April 5th: Pen & Wash with Lorri lambert $5 (plus normal hall fee) $20 non members
Archival pens supplied. BYO watercolours and paper A5 or A4 (can be supplied if needed)
May (no workshop due to Kerryn Finch Sat 6th)
Kerryn Finch Workshop:Expressive Still Life
Sat 6th May 10am—3pm
$60 members $80 guests
Kerryn loves painting still-life , but with some quirks and things not typically seen in traditional still-life painting.
Her style has developed over time, and Kerryn describes it as being a bit like her own language. She paints the things that have meaning to her, whether that’s a packet of chips, or a CD cover or some flowers from her garden, it’s her unique view of the world.
Life memberships were presented to Joan Mellahn, Helen McKerrow and Judy Brawn for their long term commitment to the group, their support of local artists and promotion of the group by continued involvement in the broader community. Judy has also been President for 11 years.
The group is once again meeting at Woorinen South Community Hall each Wednesday morning. If you need a lift, let us know there is always someone heading out from Swan Hill.
Our AGM was held on 17th January at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, followed by a General Meeting. Norma Anderson has taken on President, and Lorri Lambert remains in the role of Secretary and acting Treasurer. We currently have 17 members.
General Business from the meeting:
Twilight Arts Market This will be held at the Town Hall on Saturday 25th February. Members agreed to have a 2m x 4m stall at the cost of $90. This is an opportunity to promote the group. The market runs from 4pm – 8pm with further details to be obtained by Lorri and members advised regarding delivery and pick up of items. Norma has offered to collect display stands from Judy for the event and will check with her regarding the banner. Once more details are obtained Lorri will consult with Helen and Norma to plan how the site will be set up to best highlight the artworks and display other items.
Workshop Survey Results
The survey showed that members are happy with the current format of First Wednesday workshops and special guests for one or two days on weekends.
Pastels, Oils and Pen and Wash were the top three selected medium.
Portraits, Life drawing/painting and colour mixing were the top three in skill development.
Jon Lam, Di Giddings, Jan Lawler and Kerryn Finch were the top four tutors in the survey.
Newly suggested tutors include Bethany McKay (Dandy Lion studio tutor), Glenda Cornell and Basil Hall.
Workshop planning group will include Lorri, Norma and Nancy with Maxine and Sue to be asked if they wish to participate.
Thanks Helen McKerrow thanked Norma for organising our annual Christmas functions and for always providing beautiful decorations for the event. This was supported by a round of applause.
Swan Hill Show: MASH will continue to support with a donation and assistance in hanging works.
Motel Group: Thank you to the Tuesday group for arranging a gift as thanks to Justin and Jean.
Lake Boga Annual Art Show February 23-25 Joy advised the group that entries are still open and that it is a great community event and an opportunity to sell some work. Lorri to post an update on Facebook to remind members. Entry forms will be taken to art group on Wednesday.
Insurance Some discussion was held about our insurance and what it covers. Lorri explained that it is called Market Stall Insurance but also covers us for $20m public liability insurance. This covers us against accidents at any event we participate in anywhere in Australia. *Lorri looked up policy to confirm following the meeting.
Membership The question was raised why we have not continued the $10 reimbursement at the Christmas event. Lorri explained that the funds were needed for insurance and also used to purchase materials and support workshops. Effectively we were only charging $15 membership if we continued the reimbursement. Members agreed that the annual fee is still very reasonable at $25.
Life Memberships Presented to Joan Mellahn and Helen McKerrow for their support of MASH, local artists; often representing MASH in other forums and promoting the Arts in the region. Lorri will present Life Membership to Judy Brawn for 11 years as President and her support for the Arts in our community.
Monthly Cuppa/get together It was agreed to continue these in 2023 as they are a great way to keep the group connected. There was discussion around venues and it was agreed to meet at the same venue this year to make it easier to remember. The group agreed to meet at Modern natural (opposite the town hall) as it is roomy, has plenty of parking and usually not busy so we can hear each other. Norma will contact the café and the first one will be February 24th 10.30am.
Survey for Art Gallery Redevelopment Members were asked to complete the survey being conducted to gather ideas for the redevelopment of the Regional Art Gallery. Lorri completed the survey online and hard copies were made available.
