PARIS is a wonderland ....part 2

My biggest love about Paris has always been the night life . Stars only come out at night after all. Lots of my works reflexes this idea and with a name like starr this was always going to be . This is one of my most favorite photos taken by a random strangers who were laughing at me trying to do a selfie . Thank god they offered to assist me !!!!!!! . This was late afternoon and i was on my way to have cocktails with my seriously attractive agent then i was to be hitting the Nouvelle eve which is pretty much across the road from the moulin rouge. I was a very lucky artist to have a few beautiful dancers that were more than happy to pose for me .

My art has been promoting the Nouvelle eve for years now .........I just love this post card !!!!!!! While in town i visited to Louvre and as always am totally in love with most everything i see. I saw a Toulouse lautrec exhibition there and felt amazed as i kinda appears i am following a similar art path with the dancers and the clubs . Too some its a bit naughty and underworld, even seedy , but i never see that just the beauty and sparkle . I am so inspired when in this world i come alive . I cant wait to show you all the new works but all in good time .

 The street art around Paris was just awesome , i love all the streets scattered with it . One seriously could get lost in some of those back streets . I have a few navigation issues and am always getting lost but as always i find the french so friendly and always happy to put me on the right path .This photo was taken in the alley just up from where i was staying !!!!!!

 My epic birthday happened while i was in town which was nice it was all about me that day lol . I could have gone anywhere for dinner that night but i wanted to go to "LES DEUX MAGOTS" I have painted this iconic cafe many many time so it was wonderful to dine there and of course with the best of friends . It was a truly magnificent night .Yes there will be my latest version of this cafe in my 2014 November exhibition. ohhhhhhhhh writing this blog makes me miss Paris so much its a good thing i will return this year . Till then i can paint till my hearts content Paris the city that truly is a WONDERLAND .xo  

The artistic nightmare that is Christmas

Christmas to me has always been nightmare .....................firstly lets just try to get through all the commissions i have in my case its very overwhelming . Every gallery appears to think they are your only gallery and their commissions are the most important but of course they are !!!!! so its how the nightmare begins it starts first week of December when all new works have to be delivered in time for sale over the silly season . I work exceptionally hard an no fun to be around in December ,i am so lucky all my friends understand this .

 These beautiful mini's arrive early in December and let me just tell you they do take much longer than ever to paint these day . However they are highly coveted and collected as they are always a bit different every year . In saying that my family are pretty much over getting them as every years its the same old same old . So this year i got them all mugs !!!!!

No i will not be selling mugs now just a family xmas thingy . Edward and the skull are clearly aimed at my niece's and nephews . One very exciting development this year has been the sale of my Alice prints they were just walking out the door. So today which is Xmas eve i am still working , most of my orders have left now . Today its just finishing of last of commissions that did not make it in time for Christmas but i always like to start each year a fresh .

So my beautiful black tree dressed in technicolor is up , Mugs are getting wrapped and I make much effort to stay the hell away from the kitchen as i cant cook .  I artfully arrange colorful platters thats my idea of being in the kitchen . Ok and yes i am really excited about boxing day shopping !!!!!!!So soon this all ends my little nightmare that is Christmas .Merry Christmas everyone i hope u all have a super fantastic time over the silly season .xo

The traveling artist

What a nightmare this traveling internationally with your paints is :( whether u wanna paint phein air style or just paint in a gallery situation as an artist in residence its drama filled . I came to the conclusion that to save issues at customs i would send my case boxed to location rather than take it with me . Of course it could go in checked in luggage for domestic travel but international will be near impossible .

Yes your thinking its water based and acrylic so it should be ok right . The word paint sends alarm bells out at airports. Dont even think of trying to travel with oil paint that would be an artists worst nightmare .  Water soluble oil paints would be best if u were an oil devote , due to the flammable nature . You would also have to use words like "oil colours" rather than mention the alarm bell word paint. Even with acyrlic i have a full list of ingredients downloaded from manufacturers of my paint just so there are no dramas whatsoever . ohhhhhh and forget the varnish or get a water based one or buy this at your location .

I picked a very good quality make up artist train case for my paints , as its looks nice lets face it . I however dont expect this to travel like this its will be bubble wrapped and boxed so i might get a few years out of it I hope :).When painting overseas i do not travel light etc as i have to leave paintings in galleries that are the same beautiful standard as here in Australia .So i need everything i use here but just smaller amounts . My brushes always travel with me in my checked in luggage as in my eyes they are just to expensive to loose . I am a brush snob i admit .!!!!!!!Also my sketch book also travels with me the same way i would never want to loose that . Paint can be replaced sketches cant .

Stretched canvas is also packed or could be easily brought overseas depending on your location . I take mine and make sure the backs are ready for hanging so its just one less thing to worry about . I am not taking pliers flying that look like knifes . ohhhhhh and don't take metal pallet knifes take plastic one's or if you must have them in checked in luggage . I also pack all my paints in glad sandwich snap lock bags as who knows what accidents may happen in the air . Hunt out small size's of your paints if you can make things so much easier i have every colour i use in my kit . My travel paint preference is Liquidtex brand as its an international company and always available in overseas art shops . So if you run out your set . !!!!!!

