What’s going on
Posted: 16 July 2012 Filed under: Exhibitions, Inspiration, Out and About, Rona | Tags: art, Bogeyman, Channel 31, Familiar Unfamiliar, Geelong Gallery, Greasy Rhys, Inside Art, Jay-Dea Lopez, painting, Print Council of Australia, Rona Green, Sentinels and showboats, Sounds Like Noise, The Duke, The Great White, Top Gun, Travis Paterson, Tweed River Art Gallery Leave a comment
‘Happiness is a matter of one’s most ordinary and everyday mode of consciousness being busy and lively and unconcerned with self.’
– Iris Murdoch (1919-1999)
Iris Murdoch and John Bayley, writers, London, June 20, 1998 by Richard Avedon
I’ve got a bit going on at the moment.
The other day I was on the telly. I had been interviewed at the studio talking about my work for a TV program called Inside Art that airs on Channel 31 in Melbourne and Geelong. You can check out the interview on YouTube if you fancy:
Reference is made in the interview to my painting Bogeyman. He is one of my favourite characters.
Bogeyman, 2011, acrylic on canvas, 213.5 x 127 cm, by Rona Green, hanging out in the studio
Bogeyman was partly inspired by a love of the 1986 cinematic masterpiece Top Gun (which is compulsory viewing if you haven’t seen it already). Here is a taste for the uninitiated:
In particular the gawkishly endearing character Goose was an important touchstone for the creation of Bogeyman.
Goose and Maverick studying hard in Top Gun
Recently I have also popped up in the Blogosphere on Sounds Like Noise, the blog of sensational Jay-Dea Lopez.
Jay-Dea has created an evocative soundscape to aurally compliment my painting Greasy Rhys. It is a must hear so please click here to listen.
Rona Green, Greasy Rhys, 2011, acrylic on canvas, 112 x 91.5 cm
Stay tuned for more about Jay-Dea in future as we are concocting a project that will bring together astonishing art and scintillating sound as a special treat for the senses.
Travis Paterson (artist), me, Susi Muddiman (Tweed River Art Gallery Director) and Damian Kelly (Print Council of Australia General Manager)
Familiar Unfamiliar, an exhibition of prints by 45 Australian artists that I curated at the invitation of the Print Council of Australia to celebrate the PCA’s 45th anniversary, is on display at Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah, New South Wales, until 12 August 2012.
You can view the Familiar Unfamiliar online catalogue via the Print Council of Australia website by clicking this link.
One of my favourite works in the show is Campfire Stories by Travis Paterson.
Travis Paterson, Campfire Stories, 2011, aquatint, 38 x 28 cm
Travis is also participating in one of my projects, Corporeal, a group exhibition of prints by 23 Australian artists, that will be up on the walls at Geelong Gallery during early 2013. But more about that next year.
Rona Green, The Great White, 2003, lightjet print, 12.7 x 17.8 cm, edition 6
A couple of my artworks, The Great White and The Duke, are part of Sentinels and showboats – milestones in print collecting, at Geelong Gallery, Victoria, running until 9 September 2012.
Prints by quite a few of my favourite artists such as Bea Maddock, Rew Hanks and Heather Shimmen, are included in Sentinels and showboats .
The exhibition celebrates the 50th anniversary of Geelong Gallery’s first acquisitive print prize and offers an opportunity to view the collection of award winning works acquired by the gallery over the history of the prize.
Rona Green, The Duke, 2008, linocut, ink & watercolour, 76 x 56 cm, edition 13
Methinks I have blitzed you with enough information so I shall now leave you to enjoy the velvet tones of Marvin Gaye…
Nosing around – part 2
Posted: 19 June 2012 Filed under: Out and About, Rona | Tags: art, Australia, Fatto a Mano, Fitzroy, food, Melbourne, Neil's Art Store, Nozin Aroun', Shop Sui, shopping, The Young Ones, Trippy Taco 6 Comments
This post is a sequel to my last post where I let you in on a few hot spots around Collingwood, Melbourne.
Smith Street – Fitzroy on the left and Collingwood on the right.
Now I shall ferry you about Fitzroy and show you a few treasures.
Neil’s Art Store entryway
Neil’s Art Store, located at 44-46 Greeves Street, Fitzroy is a one stop shop for art materials and equipment.
Merchandise galore at Neil’s Art Store
They are especially handy for products of a printmakery nature!
