Salamanca Market Feb 29, 2020

Wind was not forecasted but it presented itself nevertheless. The update on the weather app said gusts of up to 54 kmph, so I had to unexpectedly batten down.

 

I tested my collapsible stool that I bought at Bunnings yesterday, on special, for $17. It serves a dual purpose for me, to stand on to help me reach high gazebo-spots and to sit on for urban sketching. It is light weight but sturdy. My next door stall holder loved it too (she borrowed it for most of the day to sit on).

collapsible, sturdy, lightweight, with a convenient carry-handle

A sturdy seat

In the morning, a couple from Perth that became quite enraptured with my art, ended up buying seven prints: “Entanglement”, “Family Outing”, “Hayride”, “Bonnie & Me”, Spiky Bunk beds”, “Devilish Siesta” and “Afternoon Siesta”, and a “Lazy Days” tote bag. A couple, from the Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay but soon moving to the mainland of Australia, bought a “Lazy Days” print.

https://pjpaintings.com/collections/wombats/products/devilish-siesta-a-tasmanian-devil-in-a-hammock-1

A lady visiting from South Africa told me that she visited my stall two years ago with her granddaughter who bought a zipper pouch. Her granddaughter instructed her to buy a PJ Paintings print for her. She’s taking home “Who, Who, Who are You II” for her. She’s just turned 13, about to start high school at a boarding school in South Africa. A man from London is taking six prints back with him.

Who, Who, Who are You? II

I met a young lady from Newcastle, NSW, wearing her water polo team jumper, but she was visiting Hobart with her year 12 art class, not her water polo team. She purchased a “Bunk Beds” print and a “Beachside Chatter” tote bag.

Beachside Chatter tote bag

“The Three Amigos” and “Double Date” are travelling to Holland, and “Who, Who, Who Are You? II” and “Hayride” prints to Taiwan. A couple from Nelson, New Zealand, top of the south island, are new owners of a “Salamanca Saturdays” print.

Salamanca Saturdays

A couple on a three month holiday from the UK bought an A-4 sized print of “Bunk beds”. They want “Bunk beds” to be the centre piece and put photos of their Australian trip around it.

 

Bunk beds

A young lady doing environmental studies at the University of Adelaide, from Rhode Island, USA, bought “Glamour Girls” and a lady from Colorado, USA bought a “Lazy Days” zipper pouch.

Lazy Days zippered pouch, Made in Australia 100% Polyester

A couple that visited the stall last week, returned after their tour of Tasmania, and bought a small original painting from my Op-shopping Emu series. She told me that her and her daughter op-shop together and this is for her.

Hip Emu

“Sea Life” is travelling to Cairns, and grandparents bought an “Afternoon Siesta”, “Devilish Siesta”, “Hayride” and “Bonnie & Me” prints for their four grandchildren. She said you can’t take money with you when you go. True.

Sea Life

 

The most popular prints today were from the Sleepy Head series, Hayride and Who, Who, Who are You? II.

 

A thought to ponder: “A beautiful body perishes, but a work of art dies not” Leonardo da Vinci.

Wishing you a creatively happy upcoming week,

from Pj Paintings, stall #30 at Salamanca Market, Tasmania

 

P.S. Tote bags, pouches & prints are available at http://www.pjpaintings.com

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https://theunfurlingartist.wordpress.com

https://www.instagram.com/hopwoodwade/

pjpaintings@gmail.com

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Urban Sketching with David Steeden

A message came across Urban Sketchers Hobart’s Facebook feed from David Steeden, from Manchester, UK, asking if anybody would like to join up for a sketch when he was in Hobart, Tasmania. I recognised, and knew, that this is a name of significance in the urban sketcher world! I organised a Sunday meet-up at Franklin Square in Hobart, and then much to my disappointment, I couldn’t make it because I had to do gallery duty, which I normally enjoy doing but…..

Luckily, David was available to meet up on Monday, which we did. We had a brilliant, peaceful time sketching in Bellerive, Tasmania. Firstly, we sketched Fair View, an ornate house on Victoria Esplanade, Bellerive.

This was my view of Fair View

The Victorian sandstone residence was built by the O’May family, pioneers of the Bellerive ferry service. The O’Mays emigrated from Scotland in 1856, settled in Bellerive and in 1864, Thomas and Robert started rowing passengers across the Derwent River in an open boat. The O’May brothers ran scheduled crossings and their reputation for reliability stood them in good stead culminating to purchases of larger vessels.

Our sketches – mine on the left, David’s on the right

Then we wandered down the street for a coffee. After a coffee at Gastown East in Kangaroo Bay, Bellerive, half a block down the street, we sketched the mounted remnant of the Sydney Harbour Ferry, built in 1911, arriving in 1975 and broken up in 1991.

The Kosciusko at Kangaroo Bay, Bellerive, Tasmania

Our sketches – David’s at the top, mine underneath

Some of the helpful tips that David imparted are:

1. Draw vertical lines for feature corner stone work and then join together
2. Draw extra ink spots in random corner of pavers and bricks to make them look more realistic and grounded
3. Draw dark in between fence posts

At home, I added paint to today’s drawings.