9×5 Exhibition again in 2023 This will be held in April this year and some members took boards and signed up. More boards will be made available for those who wish to participate.
Lorri will provide feedback to the organising Committee of the exhibition regarding the obscurity of the Auction site and difficulty for some to locate and navigate. Being inside the real estate agent website made it unclear as to the real purpose of the fundraiser. Also it was questioned that the platform was used by some artists to self promote and concerns that this was not appropriate for a fundraiser.
Moving House Joan Mellahn advised the group she has moved to Logan Lodge and as a result will have paintings and art materials that can not be housed. Family are assisting in sorting and Joy has offered to photograph Joan’s paintings. Members agreed to assist Joan in selling paintings at an afternoon (date to be announced) where funds will be donated to a charity of Joan’s choice.
Hang your work on the wall. Find a neutral coloured wall (white or grey) and hang your work at the height where the middle of your piece will be parallel to where your camera is pointing – either on a tripod or sitting on a hard surface, such as a shelf or table.
2. Light your work. If shooting indoors, make sure you shoot in a room with plenty of windows and natural light. Avoid direct sunlight on your artwork as this may create glare and affect the colours of your photograph. You can light your work with lamps. For 2D works, all you need is two lights. (Preferably using Daylight bulbs). Place the lights halfway between the camera and your work on the wall at a 45-degree angle pointing towards the wall (this angle will help eliminate any glare you might get from the lights). If you are still experiencing glares from the lights – you can diffuse the lights with white sheets in front of them. See image for camera placement.
3. Once your artwork is hung on the wall and lit with lamps, double check that the camera is set to where the lens lines up with the middle of the painting. The artwork should take up the majority of the frame in your picture. The ISO and aperture of your camera are very important to get clear, crisp and bright images of your artwork. In this case, since we want very crisp images, we want a low ISO. Studio shots will generally be shot at ISO 100. The f-stop of the aperture of your camera adjusts how much light is let through the lens by making the opening bigger or smaller. The higher the number, the less light is being passed through. With a DSLR the ideal range for shooting artworks is between f-8 and f-11. Set your camera’s timer to four or five seconds so that pressing the shutter button doesn’t create a shake in your image.
#NOTE Look up specific instructions for your Camera or Smart Phone for step 3
An artist statement is piece of writing by you that helps the audience access or understand your artistic work. It is written in the first person, while artist bios are written in the third person. Both represent you as an artist, even while you are not there. Both are not meant to come to you right away and it will take some time, revisions, and fine tuning to have a finished written product. They may include sources, ideas, and materials in your current practice.
HOW TO WRITE AN ARTIST STATEMENT WITH A SHORT BIO
Between 150-200 words (two paragraphs) is the best length for a statement that is going to be published. It is long enough to let a viewer learn more about you and your work, but not too long that they can’t follow your story and get distracted.
The “Who” Very briefly state a bit about yourself and your highlights and education as an artist. Do not write a resume! Readers will be bored if this is the main feature of your statement. In fact I recommend putting it at the end!
The “How” Refers to how you created your works. Many visitors are interested in knowing about your artistic process. Describe your works; what colours do you use, do you make large marks or small marks, or do you use blending so there are no visible marks at all? If you’re a photographer, what kind of tools are integral to your process?
The “What” Are your paintings abstract? Portraits? Do you take photos of landscapes? What is your imagery? When people describe what you make, what do they say? Describe the content of your works in a general way to flow from how you work to what you make.
The “Why” Why do you make what you make? What does your life say about your work and your work say about your life? What symbols do you use and why? Explain the influences behind the meanings of your works.
You don’t have to have the same amount of each type of information, but it is a good idea to have part of your statement devoted to each of these categories. However, if one category seems far more relevant to your work than the others, feel free to emphasize it in your statement. You can put as much or as little of each category as you like. If your works are about the medium then you can focus more on how you make your works and if it is more about the “why” and your inspiration, focus on that. Balance your content in any way you need.
Past and Present members of Mallee Artists Swan Hill Inc. are invited to exhibit in the 21st Birthday retrospective exhibition at Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery.
