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Tutor feature: Wendy Jennings

Once a medical technologist daily using a microscope, the progression to studying nature with a camera and then a paintbrush seemed a natural one for Wendy Jennings after living in some of Australia’s diverse National Parks over 30 years.

"Realism and accuracy are the key to my work, down to the tiny insect always present. I have developed an affinity with nature and love discussing it with clients or with visitors at exhibitions and workshops. My aim is to stimulate an interest in the conservation of the world’s wildlife and its habitats. I have had no formal art training but took it up while living in a remote park as a hedge against the loneliness. It did not take long before it became an obsession. “There is much to be learnt from nature. We should not separate ourselves from it, or think we are greater than it, or we may miss something it has to teach us."

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Workshop focus: Into the Blue - Workshops & Walks in beautiful places

Be nestled in the earth’s arms as you sleep under the stars...feel the connection to country…let it guide your artwork.

Into the Blue Creative Walks is a walking company with a difference. They seek to walk in wilderness and not just through it, allowing opportunities to experience nature and the journey in a more profound and enjoyable way.

Their programs combine workshops that meld into the narrative of the journey, allowing the landscape and story of the country to be more fully felt. Take your passion and combine it with Into the Blue: and the results are usually extraordinary.

In July this year, Liz Ashburn will again be leading a group on the DESERT ARTIST Walk. Each season sees the program delve further into the drama, emotional story, tragedy and beauty that is the Central Australian story. Read more of this article >

Workshop focus: Kenilworth Celebrates! Arts Festival

Kenilworth Celebrates! Arts Festival is fast becoming the biggest Art Festival in Queensland.

The tiny town [population 260] in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland now runs for nine days and includes all the ingredients of great entertainment for the entire family. Only an easy 1.5 hour drive from Brisbane, a day in Kenilworth and the beautiful Mary valley is a great experience for young and old alike.

The theme “Great Art and Good Fun Go Hand in Hand” attracts the best Tutors in Australia and 100 artists to the 4 day classes. The students range from beginners to professional artists and are attracted from all around Australia.

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Calendar of Events

Coming soon! New workshop listing options for individual workshops and classes.  Additional features will enable you to make more informed decisions about your art tuition.

View calendar for: May 2010 :: June 2010 :: July 2010

August 2010 :: September 2010 :: October 2010

Workshop review: Mitchell School of Arts Winter School

Bathurst NSW is well known for its car racing but sadly not as well known for another event it hosts twice yearly on the campus of Sturt University, the Mitchell School of Arts Summer and Winter Artists Workshops.

What a truly delightful way to spend a week that is not only informative and a great learning curve but also a chance to meet really nice like minded people and have some fun as well.

It is especially good for those who love to paint and for one reason or another can never devote a whole week at a stretch without interruption.

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Latest TIps and Tricks

• Printing Limited Edition Etchings from Copper Plates

  Etching and engraving come under the printmaking category of intaglio - the print results from ink being forced out of the incised lines and not from the surface of the plate. Engraving was originally used to decorate metal. These decorations would often be filled with pigment which with the right pressure was found to transfer to paper or cloth producing a print. Read more of this article >

Chit Chat

When you live in country it seeps into you. Last weekend I went out to our property which is on the market. And I sat grieving over the trees and grasses and waterholes that I will no longer be able to visit when the property is sold. And I could not imagine the overwhelming grief Aboriginal people have felt being disconnected from their country.

We are inextricably linked to our environment. Atoms that belong to our physical bodies are mingling with our environment and vice versa. That is why it is so important to find time to be in wilderness to connect to the living environment. 

Some of the art retreats and wilderness walks listed on blueBanksia give you the opportunity to connect with country. I am sure that I will be taking advantage of these opportunities when my own slice of wilderness is no longer available.
Teresa

I have to admit it, I am a book-a-holic and love to read and collect books of artists who inspire me. The art books are invaluable to me as I can always find something new within the covers - a colour palette, a style, a different way of looking at the world. And of course, there are many, many artists who are so generous and willing to share their knowledge with wonderful step by step exercises to follow and ideas to try.

So don't forget to browse the Art Books listed on blueBanksia, we are adding to the collection every month. If you have any recommendations please just send an email and we'll add them to the book list and I'll probably add it to my ever-growing collection. Anyone with a spare bookcase or two?
Stephanie