The fiery tones of autumn are still with us here in New Zealand and inspired this vibrant yellow and orange artwork using leaves from my neighbourhood.
“Leaves are a true miracle of nature. They perform a job a science still only dreams of fully understanding: they transform dissolved minerals and other elements into the organic matter that eventually forms the shoots, leaves, roots, flowers, and fruits that create the Earth’s rich layer of hummus and soil, and build its wondrous forests and habitats.” from the The Book of Leaves, by Allen J. Combes.
In this blog I’m going to write about sources of support for artists and some of the training and research that is influencing my artwork.
I have started a Patreon page (pictured above) to help me continue making art. Patreon is a website that connects artists with patrons who contribute a set amount each month or towards each artwork, starting at US$1. I’ve committed to one artwork per month, available as a high quality printable digital download to reward my patrons. Patrons can set a maximum amount they pay each month so that they never pay more than they are comfortable with. Patrons get access to exclusive “behind the scenes” content via the patron-only newsfeed and other rewards.
My first artwork created for the Patreon community is a calm and reflective green and blue picture entitled Kowhai (detail below). I’m not aware of any other New Zealand fine artists using Patreon yet, although there are people making videos for YouTube and cartoons based here in New Zealand. It will be interesting to see whether it is useful as a source of ongoing community and support for my art. I’m planning to film a video for my Patreon page later this year.
One of the ways artists have traditionally supported themselves is through art awards. I’m really pleased that Mānawa (pictured below), my entry for the Estuary Art and Ecology prize 2017, has been accepted into the exhibition. The award ceremony is at Malcolm Smith Gallery, 2pm Saturday 10 June. The exhibition runs from 12 June to 15 July 2017. I’m looking forward to seeing the different approaches artists have taken with the theme of Tamaki Estuary.
To develop my artwork I have been doing a course in traditional printmaking with Toni Mosely at Te Tuhi in Pakuranga, Auckland. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to expand my knowledge in this area and it opens up all sorts of possibilities for integrating traditional techniques with my leaf prints. My first relatively simple linocut (pictured below) will no doubt be the beginning of a new direction in my artwork over the coming months.
For research I’ve been doing some reading about leaves and trees. Germaine Greer’s White Beech, about her project to restore and rewild a block of Queensland rainforest brought back memories of a visit some years ago to nearby Binna Burra in Lamington National Park, Queensland, where I was fortunate to hear lyrebirds calling and to see some of the ancient Antarctic Beech trees on guided bush walks.
The whole Gondwana rainforest area of Queensland has an incredible mix of biodiversity. Lamington National Park was a highlight of my time in Australia and I hope I will have the opportunity to visit the area again. Sadly many of the visitors to the nearby Gold Coast have no idea that it exists.
I’m currently reading The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, which is about how trees communicate in a forest environment, and Allen J. Coombes Book of Leaves, to help me identify some of the leaves I am using.
If you are interested in seeing what other work I’ve been doing please have a look at my Corokia Studio website. I’ve got some new artwork which I will be adding to the Corokia Studio Etsy store over the next few weeks.
Celeste Sterling 