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Just because I can... I say Thank you.

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:23:10 +0100

Wow it has been a really long time since I have had time to log into my blog, let alone write something down.

I want to start with a thank you!

During the last six months I have been smiling on the outside but its been a mauh moment for most, what made me keep going and continue enjoying what I do is the fantastic people around me, all the little warm and fuzzy moments that almost always is never thanked for by anyone..no-ones fault either, it is merely human nature.

So Thank you to Marimba Powley who has been my strength in all those yuck times and also my strength in getting everything developed for the World Art Games, It has been no small task! I couldn't have done it without her! So much has been happening that no-one in the background has had the thanks they deserve!
Thank you to all my wonderful Artist friends and the support they have given me over the years.
Thank you to everyone who has bought or commissioned my work or just turned up to an event I wouldn't be an artist without you!
Thank you to my family and closest friends who never asked for thanks for just being there, excepting me unconditionally and knowing that I will always be there for them as they are for me unconditionally. I love you.

Wow that almost sounded like a funeral note didn't it, but no, I am forever grateful for those around me, and we shouldn't leave it until death to say thank you.
But in all fairness I have had to do some soul searching this month, some close 'friends' left me feeling bitter and twisted some six months ago, and were only staying close so they could get something, which is sad for them..to toss a friend aside because they were no longer useful is a very sad way to go through life, I am left asking why?? Anyway as some of you know It is not me to allow anyone to have that power over me, nor should anyone ever have to experience it from me either. So to those that have seen me go through this I am sorry and thank you for staying close by knowing me for who I am, and reminding me. I hope everyone in this world gets a chance to have wonderful friends like you!

You all know who you are, but just to name a few.. Terry and Ann, Pam, Lauryne, Lorna, Angela, Marimba, Mike, Alfred, Cath, Josie, Vicky, Sharu.... the list go's on and on

Over many years, I have forgiven a lot of people, and each year brings a new age of wisdom, I hope through my art you can follow the journey, for me it is yet to be written, so I start this year on a more positive note, and let what will be, just be...

The Unwritten Journey
Oil on Canvas
April 2012

I do hope you all continue on your journeys taking the best from every situation, but know if you ever need some comfort in your life your friends will be there, simply because you are the best example of you.

Thank you all for your support!
Thank you all for the journey!!
I look forward to staying close to share yours!
xxx

Italy, India, Albania, Croatia, and back again.

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:50:16 +0100

With every step we take we open a door to new steps in life, and as long as you don't step on someone else in the process, moving forward in your chosen career path can be as easy as just trying each door, I have a goal to take my art to the world one country at a time, but throughout this journey I wish to make sure others do too, sharing the bigger doors that I have opened.
May 2010 through the NZ Art Guild I got the chance to go to Italy and exhibit in Cassino, a commemoration of WW2 and mark the existence of our soldiers there in that period of time, there was lots of emotional tears. March 2011 Thanks to Ashis Pahi, from India I got selected to take part in his Artist Residency, and exhibit there, From that trip I met some truly wonderful people, and it opened all sorts of doors, September 2011 I travelled to Albania after meeting Brunilda Mumajesi in India, again meeting more wonderful people, This opened another door, and I was invited to be President of a committee to concentrate on getting a team of Artists from all artistic mediums to Croatia for the World Art Games in 2013, now with so many doors open and so much going on I have to let something go. during all of this I have remembered all those who helped me in the first instance to get to India, and each and everyone of them are getting a share painting, a 6x6" canvas that when all 16 of each set are put together it makes a bigger picture. (A share of the bigger picture) this was a promise, but I am running late though, and those watching and waiting for their share I can say they are on the way very soon!!
Right so time to work out my priorities, Art, Whitecliffe studies, TLC studies, Home Schooling my 15 yr old son, my family, and all the volunteer work I do for the Art Guild and the Academy, unfortunately something had to go, and I have resigned from the Guild, it was always an 8 hour drive, taking away time with my family, I spent hours finding every opportunity available, and I believed I had done enough over the last three years to say I done my bit. But I will miss everyone and hope I can stay in touch with as many as possible from the Guild anyway.
Moving forward I still have the last 12 squares to finish for the shares, and I will share some pic's from Albania, I am off to Croatia in November for the first WAG conference and will update NZ with my plan for selection of the teams to go, and how we can help get them there, YOU might be one of them, its food for thought for you right now, that door is opening and this is just a peek

Amazing Artists from around the world

The two Exhibition invites first for the works we took to Albania the second Exhibition included the works we did in Albania.

