What I’m Working On – Linocut Tricycles

When I did my first linocut trike, I did it of the tricycle my siblings and I had when we were kids. I actually did it as a wedding present for my youngest sister and her husband, because when  she was 3, she used to pretend to marry the boy next door and then he used to ride her around in the trike

Recent linocut by Shana James “Trike”

I printed an edition of 20 and hand coloured them in the original colours of the trike we had. When I sold another linocut from the edition, the buyer told me about his wonderful memories of “fanging it down the hill with no breaks” on his tricycle and the sheer joy of it.

I realised how many people have fond memories of their own tricycle, so I decided to make a series of works which would help people connect to the joy of their own childhood. For my daughter it was the scooter she went to when she needed to chill out, up and down the driveway, it was absolute freedom. My own memories are of the independence of pedaling around under your own steam, I felt so capable.

Here are the next 2 lino blocks ready to print.

I will probably make a couple more in the series.

Enrol Now at the Fremantle Arts Centre – or risk missing out

I’ve put this blog up to alert people to the fact that Fremantle Arts Centre Enrolments are a week earlier this term. The art centre term 2 is starting next week on Monday the 6th of May – same as the school term so many people who are used to enrolling after they have got the kids back to school may miss out. Click on the Link for more information.

There are still places in;-

Linocut Artist Book starting Monday 6th May 9:30am (8 weeks)

Copper Etching starting Monday 6th May 12:30am (8 weeks)

Learn to Draw Wednesday 8th May 9:30am (4 weeks)

Drypoint Printing Wednesday 8th May 12:30am (8 weeks)

Linocut Tuesday Evenings 7th May 6:30pm (6 weeks)

We will be in the new printmaking studio! more space with our own balcony   Classes are relaxed and friendly, learn new skills, do something for yourself, make new friends. I’d love to see you there.

Enrol now be quick or miss out. Phone Fremantle Arts Centre: 9432 9555

Fremantle Arts Centre

Lucy Wise & the B’Gollies House Concert – How Cool!

I went to my first house concert and saw these guys live and it was fantastic. A house concert, what a great idea. You are so close to the action and even get to talk to the musicians during the break. My kids really enjoyed being in the front row.

Lucy Wise and the B’Gollies just playing in the back yard

I usually only talk about art on this blog, yes music is also art but I usually only talk about visual art here. I made an exception for these 4 musicians who play great indie/folk click on the link below to find out more.

Lucy’s website describes her music better than I could……..” Over the past three years Lucy has become a renowned singer-songwriter in the Australian folk scene. Drawing inspiration from her background in Appalachian and Celtic folk music, as well as legendary songwriters such as Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, Lucy’s songs sketch universally recognisable stories that are grounded in the domestic realities of everyday experience.”

I guess its her narrative style that I related to, which kind of ties into the art I make.

Also the concert was organised by Megan Gosling who opened her house to  raise money for – an organisation called A21 Campain abolish injustice in the 21st century – which helps to stop the appalling practise of human trafficking, the average age of the victims is just 12 years old.  I really encourage you to click on the link. And am inspired by Megan who created this whole event with a friend, to contribute funds to this important organisation.

Lucy wise and the B’Gollies house concert

Lucy Wise and the B’Gollies are playing at Kulcha on the 4th of May 2013  so check them out if you are free.  I would be going if I hadn’t already arranged to go and see my sister and her family at the Lavender and Berry Farm in Pemberton. All those trees are really good for your soul. Just like this music or helping a worthwile cause like A21 Campain.

40 Years of the Fremantle Arts Centre

Some of my drawings are on display now at the Fremantle Arts Centre in the “Mad About You ” exhibition celebrating 40 years of the Fremantle Arts Centre.

Drawings by Shana James on Display at the Fremantle Arts Centre

I have been teaching at the Arts Centre now for 10 years and these small drawings, on display in the cabinet, relate to the mixed media drawing class I teach. The Fremantle Arts Centre is a beautiful building surrounded by large trees and this is often the subject for my mixed media drawing class. There are also some great works up on the walls, too numerous to mention here but include a large drawing by George Haynes . I always enjoy his  work.

If you would like to see more about the exhibition click this link to the FAC. There is some great art on display in the other galleries.  Peter Dailey  has made some amazing  sculptures of transparent life size figures with different contents. I also really enjoyed Michael Bullock’s Sandalwood Project, elegant and understated. Also if you are interested in doing a course at the arts centre enrolments are open now, go to the above link and click on Learning. Here is a close up of the Cabinet with some other drawings too. Mine are the 4 accross the bottom of the photo.

Show Off

To change the subject completely I also have some artwork in the Show Off exhibition which is artists who live in the City of Cockburn. At Memorial Hall Cnr of Rockingham Road and Carrington Street Hamilton Hill Exhibition closes on Sunday the 25th of April. This is one of 3 works I have on display there.

Imagination Place drypoint by Shana James

Drypoint Print: She is the Rain (on display at the Newman College Art Expo)

She is the Rain drypoint print by Shana James

This is one of 3 artworks I will have on display at the Newman College Art Expo coming up this weekend, opening on the 15th and on display the 16th and 17th of March 2013.

Drypoint is one of the most basic printmaking processes, where you scratch your drawing directly into the plate and then print it intaglio. I love the richness of the hand drawn line and the immediacy of the process, the scratchy tactile marks.

In this Drypoint the figure in the image holds the umbrella, but how can she shelter from who she is? We all carry “stuff” “baggage” emotions, memories, tendencies, traits and often look outside of ourselves for solutions. While I wanted to explore this notion, I didn’t want  to create a negative image. There is enough blame in the world without me adding to it. At the heart of it, I think this  is a  an image about acceptance. Acceptance is the start of any process.

One of the other pieces on display is a smaller etching called Ideas Girl.

Ideas Girl etching by Shana James

When I made this etching I was thinking about how ideas grow organically.  The internal and external world, contemplation. It has a lot in common with the drypoint I started this post with.

The other piece I will be exhibiting is called “My secret is Out” and I talked about that in a recent post.

Please leave a comment if you wish.

Mini artist’s books Now Available at Hand Held Gallery in Melbourne

“In Place” concertina Artists’ book by Shana James

My cute little book is available at Hand Held Gallery, Suite 18 Paramonut arcade 108 Bourke street, Melbourne. Hand Held is an object and artist book gallery with a collection of books, zines, posters, postcards, paper arts, jewellery and eclectic objects. http://handheldgallery.blogspot.com.au/

My little book called in place is a handmade concertina book digitally printed minature, which makes a great little present. It lasts longer than flowers and is more healthy than chocolate…………..just $12

I am also selling them in WA at the Lavendar and Berry Farm Gift Shop  in Pemberton.

You can also buy them online at my etsy shop

 

 

“My Secret is Out”

“My Secret is Out”.