I wanted to write about this is i Googled and could find next to no information on this topic. Hope you find this a bit helpful . I think there is nothing more fun than painting from life in exotic locations .It take one out of the studio and art adventures cant happen spontaneously. I love to travel as often as possible and i always find it so damn inspiring . xox

 

ARTIST DINNER SERIES

I am so excited about this Dinner and its almost SOLD out just a few more spots to go . So here is a little bit about it from the gallery the awesome traffic jam galleries in sydney. If you would love to attend this remarkable dinner please contact them !!!!!! I will unveil some new works on the night and you will get a super cool present from me . yes its a painted one .

Our next dinner in our ARTIST DINNER SERIES will be hosted by Starr.

Join Starr, Head Chef Brett Deverall and the tjg team for a night of Art, Food, Wine and Conversation.

Saturday 16^th November, 7.30 pm till bedtime.

Tickets are $125 per person, limited to 24 guests

To RSVP please call the gallery on 02 9953 3831 or email info@trafficjamgalleries.com

xox starr

Paris is a wonderland........ part 1

So yes this blog is a bit late as i have since returned from my latest trip to Paris but i was tech challenged in paree.lol. My trips to Paris are always a bit different and certainly not on the tourist radar . Of course there are many many visits to all the amazing galleries as i love nothing more than to be surrounded by great art its intoxicating to say the least. This picture above is the view from my apartment and yes of course it will be a painting at some point. Thats what i was there for, too find lots of inspiration, a little business, sketch and take pics for my latest Paris series that will feature in my next Brisbane SOLO in 2014 .

Although its difficult to concentrate with a patisserie under the apartment as every morning u are woken up by the smell of fresh french bread .I am not a fan of bread at all but this bread is truly from the gods my organic diet was totally out the window . 

Of course i did find the right soundtrack for my Paris adventure and how i love sketching this divine  city.I take my visual diary everywhere i go and capture moments there and then . That's my idea of a fun time its so nice to be inside your own head and not thinking of the pressures of modern day . Paris takes me away to almost another time another world where for what ever reason i am completely  happy.I just love wandering the streets by myself and seeing what i see , there is such beauty at every turn. 

 Ohhhhhhhh and yes this is a very bad sign indeed ......GELATO that was the best i had ever tasted right across the road . Not to mention i was staying in party , wine bar central and all anyone drinks is Rosa and if u drink enough u become french and learn to love it . How i love paris so stay tuned have a another glass of rosa and i shall write more about this wonderful city .x

Kaleidoscope October 2013

Well opening night was a huge success and Tosari galleries really do a fantastic event. The very lovely Sandy Pottinger a well known Toowoomba art critic opened the show with some lovely words about my work. I love this gallery as they really give me lots of freedom to paint what i really wanna paint which is nice . I can take some chances and the results speak for themselves . I can show some of my quirker works that might never see the out side of my studio for example the twilight series which shows off my killer portrait skills .

or even my latest imagination series featuring the skull which was also one of the first to sell .

Opening weekend also consisted of a fabulous artist talk complete with wonderland style tea and cupcakes . Sometimes u wonder who would really wanna listen to anything i have to say but i am happy to announce there was a full room , which can be a little scary to a recluse artist . I say however the more public talking one dose the easier it gets . OHHHH and what a beautiful invite , us artists do get terribly excited over an invite .

Here is a little blurb about the exhibition !!!!! 

The continued success of young Brisbane artist Starr is encapsulated by her unique style and charm. She blends a mastery of colour with a fluidity of brushstrokes that is unrivalled in the contemporary art world. 

With a Bachelor of Fine Art to hone the raw talent that has seen her painting since the age of five, Starrs work exudes that unique quality that has seen her sell-out exhibitions in Australia and internationally. 

Kaleidoscope is Starrs latest exhibition entwines her painterly pop panache with fairy tale twists and brings new life to her subject matter, whether it be the classic nudes and scapes of the traditional masters or something a little more twisted that lurks in the twilight world... 

Starr has been referred to as the Rock Star of the Art world. Its title that she has become accustomed to over the years, but its title that also fits her well. Starr is a true artist and her work captures the spirit of those masters, with a modern contemporary hand. 

For this exhibition, Starr will be unveiling her first series of nudes with a young Toowoomba Model. Proof that Toowoomba is a city of boundless natural beauty, from the people to the land; it is as pretty as a picture. 

The exhibition opens....on the 11th of October 2013 !!!!!! and continues right though november . so plenty of time to go and see it or view it online . www.tosarigalleries.com.au 

xox 

ever wanted a STARR painting !!!!!!

So have u ever wanted a STARR painting if the answer is yes then listen up ............ I have been searching high and low for my future house /studio for months and months and finally i found it . I had an extreme wish list . HIGH HIGH ceilings so i can do super large commissions , an EPIC green view with lots of land as i am a bit recluse , and i always dreamed of an 80's architectural style pole home . .The only down bit is it needs a big renovation to bring it up to date its very classic in its current state

Here is a sneak peak of it !!!!!! 

I just love all the angles and yes i love the timber oddly and dont want it touched as thats what really makes it so 80's and my dream home . What i am looking for is a few trades people that are keen for a contra or part contra with my art . So the first person i am super keen to meet is a painter i need the interrior walls that are there to be painted white there are not that many at all really.  So if you know a painter whos a big fan of my art this is a once off opportunity . I am also keen to hear from electricians and plumbers and carpenters down the track .So please spread the news . If u are the man for job please email me at starr@starrfineart.com.

Due to me being on very tough exhibition programs the dream house has come at a very inconvenient time so i am trying to make this move as easy as possible so i can have limited down time from painting  . I do however think having a new space will be very inspiring for me watch out for the new works that will becoming and some yet to be imagined .x