Myself painting outside in Albania,

The Exhibition opening Albania

Our visit to an orphanage, with a huge bag of toys.
Photo supplied by Susanna Surrander (Sweden)

Last parting thing today I would like to say: If I have learnt anything from these doors really worth sharing right now, is don't let anyone tell you that they made you what you are, You did it, only only you can make your choices in life, which doors to walk through which pies you have your fingers in, that was you!! And only you can push your work to its limits, be passionate and believe in yourself because only then will others believe too. I say this because I have heard it recently, and it was a true reminder ...never let someone squish your passion by taking the credit for your success!!

Making Postcards :D And the News!!

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 02:19:30 +0100

I was stoked to see last week a news article in the Manawatu Standard click on the picture for a larger veiw.

Another article then did it's rounds via Scoop and landed in UK News and World News

I have been selling shares for this trip as I could not afford to go at all, but when all these wonderful Artists all came together donating works and making payments into a bank account to ensure I go I was intent on making them proud!!
Via One Good Deed ~ Marimba Powley with her stunning wire Sculpture, Leo with a huge range of donations from his novels and prints to his stunning silver bronze and clay sculpture, Mike Greenwood with his most impressive Oils, Cath sheards stunning works, Alfred Memelink with his framed hand painted print, sooo many more also but these are the ones off the top of my head.

The shares, well yes they are are a lot of work for $35 and I am continuosly being told they are under valued, but thats ok because my grattitude out ways the value!! :D
Yeah sure I will make 60 certs, 60 postcards, 60 artworks..... hummmm Im up to the postcards and at 5 minutes a postcard I should be done in lets see 5 hours... LOL right so I have started and in all honesty by the time I have made up my mind what I am actually going to do with each one it is more like 10mins a card, but thats OK because they are going to all the wonderful people that have donated an artwork for sale or bought shares in my trip, I am quite enjoying the challenge and making each card as individual as the next.

Start to finish: print the backs of each card, Im using a one sided Gloss, heavy photo paper, so the non shiney side will be perfect for writting on.

Step 2: start laying down a base colour with a sponge wedge and a ink pad. I rub coloured ink all over the gloss side.
Step 3. Work out what and where things will go, I have been using embossing powder over different parts so that the next layer of ink doesnt effect the picture I have just put down.

Run it back through the printer after heat setting the embossing powder, with my own serenade and there is one done 8D

Heres a few others I have completed since, a couple of them I thought I would make black and white images of my art and then colour them with the ink, but I only did a couple as I was getting to fussy, and with a huge amount to do and a lack of time I wont be doing anymore that way....

I look forward to the next step.... writting to everybody from India on the postcards :D

Thank you for reading my blog, and if you havent got your share yet CLICK HERE

An opportunity of a life time - I am so proud to be a Kiwi!!

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:04:43 +0100

Its like all my Christmas's have come at once, On Christmas day I received notification from an International Gallery in Hyderabad India, A letter stating I had been selected to take part in their Residency Programme, I read it twice and then yahoo'd, not just for me and the fantastic once in a life time opportunity that is an honour to receive but it will allow me to make connections for future Nz Artists to take part in as well, and build a relationship with the Gallery that could allow the same for many more after me.
Only one problem..... Though with the residency comes free accommodation, meals, transport, language, yoga, culture lessons and studio space, which is a huge package, I have to come up with the Airfares, I need to raise about $3000 before March 2011.

There has to be a way for me to get there ... and I think I’ve found it: I’m selling “shares” in my trip. For $35 shareholders get a share certificate, a hand painted postcard mailed back from India, a full colour newsletter of the trip after the event, and a 6x6” original artwork commemorating the trip by September 2011.
If you are interested in learning more about the Residency and exhibition, or would like to buy a share in my trip, contact me on shar2004@orcon.net.nz – I’d love to hear from you.

