Marginalia - new show of book paintings

For the last year I've been working on a series of paintings depicting book stacks.

The resulting show - 'Marginalia' - is now on.

There are 21 originals works and book guitars by Kim Wiley made in the cigar-box tradition. I have painted books on some of the hand-crafted boxes, which was great fun. Other guitars are made from real vintage books. And they sound great!

Blarney Books & Art

Christmas & January Opening hours

23 & 24 Dec, 11-4pm
27 & 28 Dec, 11-4pm
11-5pm daily from 30 Dec to 29 January 2017

Here is my artist statement about the show followed by some pictures of the work in situ:

MARGINALIA - Artist Statement

Books have always played an important role in my life. Their physical presence serves as a kind of autobiography marking periods of time.

Despite the advent of digital libraries and the decreasing space on my bookshelf I find it hard to part with books.

I initially embarked on this body of work thinking that painting some of these books would release me from their sentimental pull and I would then be able to cull them.

Paradoxically, now that they have been painted, another layer of meaning is added to their story and I’m even more reluctant to let them go.

Each painting depicts books I own or have sourced from my family. When I look at each book stack there is a flood of memories and feelings. Each painting contains multiple narratives - my own personal history intertwines with the stories within them.

The fact that many other people have special memories attached to the same books means the narrative possibilities within each book stack are infinite.

Our mode of daily communication is increasingly digital but physical books will always have a place, not as mere marginalia but as treasured objects representing more than the words between the covers.

You can view the paintings on my website here.

And for the first time ever I have prints available for purchase at the show.

Jodi Wiley - Marginalia exhibition at Blarney Books & Art, Port Fairy

Jodi Wiley - Marginalia exhibition at Blarney Books & Art, Port Fairy

Jodi Wiley - Marginalia exhibition at Blarney Books & Art, Port Fairy

Jodi Wiley - Marginalia exhibition at Blarney Books & Art, Port Fairy

Jodi Wiley - Marginalia exhibition at Blarney Books & Art, Port Fairy

Jodi Wiley - Marginalia exhibition at Blarney Books & Art, Port Fairy

Hanging the show - Home Is Where the Light Is

Yesterday the show went up. After more than a year of working alone on these paintings it was such an amazing feeling to put them up on the wall to share them with others. The venue - the Residents Gallery at Montsalvat - couldn't be more perfect.

There was no way I could have hung the show alone though. I was so lucky to have my husband, Kim, come along to help, a lovely volunteer from Montsalvat, Taleen, and my friend and photographer, Maria Colaidis. Maria took the most amazing series of photos throughout the day which tell the story of installing the show and also give such a beautiful sense of what the space is like and how the paintings look. It makes me so happy to have this record of the day and to be able to share some of these photos with you.

Jodi Wiley - 'Home Is Where the Light Is' Montsalvat - Photo by Maria Colaidis

Jodi Wiley - 'Home Is Where the Light Is' Montsalvat - Photo by Maria Colaidis

Jodi Wiley - 'Home Is Where the Light Is' Montsalvat - Photo by Maria Colaidis

Jodi Wiley - 'Home Is Where the Light Is' Montsalvat - Photo by Maria Colaidis

Jodi Wiley - 'Home Is Where the Light Is' Montsalvat - Photo by Maria Colaidis

Jodi Wiley - 'Home Is Where the Light Is' Montsalvat - Photo by Maria Colaidis

Jodi Wiley - 'Home Is Where the Light Is' Montsalvat - Photo by Maria Colaidis

Jodi Wiley - 'Home Is Where the Light Is' Montsalvat - Photo by Maria Colaidis

Jodi Wiley - 'Home Is Where the Light Is' Montsalvat - Photo by Maria Colaidis

Jodi Wiley - 'Home Is Where the Light Is' Montsalvat - Photo by Maria Colaidis

Today I gave an artist floor talk, which was really fun to do. I thought I might write a bit of a recap of some of the things I talked about today in my first newsletter mail-out very soon. If you'd like to receive it please subscribe here.

My solo show 'Home Is Where the Light Is' is on at Montsalvat from today until 17 January 2016. This Sunday 29th November I will be in the gallery from 1pm-4pm - please come and say hi!

Exhibition preparation

For more than twelve months I have been working on highly detailed acrylic tree paintings for my exhibition Home Is Where the Light Is which I will be hanging at Montsalvat next week.

When I'm deep in the painting, it's pure bliss. I put on a podcast and lose myself in the work. There is nothing better than being in that flow.

But now that the painting is finished, it's time to do all the practical things that need to be done to make the exhibition happen.

A few weeks ago I varnished all the work. This is always a good feeling because it brings out the colour and the texture and really 'finishes' the paintings in a way that is exciting to see.

I also made a bunch of beautiful square-shaped business cards using some of the work from the show. I really love how they've turned out and I will have these available at the venue for people to take.

I am thinking about having a guest book for visitors to sign. What do you think?

A while ago I also put in some of my paintings to be framed. This is what they looked like before they went off.

