Begin it now

Warm Night, Southern Sky – acrylic on canvas, 605 x 910 mm, 2015.  For sale at The Christchurch Art Show, June 2015.
Warm Night, Southern Sky – acrylic on canvas, 605 x 910 mm, 2015. Private collection.

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” W. H. Murray

As I mentioned last week, I’ve started preparing for this year’s Christchurch Art Show. It will be my first exhibition* and all artworks will be for sale. I’ll be surrounded by talented artists and awesome art (there’s a video of last year’s event on their website) and I’m a little nervous about it ― but when the opportunity presented itself last year (a nice lady from the show contacted me, having seen my work on this blog, and suggested that I apply), it seemed like the right ‘next step’ for me and my art. I’m now doing my best not to stress about it but I have quite a few large and large-ish canvases I need to paint in order to have enough work for the four-day exhibition. I’m telling myself: one painting at a time… and the show isn’t until June…

‘Warm Night, Southern Sky’ is the first of those canvases ― one down, (at least) six more to go.

THE CHRISTCHURCH ART SHOW  11th–14th June 2015
Tickets on sale now : )

My thanks to Kathie Pugaczewski for making me aware of the W. H. Murray quote.

Red sky at night, original photo – Christchurch, 2012
Red sky at night, original photo – Christchurch, 2012

This is the second time I’ve used my ‘red sky at night’ photograph as a reference for a painting. The first was an ink and watercolour sketch (click here to see the post).

* Strictly speaking, I have had student exhibitions and I did take my work to a mini market last year — this event, however, is much (much) bigger. And scarier. Onward and upward.

Interview for Australian Wandarrah

Australian Wandarrah Anna Cull Art interview 2015

[No, I’m not Australian… Wandarrah is an aboriginal word meaning ‘meeting place’ and Australian Wandarrah is group of Etsy* sellers and buyers from Australia and New Zealand. One of our members has started a WordPress blog and my interview has just been posted.]

If you’re interested in reading about me and my Etsy shop, here’s the link: Anna Cull Art interview.

*Etsy is an online marketplace that specialises in handmade or vintage items and supplies.

What you see

The Purple Garden — acrylic on canvas, 102 x 102 mm, 2014. For sale.
The Purple Garden — acrylic on canvas, 102 x 102 mm, 2014

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” Henry David Thoreau

The little painting with a lot of texture (a lot of texture!) — based on an acrylic study originally posted here

Anything can happen…

Blank Canvas ­­— 230 x 305 mm, 2014  (not for sale... yet)
Blank Canvas ­­— 230 x 305 mm, 2014 (not for sale… yet)

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts.
Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts.
Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me…
Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”

Shel Silverstein