Summer exhibition opening at SALT

'Under the white wisteria' 2011. Acrylic on canvas, 122 x 152cm, Nicola Moss.

The Summer Exhibition Program at Salt Contemporary Art Gallery begins on Boxing Day with works by David Beaumont, Rudi Jass and myself. Paintings I have in the show are from my Wonderland series, featuring inspiration from Montsalvat Artist Colony in Eltham, Victoria, where I was artist in residence for four weeks during October.
I savored the soft light of long dawns and dusks, so different to the sharp bright light of home in Queensland. This combined with exuberant spring growth in the gardens of Montsalvat grounds have left strong impressions with me. There is an 'other worldly' feel to Montsalvat, with its medieval and French inspired buildings, and the ever strutting peacock displays. But mainly it is the quiet times, early morning and late evening with light fading that I think of most.

Opening drinks are on Tuesday 27th December at 5pm, with the show continuing to Saturday 7th January.

Not so fast

We all know time is constant and we each have the same amount each year, but still it is often said, and heard, how quickly the year has passed and how it just seems to get quicker. I had to rethink this recently though, when reminded of an exhibition that took place in January this year. It seemed like such a long time since the opening and workshops, but it was this year. It seemed incompatible - an event at the start of this year feeling a long time ago and that the year had passed quickly.
 I've been thinking about it and concluded, that it's not so much time passing quickly, more that we fit so much in to our lives (or try to), often at a frenetic pace, and this in part is what gives the illusion of time passing quickly...it's all the go, go go! Perhaps the year passing is not fast, just choc-a-block full with little time for relaxing. So I'd like to wish everyone the enjoyment of some chill out time over the festive season.

Reflecting on 2011, it's been fun and full and slightly more balanced than the one before. I'd like to thank everyone who shared their time and experiences with me. Big thanks to my husband, first time ironman and all time supporter, recipient of two husband of the year awards in 2011 (I am slightly bias :-) All my family, it was great to catch up with you throughout the year.
Friends...you know who you are, thanks for the gallery going, openings support, residency collaboration, garden advise, french dinner, weather watching, beach walking, art making, seed sharing, bird listening, ideas thinking, philosophy, side line cheering, hiking, blog posting, photo taking, gift giving, shared food and all round good times.
Thank yous too to the gallery directors and staff who have shown, supported and encouraged my artwork in 2011.

Wishing you a merry festive season and all the best for 2012.

Coochiemudlo Island

Bliss! I headed over to Coochiemudlo Island this week with Helena, for a day of outdoor work. The tide was high when we arrived with large green spheres of mangrove foliage appearing to float on the waters surface. It was very pleasant set up under the shade with a light sea breeze to cool the air. We often venture over when the tides are low, so the change was good and encouraged a fresh look at the landscape. I made a series of works on paper that responded to foliage shapes silhouetted against the bright sky. And while waiting for paint to dry lay on the sand soaking up the atmosphere...a perfect day.
Little mangrove shoots are beginning to establish in the bay we visit, it will be interesting to see how these transform over time. I went for a stroll collecting any plastic rubbish I found washed up and entangled in the mangroves, which ended up being an odd mix of party balloon, fishing line, fishing net rope and an action toy. I'm looking at rubbish in environments as part of my project work next year, will have to wait a little to see how these end up in more developed work.

A day at QAG and GOMA

I had some time out of the studio yesterday with a trip into the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. I avoided the block buster Matisse show this time, but was not disappointed with several interesting collections on show.

Currently at GOMA until 19th February 2012, is Ten Years of Contemporary Art: The James C Sourris AM Collection. In recent years, Brisbane benefactor James C Sourris, AM, has been gathering an extensive collection of contemporary Australian art, focusing on the first decade of the twenty-first century and paying particular attention to Queensland artists.
There are many stunning works in the exhibition, with some signature paintings on canvas by Judy Watson; skillful portraits on a grand scale by Vernon Ah Kee, and intriguing layered paintings by Madeleine Kelly, to name just a few. I also was delighted to see another painting by Rosslynd Piggott (who I mentioned in a previous post) from her unfolding flower - cloudscape series.


A multi-media exhibition at GOMA, The Hand, the Eye, and the Heart, was interesting to view, with some videos really holding my attention. One in particular investigated commemorative rituals, superstitions and beliefs we hold in various cultures, it was thought provoking, like many of the works in this show.

There were some new acquisitions on show at QAG and a large multi panel work by Guan Wei that caught my eye. Of course there were many other works I enjoyed on my wander around the galleries, all making for a refreshing and inspiring day of viewing.

Peppermint Magazine article

During October I was contacted by Emily Lush, a freelance writer from Brisbane, to say she was planning to write a small article about my art practice for the upcoming issue of Peppermint Magazine. I was very happy to answer some questions and am delighted with Emily's writing, which captures the essence of my practice beautifully. Personally I find it interesting to read or hear how others interpret my work, it's partly that they are removed from the making and can look at it with fresh eyes, something that can be difficult to do with your own work. I also appreciate writing which is skillful, (not really my forte.)

Peppermint is focused on showcasing the best in eco and handmade design from Australia and the rest of the world. Fashion, accessories, natural beauty, art, film, design, social issues, lifestyle and culture.

A big Thank you to Emily and Peppermint.