Highly Commended at the Mosman Park Art Award

Shana, at the etching press  with her linocut “Thinking Differently in this Space”

This is the linocut which won highly Commended at the Mosman Park Art Award.  The theme was Mosman Treasures -  between the river and the sea. Whenever I think of Mosman Park I think of the park on the hill (Jabe Dodd Park) with panoramic views of the river across to point Walter and the sand bar on the other side of the river.

So I went there, one weekend, took my husband and two daughters and a sketch book a pencil and a camera. The girls and I  sat and drew, it’s a beautiful spot and I got thinking about the importance of these public spaces in a suburban environment and the way they affect me, the quietness, the distance, and the way these spaces  bring you away from every day concerns and into the present.  That’s why I called the piece Thinking Differently in This Space.

The figure in this image has an arched shape window in her chest, with cloud floating seemingly through her. She is in the present, part of the landscape, connected to the space.

Its pretty large for a linocut 55 x 75cm and it took quite a while to carve the lino. This process of relief printing is very similar to the woodblocks prints of medieval times and I feel strangely connected to this history as I carve the lino in the same way others have carved wood for centuries.

Being chosen as highly commended was a happy surprise.

I was in Wednesday’s Newspaper

I was in The West Australian newspaper about my artwork on wine labels  to read the story click here

Bids on my Frog

The frog I painted for Learn’s charity auction supporting early intervention for autistic children, has hit $122 with 11 bids!

Zog the Zebra Frog

All proceeds for the sale of this frog (and all the frogs) go to the Learn foundation for Autism. To bid on Zog click here. To see other frogs at Learn click here.

Frog Auction will continue at the exhibition opening this friday night at the Learn Centre Canning Hway East Fremantle. This is an invitation only event, but if you send me an email I can still get your name on the door.  shana@shanajames.com

I will also have about 10 artworks on display for sale with 40% of the sales going to the Learn Foundation. Exhibition continues open to the general public over the weekend.

Frog Finished

I have painted a frog to be auctioned at the Learn Fundraising Exhibition, which I am exhibiting in as well. Opens on Friday the 27th of April email me if you would like an invitation.  See previous post about the unpainted frog

Click here to see what I did to my frog

Promotional Photos – Which should I choose?

The profile shot of me on my website is 5 years old, its starting to look like I’m trying to fake my age.  I usually don’t feel that comfortable having my photo taken, I really prefer my artwork to get the limelight. But I needed some promotional shots of the wine labels I made artwork for, so I took the opportunity to get some portraits taken at the same time to update my website.

I have known the photographer John Rice and his wife Shannon for years and have always loved his fine art photography as well as his natural portraits and beautiful composition. He studied at the Shelley Park College of Art in England, and later at post-graduate level,  the prestigious Bournemouth and Poole College of Art which attracts students from all over the world.

The point is here that John knows the arty side of photography pretty well and that is important to me, because it shows in the photos. But just as important as this, (especially for someone as un-photogenic as me) is the way that John makes you feel relaxed and at ease. He is so chilled out that you just chat to him and forget you are having your photo taken. It didn’t hurt a bit

So which photo should I choose for the profile page on my website? I would appreciate your feedback…….

In the Studio with easel and etching press

With Wine Bottles and Artwork

At Desk Looking Down

At Desk Looking Up

With Artwork

I welcome your comments to help me choose for the profile page on my website, and have a look at Johns Website too.

A Blank Canvas Doesn’t Stare Back

I have been asked to paint a frog as part of an art exhibition I am involved in; raising money for the Learn Foundation who provide early intervention programs for Autistic kids.

The frogs painted by other artists and some celebrities including Megan Gale,

Blank Frog in my Studio with Etching Press and Drawing in the Background

Danny Green and many more. They will be auctioned as part of the exhibition and there will also be other art for sale.

I have finished the artwork I am putting in the exhibition and just need to get it framed but the frog is sitting there in my studio blank as ever. At least a canvas doesn’t stare back at you! For me the problem is often too many ideas….. check back later to see what I decided on.

The Exhibition is on SatApril 28th and Sunday April 29th 2012 from 10am – 3pm (gold coin donation)

The opening night is Friday 27th April  at 7pm email me shana@shanajames.com  if you would like me to send you an invitation to the opening night.

To be held at Learn Foundation for Autism 217 Canning Highway East Fremantle.

Email Scam Targeting Artists

When I first received an email from Ruby Sanchez interested in buying art I was a little bit wary, obviously she wasn’t a native english speaker and she had a gmail account.  Neither of these should mean that someone is necessarily dodgy.

I replied to her, she asked for more info about the work, I sent her links to my blog info about the meaning behind the paintings info on the size and materials. All sounded legitimate.

Anyway how could someone scam you if they want to buy from you? They are not asking for money they are buying from you.

After deciding she wanted to buy 2 paintings I received this email:

“Hi Shana , Good to hear back from you. Yes,i will like to proceed with the purchase of both works. I think they are lovely works and i hope to give them good home. I am presently away in Lombok for my twin sister’s wedding even though it comes at a time when i was preparing for a big move and also expecting a baby but it means so much to her. I should be back in few days. Meanwhile,i will like you to forward your mailing address and phone number so i can inform my husband still shutling between our home in Sydney and London on where to forward the payment . He has just been transfer to head the IT section of their head Office in London. I can also forward your contact info to the local cartage company that will be moving all our house decors so they can get in touch with you to arrange shipping details. They can arrange FedEx pick up of the artworks from your studio. I will look forward to hearing from you so i can know how best to proceed.

Cheers. Best Regards, Ruby.”

I replied still thinking this was all above board when I received an alert from Artsphere who do my website  with a link to this page.http://stopartscams.blogspot.com.au/

New email from her today this is some of it:

“Hope this message finds you well. I am very sorry that i couldn’t get in touch immediately. I was hospitalized in Lombok immediately after my twin sister’s wedding. I almost had miscarriage but thank God, i am now feeling better and can’t wait to have my baby and settle down.”

I really hate the way unscrupulous people prey and the fact you will feel sorry for her after hearing an elaborate story to build trust. Apparently the rest of the story is that they buy the artwork with either a cheque that bounces or a stolen credit card. But they overpay and then ask you to forward the balance to them via Western Union where the money cannot be traced. You never receive the money and are out-of-pocket by about $1000. Thankfully I didn’t even get close to this stage.

Do not trust this email address: [smithwhite06@gmail.com]