On another Note, I have wonderful friends, friends I have never expected anymore than a smile from, they have set up a group and are working on a website, One good deed, this website is aimed to help people who help others without even realising they have helped, it will be there for people to nominate others for fundraising, it maybe your neighbour who brings you a dozen eggs every week just because they can, but are needing help in some form themselves. People who make a difference and can benefit, a kind of pay it forward site... a way to say thank you and keep that love life for what it is attitude alive.
They have rallied and surprised me with donations of art and novels to fund raise, I had no idea that I had done anything to deserve all this, and for me it was a teary afternoon when I seen the responses.
"I do what I do only because I can, I expect no more than a smile in return." was my answer to why i was so surprised.
There are thousands of people out there with the same attitude, But I promise to all that I will do Nz proud in India and create, I will be challenged to create 5 new works while there, and I must take 5 with me so I can have an exhibition with other International Artists at the end of the stay, I will be critiqued by some of the worlds highest art critics and have to socialize with influential people, sounds incredibly scary, but if I turn it down will New Zealand get a second chance at the spot? and will I ever have another chance to work in another country doing what it is I do, being an artist?

Now this is it I could really do with some help!
For all those that have given art works, novels, and Sculpture already, a HUGE thank you and all these wonderful things can be found at one good deed (will blog an update when it has been launched) you can also donate things if you aren't up to buying and even to share the link, all help is Greatly appreciated.
Secondly I am selling shares and if you would like to buy a share in my trip please click here and you can fill out the form for me to get the ball rolling.
Thirdly you can purchase any of the items that have been generously donated, they are fabulous items and are definitely worth checking out!!
Marimba Powley who is an amazing Artist has taken the bull by the horns and absolutely blown me away with the set up of the group and website and she has also put prints on Redbubble with all proceeds going toward the airfare, they are an inexpensive way of giving just a little, and a little at the moment goes a very long way!! Do take the time to check them out they are fantastic!

I can tell you that i am incredibly humbled by all the help so far and with a little more I plan to make you all proud and follow up with contact to show what I have done with all the efforts that have gone into this project, as I said before there is a lot of work involved in this and not just for me, I plan to ensure great things for many Kiwis come from my experience while there.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and please do check back as details emerge.

Cant belive it is only 11 more days to Christmas

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 06:43:54 +0100

Wow I don't know about you, but this year has flown.....

Last time I blogged and sorry peeps, I know I haven't been as onto in the last few months.... I was gearing up for Small Packages in Auckland and was waiting on my Gold pan, Well I can safely announce that the Gold pan is finished, and when I get some ink for my printer I can send it back with my Bio. :D

Small Packages is now on at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna

Goldpan Tuapeka 2011

So after that besides some charcoals and pastel stuff I have had have ready for people for Christmas, I have been working on a small Oil, I suppose first of all I bought a violin off trade me determined to learn it, I also got tired of trying to work out the violin with no references.... It is difficult to say the least.
So here is my new Violin, it is an old lease violin so it does come with all it's scratches and marks but I think it makes it even more beautiful.

upon its arrival I started to paint at first I didn't know what the painting would be, but it would obviously contain music,
I loved the thought of a spilt Glass of Red wine this is the symbol to many of either good or bad, Christmas is looming and with passionate people across the world it it is either intense passion of love or love lost.

Second phase was of course the violin after much self deliberation, I decided where it would sit, The violin for me is again one of two things a sexy well respected instrument that brings passionate emotions to life with its sound and finely sculpted curves or can be viewed as the old saying goes "playing one's violin again" for that sadness that people feel this time of the year. and of course two red roses, as passion is only there if there are two to Tango. :D

So anyway as you can see above there was till a long way to go, but it was decided what it would be, a symbolic interpretation of love and loss.

And so here it is finished
"Caught in the Moment"
Oil

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and I hope you enjoyed my rambles on how my pieces come about,

And if you have time, do follow my Facebook page, when it reaches 500 "Likes" I am going to do a giveaway, a 10x10" that have started working just for the draw.

Traveling with Art :D

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:23:16 +0100

Ok so last month I mentioned this month was going to be busy, and I wasn't joking.... Loving every minute of it though, wouldn't have it any other way!!

