On the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of March I got a quick window amongst breast feeding my new baby to see some of the studios on offer at Marrickville Open Studio Trail. Its a great initative by the Marrickville Council, also partnered with Art Month, which is now currently on in Sydney.
Monthly Archives: March 2014
Creative spaces
A while back now, I went to a great studio party of the painter Aaron Kinnane. It got me thinking about the importance of creative spaces and the artist studio, not only for artists but stimulation for society as a whole, as seen by the blossoming of studio artist trials in Sydney, books, blogs etc, celebrating the creative space. Aaron’s studio is a quirky inspiring warehouse in the Inner West of Sydney. His new paintings were on display with plenty of interesting vistas for the creatively inspired. There doesnt seem to be enough of this, the individual, the expressive and the makeshift, all created on a shoe string, with no stylist in sight!
Aaron’s latest work on display, landscape inspired paintings with layers of thick impasto paint.
The workbench area of the studio, for stretching canvases etc. One of Aaron’s inventive sculptures/candelabra in the foreground, with a beautifully poetic use of found materials.
Vistas and views in the studio, with assemblage and arrangements of found materials; a piano, a sound recording area, sculptural objects derived from furniture, nick nacks, idea boards, and arranged objects.
Films projected onto the iconic garage roller door, to create a unique screening area
View from the kitchen/BQ to the studio entrance, and the use of found timber and timber packaging crates to create cubby like areas, almost like a tree house. I think this is one of the elements that makes this space so intriguing, the reminiscence or reminder of childhood.
The garden, with found materials and lighting.
I have just joined the Marrickville Cooks River Committee
I have just joined the Marrickville Cooks River Committee. I thought it would be a good experience, and a way of contributing back to the community. As I walk almost daily long the river, and my art work is inspired by the subject of the Inland River, for me it is a relevant way be involved in the community. The committee aims to improve the environment of the Cooks River and raise awareness amongst the community of its value as a natural system.
Last weekend I went to the Marrickville Council’s Rain Garden Planting Day. One of the largest rain gardens created so far along the Cooks River. Marrickville is a great council, very active on the environmental and arts front. The Planting day, part of the ‘Water Revolution’ initiative, was open to the whole community. There was a big turn out on the day, with everyone getting a chance to plant a tree! The Street Rain Gardens are one way the council is improving the quality of the Cooks River, removing pollutants and rubbish from storm water over flow.
The catchment area, with grass plantings for filtration, and a stoney river bed with gums.
View looking up to the neighbouring golf course, with new plantings in the foreground.