exhibition

“Interviews With Escapists”

by Chavah Kinloch on June 30, 2010

Doesn’t this title just grab you? It sounds intriguing doesn’t it? To me it does anyway.

This is the title of upcoming solo exhibition by Karley Feaver. Remember Karley? I mentioned her last week in this post, she was kind enough to send me gorgeous fabric to use in my projects.

Through a series of interviews Karley has explored peoples personal experiences and opinions on escapism.

It all began 3 years ago when Karley found herself going through a tough time; unhappy she recognised she was practicing her own form of escapism through her thoughts.

With each participant being asked the same 12 questions; Karley has taken their responses and translated them into bold abstract art works with each painting telling a story set to evoke emotions through imagery and colour.

Told you it sounds intriguing.

Karley has published the interviews on her blog and believe me, they make for great reading. A book containing the interviews is also available.

You are invited to view the exhibition Interview With Escapists which will be held at The Depot Artspace in Devonport, Auckland from July 10th-22nd 2010. Karley will be holding an artist talk for all on Wednesday 14th July at 6:30pm. Until then, catch her in the top 10 column in today’s Viva I believe!

Borrowing a question from Karley (I thought this one was a real goody):

Have you ever experienced going beyond moderation in daydreaming or escapism?

I would love to read your answers and experiences if you’re willing.

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Countdown to the Reveal of ‘Bloom’

by Chavah Kinloch on June 29, 2010

Every year the NZ Art Guild and it’s members take part in a collaborative project. The finished product is then revealed at the Emerge exhibition and auctioned off on TradeMe to raise money and awareness for The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. 100% of the proceeds are donated.

This year’s project is titled Bloom. It incorporates 64 individual artworks, created by 62 New Zealand artists that were invited to interpret the theme New Beginnings and Growth. The collaborative project results in an artwork 1/3m x 1.3m.

Can’t wait to see this year’s result!

I’ll be sure to put the link up to the auction once the reveal is done.

Those in Auckland are invited to the Emerge exhibition and reveal of Bloom at Bruce Mason Centre, 6:30pm, 2nd July 2010.

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Successful Sunday’s: Interview with Rachael Inch of Inspirational Art

by Chavah Kinloch on June 27, 2010

Rachael Inch is a wonderful creative that hails from the South Island of New Zealand. A woman I can relate to, her life is surrounded by art. For the past 9 years she has been producing bold paintings with a strong  influence from her surroundings. Her vibrant skies, rivers and hills capture the essence of rural New Zealand in a new contemporary way. Rachael is about to have her first solo exhibition titled Celebrating the Creative Spirit in Colour at Auckland’s Bruce Mason Centre,  August 3rd-31st 2010. If you’re in town you’re invited to meet the artist and view her gorgeous collection at the opening celebrations on August 3rd 7pm-9:30pm.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a really passionate person, who really cares. I am very driven and have a great love for all I meet. I guess I would describe myself as successful, as I am continually reaching the goals I set for myself, I am a mother and a Farmers wife an artist and a school bus driver! So I am able to do lots of things and multi task when I need to!! People inspire me!

What inspired you to do what you do?

My art is purely inspired by what I see and feel around me. On a holistic level, colours are incredibly important and beneficial to us. I am inspired by my emotions and I found that Art was a way out of depression for me. Art is how I express myself and how I learn to move through life.

What would be your best advice for someone wanting to go into business for themselves?

Plan and Action! The biggest thing I have learned is that you must have determination and self belief. If you have an Idea ACTION IT! too many people don’t ever action their ideas, they procrastinate and never put anything into action, if you want to be in business you must plan everything, affiliate yourself with social networking and get out and learn more. There are always great courses that are cheap or free on starting your own business.. go do it! Being a business owner is the most satisfying  job you can have, yes, you need to put long hours in and you need to make sure you work hard, but its on your terms. You only get out what you put in!

How do you handle all your different responsibilities, what are your priorities?

Sometimes not so easily!!! Its very difficult to juggle all the responsibilities I have and to be honest its not a perfect world all the time, things suffer! but if you balance your tasks as much as you can and plan ahead (oh yes I am the great Capricorn start sign the one who writes lists!!) then you tend to get there in the end. Sometimes I just need to go for a run to clear my head because I cant stop thinking and coming up with new ideas or what I have to do next, but I will always try and bring my thoughts back to “Live in the Present” quite often with the busy lifestyle I have “crash moments” that’s when I retreat for a moment, put on some calming music and try to de-stress.

Any goals for the future?

Goals for the future… Too many to list!! I will have my own store/gallery one day in the future and I have many Ideas on how to keep branching my creativity out to generate income. I guess my biggest goal is to be healthy and enjoy life as much as I can. I know that sounds so cliche but how can you make any career goals if you are not healthy?

Tell us a little bit about your family and relationship, if you’re in one:

I am a mother of a great 10year old boy, Jayden who is very special in his own way, I have a fantastic husband of 7 years, Rodney who is a farmer. (the rest is private ::))

Biggest life lesson?

Wow I have had sooo many LOL biggest… hmmm I guess “that life is way to short.” My mother in law whom I was very close too passed away in my arms around 4 years ago. It was such a sudden event and I guess after her death I took the rose coloured glasses off about life, I learned lots from that big event. Like, being honest at all times and no matter who doesnt want to hear the truth at least you stand in the truth.