A solo in Lumsden
A painting in Echo Deco with NZAFA
Kumeu Art in the garden
Tuapeka gold pan
Mairangi Pastel Exhibition
Art on main in Tirau
and of corse getting everything ready

I had a very nice surprise when I heard there was articles in a couple of south land papers last week, about the solo at Fusion Gallery in Lumsden. I have the link to one of the articles online here

The other I have a scanned copy a friend sent me :D

Ensign 10/11/2010

Here are some photos of my works from the gallery

I have been up to Auckland and home again this month as well, I went up to help the NZ Art Guild manage one of the four Gardens for the Kumeu Art in the Garden Trail.
Was a fantastic weekend, I was in Willows Reach, which I might add was simply stunning.
With my Pastel artworks which was all made possible by Kodak Express Levin.

Heres what I have been working on this week

A Gold pan - this is work in progress
Next blog post I will hopefully be able to follow up with the finished pan!

Hey thank you all for reading my blog, hopefully soon I will be able to share some awesome stuff from other artists too!!

November is shaping up to be Busy!!

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 02:35:02 +0100

Wow it has been awhile since I last updated my blog, I have been busy though.
I have been preparing, painting, drawing, resourcing, for.......
My Solo at fusion Gallery, open from the 10th - 28th Nov 10am - 5pm 41 Diana St Lumsden
Deco Echo Exhibition, open from the 30th Oct - 21st Nov 1 Queens wharf, wellington (Nz academy of fine arts)
Kumeu Art in the Garden open 6th - 7th Nov

I have been lucky enough to be sponsored by Kodak Express in Levin for Kumeu Art in the Garden which is run by the Nz Art Guild, Thank you Kodak Express!!
It doesn't matter where in New Zealand you are they can print it for you, there site allows you to upload or your pics and choose what you want done with them all from the comfort of your own home, and at competitive prices too. They are also on facebook if you want to follow updates and specials.
Remember to buy your tickets now - gate sales aren't guaranteed on the day. Go to http://www.kumeuartinthegarden.co.nz/- This is a charity event and funds raised are donated to Hospice West Auckland and Kumeu/Huapai Volunteer Fire Brigade - show your support for these great causes and have an awesome day out!

I also have to Thank Alfred Memelink for framing two of my Pastels for me to take to Auckland, he has done an amazing Job!! Alfred is an awesome watercolour artist, and has recently won a major award with his works, if you get a chance do check out his site too.

The Opening to Deco Echo at the Academy of Fine Arts, was last night, and so many people took the opportunity to dress up me included, a 3 piece band were playing, they were very good!! And wow, what an awesome evening! I was stoked to see at the end of the evening My painting "Composed"had sold, was a night to remember for sure!!

*"Composed" 60x30 cm Oil
©sharlene schmidt 2010

I have sent 9 Oils down to Fusion Gallery in Lumsden, for my Solo which is running for 18 days 10th Nov- 28th Nov, there where lots of sleepless night involved getting them all done, a lot of sleepless nights getting works done for Kumeu as well!!

I have set up a note on facebook for Tuapeka Goldfields Museum, artists should check it out sounds like a lot of fun, and the gold Pans are awesome, Mine has arrived, and I will start on it soon!!

Panning for Art
Gabriel’s Gully 150th 2011
As part of the celebrations, the Tuapeka Goldfields Museum is sponsoring an art project which will be exhibited in Ross Place, the main street of Lawrence.
The museum is offering 150 gold pans to 150 artists to decorate in any way they choose.

Contact: Greenwitch (Chairperson)

Tuapeka Goldfields Museum Inc
17 Ross Place
LAWRENCE 9532
lawrence.museum@xtra.co.nz

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I hope you have found some interesting links within it, have an excellent weekend, and if you are going to be at any of the events I have listed, feel free to come and introduce yourself to me, would be lovely to meet you all too!!

