Well hello again everyone.

I can't believe it has been so long so I have written on here. What started out with the best of intentions, kind of fizzled. Between Instagram, Facebook and the blog, I struggle with keeping everything up to date. 

Over the last few months I have started a new job, which I am absolutely loving, only two days a week, so plenty of time still for artwork and family.  During October I visited Vietnam for a few weeks and had a fabulous time, coming back inspired by the colours, especially HoiAn.

I have been in many art shows since I last wrote, including Bayside and Camberwell, which was fabulous as I sold work there. Always lovely when your work is appreciated - as well as funding the next lot of resin.

This month I will have work in at Tyers Art Show and Warragul Rotary Art Show.
I will include the links to their Fb pages below.

Tomorrow I am off to Melbourne to drop in artwork to Lentil as Anything at Footscray.
This fabulous restaurant runs an arts program as well and I am having an exhibition there until 5th January. Pop in and have a wonderful meal while looking at the art work.
​They are located at 229 - 233 Barkly Street, Footscray.
http://lentilasanything.com/footscray-2/

A big welcome to all the new "likers" on the Faeries Facebook page.
I have been debating whether to change this name, as it has been a long time since I have done any sculptural work, but hope to get back to it one day. For the moment it will stay as the Faeries. And I must admit, I always smile when people still ring and ask for the "faerie lady". 

Some of you may have seen that I have started using "Resin by Rhonda" on my current art work that is out and about. Yes, resin has become the latest obsession!! I have just done a couple of little side tables,(pictured below) and have a couple more old ones that need to be sanded, given a little TLC and then some resin.

Take the time to be creative

Rhonda 

Tyers Art Show FB Page
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/q=engie%2037th%20tyers%20art%20festival%202016
Warragul Rotary Art Show Fb Page
https://www.facebook.com/Warragul-Rotary-Art-Show-609287499165666/?fref=ts

​What a fabulous day we had with the opening of our exhibition, "Resonate.

Val and I were so nervous - not just about making a speech, but that whole thing of having people looking at your work. Really putting yourself "out there". 

I would like to thank ARC (Art Resource Collective) for having us at the gallery, and for there assistance with the lighting, setting up for the opening and speech on the day. It was great to catch up with friends and family and to meet so many new people who came to see our work. Also lovely to get such great feedback and positive comments.
​
Lots of photos from the day below.

Wow!
What a day yesterday was. Our exhibition has been hung.

Please join us to celebrate the opening on Saturday, 9th April at 2.00pm

Many, many thanks go to Matt Prokopiv, Val's son, who has assisted us with both this exhibition, and the one at The ArtSpace at Mirboo North. 
It is he who is up and down ladders, never complaining,  while these two crazy ladies have him shifting things until they are just right. Patience personified!

Once we had cleared away all the bubble wrap, tools, ladders etc, Val and I just sat in the gallery for while taking it all in - yes, we had done it.

​I think for both of us, it is quite stressful putting your work "out there", and it certainly something that many years ago, we would have never thought we end up doing.
Some see it as egotistical, but it is actually quite daunting; your are exposing your soul.

With many pieces, so much of "you" goes into them,
There are a few in this exhibition that for me have come from quite dark, painful places. I know the ones that I have done when I have been struggling with back pain for example, but there are those that are filled with absolute joy - an explosion of colour and happiness.

After stressing that we were not going to have enough work to fill the fabulous gallery out at ARC, I must say we are both so pleased with the end result.

Anthea and Arianne, from ARC,  put the finishing touches to it, by adjusting the lighting, which made such a difference. Below is just a sneak peak taken taken early in the day, while we were laying everything out.

​Hope to see your there!

#resin #resinart #abstract #abstractart #gippsland 

Over the next few months you will find my work at:

• Women's Show at ARC Yinnar 4th March- 2nd April
• Gippsland Lakes Art on Show 11th - 14th March at Forestec, between Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale
• Rotary Tarra Festival Art Show 25th - 28th March at Yarram
• Walhalla Easter Art Show

Then in April, Val and I will team up again for a new exhibition - "Resonate" at ARC, Yinnar. 
This will coincide with the Latrobe Open Studio weekend, which will be a fabulous two days for people to see the incredible talent that is around locally. 

Our exhibition opening will be on Saturday, 9th of April and I will most more details about this later on.

And here are the fb links to information about Tyers Art Festival  and

The ArtSpace at Mirboo North
#resin

Well, it has been nearly nine months since I last posted anything on the blog.
 I post a lot of links, arty bits and pieces on the faeries facebook page, but that has been about it! So finally, the website has just been updated and here I am again.
 
So, what have I been up to?

During the year I have joined a fibre art/textiles group which meets weekly. This fabulous group of ladies are so talented and I feel as though I have learnt so much and seen my art work lead in different directions. The group does a different activity on each Friday of the month: from creating our own fabric with water soluble backings; painting on fabric; felting and other activities and workshops. It is my "not negotiable" day in the diary. I don't give up my Fridays for anything!

I recently attended a resin workshop, which is something I have always wanted to explore and am now seriously addicted.. Just love the brilliance of the colours, and the way it moves and flows. Although, I am fairly new at this, I am completing a few pieces for local art exhibitions, which is exciting, and have had family members wanting artwork for their homes. This piece is a coffee table I got from an op-shop and then coated with resin.


Because of my health issues, I will only be teaching from the studio in Churchill in the future .I think after travelling the country-side in my little red faerie van for so many years, the novelty has well and truly worn off. I still love teaching and seeing people create some amazing artwork during the workshops.

We bid farewell to the faerie van a few months ago!

I will still be teaching any of the Powertex workshops I did previously, including the Powertex Trainer course, plus a few of my own, such as the felted bears and clay birds. Also, I will be teaching the polymer clay hand-sculpted character doll workshops. This is a two day workshop, but I will no longer be teaching consecutive days. However, I am sure dates can still be worked out - just not Fridays!

Enjoy your creativity and never be afraid to try something new

Best wishes

Rhonda