Action at the Gallery

Over the last 6 months there has been considerable activity at Curdnatta Gallery. 

In previous years we have had a strong group of potters who used the back workrooms but recently these rooms became neglected and full of junk.

With a new vision in our sights we set about ridding ourselves of unwanted items and preparing a new artists' studio.

This has turned into a fantastic space that would be the envy of many artists. It is accessed from the main gallery and has already become a hub for artists and a drawcard for tourists.

An added bonus is the space we now have in the back rooms of the gallery for other groups such as the textile artists to meet.

Amanda and Konrad

The first wedding of the year is that of Amanda and Konrad.
Simple , elegant, a connection to family and friends and a great sense of humour.
The cloudy afternoon provided an interesting lighting scenario but in the end I was grateful for the overall softness which allowed the colours of the dresses to shine.
Just getting that colour right was the biggest challenge!

A few of my favourite stories from the day........

FIBRESPACE TEXTILE ART

Traditionally on these hot Summer days I cocoon myself indoors and work on textile art pieces. 

Back in the 90s it was pieces for the "GOWN OF THE YEAR".

These days it is the FIBRESPACE group which gets the creative juices going. With so much to concentrate on the days pass very quickly. One idea leads to another and before I know it I have the year's pieces done and dusted.

This is the first of the pieces for #WHATEVER!   the title being #status quo #vintage. 

It was inspired when I looked through some vintage magazines that we found in the shed at the shacks. The fashion pages brought back memories from my childhood and the days when I would design my own paper doll fashions. 

This time I researched some 50s fabric designs and using photographs set out the design using PhotoShop. I then printed the result on to white cotton using my Epson R2880 printer which produces a washable result. An additional print of the 50s designs in a slightly smaller  format was used to create the 3D dresses. Some stitching using a quilting wadding adds to the 3D effect.

Summer 2014

2014 started off with a heatwave and bush fires! 

Several fires were started by lightning, one of the most devastating at Bangor in the Lower Flinders Ranges. 

Most of the affected areas are in  gullies which are not inhabited but some farms and 75 percent of the Wirrabara forest has been destroyed. It is at times like this that I am so glad I take photos everywhere I go. Tucked away in my files are some  lovely memories of that place. I hope it won't take long to regenerate. 

This has had an effect on Carly's role as Tourism Officer for the region as she works with operators to ensure everyone knows there is still plenty on offer in the region despite the media coverage of the fires.

High tide and hot weather bring perfect conditions for an early morning swim. We headed down to the shacks and despite the smoke haze it was a beautiful experience as we lazed about in the water while the temperature began its climb to an unbelievable 46 degrees.

The Smoke haze  hovered over the town for several days until there was some respite when it finally RAINED.

Christmas 2013

The three weeks since we were all together at Dumas House passed very quickly and before I knew it I was picking up John Tamsin and Polly at the Airport. 

It was an uneventful 4 hour trip from Adelaide but it did take a few days for everyone to acclimatise and begin to relax.

Christmas at Carly and Brad's was lovely... we had the lead up the day beforehand with Polly and John cooking the Christmas cake... flour less chocolate cake with berries. We all had something to prepare and this made things really easy on Christmas Day.

In the evening we caught up with the extended Sharp family and managed to get a few pics of the next generation of cousins.

It was a case of keeping up traditions with the inevitable crabbing and swimming at the shacks on Boxing Day.

The back yard paddling pool has been a hit as well as disco dancing in Pa's shop... no wonder we are all hanging out for an afternoon nap '-}