100 Drawings in 100 Days 2009 + What's On!

STUDIO DE SHAN

ART-STORMING de Shan's monthly newsletter about gaining a better knowledge of fine art This Month's Topic: Great Art Events On Now!
July 2009	A Personal Note From de Shan Yes, it's that time of year again - my annual "100 Drawings in 100 Days" is underway this month!! On the 15th July, I will begin completing one drawing a day, which will put the show at the end of October, 2009. Stay tuned in to my blog and I will let you know where and when the exhibition will be. Last year was the inaugural event, and it was such a success, that I have decided to have the show each year in October. I sold all 100 drawings, and I donated a percentage to charity, which I will also be doing this year. The show was held at Watt in the Powerhouse in New Farm, and although I would love to do it there again, the only thing that would hold me back is the lack of lighting. But, let's face it, it is a restaurant, not a gallery, and a very good restaurant at that! And again, the show is only for one night, the sales will be held for 100 minutes, and all drawings (matted) are priced at $100. What a bargain!! Especially during the current economic climate, we could all use a little art shopping spree, with minimum damage to your wallet! Sincerely, de Shan What's On In The Local Art Scene? Recently I have been preparing for the beginning of my drawing expedition, but in between inspirational thoughts, I've been looking for great art shows and exhibitions to attend. It's a great activity for singles, couples and families, especially when the weather is cold and rainy... Stay inside, keep warm and enjoy some art - then grab a nice hot cup of coffee at the surrounding cafes! As i mentioned above, my annual art show, "100 Drawings in 100 Days" is about to get underway. Here are just a few of the images from last year's show at Watt in the Powerhouse. The images were many and varied, and a couple of them have been the "working sketches" for paintings in my new oil series. There will be more of those to come also... Harlequin Girl, Pen and Ink on Cartridge '08 All of the images when matted were a standard size 11"x14", (28 cm x 35.5 cm) which easily fits into a ready-made frame from your local framers. Please check out my blog each day after the 15th July, as I will be posting the images every day or two as they are finished. studiodeshan.blogspot.com/ And if you see one that you Rooster Roulette, Pen and Ink on Cartridge '08 absolutely must have, send me an email and I will be happy to hold it for you. Stay tuned for the location and the date for the show. Venus' Eye, Pen and Ink on Cartridge '08 WHAT'S ON THE LEONARDO DA VINCI MACHINES EXHIBITION The Pages Pavilion. Cultural Forecourt, South Bank, Brisbane The Exhibition presents over sixty machines based on the original drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, featuring his amazing flying machines, nautical, hydraulic and architectural innovations, groundbreaking applications of civil engineering and incredible war machines. 10.00am to 6.00pm Daily Tickets from $10-$50 for individuals to families June 6th to September 6th 2009. Open Every Day - Including Public Holidays! MICHEL SOURGNES FINE ART 16 Stevenson Street Ascot George Morant: Country Rugby League in the 50's Until July 28th ART FACTORY GALLERY 84 Merivale St, South Brisbane Contact Pam on 0439677755 or Michelle on 0408749238 Email: pam@pamelagough.com or artsalon1@hotmail.com Web: http://4degreesofconnection.blogspot.comGallery hours: Saturday to Wednesday 11am to 6pm. "4 Degrees of connection" In this diverse exhibition of paintings, ceramics and photographic works 4 Brisbane artists explore their connections to history, nature and each other, which in turn connects the viewer to a deep sense of belonging, identity and place. Artists: Irene Brown, Pamela Gough, Michelle Bowden and Kirsten Dale Cutler. Opening night Friday 24/7/2009, drinks with the artists 6pm to 9pm. Special morning tea 26/7/2009 from 10am. until 29/7/2009. EDWINA CORLETTE GALLERY 555 Brunswick Street New Farm QLD 4005 Tel (07) 3358 6555 http://www.edwinacorlette.com. You are invited to preview "The Winter Show", an exhibition of works by Erin Smith, Zom Osborne & Tjunkiya Napaltjarri Until? GALLERY 2120 Shop 2a 9 Doggett Street Fort Valley P: 07 3254 1192 E: michael@gallery2120.com.au Web: http://www.gallery2120.com ANDY WILD Commences 16th July Until 1st Aug.
Join Our Mailing List!	STUDIO DE SHAN de Shan Visual Artist PO Box 793 New Farm, QLD 4005 email: info@studiodeshan.com website: www.studiodeshan.com

