HIDDEN ENERGY

Amazing to think that great forces of energy are not discernible by the human eye except with the help of technology. I have always been interested in scientific ideas and the lives of scientists. As a child I devoured biographies of famous scientists such as Flemming, Pasteur and Madame Curie and many others. Doing science was never a great love, but thinking about ideas has always fascinated me. The recent talk and debate about String Theory is one of the latest ideas to grab my attention. I like it when there seems to be an element of other world-ness or a beyond.

Having said all of that, ultimately my works are also landscapes. I cannot seem to depart from thinking in both macro and micro landscape mode. By micro, I mean the minutae which makes up our landscape ie: sand, cracks in the earth, the movement of leaves. By macro I mean those images of vastness which are so familiar to Australia. However, as one delves deeper the micro often becomes the vastness when smaller elements of existence are discovered. What once seemed small becomes immense.

The landscape is also a metaphor for emotional 'scapes', either individual or collective.

This painting above [along with various others] has been sent to Korea for an exhibition at Gallery L, Seoul opening 12 April.

Hidden Energy Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm

DANCING

I just cannot believe it is a week since I posted. However, it is!

I have been busy organsing multiple paintings [both oils and gouaches] to go to Korea for an exhibition opening in Seoul on 12th April. It has all happened very quickly, but it is also exciting. Maybe later in the year I will get to go to Korea.

Dancing can mean lots of things not just literal dancing with or without others. One can be lead on a 'merry dance'. Deal makers can 'dance around each other'. Dancing can also be used as a metaphor for a certain kind of existence. I often use titles such as 'The Earth Sings', 'Dancing Mountains', 'My Heart Sings'. I find these short utterances very inspiring and stimulating. My imagination 'sees' pictures which translate into images on canvas or paper. These short statements sum up a vast array of thoughts and dreams. They are not pithy statements designed to be clever. Like the images I create I believe these titles can be taken at many levels and thus expand in potential.

Dancing is also a great way to descibe the energies and vibrations which give life. This Universe is made up of endless components each dancing in ways which complement. A perfect dance.

The Universe Dances Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm

MEMORY

I have had quite a few paintings leave recently ie: sold which is fantastic. So, as they have left I have hung some older work. This is one of them. I painted it in 2002 not long after my divorce. It has always been a favourite of mine and as I hung it the other day I saw things in it that I was unaware of at the time of painting. It has also been in storage so I have not seen it for awhile and 'new' eyes and time can help with further insight.

I called it 'Memory' because the bride has memories of her childhood dreams of romance, weddings, love. I know that not all little girls have these dreams but as the mother of three daughters I can say that a vast number do. This is despite the rigours of divorce afflicting society today. I also know I had those dreams. The grown woman always carries the child-self within her.

However, I now look at this painting with some more thoughts. I still carry the child-self within. But I see the unlimited potential for discovery. It is a discovery of those subconscious core beliefs that dictate our responses to life. These core beliefs are deep within us and very difficult to uncover or unravel. As time passes and as life's circumstances happen we learn more about ourselves...and I think we can become more empathatic towards others. In fact, we can be more empathatic towards ourselves too.

When I painted this painting I was very sorry that my childhood dreams had been destroyed by divorce. I think now that the painting is more about growth encompassing a range of human emotions rather than anything to do with simply and only sorrow. I really like this painting because it makes me think and after five years it still makes me think.

Memory Oil on linen 80 x 100 cm 2002

INSIDE SUBSTANCE

Some great things have happened in the last week or so. Sales, people coming to view my paintings, offers to represent from overseas!! plus some 'unrelated to art' things which have just made life a little more joyful.

I am painting some a work on paper at the moment which I feel compelled to paint with small strokes. I do not know what comples me but it happens. The only thing is that I have a sore arm and my eyes are seeing double!

I have some new stretcher frames being completed at the moment. I cannot wait until they are ready to pick up as I am very keen to paint with oils again. I have had a break for the last couple of months while I have concentrated on the works on paper. But, I am keen to put some of the ideas I have developed onto canvas.

