mixed media art

It’s been a while since I posted anything about my art, so I thought I would update you all on what I’m currently working on.

Right now I have three paintings on the go. I do actually have more 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4 done paintings out in my studio but there are two huge pieces I’m working on. Here’s a glimpse at those, plus another that’s just got a few more things to add in:

So first up is this large mixed media piece. It has a looong way to go yet. As you can see I don’t even have the first layer of paint down.

A bit about the painting: One of my nicknames is Queen-C, it goes back quite a bit. I’ve recently become obsessed with the Queen of Hearts from the new Alice in Wonderland. She was so ugly and cute at the same time. I think I was one of the few in the world that adored the new version of the movie. It wasn’t the same as the classic, which I also adore, it was different story altogether which die hard fans weren’t too happy with. I, on the other hand love different. I like the fact that they carried the story on. I enjoy playing around with the Queen of Hearts because she’s so quirky and controlling. Plus she’s a queen..of hearts! Yay for hearts! Her essence really evokes fun thoughts inside me, I think we blend well together.

The next is a painting I began working on, on my birthday. You can see it progress step by step in this post. It’s based on an image of my husband and I. I love the photo because it totally captures our goofy attitudes. I’m creating this painting for Boston’s room but it will also be going on exhibition somewhere, first I have to finish it and find the right place to send it! It’s a TONNE of fun to create and actually more complex to create than it looks. I’ve had nothing but issues trying to source the materials for this project which is why it’s taking so long. I can’t wait till it’s finished.

What I really love about this painting is that it’s also a puzzle. I use it to play games with my children. Children are drawn to it, I think from a distance it looks like candy. In fact right now Boston is lying next to it touching the buttons…this is a regular occurrence. There are thousands of buttons, including buttons from ralph lauren, levis, gap and about a hundred other brands. There are even some that say Boston! There are also fun shaped buttons, for example, the children stand there trying to find the four bunny buttons or the baseballs etc. At the end of it, there will be buttons spelling out words placed around for people to try to find and put together the sentence.

The third is a painting that was started about four years ago. It’s of my oldest son at that time. He’s changed so much now! I’m glad I’ve almost finished it. Four years is a long enough time to wait.

In the past few months I’ve also been exhibiting. I had work picked up by a gallery in the Wellington area:

I helped fundraise to send women to Samoa:

My painting was used on the set of the Lifestyle show on Cue TV:

I spent the afternoon working with disadvantaged teen girls. Read that post here and here is what they sent me to say thanks.

And I took part in an exhibition in Tirau:

I also took part in an artists trading card exchange, I posted about the awesome cards I received here. I forgot to take photo’s of my own! Dang, I really liked them lol. Here’s is a shot of one that Denita shared on her blog:

So as you can see, I’m keeping pretty busy. I still have more artistic projects on the go and I’l be sure to update you on them as they draw closer. Enjoy your day! I’m now in the mood to create. :D

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It’s been quiet around here this week. My husband has been on holiday and my in-laws were in town so I’ve been off having family time. I had planned on having posts all ready for the blog so no one got lonely but alas, my capabilities didn’t quite stretch as far as my mind this time.

So here’s what’s new:

The NZ Art Guild Collaborative Project is now up for auction!! Please take a look at the auction here. Remember, all proceeds are donated to The Mental Health Foundation of NZ.

If you missed the article in Viva, (I got the dates wrong!) go here and you can read Karley Feaver’s favourite things. Go Karley :D I love my Canon too!

My solo show is still on at Invercargill airport’s Koru Lounge. I think I’ve forgotten what my paintings look like lol.

Yesterday I received an invitation to take part in Dunkley’s Great NZ Craft Show. This event is huge but the price tag to be a stall holder is just as big. I think I will have to give it a miss this year but will look into it next year. I know pretty much everyone in my region attends ours.


I’m currently working on a new painting for a fundraiser. Still a long way to go but I can’t wait to do the next step! Pic below:


My daughter had artwork selected to be exhibited at the Polyfest they’re having for the region. I forgot because she told me the news months ago but a friend mentioned today that she took photo’s of the artwork for a slideshow for the museum. So happy for my daughter :D

Thank you to Wanderlust for including me in the Blog Carnival and Renee for the hand drawn Lovely Blog Award.

AMB blog carnival button

Also, this one’s a biggie, I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned it already! Creating My Reality is one of five finalists in The AusMumpreneur Awards – Best Blog 2010 category. The awards ceremony is being held in Brisbane on July 31 during a conference for Mumpreneurs. I really wish I could be there to attend the kick-a$$ conference and celebrate with all my fellow Mum’s (and Dad’s)!