inaugural newsletter for studio de Shan

STUDIO DE SHAN

ART-STORMING de Shan's monthly newsletter about gaining a better knowledge of fine art This Month's Topic: Where do YOU Get Your Inspiration? April 2009 A Personal Note From de Shan Recently, I made a trip up to Eumundi for their first ever Gallery Walk, a tour of 7 galleries, which I understand will be an ongoing event. I will keep you posted on that. It was absolutely amazing, a great afternoon and evening, with some wine, hors d'ouevres and culminating with some fabulous Carribean music at Treefellers Restaurant. Being around such a vibrant community that afternoon and night, feeling so much energy, great visual art, and talking with the gallery owners and some of the artists, it made me realise that i need to do more in the art world to gain inspiration. I have just decided that I need to keep my creative mind flowing during these challenging economic times - and one way to do that is to write a newsletter about fine art for artists and collectors. This is my inaugural newsletter, but I hope you will stay tuned for monthly information (perhaps increasing to every 2 weeks), about creating art, helpful information for artists and collectors, listings for art exhibitions, as well as some hints on how to buy art that suits you, your home and your budget. And please feel free to pass this along to any of your friends that may enjoy it! Sincerely, de Shan What Inspires You? So many artists are asked this about their work. How do you approach this question and what would your answer be? I painted an entire series about my black Labrador Retriever, Hank, who was stolen in 1995. I was just beginning my graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma, where we had to select a style or theme around which to build an entire two-and-a-half years of work. This was such a difficult task, because, as you probably know, artists sometimes get blocked and change direction. It took me at least a month of floundering and searching, only to realize that I just had to look within and paint about how I felt over the loss of my darling dog. After I graduated, I still found myself painting Hank - for quite some time. These paintings have been hugely successful sellers (everybody loves a Lab!), but after a while, I ventured into abstract, only to eventually come back to the paintings of circus-inspired animals and wild-looking people. Some artists gain inspiration from nature, their surroundings, day-to-day life, sadness and sorrows, pain and depression, happiness and love. For me, it is life experiences, music, nature and the circus. I just love the circus! So... it's natural for me to want to express that kind of passion in the best way that I know how - visually, on a canvas. In every painting I create, there is a little piece of me and the way my mind works. For most artists, their work expresses what they are feeling - or seeing - or hearing. Consequently in each and every piece of art you possess, you also have a part of that artist with you. Therefore, in order for you to have full appreciation of your art acquisitions, I'm sure you will agree it's important to take the time to meet your local artists, ask them questions about the piece you admire, and get to know the story behind it. As a result, when your friends make comments on your choice of art, you will be in a position to discuss it in depth. Join Our Mailing List! STUDIO DE SHAN de Shan Visual Artist PO Box 793 New Farm, QLD 4005 email: info@studiodeshan.com website: www.studiodeshan.com

studio de Shan video

as i was going through my boxes of belongings i brought over from the u.s., i found this cd with footage from one of the gallery walk nights in my gallery. my dear friend and fellow-artist john haynes filmed this evening, and it was the most fun gallery walk ever! 

once a month, all the galleries in the oklahoma city paseo art district would open their doors to host an evening of wine, hors d'oeuvres and fabulous art. and people from all over the city would come and enjoy the wares of all the artists, the street music, the fine food, taking in the bohemian spirit of the evening, drinking too much, and probably buying some art.

this was back in a time when i used to wear butterfly wings to any occasion, and i still had my beautiful attention-deficit-disorder german shepherd/pit bull mix puppy, named kitty. sounds too good to be true (ha ha!) but it was a great time of my life, and i will always have fond memories of this gallery and the art community there.