I am fascinated by the things we cannot see but we can feel. I am wanting to explore how these 'feelings' might look if we could see them. For example the concept of sending love is intriguing as I know it works. But what does this 'love' look like as it transmits itself through the ether? This concept does not mean the sender expects anything back...it is unconditional. How can I envision the the idea of 'unconditional'? How can I portray the energy within such powerful gifts? The idea that thought has an energy is also a fascination for me.

So, looking forward to the new stretcher frames being here with me.

Inside Substance Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm unframed

MORE SUBSTANCE

Over the weekend I went to the inaugural Interfaith Festival at Maleny. I could only go for one of the two days, but I am so pleased I got to go to one day. The first session was a panel discussion with representatives from the three Abrahamaic faiths, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The host was Rachel Kohn from the ABC Radio National program The Spirit of Things. She was excellent hosting the event, asking very deep and penetrating questions about the meaning of 'faith' for each of the faiths, what issues were the most pressing within each faith and so on. The responses from each of the panel were thought provoking, revealing and heartening. Each spoke of love, embracing similarities at the same time as respecting differences, the profile the media gives to fanaticism and extremism.

One of the most insightful comments for me was that to be a 'moderate' does not imply ambivalence but rather a position which is held passionately, deeply and thoughtfully. The very word implies something other than passion, but in reference to religion to be passionately 'moderate' makes sense and certainly does not conjure up images that the clashes of fanaticism do.

The last session " God is Not dead: Religion, Truth telling and Hopefulness" given by Prof Kevin Clements from the Peace and Conflict Studies Centre at the Unviersity of Queensland was also excellent... except he really needed 3 hours rather than 30 minutes. I came away feeling that there are pathways for abundant leadership and a caring community. His comment that the arts/creativity have an important part to play in the environmental circumstances for peace to be understood and gained gave me some hope that there is a purpose 'Out There' for me.

Substance Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm

ENERGY

I cannot believe it has been a week since I last posted. It only seems like yesterday. I have had a very busy week. As Chairman of an organisation I have had to attend various functions, organise others and respond to a great deal of correspondence this week. So, at the end of the week my energy levels are running a little low. More so because a couple of things which took a lot of time to organise fell through...somewhat frustrating. I have come to the decision that a few of my extra activities have to be let loose for others to tackle. But, this will take a little time.

Many of my paintings over the years have had something to do with vibrations and energy. I have felt compelled to paint these things. Sometimes the detail surprises me. Although, recent physio on my right arm [after last years RSI in my right elbow] tell me that my painting arm [and my computer arm] needs to be well looked after!

I have had a few 'Ah Ah' moments recently when reading various literature on spirit and energy, scientific discoveries and questions. I have always been interested in scientific discovery and thought. As a pre-teen I devoured books about the lives of famous scientists and I wanted to be one. My grade 4 and 5 teacher put an end to that dream! Another story for another time.

I am fascinated by unseen forces. We may know they exist but it is only through other senses other than the normal ones that we 'know'. It is a feeling kind of knowing...but even this does not describe it appropriately. Most of my work is fundamentally 'landscape'. I seem to fall for it every time. Even the painting above is a 'landscape'...one of the internal forces which make up our world. The micro and macro exist within each other. The closer you look the more the vastness becomes intimate details, each with its own 'landscape'.

Spirit Energy Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm

PENDULUM

The swinging of a pendulum can be mesmerising. However, extreme limits of the pendulum can be agitating. If we allow the emotional pendulum of extremes to exist within us it can be very scarey. But, when you think about it there is a natural balance.

So, this go me thinking about those days or moments when you can go from a state of great pleasure to complete depression. The emotional pendulum exists within the individual but a pendulum also exists in the collective out in the world. If we use too much water then the natural balance is the extreme we are experiencing now. If we pollute our air the natural balance seems to be the extreme distress out planet is under at the moment. The latter certainly gets people rallied to help which is part of the natural balancing. Let's hope the pendulum is not allowed to swing to the extremes in the future.

So, at an individual level how do we ensure the extremes of the pendulum are not allowed to cause us scarey moments, days, weeks, years. With great will power, imagination and thought, wisdom and self knowledge the pendulum can be made to swing less vigorously.

As an artist I am only too aware of the power of the imagination and how it can cause the extreme swinging of the pendulum. Vivid imaginations mean a great ability to catastrophise about almost anything. Imagination also equips you to create great bliss and beauty. The latter is so much more fun.