Summer, Pastels and Facebook :D

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:23:42 +0100

Been hectic the last few months and the weather has kept a dampener on it all, being coped up and cold hasn't helped with the mood to get it all completed and now that it is it's a real anticlimax...
The sun is shining the new spring blossoms are out, lambs dancing in the fresh green paddocks... so why am I feeling so lost, personally I think I have spent so long concentrating on only one thing and putting everything I have to give into it that I have lost connection with all else around me, a feeling of loss when I now part with those works I have put all that effort into... a time for change a new direction is needed!
A group has started here in New Zealand of Artist trading cards, Looks like fun, and later tonight I will get some card together and do a few, these cards are not for selling but rather swapping with other Artists, if you want to join you can visit either or both Artist Trading Card's - New Zealand on face book or ATC's on Collettes website
Will do a follow up blog post when I have done some, the first swap is happening 31st October so better get my thinking cap on, was thinking I could do something with the laminate pouches going to waste in my studio. :-)

I am going to look at water colour classes and next year I have full intentions of doing a bronze casting workshop, at the end of the day though these are all just wants and cost a small fortune to do.

I have had my Pastels out, and though I was disappointed with my pastels after talking with derwent they have replaced them wohoo, so into it now just mindless drawing and detailed sketches with pastel is so rewarding they can be quite challenging but the results can be just amazing.

To Cute
A3 Black Card

I have a Fan page on Facebook and there seems to be some controversy over this, I will tell you why I have one, it is simple, I don't think nor do I believe in "Fans" as such I believe in talking about Art and events and groups and anything arty it keeps my spirit alive, I have a profile page and yip over 1300 friends, but most of them aren't interested in art, so instead of friend collecting and having lots of feeds from random people showing if someone wants to interact with all things arty without all my personal chatter they can simple as that, we don't see each others personal feeds, they don't have to be "Friends" of mine but yet conversation is still achievable. fantastic for keeping personal and work separate. Yip it's that simple.
I am going to do a giveaway when I reach 500 followers on facebook, I haven't decided yet what but I may do something new just for it. Still a few numbers to go until I reach 500 but I have it in my sights. It's nice to have a goal.

Anyway that's enough for now, thank you for visiting my blog :D Off to have a go at some ATC'S what about you??

Art that tells a story....

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 07:22:15 +0100

The start of the month seen the Opening of "Inner Strength" Exhibition, a lot of powerful Images where painted, each one telling a story from the artist that did it.
From one emotional event to another this month has been full of finding my own Inner Strength, on return from the exhibition in Auckland I heard a friend of mine had passed away, he had sadly taken his own life... This is where the story starts many years ago before I ever thought of picking up a pencil or a paintbrush I met this wonderfully talented family, Dad is an artist, son is a musician, and he wanted to be a pilot of all things.....etc anyway they where all gifted in some amazing way, I asked my new found friend's father one day to please do a portrait for me of my new boyfriends car... NO was the answer.. Do it yourself....(Him and my mate where trying to jack me up with his son, hence the stern No...... (We were just good friends so it wasn't going to happen) I didn't know where to begin or how to start, he then told me "well I suspect you will never be able to do it anyway"..... His son egged me on "Prove the Old bugger wrong" he'd say, so I did, and I never stopped, they would tell me how proud they where, and if they hadn't have given me the push, what would I be doing now.... Something I now couldn't imagine... life without artistic expression.....un thought of now!

His funeral was last week, a very hard one to sit through, but this young man was rightly discussed as being the spirit of Karearea a NZ Falcon, from birth he was strong, a fighter, a beautiful but yet defiant soul, why he could not find his rock a fortnight ago, I suspect we will never know.

He was also the cousin of my very best friend, her and I have been mates since primary... ohh such a long time ago...the three of us have been there for each other for ever it seems... It is her birthday this coming Monday, and she spoke about getting a another tattoo, and would I design it as that would mean more... given the recent loss! She is covered in tattoos but this time one that covers her back, and ties the whole family together, her mum and brother she wished for initials in music, her 3 children as lilies, her brother (deceased) as kowhai flowers and her cousin as a falcon, butterflies for her and myself all linked, So I added to my sketch, each symbol being of significance of those we hold close to our hearts.
Tear Jerking I tell you!

Stage 2 of the design

Below - It is finished ready for framing over 40hrs has gone ito this, and many tear,s while I have searched for my Inner Strength to do it, representing the people in our live's for whom we are and where we are today.

