and the card that followed

Seeing as I ran out of time to make the card before Genevieve and Sonny's wedding day, I thought what better thing to celebrate than the truck they departed as a married couple in!

Love that bunting.

x
L.

When bad things turn into good things.

Lately, I have been searching for a job. With several shows booked in (you'll see!) and a couple of workshops in the mix, on top of going back to study this year, stability is on my mind. I'm not going to lie, it has been getting me down a little.

However, I do need to remind myself that good things are always just around the corner (right?). The other day, Marcel did a really bad fart. Like seriously, it was awful. Just awful. Had to leave the room. How can such a tiny, cute animal be so disgusting? Anyway, it prompted me to create this work. Perhaps it was an attempt to give some kind of floral delight to my stinky cat, to view the world through rose-coloured glasses.

I was quite pleased with this cheery outcome, particularly as it was a result of such an unpleasant experience.

Every cloud has a (stinky) silver lining.

xx

L.

gemstones and practice

Happy Thursday everyone! I thought I'd share some work that I have been agonising over. I am painting a series of gemstones for an upcoming secret(ish) project, and actually, it is REALLY HARD! This is gemstone attempt 11 and 12 - the first two that actually resemble a faceted stone (I think). If I look too hard at them, they start to resemble the soggy mess that stones 1–10 were and I can't see any form any more. 

If I squint, they actually look ok, so I think we're getting somewhere. I felt it was important to post these, because as someone who has painted in the past, I was getting really frustrated that I couldn't just 'whip up' these images. I think there is a common misconception that artists find traditional image-making (such as drawing, printmaking and photography) easy. I know I often think it myself: "pfft - I can draw, as if this photo isn't going to be excellent!" (Turns out I can't take a picture to save my life - it's rather disappointing.) 

This is gemstone number 6. Imagine what the first five looked like. Ugh. What I continually have to remind my self is to practise. We say 'art practice' do we not? I appreciate that some people may find a painting task like this simple, however it is not something that comes naturally to me. But I live by the fact that if you want to get better at something, you need to do it again and again. And then some more! 

Seeing as I was never without a pencil in my hand for the first 20 years of my life, I think drawing had to come out somewhere. However, I can honestly say that I never thought of this 'keep practising' concept until I was trying to draw milly-molly-mandy about ... five years ago. After the first disastrous attempt, I declared that it was 'too hard, I'm crap!' until my (wonderful) Husband Kent very gently suggested that I kept trying until I was happy with it. Those drawings ended up in my first ever public exhibition.

So cheesy I know, but sometimes it's good to remind yourself that effort does play a part in the things we do. I am very privileged in that I have a supportive network of friends and family who encourage me to keep trying this art business. How cross my mum would be if I had thrown out Gemstone number one and then whined about it being too hard to bother with. That thing you might be struggling with at the moment may be getting you down, but perhaps just set it aside for now. Take a breath, and give it another attempt tomorrow*. 

xx

L.

*I am already so sick of gemstones, I can't be effed even looking at another one today. Hopefully tomorrow they will be shiny and new.

inversions

Some of you may know, this year I am undertaking an Advanced Diploma of Yoga Teaching. Exciting, no? It has already led my work in a very specific direction. This work (completed only today) has made me realise how much of my collage-based work references force, gravity, movement, stillness and many other aspects of a yoga practice. It's uncanny.

I would like to stress that I am not quitting art to join a commune and grow my armpit hair. This year is already shaping up into a very exciting and challenging collection of exhibitions, workshops and extra fun projects.

Here's hoping that I can continue living this fine balance that has been the last 8 years of making pictures and occasionally standing on my head.

x
L.

Headhunting

Like many people I've spoken to of late, I feel that this year is the year for change. Me, I am turning away from headless beings for the moment, and focusing on heads. Without wishing to give too much away at this stage, here is a sneaky peak of a project I am currently working on. It will be shown in a group show at Linden in the middle of this year, with a collection of some of the spunkiest artists I can think of to work with.

Watch this space!

xx
L.

the wrap-up

 

 

It has been a mad year in the land of Lucy James - I moved towns (again), started (several) new jobs, had two solo shows, three collaborations and a sprinkling of group activity. I learned new skills, forgot some old ones, relearned those, enrolled in new courses and figured out how to make fudge (I have the burns to prove it).