One more thank you, this time to Cadbury NZ for taking the time to comment on my blog post about the Chocolate Carnival! Don’t know how you found me but it was cool to see your comment. I’ll pop by your FB Page and share some photo’s. We seriously had so much fun last week.

And last but not least, Boston turned ONE on Monday. He got to celebrate with his Gran and Papa in town. Very cool :D I still can’t believe it’s been a year. So much has happened. He’s huge now, bigger than most kids his age but that’s no surprise right? LOL. When he was born we were told he’d either lose a lot of weight and become a regular sized kid or he’d just grow up to be a giant. We’re on the giant path it seems. He’s clingy and a massive screamer but I still love him to bits. You can’t beat his cheeky grin! Melts my heart every time I see it. I can’t wait to see him grow even more.

Oh yeah, look what I bought myself today. LOVE. Might wear them to the ILT Art Awards tomorrow night.


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Time For An Update

by Chavah Kinloch on July 6, 2010

Things are moving along slowly here at my place. There’s a lot going on and zero energy to do anything other what NEEDS to be done right now. I’m sure you’ve all been there!

Well, ok, maybe I can fit in a bit of drawing here or there. That’s kind of essential though right?

Children are on school holidays for two weeks. These holidays are usually quite hard because it’s the middle of winter; which means we’re trapped inside all day every day, only emerging to attempt grocery shopping to buy the essentials for survival. Not this time though! The sun is out and our days are just feeling like crisp summer mornings. It’s quite strange but I’m welcoming it and loving it. Next week the kids grandparents arrive and then we’re off to Dunedin for a few days too. All of that equals a pretty easy two weeks for me. Sooo happy.

Over the weekend our gardens got weeded, trees got pruned and the lawns got mowed. They used a ride on lawnmower to get around the place. I knew our spot was big enough for one of those! Our backyard jungle has turned into a safe-haven for children to play in again. The gardeners did such an amazing job. We’re keeping them on for good.

I haven’t been lucky enough to receive my shipped goods for the large painting I’m working on. I’m a bit frustrated because I was having so much fun working on it. When I’m really enjoying myself the results on the project I’m working on always come out better than expected, now I’m a little worried that because the flow has been broken it won’t turn out as well as I had imagined. I’m hanging in there though! I’m just determined to get the results I want with this piece.

In the mean time I’ve been trying to get to my drawers. I didn’t get as far on them as I wanted last week. Boston is back to being a cranky pants. The one week of peace was awesome while it lasted lol. He’s teething right now and is not letting anyone get any rest. He’s up at 4am and stirring through the night. During the day he’s clinging and unable to settle, then at random moments he’s the happiest kid on the planet. We’re lucky if those moments are lasting more than an hour. Nevermind, this too shall pass!

Bloom was unveiled on Friday night and looks STUNNING. Head here to see the list of participants.

I’ve made a little bit of progress on the drawers, still a long way to go though!

Things were quiet one night while I was waiting for Andrew to arrive home so I sketched myself as the evil Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.

And seeing as my goods haven’t arrived in town yet, I figured I’d start on another painting.

That’s where I’m up to now! I’m off to work on this portrait. I love painting.

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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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Sneak Peeks

by Chavah Kinloch on June 21, 2010

Last week, before all chaos ensued, I was lucky enough to receive a package from fellow creative Karley Feaver. (I have a little feature on this talented artist coming up soon!)

Included in the package were remnants of gorgeous fabric for me to use in my creations and the coolest card. It was a recipe card. Practical in more ways than one. Loved it, the best package ever!

I’m so inspired by the fabric, I just can’t wait to get going with some new projects. Speaking of projects, I have a few sitting in my studio space right now. So once I get through them, I’m busting out this fabric. I was hoping to have had one project done last week but I think I can forgive myself for not getting it done.

I’m also waiting on some supplies for a painting I’m currently working on. As always, my resources are limited because I live in a small town. Well, it’s actually a city but still, it’s small. I am sooo enjoying working on this piece. I’ve already got plans for more. There’s only one place here that stocks what I’m using. Hopefully the next painting won’t take half as long as this one is. Waiting on companies to ship you some goods is not much fun.

I want to show you what I’m doing so badly! I also want to keep it a surprise though sooo, here’s a compromise. This is your sneak peek:

So coming your way soon… big reveals. Yay! These projects definitely keep me sane during these long cold winter days. I think it’s only fair to mention Boston’s room on the small list of projects. Andrew has been working hard getting that last layer off..slowly. My hero. I’ll be jumping back in at the next stage but until then, it’s his to deal with. Share the load right?

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