"Not So Simple"

TITLE: Not So Simple
MATERIALS: Acrylic and modelling paste on canvas
SIZE: 46cm x 60cm x 3.5cm
FOR SALE: contact me sophia@sophiaelise.co.nz

Every 2 weeks NZ Art Guild members are given a theme challenge. They have to complete an original artwork based on a specified topic - this one was "Simple"

When I heard this topic I couldnt get the saying out of my head "I Love you - it's as simple and as complicated as that" For anyone thats ever been in love they will be able to identify with this... the path of true love never runs smooth...

This is symbolised by the texture and the "pathways" running through it, the different colours represent all the emotions you experience. The many layers are the different depths of people, of their emotions and even different levels of communication. The crisp lines are the illusion - you think love is enough, that things should be clear cut because you love someone. Well its far more complicated than that.

Heavily textured with modelling paste. Many layers of paint have been used to build this up. Whole painting has a narrow black border (just been cropped unevenly in the photo sorry)

Another 2 weeks have passed!

Where did that time go????

I've been so busy managing the NZ Art Guild and all the changes that's going through, that I haven't done hardly any painting nor have I even updated my blog....very slack!!

I do hope things will settle...but maybe I need to be realistic and accept they won't...that this is my lot for the moment....and its all good...just a different direction from what I had intended to take last year. :-)

Anyway...my goal at the moment is to at least try to complete the theme challenges the NZ Art Guild has each fortnight. Once a fortnight a topic is announced and members can participate in these. It gives them the opportunity to push themselves..t.hink outside the square and complete an original artwork based on that topic within 2 weeks. Members can then choose to list them on Trade me and sell them.

My next post will have my theme week entry for this fortnight....And if you have the time...login to Trade me and search for NZ Art Guild to see all the other fab artwork!

WAAAAHHHHHH

Havent touched the brushes for days now. Have been so busy with the kids and doing NZ Art Guild work that I've barely had time to breathe.... I think I did bite off more than I could chew this year with the painting a day and everything else...but I will still try my hardest. Hopefully things will settle down a bit soon and I will have time to create!

Journeys

I reworked Truth # 7 for this piece...ok totally unrecognisable now! lol so I needed to rename it too.

TITLE: Journeys
MATERIALS: Acrylic and crystal gel on canvas
SIZE: 30cm x 30cm x 3.5cm

SOLD

Heavily textured in places. Painted in blues and metallic silver (looks white really)

TITLE: Sincerity # 5 (13/01/07) - Reworked 21/2/07

MATERIALS: Acrylic on canvas

SIZE: 22cm x 30cm x 3.5cm

SOLD

Heavily textured, painted in rich earthy tones with metallic bronze highlights. Finished wtih a gloss varnish to bring out the colours.

The quote that inspired this piece is "If in work you meet with some difficulties, look sincerely into yourself and there you will discover their origin" Sri Aurobindo Ashram

THe obstacles are the textured raised areas...the dots the pathways... life...

Reworking paintings - Islands in the Stream (of life)

Ok....so I had several artworks I just wasn't completely happy with...so at the moment my painting a day is reworking all of them. Would you beleive the one I did two days ago is the one I reworked tonight! lol

Let me know which you prefer...take one or take two :)

TITLE: Islands in the Stream (of life) - Take 2
SIZE: 20cm x 40cm

MEDIA: Acrylic and crystal gel on canvas

SOLD

The textured areas have a crystal gel medium in it. The dots are handpainted - black, white and grey.

The textured areas are the Islands in life...the obstacles put in our path.....we can let them stop us or we can find a way around them. Lifes path is never straight....sometimes you feel like youre going round in circles but you are always making progress in some way.....

I'm back to feeling all inspired again...can't wait to finish reworking the other 2 I started....its all very exciting!

Earnest # 4

Ok...I didnt paint this form scratch....I reworked an older one that just wasnt working for me...actually I'm doing that a bit lately...sick of the unfinshed ones sitting looking at me....

And I reworked it again in April - Added resin to it and it really bought out the depth of colour

TITLE: Earnest # 4 (04/01/07)
MATERIALS: Acrylic on canvas
SIZE: 20cm x 20cm x 3.5cm
GIFTED - To a very special friend for their birthday - thankyou for being my jester :) xx

Painted in red and yellow. There is a subtle curved pattern dotted through it in metallic gold then surrounded by black dots.

The quote is written on the side and reads "Act in earnest and you will become earnest in all you do" - William James

Islands in the Stream (of life)

TITLE: Islands in the Stream (of life)

SIZE: 20cm x 40cm
MEDIA: Acrylic and crystal gel on canvas
I'VE REWORKED THIS ONE ABOVE - Take a look at the new version

The textured areas are metallic peral white and have a crystal gel medium in it. The dots are handpainted - black, white and grey.

The textured areas are the Islands in life...the obstacles put in our path.....we can let them stop us or we can find a way around them. Lifes path is never straight....sometimes you feel like youre going round in circles but you are always making progress in some way.....