children's book illustrations - hank and the hurricane

i'm back to working on my illustrations for an author in the U.S., after a little hiatus. among all my personal hiccups, including moving from the U.S. to australia and trying to get settled sans all my "stuff", there were problems on the author's end with the publisher...

so, we're now back at it again!! i thought i'd start posting them as i finish them, and i have completed 10 to date.

the story line is about hurricane katrina, and how so many families were separated from their beloved pets. now, a little background here: 

the author, william riggan, was the chief editor at a publishing company i used to work for in college - it was a small operation, and the quarterly journal dealt strictly with international book reviews. i loved it! back then, i had my black labrador retriever, hank, who used to come up to work with me on occasion. and of course, all my co-workers loved him!! what was not to love? he was adorable. and so, when bill retired, he wrote this children's book, using hank as the main character, and he chose me to be the illustrator!! how cool is that?

this is the first color image in the book - where henry and hank are walking through the park on a nice sunny day... and i'll post more later...

100 drawings in 100 days - SOLD OUT!!!

I SOLD OUT!! all the drawings sold within 1 1/2 weeks of the show opening! 

i am most definitely making this an annual event! not only did i manage to stay focused and disciplined, i improved my drawing skills dramatically - a win-win for all!

if you would like to be on the mailing list for the "100 drawings in 100 days" show for 2009, please visit the Studio de Shan website sign-up and contact page.

thanks again go to Variety of Queensland Charity for Children, who were so helpful during the event and the donation process.

100 drawings in 100 days - the show

what a great evening!! thanks so much to Watt for having the event at their premises, and Variety Queensland, a Children's Charity, and my amazing checkout girls for a job well done. it was crazy at the close of the sale, and they handled it all so well! 

thinking this is going to be an annual event... 

let's get the show on the road!

well, this is what it looked like during the hanging process... we JUST BARELY had enough room for all 100 drawings!!! i was afraid that with the mats, they might be so much bigger that they wouldn't all fit, but they did. a little squishy, but it still looked awesome! i think it actually added to the visual impact, and the gravity of the whole event (100 drawings in 100 days?? are you MAD??)

100 drawings in 100 days - preparing for the show

i have been delegating jobs out to friends to help me get ready for my show. tomorrow morning we hang it! i will be really relieved to get it up and on the walls. here is the stack of stuff to take, and my work bench where i did all the mounting... whew! i'll take lots of pics at the show for you all to see.

the polar bear, the jack-in-a-box, and the ringleader

FINISHED!!!! I DID IT!! I ACTUALLY DID IT!!! 100 DRAWINGS COMPLETED!!!! wow, how excited i am that i had the opportunity to do this, and how amazing it is that i find myself drawing a lot easier now.

the 98th and 99th drawings were still circus animals, one of which is a jack-in-a-box. i have always loved jack-in-a-boxes, and a dear friend gave me a vintage one for christmas a few years ago. it still works, and is just gorgeous, even though it's a little tatty, it's still a wonderful toy. i have called these two, "the fortune teller" for the polar bear, and "the cow-in-a-box".

now the last drawing is kind of a self-portrait, using my face but the pose of a different woman, so it's not terribly precise, but i was too anxious to get it done to get a great picture taken. and seeing as how it was the last drawing, and most of the drawings have some sort of circus inspiration, it only makes sense that i be the ringleader... so that is what i have called it, "the ringleader".

the snake lady - 100 drawings in 100 days

i'm still in a mad rush to get all the drawings scanned, and uploaded onto my website, still having some issues with all of the devices, so... this will have to be brief.

after watching "carnivale" about 78 times, i think i know all the lines that each actor has, but i just love the imagery, and the characters. one of them is a snake charmer, and her arms and back are covered in snake tattoos which i find visually intriguing, but the snakes are pretty wild too!

i once was drawn by a tattoo artist, whilst i had two baby albino pythons wrapped around each arm - it was oddly enough a very thrilling experience!

this drawing is called "the snake charmer".