To all of you who have bought, exhibited, shown interest and discussed my work, your support has been invaluable. Thank you so much to all the artists, gallerists, curators and patrons I have had the pleasure of working with this year. This life would not be possible without you!

I wish you all a happy, relaxing and safe holiday season, and look forward to seeing you all in 2013 – some exciting plans are in the works, so watch this space!

x

Lucy

 

p.s. To those of you who are on my mailing list - please check your spam! I often get lost in there. If you would like to go on my mailing list, please contact me and I'll pop you on!

SALE EXTENDED!**

Hello everyone!

I have decided to extend the studio sale until the end of Sunday (tomorrow!) - seeing as I will be doing the last post office run on Monday, why not let the punters enjoy a weekend of perusing? There are still some works available, click here to see!

Please know that the sale will be taken down on SUNDAY NIGHT so if you haven't got in yet, the time is RIPE. These works are all small and make beautiful gifts.

**I'm not really sure why I feel the need to use capitals in these sale headings - perhaps years of ingrained Dimmys and Forges adverts have taken their toll. Somehow, if it looks like I am shouting, perhaps it will make the sale more effective?

Last DAAAAAYS!!!

Everyone! The super epic amazing studio sale of joy ENDS TOMORROW!!! I'll be shutting up shop around 10pm-ish (I know midnight would be cooler, but I like to go to bed early on Fridays) so you still have some time! There's still some pretty cool stuff available, IF you're into that kinda thing:

Break off a piece of that! Visit available works HERE. A massive thank you to all the wonderful people who have already bought work - your support is wonderful!

ENDS TOMORROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! (I mean it.)

xx

Studio sale - works still available!

Hello All! A reminder that my studio sale is only up for 3 more days! All works are under $100 with many being under $50! Prices are in USD so please take that into consideration when making purchases.

Works will be express posted FREE within Australia by 17 December, in time for Christmas! Yippee!

AMAZING! Click here to see the works still available!

xx

PETITE TREATS UPDATE!!!

Hi All!

I have JUST discovered that (for some stupid reason) prices of works from the sale are in USD - so please take this into consideration when finalising your purchases! I believe this is a small glitch in the workings of my website. Apologies for any confusion or frustration this has caused, I am working on getting it to appear in Australian dollars!

On the plus side, should Australian buyers will find that works will actually be a few dollars cheaper (hooray!)!

In the meantime, if you're not sure how to purchase a work, simply click on the price, and you will be taken through a secure PayPal payment.

A few works have already gone, so pull your socks up and get amongst it!

xx
L.

PETITE TREATS EPIC SALE!!!

 

It's studio clean out time! In order to try and make work more accessible, for a VERY (very, very) limited time I will have tiny works for sale, perfect gifts or personal treats. Almost all work is less than A5 in size and EVERYTHING is less than $90, with most works around $50! I know!

All works will be express posted free within Australia by Dec 16, just in time for Christmas! Works will be packed with a board to prevent bending as well as plastic wrap for protection. Multiple orders will be shipped together in a single package of joy. Please contact me if you wish to arrange international orders, however, no guarantee can be made about arrival dates.





This is a ONE TIME ONLY event - ENDS NEXT FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER so get in quick! Just head to the SALE! section of my website for more details.

Happy perusing! 
x

GriffithREVIEW

Hello All!

I know I have been keeping a low profile of late, I think it is just that time of year. I am heading off on a much needed sojourn in Ubud in a couple of days, for some body and soul RESTING!

I was pretty excited to receive this in the post yesterday, the latest edition of the Griffith Review, which features my work! Woo-haa! Edition 38 is 'The Novella Project', a collection of 6 perfectly lengthed (What? It's a word!) stories that I am very excited to read (while lounging by the pool of course). You can buy it online here.

In the meantime, check out Tai Snaith's ripper cover, and my feature image on page 34. You may have seen it before, but oooh-wee! It sure is nice to see it in print!

Thank you to all who supported me throughout this crazy year. Many of you came to my shows, bought work, encouraged me through this tumultuous ride I seem to be on. I will be forever grateful.

See you all on the other side - there is much more to come!

xxx
L.

The Lost Voyage of Captain Foley and the HMS Laburnum

For those of you who missed the opening night, I have a few snaps of the show - it's on until Dec 1, so please do get along! The other two shows are stunning, so I strongly recommend ...

cocky army

star struck

the suitor

the encampment & the spectators

the captain

and the other captain!