Any work created by the artist in their lifetime may be exhibited. Deceased artist works may also be included at the discretion of their owners and or families. (in this document they are called Agents)
Important dates
Friday 30 September Entries close
Friday 28 October Artists notified of successful entries
Monday 21st November Artwork to be delivered to the Gallery
Friday 25 November Official opening of Exhibition
Saturday 26 November 11am Walk through the exhibition with artists
Saturday 26 November: 6.30pm Artists and guests dinner
Sunday 30 January 2023 Last day of exhibit
Tuesday 14 February 2023 Last day to collect artworks
All Enquiries including assistance with photography:
Artists must be registered past or present members of Mallee Artists Swan Hill Inc. Two works may be submitted, however only one may be displayed. This is at the discretion of the Gallery Director.
Members (or their agent) must submit an entry form with an electronic or printed image of the work (either TIF or JPG max. 5 MB) and a short artist statement maximum length of 200 words – word or rtf format).
Images, statement about the work, and signed entry form will be accepted by MASH up until 5pm 30 September 2022. Late entries will not be accepted.
Artists will be notified which artwork/s will be exhibited at the Gallery by 28 October.
Artists or their representatives are responsible for delivering all accepted work/s to Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery no later than Monday 21st November 2022.
Adequate protection must be taken in packaging work as no responsibility will be taken by Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery for damage or lost works during transit. Works of art will be insured whilst in storage and on display at Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery.
All works selected for the exhibition must be available for the duration of the exhibition, current from 25 November 2022 to 30th Jan 2023.
Work is to be suitably mounted and ready to hang. Instructions are to be supplied with the work if alternative installation is required. Small 3D work is also accepted.
Works DO NOT need to be for sale but if they are, a commission of 20% will be retained by Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery upon sale of the artworks.
All artworks and statements must be available for any form of media promotion and advertising of the exhibition. The Gallery will strive to ensure any publicity of artwork is appropriate.
Artists are responsible for the return of their artwork and must be collected by 14 February 2023.
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Registration Form
21st Birthday Retrospective Exhibition for members past and present
Artist Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 4 June, 10am @ Woorinen South Community Hall
FREE member workshop
Demonstration of several types of printmaking followed by YOU having a go at one. Demo includes: Gelli plate printing (gelatine plates) Relief (using easy cut) Collograph (collage printing) Etching using acetate Monoprint methods BYO Acrylics, wooden spoon, cartridge or watercolour paper. MASH supplying ink and rollers Non members $20 Please contact Lorri 0467 879 261
What a lovely morning we spent with the beautiful and learned Margaret Lewis learning to be brave and experiment with interesting brush techniques and colours. We are hoping to invite Marg back later in the year to explore landscapes. Here are some of our experiments!
Come along to a great social get together for all MASH members from both groups. 10.30am, Friday 25th February @ Modern Natural Café, McCallum St Swan Hill. Please let Norma or Sue know if you are coming.
21st Birthday Update
The exhibition dates are set and the finer details of how best to celebrate are still being thrashed out.
We are planning an opening on the Friday night and a COVID safe dinner with finger food on Saturday. Entry forms are now finalised, and we will arrange a day for works to be photographed if artists need help. Lorri has prepared notes to help you write a short biography and artist statement to accompany your work. Forms available soon.
Important dates
Friday 30 September 2022: Entries close
Friday 25 November: Official opening of Exhibition
Saturday 26 November: 6.30pm Artists and guests’ dinner
Sunday 30 January 2023 Last day of exhibition
Weekly Art Groups
Weekly painting days are in full swing again with everyone starting on new work and some completing their boards for the 9×5 Exhibition and charity auction. Don’t forget they need to be either given to Sue or Lorri by the end of February or taken to the Gallery by 5th March.
Tuesdays 9.30 – to 12 @ Murray River Motel
Wednesdays 9.30 to 12.30 @ Woorinen South Community Hall.
The MASH community were saddened to hear that our member and friend Merrilyn lost her husband, Bill to cancer recently. We send our most sincere sympathy to Merrilyn and her family.