9 Victoria Esplanade, Bellerive, Tasmania

Kangaroo Bay, Bellerive, Tasmania

Thanks David for an awesome afternoon of sketching.

Salamanca Market Feb 22, 2020

We were lucky again today. We had a sunny and windless day. I replaced my 37 kilogram gazebo with a 24 kg one and it was so much easier to set up.

My first visitors to the stall were two from 120 delegates attending a conference in Hobart. They purchased “Bonnie & Me”, “Hayride”and “Outback Glamping” to present to some of the speakers.

I had a lot people from North America visit Pj Paintings today. One lady from California, USA, bought “Red Ute”. She thought her husband would get a kick out of the title.

Red Ute

A mother and daughter, from the same state, bought a set of Cheer ’em Up cards. Another mother and daughter but from Vermont, USA bought four prints to hang in her bathroom she said: “Family Outing”, “Hayride”, “Joyride” and I can’t remember the fourth.

A couple visiting from Parry Sound, three hours north of Toronto, Canada, living in the bush, purchased “All Ears” from the Cheer ‘em Up series.

“All Ears” his friend needs a listening ear and even though it’s hard work, and his beak is getting crumpled,  he’s sticking to the task.

A couple from Trail, B.C., Canada, purchased “Double Date”. Another couple visiting from Prince George , B.C., Canada bought “Lazy Days”, “Spiky Bunk Beds”, “Devilish Siesta” and “What the Devil!?” for their four grandchildren. One of their children lives on Vancouver Island, in the same neighbourhood as x-royals Harry and Meghan. Their son has seen them going for walks in the neighbourhood and on trails around his house. He’s told his parents that the community is really good about respecting their privacy.

What the Devil!?

Girlfriends, visiting from the Gold Coast to attend a country wedding taking place today in Huonville, bought “Allemande Red” for the couple.

Allemande Red

A couple bought my “Flame Robin” and “Yellow Wattlebird” original paintings. They said that they are going to a Californian retro bungalow in Perth.

A young man, visiting from Japan, bought “Family Outing” and “What the Devil!?” as his Tasmanian souvenir.

The most popular prints today were the wombat prints from the Sleepy Head series, prints from the Cheer ‘em Up series and Hayride.

A thought to ponder: “If I close my eyes, I see things better than with my eyes open.” Henri Matisse    This is true for me too – sometimes!

Wishing you a creatively happy upcoming week,

from Pj Paintings, stall #30 at Salamanca Market, Tasmania

P.S. Tote bags, pouches & prints are available at www.pjpaintings.com

https://www.facebook.com/pjpaintings/

https://www.instagram.com/hopwoodwade/

Salamanca Market Feb 15, 2020

I got up in the dark but by the time I got to the market it was light and thankfully calm. The wind is now howling and gusty.

My first couple that visited the stall was from Belgium, Florence (also my cousin’s name) and Antonin. As per my usual tradition, I asked if they would mind having their photo taken with me. They agreed. I’m so disappointed that unbeknownst to me, there was no storage left, so I don’t have a photo of them! Florence was my height, fine bone and dark hair. I think the younger me and her would have often been asked if we were sisters. They bought a “Lazy Days” print.

Lazy Days

A lively group of four women debated and eventually selected an A-3 sized print of “Afternoon Siesta” for their retiring colleague. They work in a government lab in New Town, Tasmania.

Afternoon Siesta

A framed black & white print of  a wombat that I drew is going for a long journey to Ontario, Canada.

A “Fairy wrens”, “Christmas Siesta” and “Afternoon Siesta” print are heading to Poland.

This wombat has given its hammock a rather Christmas festive appeal. Prints of my original painting are available at: https://pjpaintings.com/collections/christmas/products/christmas-christmas-siesta

An “Afternoon Siesta” print is going to Winchester, UK. A “Hanging Out” print is going to New Zealand

The most popular prints today were the wombat prints from the Sleepy Head series.

A thought to ponder: “To be an artist, you need to exist in a world of silence” Louise Bourgeois. My day job is teaching, so this doesn’t apply to me but I accept that this is Louise’s perspective about what she feels she needs to make art. I would think that if I did live in a world of silence, I probably would create more art until I found myself way too isolated and craving noise!!

Wishing you a creatively happy upcoming week,

from Pj Paintings, stall #30 at Salamanca Market, Tasmania

P.S. Tote bags, pouches & prints are available at www.pjpaintings.com

https://www.facebook.com/pjpaintings/

https://www.instagram.com/hopwoodwade/

February’s Sketch Meet

Hobart’s monthly sketch meet took place at Wendover Place, New Town, Tasmania. I chose to draw and paint the historic Wendover House.

My view on the day. A cloudy day and hence no harsh shadows.

I drew some outlines with a watercolour pencil, trying to keep in the forefront of my mind not to draw too much roof. I think if you can nail the roofs, the rest of the structure works out. It’s still a bit off but the accuracy is improving. I then did ink outlines with my Fude pen, which I’m loving.

