painting

Creating – Back in Business Baby!

by Chavah Kinloch on April 11, 2011

Boston is at a beautiful age right now (20 months). For the most part he’s allowing me to create throughout the day while he ‘draws’ alongside me or just enthusiastically watches. It seems living from such a young age with all my materials around them, my kids have grown into understanding what they are and aren’t allowed to touch so it’s only when they’re extremely young (under one) that I have issues with them touching my projects or products. I’m feeling really grateful that we’re back to a stage where I can trust each kid (for the most part) to not destroy what I’ve got in the works. It’s allowing me to create as often as I want…which is constantly right now. I love it.

So right now I’m working on a few projects and really just experimenting again.

Up next I am part of a fundraiser for the SPCA in an event called The Funky Chicken. You’ll find my creation at Jay Jays on Esk St, Invercargill from the 25th-29th of April (Easter week). After that it’ll be available to purchase via silent auction at H &J Smiths, Invercargill store. On the 22nd of May the sculpture/chicken will be able to be collected/delivered to the highest bidder.

Here is a photo from last week, it’s had a lot of progress made on it since then but I won’t be revealing any more until it’s completed! Exciting :D

Right now I am heading in a more loose abstract expressionism direction with my paintings and enjoying the freedom it offers. It might have a lot to do with my absolute despise of being ‘told’ what to do. Everyone has issues, that’s my biggie. My parents would strongly agree I’m sure haha. It runs through into my hatred for people saying what art should look like. There are certain things that make up a good creation but not everyone should use the same techniques and styles. I get really annoyed when I hear people try to argue that someone like Pablo Picasso didn’t make ‘real’ art. Yes, I have in fact heard people talk like this. The art world would stifle if we all stopped listening to our own creative prowess. These two paintings shown are recent creations and I have two complete abstracts in the works that I’ll get to once my deadlines are done.

Below: Forever in my Memories

(excuse the poor photo below – painting currently untitled)

I’m working on a portrait commission of a gorgeous wee girl at the moment too. I forget how much I love to sketch. Hopefully I’ll get her finished this week.

I’m also helping my kids design their ‘dream rooms’. They’re making little models and taking great pride in their designs.

My oldest boys actually share a room so my youngest in the photo is just painting his weet-bix box turned piano hehe. The others were painting and he didn’t want to be left out.

Coming up I have the annual NZAG collaborative project to work on but I haven’t started on that yet. I’ll be sure to share a peek of that when I finally get around to it!

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Six Things I’m Loving Today

by Chavah Kinloch on January 19, 2011

Great clients – This is a photo sent to me from my latest client. It’s humbling to see my work being displayed and appreciated. It’s moments like this that make all the fear you experience when putting yourself out there, worth it.

Buy a painting: Starting from $50

Mayday by Shepard Fairey – A book published by well known street artist, Obey. The book talks about people such as Jean Michel Basquiat who he describes as revolutionary.

To quote Shepard:

They started out on the margins of culture and ended up changing the mainstream. When we celebrate big steps that were made in the past, it reminds us that big steps can be made in the future.’

Definitely one to add to the list of must haves, for me!

Buy it: US$29.95

Jun Arita Tees – A new line of t-shirts for men and women is out, created by artist Jun Arita. There are quite a few really great designs that it makes it hard to pick just one! So I didn’t hehe. My favourites are in the photo above: New York (in green) and New Zealand (in black).

Buy it: $35.00-$39.99

New Years Resolutions Printable – Created by Maddie over at lilmagoolie. Guess what, they’re free to download, so go get yours.

Download it

Hip Hop Documentaries – My husband and I are doco freaks. We love them, doesn’t matter the topic, we’ll watch it. However, lately we’ve been on a hip hop documentary overload, which suits us just fine. I love hip hop and my husband, well, he looooves hip hop. Hip hop plays a pretty big part in our lives, I’d forgotten just how much until we began watching these docos. It’s been so fun to watch and feel the excitement pump through our veins again. It’s sparked a lot of fun memories and made me realise just how ingrained the culture is in our lives.

One of my favourite quotes, from the documentary Rhyme and Reason:

Rap is something you do. Hiphop is something you live.

Crown Decor – In fact, anything with a crown on it. Some people like birds, others like cars, I like crowns. Our relationship goes waaaaay back and I still can’t get enough!

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Winner Announced – Finally

by Chavah Kinloch on January 9, 2011

Well what a great start of the year I’m having in the blogging world. I keep leaving you all hanging!

So before today gets really busy like the rest of my week, here are the results from the draw for a winner of the painting.

Congratulations, JOANNA.

Random.org decided today’s number was #2. Please email me your details.

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching.”

Buy Image by Beth Achenbach

Have a great weekend everyone!

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Just So You Know, I Am Still Painting

by Chavah Kinloch on November 11, 2010

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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Sexy New Subjects

by Chavah Kinloch on July 26, 2010

Welcome to the first official day of my regular routine! I’ve loved my time off but am really excited to be back painting my paintings and venturing into finishing and starting new furniture projects to take from wreck to ravishing.

This is my current project. I was going to make it extremely artistic but now I’m not sure if I want to anymore! I’m thinking I’ll change my mind and go a completely different direction.

Purchase price: $15.00

This is the lampshade I purchased in Dunedin. I loved it’s colour and lantern-like shape. I bought it the day after I visited the most kick-@$$ Chinese restaurant and was feeling inspired by the restaurants interior design. I’m considering adding some bling to this.

Purchase price $10.00

This was purchased from the dump. It looks to be part of a mid century Scandinavian design set. I love the little curves in the bars and at the front of the seat. It almost seems like sacrilege to take to it the way I want to but alas, I’m still going to do it my way.

Purchase price: $5.00

I’m not a huge fan of cane furniture but there are some pieces that I see potential in. This is one of them. Right now it has a rustic feel to it and is in need of a good spray and wipe. I’m sure it will come up a treat when I’m done.

Purchase price: $2.00

How cute is this stool?! My husband saw it first and told me he knew I’d buy it as soon as I saw it. He knows me well.
The seat is more of an olive green colour. It’s cute enough as it is but does need some TLC to bring it to it’s full potential.

Purchase price: $6.50

I looove how sexy the base of this table is. It’s REAL wood, extremely heavy. This is the project I really want to get started on BUT my rule for myself is I have to finish one thing first before I move on. So I’d better get back to it now :)

Purchase price: $20.00

Do you have any current projects on the go? Feel free to leave your link! I’d love to see.

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The Latest Project – Side Table Drawers

Ahhhhh. First off, I just wanted to say I’m feeling great. Thanks for the lovely comments I got all around the place Next up, my latest project! So my favourite places to shop down here are Habitat from Humanity and the dump. This particular project was found at the dump. Shopping second hand down here [...]

How I Spent My Birthday: A Day in the Life of Me

So I’m officially 26 today! I’ve had a great day. I haven’t done anything exciting, it’s just another regular day but I have to say; the birthday wishes that have rolled in all day have totally made my day. The day started early. We headed out to treat the kids to McDonald’s for breakfast. Totally [...]

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