October Collage Challenge #2 - realism to abstract

Continuing  the series of collages for my October challenge...
Collage #65 was taken from a photo taken in Kritipur in Nepal at a temple. I was immediately attracted by the splash of orange-red colour of the tikka on the statue in the image. I cropped the photo to make that the focal point and intensified the colour to give me some more defined shapes to abstract. Here is the result with torn paper and small scraps of cotton fabric which happened to be similar to the colour. 

This is a short  ( 4 minutes) video of an artist  creating an abstract design from realistic drawing . I think it shows a great way of creating lines in an abstract design. 

October Collage Challenge #1 - The Beginning

I love a monthly challenge which requires a daily art practice for a few weeks. Recently, I completed #The 100 Day Project. I enjoyed it but I'm not ready to tackle such a long distance activity again yet. Last month, I attempted #29 Faces, and am still completing them (only a few more to go). There are lots of really great challenges for October advertised on social media , but I thought, "Why not set my own challenge and then I own it completely!"  Thinking of the most relaxing creative activity, I have set myself at least 20 torn paper and fabric collages for October.  I am also trying to make "abstract" interpretations of things I see while walking in my neighbourhood or as in some of these,  something experienced whilst on a recent trip to Nepal. I must emphasise that these are very loose interpretations and are not meant to look in the least like the photos of the real scene. 

Inspired by a gymea lily .... I really love this plant, and enjoy photographing it and manipulating the images. This collage  is another interpretation, taken from the sepia image with a colour focus. 

Sunsets and sunrises are great subjects for collages and while I have taken liberal licence with the blues , hopefully you can see how the photo of this soft sunset informed the  lines of the collaged pieces.  

 Another interpretation of the rich culture of Kathmandu ... I chose the colours and some simplification of the shapes rather than try to include much detail or form. 

Looking in my box of  "walk treasures" , I extracted some of the shapes of gumnuts and repeated them in a simpler outline form in this collage. While there were no oranges and yellows in my view, that's what I thought of rummaging through these sticks, leaves and seedpods. 

 I hope you can now appreciate the way I begin the process of creating these collages with torn paper and fabric and a little stitching. Watch this space please for more of these and more explanation as we proceed throughout October. 

Note: I will be teaching a short collage workshop at Charlestown Library on 4 February 2020. Bookings  at the library 02 4921 0792  https://library.lakemac.com.au

Newcastle China Week

 It's great to celebrate your heritage right where you live ... 

Newcastle China week 2019 showcased  a 2-day program consisting of a Wine and Tourism Business Forum on Friday 6th September and a free Cultural Festival on Saturday 7th September.

The Cultural Festival took place in the beautiful bush campus in Callaghan at the University of Newcastle, only about five minutes from where I live. 

It's a  celebration of  the contemporary and traditional Chinese culture, food, art, lion and dragon dances with interactive displays, food markets, wine tasting and demonstrations. The food offerings were many and varied from traditional Chinese snacks to all sorts of Asian and fusion inspired treats, as well as ubiquitous festival food like fairy floss! 

The Festival aims to celebrate cultural diversity and inclusiveness while offering a fun-filled day to engage with students and welcome the community to the campus.