When I picked them up today I was so thrilled. The framing job is exquisite and I am just so proud of how they've come up. Here's one, freshly unwrapped:

The next thing on my 'to do' list is to send out my first ever email newsletter. Would you like to receive it? My plan is for this to be a very occasional mail-out which will include newsy things and other interesting art-related stuff (I'm going to wing it, you'll just have to trust me).

If you would like to be on it you can sign up over on the right-hand sidebar where it says 'subscribe to my mailing list'.

I assure you, the mail-outs will be irregular!

As an incentive, anyone who signs up from now until this Sunday 22nd November 2015, 5pm (AEDT) will have a chance to win a set of three greeting cards depicting my painting 'Local Gum'. If you've already signed up, you're in the draw. This is open to anyone around the world.

My first newsletter mailout will be next week!

Upcoming Exhibition

I haven't posted for a while but I think I have good excuse. I have been working towards this:

I can't wait to show this new work in the beautiful Residents Gallery at Montsalvat. There will be 17 new paintings on show and for sale. For more information head over to the Montsalvat website.

I will also be doing an Artist Floor Talk on Wednesday 25 November 2015, 11am-12pm and a casual, drop-in 'Meet the Artist' session on Sunday 29 November 2015, 1pm-4pm.

Would love to see you there!

Recent good things

It has been a wonderful and surprising couple of weeks.

Last Thursday I was awarded Highly Commended in the Nillumbik Prize 2015 at Montsalvat by judge, Melinda Martin. It was such an honour to receive this acknowledgement. When my name was called, my three-year-old took off after me through the crowd, so I grasped her hand and brought her up onto the stage with me to receive the prize. I'm not sure who was more stunned to find herself up there, me or her.

Then last weekend we travelled to Port Fairy to attend the opening of the Biblio-Art award. It is a beautiful, unique exhibition of book-based art and it was nice to hear my painting mentioned by one of the judges, Katherine Hattam, whose work I greatly admire, when she delivered her commentary about the decision-making process.

Following on from these two happy events, this week I had the amazing and surprising experience of being featured on The Jealous Curator. This was overwhelming and I'm so very grateful for all the new interest in my work.

And now, back to the studio. My upcoming exhibition is not going to paint itself!

New work and a show

It's been quiet on this blog recently because I've been working hard to finish a major painting project, which I'll write about soon. But in the meantime I thought I'd show some other new work.

Jodi Wiley - On Hillcrest Avenue, acrylic on linen, 15cm x 15cm, 2014

This painting was made as a gift late last year. It's the first time I've had work framed and I love the result.

I'm currently painting a new body of work for my solo show at Montsalvat at the end of November, and this painting shows the direction I'm exploring.

Linden Postcard Show 2014

I have three paintings in this year's Linden Postcard Show from a little series I've been working on.

On my Bookshelf series (watercolour on paper) - Jodi Wiley

My painting How Language Works sold on opening night last Friday, which made a great night even better.

It's a fantastic exhibition, showing a huge array of artwork in different media and styles. Well worth a visit. Make sure you also look out for the work of my friends and fellow artists: Maria Colaidis, David Apostol, Evelyn Howard (Yee) and Alissa Duke.

Chatting to photographer David Apostol about his work (photo by Maria Colaidis)

The show runs until 6th December, 2014. More details on the Linden Gallery website.

Sketching on location

I've been working steadily in the studio but not much to show yet. I work very slowly. Sometimes I think I should point a time-lapse camera on my canvas to see the progress!

I'm working towards a big project and, in addition to that, my next solo exhibition, which will be held at the beautiful Montsalvat next year. I'm so honoured to have the opportunity to show my work there. Although it's not until the end of 2015 I have lots of ideas and a fairly good vision of what I will produce.

Last weekend my friend Maria and I went to Montsalvat to do some creative work. She is a photographer and while she went off and did her own work, I sat and sketched a small scene. Although it wasn't drawing directly related to my paintings, I love just hanging out there in the grounds with my sketchbook, amidst those beautiful buildings and peaceful, green surrounds.

When Maria returned from her own shoot, she took some photos of me. I have to say, I just love what she did so I'm putting aside my self-consciousness to show you. She is so very talented and creative and I feel very lucky to have these photos of me sketching on location in the very place my exhibition will be next year.

All photos by Maria Colaidis.

Jodi Wiley, Montsalvat. {Photo by Maria Colaidis}

Jodi Wiley, Montsalvat. {Photo by Maria Colaidis}

Jodi Wiley, Montsalvat. {Photo by Maria Colaidis}

Jodi Wiley, Montsalvat. {Photos by Maria Colaidis}

Jodi Wiley, Montsalvat. {Photo by Maria Colaidis}

Jodi Wiley, Montsalvat. {Photo by Maria Colaidis}

Jodi Wiley, Montsalvat. {Photo by Maria Colaidis}

It's winter at the moment though, so my fingers were freezing by the end of it and I very much enjoyed my post-sketch coffee at the cafe there!