Pendulum Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm unframed

INTIMACY

This gouache on paper 'Intimacy In The Vastness' has been preselected for the Broken Hill Works on Paper Award which will be announced at the opening on the 23 rd March. This is the second year in a row that one of my works has been preselected. The general them is an outback one. The Australian landscape offers opportunities to ponder vastness and intimacy because the viewer can simultaneously see far into the distance and yet be inside this same distance. On a macro level the vastness can seem endless and broad. However, at a micro level patterns and intimate details emerge.

Intimacy in the Vastness 104 x 129 cm framed

SELF PORTRAIT

This was my entry for The Archibald Prize. I struggled with painting a more traditional portrait of myself ie: my face. Everything I did just was not capturing what I 'see' in myself. I could have given up but it became a quest.

One day when I was on an early morning walk dressed in gym gear, hat and sunglasses someone I knew called out to me. However, they were behind me. They had recognised me by my long plait hanging down my back. This was not the first time this had happened. In fact, many people do not recognise me from my front when I am walking and I often have to say, 'It's Kathryn' when I say hello! So, this got me thinking about identity. And certainly my hair has been a defining factor in my life.

I started to think about a 'portrait' of myself from my back. However, I wanted to paint something which went beyond physical identity. My inspiration for the heart came one day when I was driving my youngest daughter to one of her many extra-curricular activities. We were alone in the car and miraculously there was silence. I had my thoughts to myself when suddenly my daughter said, 'Mummy, why do you look sad?' I was totally unaware that my thoughts were showing on my face. My daughter's observation was not the first of its kind as over the years all three children have asked similar questions. Each time I have been totally unaware of my face changing with my thoughts. I hasten to add that sometimes my children's queries are about why I look happy too!

This made me think about those people who know me really well. It is not just my facial features which they see. They also see my heart. They identify the subtle nuances which others may not sense.

So, my 'Self Portrait' shows my most defining and affective physical element and my heart.

I painted this image while my children were away over the Christmas holidays. When I had finished it I put it somewhere where I could see it with 'new' eyes each morning. I do this with all my work to make sure I am happy with the painting once I am no longer involved with creating it. When my children came home they all immediately commented on the painting 'of you Mummy.' To them I was instantly recognisable.

Anyway, along with many other artists I did not get shortlisted for the Archibald. Next time!

STILL SEARCHING

My digital camera is playing up. It either blurs the focus or now it will not let me see the photos I have taken and download them. It needs a service I think. Another thing to do.

But aside from jobs to do there has been plenty happening that has made me feel content. I read a great article in the Australian Financial Review Magazine today. It was about the CEO of ANZ, John McFarlane. What an incredibly interesting man. He openly discusses his spirituality and his quest for further understanding, his faith and his joy of life. Let's clone him I say! And to top it all off under his leadership ANZ has become one of the world's leading banks. It has won an International Spirit at Work Award. I did not know these kinds of awards existed. But, how wonderful that they do.

It seems there is a growing observation of Spirit at work and present in our lives. Not just the kind found in religious denominations, but in everyday life, living and thinking. I see it in many levels. I am curious that religious beliefs and activity have become something politicians will allow the media to report. I read an interesting article about Hilary Clinton's religious experience recently while I was waiting for my daughter at the Physio. Other politicians, including Australian ones, allow the media a photo opportunities as they exit or enter church. I wonder.

Substance gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm unframed

MORE SUBSTANCE

When I paint I have a concept of what I want to paint. However, prior to creating the detail I really enjoy treating the surface of the paper with colour which ultimately becomes the underpainting or background. With works on paper I normally let the paint do its own thing, running and pooling. Sometimes I blu-tac the paper to the wall and let the paint and gravity do their gradual work. I sometimes help the process by spraying more water onto the paper. In many cases I then let another layer of paint do its own thing over the first dried colour. Once this has dried I then paint the details which fulfill my conceptual desires. I really like the way multiple layers give a textual feeling to the images. I'm not always sure exactly how the image will end up, but I am happy if the image reflects my initial concepts. I'm not sure what guides my hand, but I am very sure that I am happy with the process.