Monthly Workshops – March to June, 2022
30th March: Watercolours with Marg Lewis (member tutor)
23rd & 24th April: Glass Art and Mosaics in Moulamein*
4th May: Clay workshop with Nancy (membertutor)
1st June: Mono Printing using Gelli plates and other fun stuff with Lorri (member tutorsample image right)
Saturday 25th June: Expressive Portraits with Paul Oswin*
Saturday 10th September: Landscapes with Jon Lam*
All workshops are held at the Woorinen South Community Hall unless otherwise stated. # COVID safe rules apply.Please supply own materials where possible. Sanitiser is available to clean any shared resources.
Exhibitions & Competitions
The Mallee Through My Eyes
Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum. Opens Friday 18th February. Did anyone enter? Send the Secretary some photos, especially if you are a winner!
Winners will be announced at the opening.
People’s choice award will be announced 4 pm Sunday 20th February.
Entries to be collected Sunday night at 4pm.
Notions of Care until 27th March at Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery. This exhibition explores the ways in which art and nurture are interlinked, through the works of Arini Byng, Snapcat, Polly Stanton, Kate Tucker and Katie West. The exhibition asks questions about the ways that art can care for both viewers and artists. Notions of care are unfolded, cultivated, and enforced.
9×5 Exhibition and Online Auction, Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, 1st April – 15th May
Completed artworks and your profile need to be handed to Sue or Lorri by the end of February or delivered to the Gallery by 5th March. Please put your name on the back of the artwork, complete the form provided or email the responses to carusoproduce@bigpond.com Artworks will be on display at the Gallery and images and profiles will be on the auction website, address not yet given.
Kerang Rotary Art Show, Easter 2022
Entries are now open. Entry forms have been emailed to all on our list. Judge: Jon Lam.
Print & Drawing Acquisitive Awards 2022The awards promote excellence in Australian prints and drawings; present an exhibition of contemporary Australian prints and drawings, and continue to build a high quality collection for Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery. Entry forms available from Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery.
Small Regional Galleries – well worth a visit
Moulamein Art Gallery
Open Thursday & Friday 10-4pm. There is a great selection of local art, crafts, gifts & produce for you to purchase. Plus good coffee, tea & cakes. Grab a couple of friends and take a drive.
Cohuna Art/Craft Gallery
Gallery Hours: Fridays 10am – noon and 1.30 -3.30pm Plus Saturdays 10am – noon.
Open 10am – 4pm most days. Phone 03 5020 0200 before taking a trip to check opening times. Opening of the new Balranald Creative & Learning Centre building was celebrated recently. It is located on the grounds of the Balranald Art Gallery. It was a wonderful day of celebrations which also included celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Balranald Community Arts & Crafts and the 140th Birthday of the Original Masonic Hall.
Mallee Artists will be celebrating 21 years with a retrospective exhibition at Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery. Opening 25th November 2022! Stay tuned for more information!!
February: Finally back together after the summer break! No workshops but it was wonderful catching up with everyone. Had an AGM and set some ideas for the year. Also instigated a last Friday of the month catch up cuppa date to enable the two groups to get together. Tuesday at the Motel has a cap of 6 but we can still have up to 20 at the Woorinen Hall. Then another lockdown on 12th Feb!
March: Funky Trees with Merrilyn Kemp. We had a lot of fun painting these and the workshop consultation lasted weeks with the final one completed in June 🙂
April: Paverpol with Helen Mac. PaverPol is a fun 3D sculpture using wire frame and then covering in fabric dipped in special hardening cement like stuff! (very technical description)
May: Collage on one day ( a diy) session
May: Clay heads with Di Giddings. It was lovely to be able to have former member Di back for a visit and to run another clay workshop for us. Some really interesting results. Check out Kylie’s wonderful patina finish.
June: Another snap lockdown slowed us down a bit but we kept working on our funky trees!
I just had to add Reike’s fantastic pyrography! Also check out Sue’s lovely maggies (these are featured as our current image on the Facebook group).
Coming up July 7th: Abstract Trees and Rocks with Merrilyn Kemp (see next post for) Please post your latest work or email Lorri your images if you don’t know how!
Mallee Artists Swan Hill Inc. 