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!