We are here on the earth for such a short time and it can just be pulled away from you in such a quick instance, so I guess I would say that everyone needs to start living from their gut instincts. I have learned not to stay and feel unhappy in a job that I hate and “trust” that things will work out for me.

I have learned to APPRECIATE people more and say thank you all the time. That at the end of the day when we strip our material possessions all we have is each other so I learned to value that time that we have with people. Life is too short for letting other people run your life.

Biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?

In business? Well that for me personally is money management and research everything. I have learned in the art world that its not what you know its who you know so networking is incredibly important!! And I have learned in business if something is not working its not meant to be!

Share with us your favourite quote:

” Do not wish to be anything else but who you are and try to be that perfectly!”   and on a final note, I came from a family who work hard for what they have. I was always told by my father “There’s no such word as I CAN’T” its cannot or can. So I guess he taught me to always believe that no matter how hard things are I can always but try. Time and time again in my personal life I encounter people who are jealous of others success because they cannot set their minds to do what drives them. Everyone is good at something, I believe that the only restrictions in life are the ones that we put on ourselves.

Opportunities are everywhere you just have to take them and go with what you feel is right!

I suffered depression so badly that I tried to take my own life, I lost the support of almost all of my friends and I created a situation in my life where I was rock bottom. I said to myself that I was going to change it all and I did, one step at a time, it has NOT been easy. I work damn hard everyday to get where I feel I should be. I stopped blaming the world for my problems and started taking responsibility for myself. I started really looking at the way I acted spoke or was and I changed myself, why? For a better quality of life. I am just an average 30 year old woman and I made this happen by speaking from my heart. Anyone can do the same if they just say to themselves “I am Worth it”.


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Ohhh What’s Goin’ On

by Chavah Kinloch on June 4, 2010

If you’ve got Chavah Kinloch – Contemporary Artist on your Facebook you’ll probably have heard all this by now but now that I have a moment, I can catch everyone else up on my artist life. Things have been really busy and I’ve had a few late nights to get through it all. There’s always something going on behind the scenes for me and I keep quite quiet about it so I can just focus on what I need to get done.  So here’s what’s been happening.

First up:

The Undy Four Hundy exhibition is still on at Fusion Gallery in Lumsden and will run until June 12th.

Second:

I received this in my email the other day and thought it was quite cool. I put some art up a few months ago and forgot but it’s nice to see it’s being appreciated.

Third:

I have a small exhibition happening at the Koru Lounge at Invercargill’s airport. There are new works up and it’s a pity the venue is so exclusive but I’m excited to have been approached to have my work displayed there.

As you can see, I’m still all go with my painting and have been enjoying working on large canvases again. My nails are stained blue after a few full on days blending and throwing paint around and now that I’ve moved my gear out from my little studio, into my dining room I’ve managed to get paint absolutely everywhere! Oops! It was fun though, totally worth it.

Tomorrow I’ll update you on my yellow chair. See you then. Happy weekend everyone!

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How to Prepare a Painting for Hanging – The Do’s and Don’ts

by Chavah Kinloch on May 12, 2010

Lately I’ve encountered first hand and also been told of a few horror stories to do with the issue of paintings being handed over to a gallery for hanging.  There is no one way to do it but there are a few steps that just should not be overlooked. It makes you look professional and saves the handlers/gallery an awful lot of work. So if you want to put your best foot forward, use these simple tips.

Sample A

Sample A

Sample B

DO:

  • Finish your work off completely by painting the sides and sealing it when dry.
  • Write the Title and Date on the back of your painting. Don’t forget to sign it too.
  • Include all details Title, Size, Medium, Artist, Price on a tag or sticker that is easily visible on the back of your work.
  • Use D hooks.
  • Place them about 1/3 the way down on the back.
  • Insert the D hooks on the insides of the boxed canvas so that they don’t protrude and leave marks on the wall.
  • Use string or wire to  hang. Wire is best if your work is heavy as it stretches less.
  • Tape the back of the frame. You can buy framing tape at your local art supplies store for about $15.

DON’T:

  • Show up to the gallery and expect someone to do all this for you.
  • Take your art work anywhere when wet.
  • Expect unframed canvas or paper to be put on display.
  • Create a beautiful painting then not add the Title & Price to the back.

It’s honestly very simple. So simple it seems silly to write this post but I assure you, it’s very easy for people to overlook these steps. I hope you find them useful in the future. If you read this list and realise you’ve been doing these things, relax! When you know better, you do better. Move forward from today onward and you’ll be fine.

*** Don’t forget to enter my Pick Your Print Giveaway which runs till May 15th 2010

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Feeling So Good

I’m on a roll! 4.Try Zumba at least once – that ones for you Mim. 28. Get car rego. 22. Put my daughters hair in that plait hairstyle that’s in right now. 21. Go to an exhibition opening. Yesss. Four more things off the list today. Zumba turned out to be more enjoyable than I [...]

Random Ramblings of an Overactive Mind

I finished one painting and have packaged it ready to send back to be part of this years NZAG collaborative project, so half way to completing another thing on my list. It’s done on a small piece of wood. The big reveal of the collaboration will be done at the Bruce Mason Centre on July [...]

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