Creative Perspectives exhibition 

I have recently completed a small mini series of collages about New York. We travelled there a few years ago and I have been planning to make some work about it ever since. My work is in a group show at Quadrant gallery. 

Unfortunately the opening clashes with a wedding I am going to so I won't make it, but I dropped into the gallery today and it looks good, plenty of good work to look at. 

check out my Facebook page Sally Darlison-Artist  or Instagram @saladele for more photos 

Here's the work hanging in the gallery. 

Exciting news

I'm excited to tell you that the latest Artwear Publication Embellish has just come out and there is an interview in it with me about my artwork.
There are heaps of pictures of my work and quite detailed information about the process I use to make the work.
You can buy it online or have the paper form delivered to your door or find it in shops where all good art magazines can be found!

A good read!

Today I received the link to an e-magazine called Threads.In-fusion. issue 5. I received this because I was asked to write an article for it by the publisher- Dale and Ian Rollerson of The Thread studio.

My article is about the process I used to collect information and ideas for my artwork- in particular the work I made for my most recent solo- Not All Who Wander Are Lost.

If you are interested in the magazine you can purchase it through the website ( click link above). it has a number of great articles. My favourite was one by Jacinta Leischmann who writes about inspiration for art.

to give you a small taster of my article it begins......

Journeys

by Sally Darlison

Journeys are the focus of my art work. Both physical and metaphorical. I am an observer of people and places. Pattern, colour and behaviour fascinate me. Teaching has taught me to observe and process my observations. I watch people and how they interact with each other and the world around them, often creating stories about what I think they may be doing or where they may be going. I like to make links between people and ideas. Part of the process of art creation for me is finding these links, or making links - a little like a story teller. In fact, I see my art work as story telling. The story can be read in many ways though, dependent on the viewer’s perspective or experience.

I have always loved to tell stories, embellishing the truth ( just a little) for the sake of a laugh or added drama.............

If you want any more of this you will need to check out the E-mag.  

Well, it's back to the paper work for me, another article to compose, exhibitions to enter, lessons to plan and I'm on holidays- from school anyway, so maybe a little relaxing as well. 

Have a great day!!

It's in the bag, journey in a suitcase

Artisan books, my most favourite bookshop, has an artist book exhibition each year and today I completed my entry - hopefully it will be accepted..ugh.  The show isn't until September, it is always wonderful.
I'm so excited as usually I am spending late night completing it at the last minute, but it has been a very cold, wet and blustery day here in melbourne so it was easy to stay inside and knuckle down.

I have made a little suitcase book before, it is made using a large matchbox!  I decided that I could make a little friend for the first suitcase.Then came the difficult decision, what on earth do I put in it?? This year there was no theme for the artist book show.
Finally decision made,  it would be a little journey from the Swiss Alps to Venice by train, all in pictures of course!
So here it is.

and here is one of the little stitched birds flying (on a spring) over the mountains, and the wood engraved trees!

this little boat is a pop out on tabs. 

German Houses and Italian walking art

Well it is has been way too long between posts. My humble apologies, I have been making things truly!! It's just that life got in the way and I couldn't seem to catch my breath, let alone do a blog post.
So enough excuses.

I am on my way to the creation of a body of work, 2 down ..... who knows how many to go.

"The German Book of Houses"was the first to be completed, this is painted and stitched on heavy paper.

Next came "Walking the Cinque Terre." A sculptural piece constructed on shoe lasts I was given when a friend found them in the loft of their newly purchased house.

My visual diary is getting full of ideas and the next piece will emerge soon, hopefully I will get a lot done in the next couple of weeks as it is school holidays now. 

Wishing you a Blessed Easter

Book 10 Croatia

Due to being busy travelling I have taken my time getting around to finishing the Croatian book, got it half done then visited friends in Germany and then I was too busy chatting!

Back of book ( or cover) 

So the Croatia book is not really a book, more like a pamphlet. It has floating islands and pop up spits of land- Dubrovnik and Split. All on the back of a pamphlet page, that has been collaged with blues of the sea from other pamphlet and magazine pages, with a wash of watercolour pastels.