Paul and Ben waiting in the wings at Neil’s Art Store
You will be taken good care of by the charming Paul and Ben who can give you all kinds of advice about all kinds of interesting things art related and otherwise.
Shop Sui shop front
A hop, skip and jump away at 227 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy you will find the fabulous Shop Sui by Sylvia Tai.
Sylvia Tai submerged in squillions of goodies at Shop Sui
If you need the perfect gift for that perfect someone (or even a treat for yourself!) Sylvia is your lady.
Her super store is overflowing with a superabundance of super cute stuff – it is a must see.
Fun stuff at Shop Sui
Just over the road at 228 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy you will find the scrumptious Fatto a Mano organic bakery.
Fatto a Mano window display
They make a multitude of delicious snacks and treats.
Amongst my favourites are the tomato focaccia, sour dough rolls and cranberry cookies.
Fatto a Mano focaccia
You will always be greeted by a friendly face at Fatto a Mano.
The effervescent Rita and Sandra at Fatto a Mano
If in Fitzroy and in need of a spicy feed make your way to Trippy Taco at 234 Gertrude Street.
Trippy Taco facade
This vegetarian restaurant is a fiesta of flavour.
My regular order is the vegan nachos but I also enjoy a taco now and then.
Tasty Trippy Taco vegan nachos
Thanks for taking the tour!
In closing here’s a blast from the past that provided inspiration for this post…
Nosing around – part 1
Posted: 5 June 2012 Filed under: Out and About, Rona | Tags: art, Australia, Australian Galleries, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Fluff Hair, James Rouse, Melbourne, Neo Frames, prints, Rona Green, Smith Street, St Luke Artist Colourmen 10 Comments
James Rouse on the cover of Time Magazine
‘Cities must be fun.’
– James Rouse (1914-1996)
Marvellous Melbourne, Australia, c. 1995
Judged the world’s most livable city in 2011.
Contentiously referred to as the cultural capital of the country.
The place I have called home since 1995.
Mercator Studios at the Abbotsford Convent
I’ve previously featured my studio at the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne.
It is very close to the inner city suburbs of Collingwood and Fitzroy, which I frequent for various reasons.
I thought it might be fun to take you on a tour of a few of my haunts.
Firstly, here is Collingwood through my (somewhat blurry, black and white) eyes!
Australian Galleries Smith Street entry
Australian Galleries in Collingwood represent my work and I exhibit at the 50 Smith Street gallery space.
Nick and Kate at Australian Galleries Smith Street
The Smith Street gallery is managed by the most excellent Nicholas Thompson and Kattie Bugeja.
As well as the main gallery space that presents an exciting range of exhibitions, the Smith Street location also houses an intimate print room.
Australian Galleries Smith Street print room
In the print room you can view work by a plethora of awesome artists including Deborah Williams, Graeme Drendel, Alexi Keywan… and me!
Street view of Fluff Hair
Located a few doors along from Australian Galleries at 46 Smith Street, Collingwood is the fantastic Fluff Hair.
The phenomenal Mario of Fluff Hair
This funky salon is where I have my coiffure styled by scissor genius, Mario Italiano.
Relaxing follicle conditioning and hot beverages are ably provided by the enigmatic Brendon.
Brendon manning the desk at Fluff Hair
Amble on down the road a little further and you will come across the astounding St Luke Artist Colourmen, purveyors of quality art supplies, at 32 Smith Street, Collingwood.
St Luke Artist Colourmen shop front
What a sweet shop is to a kid, St Luke Artist Colourmen is to artists!
St Lukette Kez ready to assist you at the St Luke counter
Kez Hughes and Paul Williams of St Luke are fabulous fonts of information regarding anything and everything art related.
St Luke staffer Paul stocking the shelves with goodies
Round the way at 9 Campbell Street, Collingwood you will find the inimitable Neo Frames.
Entrance to Neo Frames
These guys are who I trust to frame all my art – drawings, prints and paintings.
The customer service and workmanship at Neo are beyond compare.
The wonderful Neo Frames workshop
Give Bob and the crew a visit if you have any framing needs.
If you’re lucky dashing shop dog Neko may be around to give you a friendly greeting!
The lovely Bob and Neko at Neo Frames
In a fortnight i’ll scoot you all over Fitzroy in Nosing around – part 2.
Until next time!
Rona Green 