Families

TITLE: Families

SIZE: 20cm x 40cm

MEDIA: Acrylic and flax weave on canvas

SOLD

The whole canvas has been covered with a weaved flax mat, painted black then dark green brushed over. The dots are all hand painted again - green, lime green and metallic gold.

This painting has significance in several ways.. The flax weaving and korus used in this piece are very traditional NZ - from the Maori culture. The flax weaving to me represents lives weaving together, laying down foundations for everything else....The korus represent rebirth, spiritual growth etc.... reaching higher and higher.

I was talking to a counsellor this week, who was reminding me of something very basic in relationships. When you meet your partner you feel that you "click" are alike, have common bonds etc. But in reality you don't. The assumptions you make are the downfall of your relationship. You both come from different families...who had different values, beliefs and ways of doing things (yes even if you are both from the same culture you can't assume you were raised the same way) Then you add in the other influences in your life...other relationships you have...what may have worked in one...and been ok...just isn't in this one.

Families ....you look the same on the outside...but look closer...and its not quite as it seems.

Anyway...I could go on and on....but that just gives you a little insight into this artwork.

Pathways

TITLE: Pathways (13/02/07)

MATERIALS: Acrylic on canvas
SIZE: 15cm x 30cm x 3.5cm
SOLD

Painted in red, black, white and grey. All the dots are handpainted by brush.

WOW!!!!

Has it really been 5 days since I last posted????

Tuesday I completed a painting (still not photographed) ... one for the JAFA's exhibiton which is fast approaching!

Wednesday I spent the whole day with Antonia hanging our exhibition at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, 1 Hobson Street, Auckland City. Its on until April 4th - so plenty of time to get there and see all the fab artwork. Quite a mixture of styles with Antonia, Tanya and myself.

Thursday I did another painting...and hated it so much I painted over it! arghhhhh

Friday I prepared 3 canvas' ready for painting. Two for Eater show (hopefully) and another for a gallery maybe...

Saturday...today...I finished another one! YAY!

Right....so now I will try and post the photos...fingers crossed it works this time!

Horizons

TITLE: Horizons
SIZE: 50cm x 60cm
MEDIA: Acrylic and modelling paste on canvas
Donated to Charity Art Auction raising funds for Student counselling in Hamilton

Heavily textured with modelling paste. Many layers of paint have been used to build this up. Painted in black, blues, grey with alomost a hint of lilac.

Stone Edge IV

TITLE: Stone Edge IV
SIZE: 38cm x 76cm

MEDIA: Acrylic, resin and modelling paste on canvas

SOLD

Inspired by the beautiful coastline around New Zealand...the gorgeous rock pools and blue clear water....

Grand Beauty

TITLE: Grand Beauty

SIZE: 38cm x 76cm each - Triptych

MEDIA: Acrylic on canvas

PRIVATE COLLECTION

Painted in rich earthy tones. This geometric painting is my personal favourite.

Cat's Eye

TITLE: Cat's Eye

SIZE: 61cm x 61cm
MEDIA: Acrylic on canvas
GIFTED to another dear friend of mine. They would give you the shirt off their back. Thankyou for everything you have done! :)

Painted in rich earthy tones inspired by the South African semi precious stone by the same name. The elipse is painted in metallic copper with a dotted pattern over it. All the dots are handpainted by brush.

Undecided

TITLE: Undecided

SIZE: 46cm x 60cm
MEDIA: Acrylic and modelling paste on canvas
Gifted to a very special person who will always have a HUGE place in my heart. This one was really meant for you all along :)

From the Core

TITLE: From the Core
SIZE: 91cm x 45cm (total size)

MEDIA: Acrylic and modelling paste on canvas

FOR SALE: email sophia@sophiaelise.co.nz

Heavily textured with modelling paste. Painted in rich Earthy colours. Made up of three panels - 2 narrow ones either side and a larger one in the middle.

Autumn Harvest

TITLE: Autumn Harvest

SIZE: 76cm x 38cm
MEDIA: Acrylic, modelling paste, leaves, black mica and resin on canvas
Gifted to my father and his wife for their new home in Australia

Heavily textured with modelling paste. The brown lines have black mica in them which make them glisten in the light. The leaves are skeleton leaves painted metallic gold then have resin poured over them giving them a really glassy appearance.

Tribal Dreams

TITLE: Tribal Dreams (Finalist in the North Shore City Art Awards 2006)

SIZE: 40cm x 50cm

MEDIA: Acrylic on canvas

Gifted to a VERY special friend and an incredibly talented artist too :)

Painted in reds and black. All the dots are handpainted by brush.

Exhibition instead of inspirational - well hopefully both still

TITLE: Many Faces
SIZE: 46cm x 60cm
MEDIA: Acrylic on canvas
FOR SALE: contact me sophia@sophiaelise.co.nz


Sorry guys....I have to take a short break from my small inspirational artworks as I have two exhibitions starting this month that I need to prepare for.

One is a joint one with a fabulous artist and friend - Antonia Marino. Feb 14th - April 1st

The other is an Auckland group of NZ Art Guild members - JAFA's Gathering March 1 - 30th at the Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland.

On top of that I'm preparing artwork for the Royal Easter Show art awards and entries close this month.

So the art on my blog are the exhibition pieces.