci Fi' by Linda Weil©

Has anyone been to the Melbourne Museum lately and done the Dinosaur Walk? This bad boy is based on one of the fossils and images found there. A Tarbosaurus who could give a T-Rex a run for its money.

#17 'Dino' by Linda Weil©

And prompt #18 is 'World'. Another tricky one this week!

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

My good friend Lisa O'Keefe is a very fine artist - she was just awarded Best In Show at the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Easter Art Show! And next weekend she will be part of the Peninsula Studio Trail being held on the Mornington peninsula. A great opportunity to see a wide selection of her work, talk to her about her work practice and see her in action. HERE

72 Raphael Cres. Frankston 3199

Some Inktober52 catch ups

 Things have been somewhat busy around here the past few weeks and I have fallen behind in the Inktober52 challenge. But, I had a fabulous time in Port Fairy - great workshops that were lots of fun with very talented people creating interesting works. The Grimm exhibition has closed there now, but I hope to be back in Port Fairy this time again next year with a new series of drawings and more workshops - so keep this blog bookmarked for future events.

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Inktober52, #14 & 15

Like I said, I have been occupied elsewhere, but I have managed to complete two of the challenges. Both are rather simplistic, but the aim is to just DO something, and these achieve that:

#14 Eye by Linda Weil©
a visual pun on the letter 'i' and the image 'eye'

#15 Camo: by Linda Weil©©
I took this prompt as 'camouflage' - and did a sketch of a teen in hiding

The next two prompts are #16 SciFi and this weeks #17 Dino. Both challenging and I will try and find time to fit these two in soon. In the meantime, check out the following great images from EM:

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From the top, by EM©:

#13: Bottle
#14: Eye
#15: Camo

See you in Port Fairy!

I am really looking forward to returning to Port Fairy this weekend for the final days of the Grim Visions exhibition. As well, the Fatasea workshops promise to be great fun. There are still openings available for the Monday workshop (Anzac Day) - so if you have been thinking of doing the trip you still have time to book in for that one!  Would love seeing you there:

Monsters of the Deep and Fantasea Workshop

Monday, April 25, 1 - 4pm

Blarney Books and Art

37 James Street, Port Fairy

BOOK HERE

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron; Easter Show 2

 It is such a beautiful day here in Melbourne, and it promises to be fine all Easter weekend. Hop in the car and drive down the peninsula to see the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Art Show - the new freeway extensions cuts the travel time way down. I dropped in yesterday and had a wonderful time taking in the fabulous art works as well as a drop of bubbly.

A few of works that I highly recommend you seek out: 
'All That Remains' by Lisa O'Keefe - Best in Show
 264: 'Skull Rock' by Geoff Sargent - Best Other Medium
262: 'Magnolia Grandiflora' by Geoff Sargent - this was my pick for Artists Choice
All the pottery by John Stroomer
And the fabulous life sized Red 'Roo out on the balcony!

...and of course, don't pass by my display! And if you like, you can put in a silent auction bid for one of my works - see the table in the entrance hallway.

My works on display at BYS Art Show, 2022

'Voyage of the Maelstrom' by Linda Weil

Why not drop me a note and tell me what you think of the show and which was your favorite work.

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Art Show - Easter weekend

Have I told you all? I am sure I have, but just in case you missed it (😉), I will be the Feature Artist at the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Art Show this Easter weekend. Works to be shown include a selection from my solo show earlier last year:  '20,000 Leagues'

There is no official opening event, however, there will be select viewing sessions this Friday, April 12. I will be attending the 4pm session if you would like to join me for a drink. Tickets for these select viewing sessions are available from the website HERE 

During the main run of the show General Admission is $5, information about the show: HERE

Tickets are available at the door each day and visitors are welcome to stay on at the club and enjoy the bistro and bar offerings while enjoying the spectacular views of the bay from the deck, or just relax on the lawn and take a walk on the beach. Blairgowrie is lovely spot, why not come down for the day, take in the show and have some lunch or a coffee? 

Some absolutely fabulous works on show - make sure you look for some of Lisa O'Keefes' new paintings!