Taking a line for a walk…
Posted: 7 August 2012 Filed under: Artists, Inspiration | Tags: ABC radio, Ann Jones, Bendigo Art Gallery, drawing, interview, Paul Klee, Richard Serra, Robert Crumb, Rona Green Leave a comment
‘Art does not reproduce what we see; rather, it makes us see.’
– Paul Klee (1879-1940)
Paul Klee
Paul Klee, Der Held mit dem Flugel, 1905, etching
Paul Klee, Zwitschermaschine, 1922, monotype
‘There is no way to make a drawing – there is only drawing. Anything you can project as expressive in terms of drawing – ideas, metaphors, emotions, language structures – results from the act of doing. Drawing is a verb.’
– Richard Serra (b. 1939)
Richard Serra
Richard Serra, Lead Piece, 1968, lead
Richard Serra, Dreiser, 2010, paint stick on paper
On Saturday 28 July I had the pleasure of conducting a drawing workshop at Bendigo Art Gallery.
One of the workshop participants was Ann Jones, who has a morning show on ABC Radio.
Ann interviewed me for her morning show and you can see pictures of the workshop, read more about her experience, as well as listen to our conversation about drawing, via the ABC blog site by clicking here.
Rona Green, Ghost and Ghouls, 1994, monotype
Rona Green, Qazaq, 2011, ink and pencil on paper
I’ll leave you to enjoy a slice of the cross hatching King, Robert Crumb…
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…
In conversation with Paul Compton
Posted: 2 July 2012 Filed under: Artists | Tags: art, artist, artists books, Domestic Disturbance, drawings, Hand Held Gallery, inspiration, Paul Compton, prints, works on paper, zines 6 Comments
Black Horse of Sutton by Paul Compton
Paul Compton is a visual artist who lives and works in Melbourne, Australia.
Through his art Paul creates a magically haunting world for us in which to dwell.
This week I had a chat with Paul and this is what we nattered about…
The Phantom Limb by Paul Compton
Rona: Please describe your art for us.
Paul: I make drawings, prints, books and zines. I’m intrigued by the curious and dark aspects of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. I am continually interested in the occult, literature, folk lore and outsiders. I tend to suggest narratives in my work that blend sad and grim elements of life with humour.
R: Which of your art making tools is the favourite?
P: My old-fashioned dip pen.
The Parlour by Paul Compton
R: When you are making art what do you like to listen to?
P: I love listening to music / musicians that are either obscure or largely forgotten. It feels special to know that I might be the only person in the world playing their song at that exact moment. I adore folk, 80’s & 90’s New Wave and Goth Bands, theatre musicals, bluegrass, classical (Scriabin is my favourite), 1970’s Glam Rock and any obscure German Chamber music I can get my hands on.
R: Who has influenced or inspired you art wise?
P: Odilon Redon, Gustave Dore, Edward Gorey, Peter Blake, James Ensor, Paula Rego, Vilhelm Hammershøi and more recently Grayson Perry. The most inspiring artists are the ones I see exhibiting regularly in Melbourne. I see their work progressing and they inspire me to keep going and attempt to get better at what I do each time. They have truly unique and personal styles which I find very encouraging. These artists include Deborah Klein, Shane Jones, Petr Herel, Steve Cox, Rona Green, Sheridan Jones and Jazmina Cininas to name just a few.
To Possess You With by Paul Compton
R: Where do you like to go to see some art?
P: I love the NGV International, Hand Held Gallery, Australian Galleries, Sophie Gannon Gallery, c3 contemporary art space, Craft Victoria and Bundoora Homestead.
R: What are your favourite horror film and ghost story?
P: My favourite horror films aren’t gory ones, more subtle and quietly disturbing. The Omen and Rosemary’s Baby are my favourite bedtime flicks. My favourite ghost story involves the Black Shuck which is a fierce, ghostly black dog that famously appeared to a church congregation in Blythburg, England in 1577. It killed two people, caused the church steeple to collapse through the roof and as it fled into the mist it left scorch marks on the northern door which can be seen at the church to this day!
Bat / Saint by Paul Compton
R: Why did you become an artist, and what do you enjoy most about the artistic life?
P: It is the only thing that gives me a true sense of an identity. When you put on an item of clothing it is designed by someone else and someone else in the world might be wearing it too but with making art it is purely the amalgamation of all the things that interest, inspire and scare me most. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when I finish an exhibition because then I can move on to my next one!
If you would like to view Paul’s art in the flesh go see his exhibition Domestic Disturbance at Hand Held Gallery, Suite 18 Paramount Arcade, 108 Bourke Street, Melbourne, running from 28 June til 21 July 2012.
You can check out more of Paul’s wonderful work by clicking on these links to his redbubble profile and blog.
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!
Off to the fair
Posted: 22 May 2012 Filed under: Exhibitions, Rona | Tags: 2012 Banyule Contemporary Art Fair No. 1, Banyule Arts Space, Chips, Rona Green Leave a comment
May I invite you to visit The 2012 Banyule Contemporary Art Fair at the Banyule Arts Space in Melbourne from 23 May – 20 June 2012.
BCAF Invitation
The event has been curated by Banyule Art Collection Curator, Claire Watson.
Prints, ceramics and jewellery by eight artists including myself are on show for your viewing pleasure.
Rona Green, Chips, 2008, linocut, ink & watercolour, 112 x 76 cm, edition 13
I have eight works on exhibition (a painting and prints) produced between 2008-2012.
So if you are out and about around Ivanhoe drop on by and get yourself a dose of culture!
The opening of the 2012 Banyule Contemporary Art Fair at Banyule Arts Space
My work on exhibition as part of the 2012 Banyule Contemporary Art Fair
PS: From now on I will be posting on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month – thanks for staying tuned!
Rona Green 