Substance Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm unframed

SUBSTANCE

It is over a week since I posted something on my Blog. The reason is that my computer has been away at the fixit shop for five days. I have been lost without it! I did become aware of just how much time I spend on the computer though...too much!

I have been working on a series of works on paper for my exhibition in October at Doggett Street Gallery, Brisbane. I plan to divide the space under separate headings but with one umbrella idea. At the moment I am inspired by the concept of substance ie: that which is 'out there' for us to understand yet not necessarily see with our eyes...only with our faith and imagination. Faith is something which we must embrace to combat the doomsday tidings which plaster our newspapers. This does not mean we need to bury our heads in the sand and ignore issues. It means we feel/know we can do something about the world's problems...that as a human race we have the capacity to solve, invent and flourish.

Substance gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm unframed

A BEAUTIFUL WORLD

I attended a multi faith Australia Day service hosted by the Premier of Queensland last night. It was fantastic. The service took place at the Nepalese Peace Pagoda at Brisbane's Southbank. Representatives from Hindu, Jewish, Taoist, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Baha'i faiths each spoke about oneness within diversity. Many of theprayers had the same words and metaphors. It was a very moving ceremony. The common threads through each of the short presentations are to be rejoiced and I believe everyone attending the service felt the same. The service finished with the Brisbane Birralee Voices singing Adiemus. It was truly beautiful. I just wish this sort of event could be front page news to help balance the negative images the media seems to prefer.

A Beautiful World Oil on canvas 40 x 60 cm

BEYOND

My children have returned and Mum's Taxi Service is back in full swing! I think I filled the car up twice while the children were away which was nearly 4 weeks. I've used a near-full tank in the 5 days since their return. Fuel consumption would severely drop if mothers of the world said 'no' to the constant requests to be taken places! However, half the issue is that the mothers of the world don't want their children vulnerable if the alternative is walking alone, being on foot at night, waiting for public transport at night and so on. Of course we could just say 'no' to everything, but then that would cause its own problems. I seem to remember my mum getting away with more 'nos' than I seem to be able to get away with though.

The painting/s above is my Beyond Series of four 25 x 25 cm each. They can be hung in various configurations. We all seem to look beyond. We catastrophise or we have hope. We are fed catastrophic possibilities by a plethora of people from scientists to politicians. Recently the Doomsday Clock was put forward a little. My middle daughter was quite traumatised by this thinking that the end was immanent and therefore she'd never have children! I believe children should grow up with hope and I wish there was more reporting of the good news to balance the bad.

I prefer to see that 'beyond' is a place of possibility and hope. A hope and a trust in the human race and processes to ensure that life goes on. A place of balance.

Beyond 50 x 50 cm [in this configuration] oil on canvas.

COUNTRY GIRL

Yes, I am a country girl. I grew up on a grain farm outside Dalby on probably the most fertile soil in the southern hemisphere. The top soil went down 10-12 m and my Father and my Grand-Father before him grew winter and summer crops [sunflowers, sorghum, barley, wheat, maize]. This climatic change that seems to have only been noticed in the last few years actually started in the 60s. My Grand-Father did not miss a crop for decades prior to the 60s. He could be certain that the weather would follow a pattern.

It was my poor Dad who missed the crops due to lack of rain. He took over the farm in the 60s and the weather patterns definitely started to change. It is a soul destroying experience planting seeds on minimal subsoil moisture knowing that the crop will fail if there is no follow up rain. This happened.

My experience growing up on a farm and then living in Goondiwindi for 18 years certainly made me very aware of the vagaries of the weather and the affects of these on farmers. I find myself periodically painting images that remind me of my very early childhood. These memories are of days of soaking rain, thick grey clouds, not being able to see even a few metres when the rain fell heavily, playing in the thick black mud, tanks overflowing, frogs croaking. As I have said before on this blog these paintings are like prayers...prayers for rain, prayers for the planet.

Wet Weather Please Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm unframed

WORDS OF INSPIRATION

I found a beautiful translation of the Lord's Prayer on the weekend. It is translated from Aramaic. The words create pictures as you read them. In essence it follows the contemporary version of the Lord's Prayer, but it engages me more because there is a sense of oneness. Visit http://www.thenazareneway.com/lords_prayer.htm to read more translations and a short history of the development of the Lord's Prayer.