New painting: progress shots

I've just completed a painting which went to it's new home this week. I thought I'd show some progress shots of how it evolved.

This tree represents a time and place, a special marker of memory for its new owner. I love how trees are living, breathing monuments to our own personal histories. I don't know anyone who can't pinpoint a special tree in their past or their present. Or isn't moved by a particular kind of tree, usually one familiar from childhood. (For me, it's the gum tree. But you probably already figured that out!)

It's a painstaking process to describe the minute detail of a tree trunk with paint. (You can see in the collage above the teeny-tiny brush I use throughout the process.) But there is something soothing about the work. It's easy to slip into that beautiful state of creative flow almost as soon as I sit in front of the canvas.

This is the finished work:

Jodi Wiley - On Saunders Street (for Kath), acrylic on canvas, 30.5cm x 20.5cm, 2014

Darebin Art Show

Up Close, Late Afternoon by Jodi Wiley. Photo (c) Maria Colaidis

My painting Up Close, Late Afternoon is currently on show in the Darebin Art Show at Bundoora Homestead Arts Centre until February 16, 2014.

Me at the DAS opening in December. Photo (c) Maria Colaidis

It's a fantastic exhibition of local artists and well worth the visit.

New Painting: Awakening

My last painting for the year, finished just in time for Christmas.

Jodi Wiley - Awakening, 30cm x 20cm, acrylic on canvas

Wishing everyone all the best for the holiday season and a creative, joy-filled 2014!

Featured paintings and an interview

I was lucky enough to have my paintings featured in a few wonderful places this week.

My painting Tree appeared in the Side by Side pages of the latest issue of Big Kids Magazine 'Seed to Sky'. This is a fantastic publication featuring both children and artists, and includes some really unique art prompts and activities.

Koosje Koene, an illustrator and teacher who runs excellent online drawing classes, featured my paintings on her regular Inspiration Station.

And last but not least, I was interviewed by the brilliant new CRISP Magazine (and asked some great questions). You can read the interview here.

New Painting: Silver Princess

I was commissioned to paint a Silver Princess gum for a special birthday surprise so I tried not to show many work-in-progress shots online.

I did take a lot of photos along the way though, so I thought I'd make a collage of the process. It took many hours of patient layering.

 The bark of the Silver Princess is extraordinary and I enjoyed the intense detail of this work.

Jodi Wiley - Silver Princess on Forster Street, 30cm x 30cm, acrylic on canvas

Art around town

My free Boab postcard has been sighted in quite a few places and it's always exciting to see where it turns up next. This photo was taken at Cafe Tre Sette in Carlton by Louise from Melbourne. Last week she enjoyed a delicious lunch, accompanied by a vintage spy novel and my card!

'Tree' exhibition extended

My exhibition 'Tree' has been extended another week. The feedback has been amazing and I'm so thrilled people are responding to the work.

'Tree' exhibition at Apte Cafe, Alphington. {Photo by Maria Colaidis}

The show will now run until Tuesday 24 September, 2013. Apte Cafe, 538 Heidelberg Road, Alphington, Melbourne.

Boab Artist Cards

I was lucky enough to have my Boab painting selected to be printed on an Avant Card recently.

 

Lots of cards were printed. 27,850 to be exact. I find it almost impossible to picture that amount of cards, but what I do know is, it's very exciting.

They are distributed free throughout Australia and can be found for the next few weeks on select Avant Card stands in cafes, bars, universities, cinemas and other arts/culture places.

You can also send it as an e-card. If you would like to do that, click here.

I also dropped a stack off at Apte Cafe where my 'Tree' exhibition is currently running until 19 September 2013.

Behind the scenes - 'Tree'

Last Thursday we installed my show 'Tree' at Apte Cafe. I was lucky enough to have my good friend and photographer, Maria, come along to help. She also documented the whole experience. I love the shots she took.

I was a little nervous in the lead-up. I had been imagining for months (longer!) different combinations of paintings, trying to solve the problems of placement in my mind.

After running through the options, and sketching it out, I had some ideas about I how wanted it to look. However, without having yet moved the paintings around in the actual space, all I could do was hope that it would come together cohesively.

Hanging 'Shedding' - Jodi Wiley. {Photo: Maria Colaidis}

Kim and Jodi Wiley discussing placement. {Photo: Maria Colaidis}

Labelling 'Up Close, Late Afternoon' - Jodi Wiley. {Photo: Maria Colaidis}

Finally relaxed! - Jodi Wiley {Photo: Maria Colaidis} 

As we were hanging the paintings, I began to relax. I could see it all pulling together. As it stands, the show looks almost as I had pictured it in my mind's eye - with some tweaking. I had some great suggestions along the way from Kim, Maria, and Apte owner, Tony. It was invaluable to bounce ideas off the others.

Now it's up! The show is on. And I'm so happy with how it looks.

You can view more 'behind the scenes' installation shots over here.

The show runs until 19 September at Apte Cafe, 538 Heidelberg Road, Alphington (Melbourne).