So as I leave Europe tomorrow to begin the journey home ( via Dubai) I won't get time to finish the remaining books until I get home- I have started the Germany book. So hopefully in a week or so I will be able to upload them.

What an adventure- 3 months travelling, what a lot of creative ideas I have collected. So much to do when I get home, can't wait to get on with it!

Book 9 Rome

Roma, such a big place, so much to take in. Rome needed a book of it's own as I found the size and amount of history almost overwhelming- fascinating none the less.
 Thus, for a 5 day visit Rome gets a biggish book all of its own.
This book has a number of signatures - of varying sizes and is stitched- a sort of Coptic but not quite Coptic stitch. I have used a number of pages from a brochure, several tickets and a map or 2 for this book. Gesso again was useful for covering up the stuff I didn't want and creating a surface for drawing and painting on.

I would love to hear from anyone who is following my trip via the books I have been making. Please comment and let me know what you think. 

Book 2 - Switzerland

So I have managed to create the second in my mini travelling book series.
This one is made from  a a brochure's map pages to create an X- book with pockets to hold the tickets, the cover is several tickets stitched together then stitched to the X book,

Slow art start, but still a start!

Wow, I have been so busy being a tourist that I have not been a very good blogger lately.
I have however, begun the projects I set out to do, even if I am going too slowly for my liking. I have taken heaps of photos that will form my inspiration and art.
The first book is on the way to completion although I intend to draw on the gesso painted sections and perhaps cut out detail. This may take place soon... or not. Travelling time just seems to be different to any other time.
So here is book 1 -"London Ticket book" a work in progress

Next a few photos of things that caught my eye.

Getting ready for a journey

My art work has taken a back seat lately as I am busy preparing to leave Australia for 3 months!! Yes 3 Months in europe and Morocco!! I am so excited as the last time I was there was when I was 17,  32 years ago when I went to Germany on a scholarship.  My husband and I are travelling through, England, France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Morocco, and Germany.
I have been researching the places I need to see- so many I won't be able to fit them in!
Thankfully I have many well travelled friends who have given me ideas on various places to go.
Barcelona is on the list as is Florence, London, Paris, Venice, Avignon, Berlin, Dubrovnik.... so many beautiful places.
Now to figure out my personal art challenge for the journey.
What will I capture, document, collect??
 I am a collage artist after all.

My work is about journeys, so maps will be on the  list.
Have you got any suggestions?

Let me know if you do.

Here's a photo of a piece I made for a friend Zac's 21st. -Something I whipped up a little while ago. ( as I haven't anything very new) He is a film making student, musician, funny guy.

A celebration piece

Sorry I have been a bit quiet this week, I was busy making a special piece for my youngest daughter. For each of my children on their 18th birthday, I have created a box from card and filled it with various things about their life.  Phoebe; singer, dancer, musician, cook, creator, christian and so much more.... Here's to you!!

The Wonderful Printed Things Fair

I'm busy gearing up for the Fair this saturday at St Heliers St Store + Gallery Abbotsford Convent Abbotsford My lovely friend Jane will be there to sell my printed things as I have another appointment that day. If you wanted some of my work from the Long Socks exhibition I will have them there for a very special price as all work must be under $100. It is a cash only sale so come prepared. Copies of my little matchbox zine (minus the matchbox) will be available for the bargain price of $5 - 10 only!! Cards, Prints, collages, gift tags. ranging from $4 - $100. Cheapest yet

"Girls Bust Out" completed artwork

Girls Bust Out is an event to be held at Canterbury Girls Secondary College on August 5 this year. An exhibition of works created by students and selected artists, who will have their mannequin bust auctioned to fundraise for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre. This is my completed bust, it has a combination of stitched, painted, and paper images, it is entitled 'Journeywoman" it speaks of the enrichment and colour that journeys bring to our lives. Tickets to the auction and official opening are limited and available at www.girlsbustout.com.au, it will be a fun night with music, food, wine, auction of the busts and a sale of limited edition works on paper.

Busting out- exciting new project

I am working on an exciting new project, a "bust" for the Canterbury Girls Secondary college Bust out exhibition. I am an invited artist and have been provided with the bust to enhance. Mine is a journeywoman- working title at this stage. Journeys taken and yet to be taken, I am giving you a glimpse of the work in progress.