I was going to add paint, only to discover I had forgotten it. So, I then decided to draw more and make the unusual fence the feature of the drawing, rather than just leaving it as a suggestion.

I found painting it a little tedious so I left some unpainted. It is always difficult to decide when enough is enough. I’m happy with just the little bit of green I’ve added to the hedge. I like the white left behind.

Finished version…. I think????

It was a great afternoon spent with ten urban sketchers.

Thanks for visiting!

Lemons or Lemonade???

Yesterday, I turned on the washing machine, went upstairs and merrily got to work getting things ready for the market, while unbeknownst to me, my basement was being filled with water, not my washing machine! When I went downstairs, I walked into a LOT of water. Everything’s under control now and the industrial fans are whirring away.

My lounge room is full of books, supplies and art stuff. My entire art room was flooded but virtually everything was up off the floor, so there is minimal damage. Thankfully, I went downstairs when I did. It could have been worse. At one point, I contemplated going outside to do some gardening.

As a consequence, unfortunately, I didn’t get to the market today, but I did get to do some painting. It was a real treat and fun to paint emus, especially since my emus have been Op-shopping and have purchased so many new, very funky outfits for themselves.

I’ve almost finished another one. My industrial fans and I are still making lemonade!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your weekend is resembling lemonade, not lemons.

The Study of Emu Poo

The Tasmanian Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae deimenensis), now extinct, was endemic to Tasmania. It is reported to have been similar in shape to the Australia’s mainland emu but smaller and darker (Dove 1924; Green 1989; Le Souëf 1904). This subspecies lived in Tasmania’s wild until about 1865, and a captive bird lived until 1873 (Green 1989; Le Souëf 1904). The Tasmanian emus suffered the fate of extinction before the thylacine, the Tasmanian tiger. The bird was hunted relentlessly when Europeans were clearing and deposing Aborigines off their land.

There is little known about the Tasmanian Emu but researchers report that they played an important role in Tasmania’s ecology by distributing seeds across the state. Apparently emus eat just about anything, travel up to fifty kilometres a day and each poo deposit can have thousands of seeds in it.

Photo by Tristan Durham: an emu scant with seeds growing out of it on Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria

A study has commenced on the mainland of Australia, in south-east Victoria, examining which plants emus are eating, by examining their poo, with the intention of studying the current distribution of these plants in Tasmania. Emu poo contains the anticipated native seeds and bracken but surprisingly, whole Sheoak cones are also found in the poo which leads to the conclusion that emus aren’t fussy about what they pick up and swallow whole.

This study is aimed to provide insight into whether the emu should be re-introduced into Tasmania. Personally, I think it shouldn’t. It’s not a Tasmanian Emu and there is bound to be something unknown about the mainland emu that is detrimental for the Tasmanian environment.

In the meantime, my emus have not been wandering around in Tasmania’s wilderness instead they have been visiting the Op-Shops and have purchased some funky outfits.

Original painting titled: “Walking with Flair”

Original painting titled: Walking with Flair II

Wishing you a “walking with flair” week!

Salamanca Market Feb 1, 2020

On Friday, Hobart got to 40 degrees Celsius. It was hard work packing the car in that heat. The night was hot and uncomfortable, despite some rain falling during the night. Saturday morning, the gazebo was set up in muggy heat but thankfully as the day progressed, a breeze helped to cool things down.

A couple from Launceston, Tasmania, who had “Who, Who, Who are You? II” searched me out to buy more.

Who, Who, Who are You? II

They arrived with their gorgeous 11 week old St Bernard puppy, named Lady Marmalade. They ended up buying five A-3 sized prints and an A-4 sized print of “Duck Crossing II”.

eleven week old Lady Marmalade

An x-Tasmanian, now living in Queensland, bought “Hair Accessories” and “Hanging Out”. When she was in Tasmania she took care of Tasmanian Devils and Wombats. In Queensland she looks after Flying Foxes, Kangaroos and Wallabies.

Hanging Out

A student, doing his final year of Occupational Therapy in Adelaide, bought a “Bunk Beds” print. A couple from Poland, who spoke very little English, purchased a “Hanging Out” print to take back to Europe with them.

Bunk beds

A group from Amsterdam purchased “Family Outing” and two young women from France, both bought a “Richmond Bridge, Tasmania” print. A couple from Toronto, Canada purchased a “Salamanca Saturdays” print and a tote bag with the “Hanging Out” image printed on both sides.

A “Lazy Days” zipper pouch and a “Hanging Out” tote bag is travelling to Taiwan. A “Taking a Dip” print is going to be a 30^th anniversary gift.

Taking a Dip

An Orange-bellied parrot and a Flame Robin original painting were purchased. One will be making its home in United States, the other in Hobart.

The most popular prints today were the wombat prints from the Sleepy Head series.

A thought to ponder: “An artist is not paid for his labour but for his vision”. James Whistler.

Wishing you a creatively happy upcoming week,

from Pj Paintings, site #30 at Salamanca Market, Tasmania

P.S. Tote bags, pouches & prints are available at www.pjpaintings.com

https://www.facebook.com/pjpaintings/

https://www.instagram.com/hopwoodwade/