All I can say is that the older versions of the Prayer have inspired me. They are poetic and stimulate imaginings. I wish I knew more about comparitive religious studies because I know beautiful words exist in other religious prayers and meditations too.

Vibration of Life Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm

STILLNESS

The weekend has arrived and I have read the papers. I normally don't read them during the week except possibly for the Financial Review on a Thursday. I will read them in coffee shops if I am out and about. I have been painting on paper the last few days. Starting a painting is exciting but there is also a moment of trepidation when making the first mark. In my mind's eye I know what I want to achieve, but can my hand and brush manifest it. Sometimes I am more happy than I had hoped and other times the work gets torn up and thrown away. When I tell freinds that I throw paintings away they are astonished. That said, if I am slightly annoyed with a work I will leave it for a few hours and even up to a day. I will place it in a spot where I see it as I walk down my stairs. So, in a sense I see it with new eyes. Sometimes I wonder why I was ever annoyed and other times it ends up in the bin. Reflection is a very useful activity...in all aspects of life really.

Divine Grace Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm unframed

THE EARTH'S MOVES

The last few days have been quiet...and I am SO grateful for the time and the peace. Although, I have just read The Bulletin and now wish I had not. So much bad news and one small article about dire predictions for 2007 which was very depressing to read. There was a very good and uplifting article about Peter Garrett and his potential to be PM though. What is it about the human race that makes a focus on dreadful events and possibility seem so enthralling? I have to say I am not enthralled and have thrown the magazine into my Miniskip bin which arrived this morning. I am still in the cleaning out process, ridding my house and my envrionment of unwanted stuff. I have become so excited about throwing stuff away that I ordered the bin yesterday. Trying to fit everything into a wheelie bin which is collected only once a week does not work!

I have been painting and also have lots of ideas in my head. I bought some great new materials yesterday. I always end up buying more than I really need, but it is fun.

I had some really fantastic comments about my work yesterday. And I have sold a big painting and consulted to someone this morning about export. Needless to say I am feeling great.

So, my predictions for 2007 are completely the opposite to those I read earlier today. I 'see' positive vibes are in the air. The painting above is what I 'see' and it sure looks pretty good to me.

The Earth's Moves Oil on canvas 30 x 40 cm

JOURNEY

Over the last two weeks various events have occurred in my life which have made me stop and think. Quite an inspiring and very useful thing to do...stopping and thinking. Hectic lives often mean we don't stop and think, but eventually something makes us. I am grateful for the opportunity to dwell and meditate. In 2007 I will do this more regularly!

The Journey Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm

THE UNIVERSE SINGS

It is now 2007. Truly amazing how time flies. A few days ago I visited a house where one of my large paintings now hangs. It looked fabulous. The owners had commissioned me to do the painting some time ago and I had not see it hanging. I felt extremely satisfied! A great feeling.

Two nights ago I attended a fabulous performance at the Upfront Club in Maleny www.upfrontclub.org A band called Lucy Love and the Firetrees played at this great venue. The Upfront Club is a collective club and is situated in the main street of Maleny. It feels like it has been there forever. Old rustic tables, a variety of chairs, great food and a tremendous relaxed feeling make the Club unique in this day and age of slick interiors and overly designed furniture. I've eaten at the Club many times and love the food. The menu always appeals with its eclectic and wholesome vegetarian and non-vego choices. And, of course there is a bar.

The band was absolutely great and obviously made up of very talented young performers. They had even written most of the songs. By the end of the evening people of all ages were dancing to the music which was a mix of styles beautifully melded together in a unique sound. The Club is intimate but the sound quality was just right. It was loud enough to bounce and bop to but still clear enough to discern the thoughtful lyrics and to hear different instruments including some virtuoso drum playing by Lucy. I got up to dance too and had a great time. My Mum was dancing as well! A great night.

So, do I have any New Year resolutions? All I can say is...2007 is my year! Gold dust is in the air, inspiration abounds, age and experience are the mantras for unlimited success of all kinds and love propels.

The Universe Sings Oil on linen 160 x 120 cm