Charcoal and colour tinted with Pastel
A3 paper
©2010 Sharlene Schmidt

Is there no end?

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:40:01 +0100

Is there no End? I most certainly hope not!!
I am absolutely loving being a full time artist, I can stay up until 6am painting and go to exhibition openings, I am in charge of my own calender and I get to manage my own time, I was never very good at this 9-5 structure but am very good at working an 8 hour day, but to be fair most days are more like 12 hours, and normally at night.
I have been painting madly with the intention of having 18 works all at least at the half way mark by the end of the month, I am getting there, with 3 finished and 8 on the go...
I am looking forward to the Exhibition Opening this Friday in Wellington at the New Zealand Academy of fine arts, this is a new thing for me, and past artists had put me off, they had attached a stigma that I now know not to be true, it was just a case of Artists on high horse's. They are really lovely down to earth people all their for the same reasons, to give Nz Artists the support and attention they deserve. They even have a Face book Page. :-)
I will be in Auckland for the hanging and Opening of the Women's Health Exhibition and delivering two works to Sam's Family for there fundraiser dinner and Auction in October, and as I promised last blog post, images would come once I knew Sam's parents were happy with my offer, so here they are....

Flying High
Oil

Be Still
Oil

I thought I might enter the North Shore Arts Awards too, I have never entered one before, and I don't like my chances but at least I can say I tried. Fingers crossed. :-)

I Quoted - James MacNeill Whistler ”An artist is not paid for his labour but for his vision.” the other day and so it be true, a time limit on a vision can never be placed an hourly rate would for me out price any works and if I was working just solely for the pay packet I wouldn't be an Artist.

Today I quoted Rachel Inch "The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being". Thank you Inspirational Art - Rachael Inch for sharing :-) Well you don't have to be an artist for this one to be appropriate! For me this is achievable and I do get a sense of self worth and well being by donating my time and efforts and more often than not works of art, which I do specifically for people/ groups to help either with money raising, a smile, a hug or a discussion, that's what makes being an artist worthwhile. Just like passing a smile at someone walking down the street, eventually that smile will come back, that person will smile at the next person and so on and so on. And it comes at no cost to another individual either.

Heres something I am just a little ticked about, comments from others that just rubbed me the wrong way, I know it was just ignorance but I am compelled to state my opinion... (This is me building my bridge, yip so I can get over it) once said it's done!

Does one need a Diploma to be passionate about what they do? NO
Does one need a Diploma to be good at what they do? NO
Does one need a Diploma to be recognized for what they do? NO

So why is there so much importance placed on that diploma? Will it make them better fitted for investment?? I think not... Well I believe people get lost in all the paper work, they forget what it was, that feeling of supplying that smile, and all of a sudden they are on a really big horse riding off into the sunset.... I am studying for a diploma in arts..... Why? Simply because I want to learn, I am passionate about Art... the diploma is just a piece of paper that will accompany the end of my years studying and learning, it will probably go in a draw, and I will frame the knowledge that I have learnt instead. I have heard not one but many comments lately from people stating they are better than others because the have a BA in arts, well guess what I think that has more BS attached to it than they can see from up on their horse. Just because they studied in one field doesn't make what they do any better than the next artist, Art is subjective at the best of times and really it is only the impact on the one person who loves it enough to have to have it that makes it great art and worthwhile, when I say worthwhile I am not talking about being paid... it is worthwhile because their vision had an impact on another person, this is after all why Artists are Artists in the public eye, otherwise we would keep quite and hoard all our work in a dark closet somewhere. The subject of payment should come with respect to the Artist, you wouldn't walk into the supermarket and expect not to have to pay for what you wanted just because they were supplying you it with a smile.
But of course this is all just my personal opinion, I am happy with my opinion, and I enjoy living life by the Morals within in it, it works for me.
So If you want a BA with out all the BS have a look at TLC real people doing real things.
If you want to get your Art work out of the closet so to speck (They are open to all real Artists) then check out the New Zealand Art Guild these real and awesome people are all their for everyone else! Promotion, Support, Knowledge, and friendship all rolled into one.

Thank you for reading my Ramblings today, I'm heading back to my easel :-)