INXS forever .

So how good was the INXS movie I just loved it . INXS was part of my teenage soundtrack and i had a crush for at least a whole two weeks on Michael at one stage .lol I was a bit fickle in those days . My love could be brought by who ever was on the cover of smash hits magazine. I sketched this when i was about 15 or 16 i would say maybe earlier . When i have a crush it normally translated in to a sketch being drawn . My favorite song of theirs even till this day is "DONT CHANGE" , they lyrics still pack a punch . I can say for certain i have never changed at all , grown yes but never changed . here are the lyric !!!!!!!!!!! X

I'm standing here on the ground
The sky above won't fall down
See no evil in all direction
Resolution of happiness
Things have been dark
For too long

Don't change for you
Don't change a thing for me

I found a love I had lost
It was gone for too long
Hear no evil in all directions
Execution of bitterness
Message received loud and clear

Don't change for you
Don't change a thing for me

I'm standing here on the ground
The sky above won't fall down
See no evil in all directions
Resolution of happiness
Things have been dark for too long

Don't change for you
Don't change a thing for me

VANITY galleries

A vanity gallery is an art gallery that charges artists fees to exhibit their work and makes most of its money from artists rather than from sales to the public. Some vanity galleries charge a lump sum to arrange an exhibition, while others ask artists to pay regular membership fees and then promise to organize an exhibition with a certain period. 

Well that's what Wikipedia says !!!!!!!!!! I think these galleries are scams and a complete waste of time and in my early days out of art college i even fell for a few . Being so much wiser nowadays i can see what they really are and they just crush dreams of young or inexperienced artists. Every month i get emails from these galleries wanting me to exhibit in NYC or a castle in Italy or even the center of London . They are all the same and always have the same formula approach thats how u can tell in 2 minutes flat that they are indeed a vanity gallery . I can assure you they have no interest in selling your work or mine .  

I was actually at one of these galleries for one of my openings and was in shock at how out of their depth they were when i actually sold a painting . ie the one above called SUNSET STRIP .They clearly never actually expect too, let alone can work out how to do the sale for the client . Was just all very awkward. I also met some of the other artist that were on show as well . We had all spend our money and some had come from afar. While yes i was young and inexperienced i was a hot seller in Australia and was from the moment i took flight from uni . I had been spoit by having wonderful galleries in OZ representing me and had no idea that galleries all over the world were not the same . 

   This is my story but you may have a far more positive one in one of these vanity galleries.It is a very expensive lesson that i had to learn , not just the cost but the shipping of the works aswell . I have since found many galleries overseas that are awesome and work just like the ones here but they are few and far between and finding them is like a needle in a hay stack.  

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