Isn’t it amazing how life sometimes gets in the way of doing what u really want to do?

I remember writing this email to a friend some time ago, about one of those days…

Today, when I woke up I decided I was going to do creative stuff all day in the studio.

Instead…
The Postie came and I had to ring electric company to re-assess my payment plan. 1-2 hours later they still needed to ring me back.

Made an appointment for my car service so it coincided with breast screen appointment.

Rang the house people who keep taking out double payment each fornight. This was the 3rd time they got it wrong.

Made an appointment with council for mowing and cutting fallen tree branches.

Went to “Switch” website site to see if I can get electricity cheaper. Decided too complicated.

Cleaned cat poop from back porch.
Clean cat poop from shoes.
Cleaned cat trays.
Put out rubbish.

On the way to the studio,

I cleaned the car mats that had mud on them.

In the studio I gessoed 7 small canvases twice.

I walked up and down the driveway 10 times, fast, for exercise.

Layed down on lounge chair outside for 20 mins. with cat to get the required amount of vit. D for the day and to keep the doctor happy.

Stood on slanty hill and pulled up big tarp to collect twigs to bring in with trolley. Did 4 loads of wood so I didn’t have to do it later.

Talked to myself, very loudly and even discussed what I was doing more than I should have.

Re- did a written section about shipping on 176 pieces of my art online at my website.

Dreamt about:
Being a well-known artist

Having pretty things around me , like artist, Margaret Olly

Piles of new canvass’

Being a healthy person like in my 30′s

Having a full-time gardener for wood. A bringer-inner-a and chopper of wood, a cook and…

Chocolate

Now, because it’s getting darker ( I have bad lighting inside to create) I will start the fire, feed the cats, find food for dinner, check telly programs, Face book, Ebay and Etsy for possible sales, watch something on telly, maybe online, then take all the new pills I have too. Then go to bed and sleep on the electric blanket with the cat.

Oh, I did eat breakfast ,forgot lunch, but had late afternoon snack dry biscuits and hommus.

Of course if someone asks the usual question…

What did you do today?

I will probably say the usual… Nothing really

Tomorrow I WILL do what I want to do, stuff life!!!

Does this sound familiar to you?

My latest group exhibition is not on until July but, I wanted to let all my friends know early, so if you’re traveling to or around Sydney town at that time you may like to catch the show.

I will be showing a group of paintings I created in Europe & Australia.

Looks like it will be a fun night with great art, music, singing and wine.

PCS 5 Spain

Event Details
See 11 artists from all over Australia showing a knockout selection of Australia’s best contemporary art.
A unique and diverse night to kick off a national art gallery held in a new-york style loft at Somedays Gallery, 72b Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills (Opposite the Hopetoun Hotel and next door to 4Fourteen Restaurant).
In the spirit of exciting new artists, vocalist Sohela will be performing, a DJ will provide inspiring tracks to entertain while drinks are served.

Artists include: *Artist Persona
Jenny Davis Abstract (VIC)
Tank Expressionist (VIC)
Richard Birmingham Expressionist, Abstract (VIC)
Scott Hynde Pop Art (QLD)
Mo Cubist, Surrealist (NSW)
Jacky Murtaugh Abstract Impressionist, Expressionist (SA)
Helene Hardy Abstract (SA)
Grace Delaney Abstract, Abstract Impressionist, Expressionist (SA)
Cathryn McEwen Realism / Figurative (NSW)
..and 2 more who are being chosen weekly and announced on the Facebook Page

For further information, please email Rachael Page, Director, Artfuly Pty Ltd, Bondi Beach, 2026 -  rachael@artfuly.com Media enquiries by phone on: 0425 232 048.

Latest Update!

I just got chosen as a finalist and proceeded to the next round of “Bright Lights City lights” showcase on Saatchi online, for a chance to show my work at Saatchi Gallery in London with my painting ‘Spirit of Melbourne”

The next round will be voted on by a jury led by Rebecca Wilson, Director, Saatchi Gallery, London.

Hi everyone,
Spirit of Melbourne  is a painting I entered into the “Bright Lights, Big City’ Showcase at Saatchionline for a chance to show my work at Saatchi Gallery in London.

If you like my entry please vote for me here  Jenny Davis

Thank you and I appreciate your support!

SPIRIT OF MELBOURNE
An abstract feeling ….
In this painting I wanted to capture the “Spirit of the Melbourne” in an abstract way.

What is Showdown?

Showdown, an online competition at Saatchionline where artists can showcase their work and be given the chance for it to be judged by internationally acclaimed artists and curators. The winner will be invited to display their art at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

No cost art supplies and ideas for mixed media, collage, bookmaking and all your creative projects.

A list of things that cost next to nothing and maybe hanging around.
Packaging material
Old school books
Old books
Old board game
Wallpaper
Vintage sheet music
Junk mail
Needle and thread for mark-making, texture and line
Tea bag paper
Sweet wrappers
Travel brochures
Maps
Cards
Buttons
Vintage papers
Envelopes
Newspaper printed in another language
Magazines
Tissue
Toilet paper
Old dress pattern tissue
Fine wire mesh
Sea glass
Driftwood
Seed pods
Bark
Coffee sleeves
Discarded computer print outs
Fabric offcuts
Wool
String
Bubblewrap for printing & stamping
Old photos
Serviette
Parisian essence for dying paper & fabric

What else can you think of?

Thank you !

Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery

for the recent

“Abstracts Special Recognition Award”

for my painting 

“Underground Systems Paris”

Jenny Davis

Size- 80 x80 cm.

Med. Acrylic paint on board

When the fire season comes around I try to be prepared for the sudden need to leave my house because of nearby fires. I’ve packed my important things and they are all stored by the back door in case of a quick get away. Unfortunately, I have to leave all my art behind as I have too many to cart about. At least 500 pieces. Then, I found this article full of good ideas, on how to “store art and other precious items” in bushfire areas.

Prepared by the AICCM Victorian Division

Storing collections in high bushfire risk areas
When preparing for the onset of a possible bushfire, you may want to consider
shifting precious valuables off-site to a location less vulnerable to bushfires.
Otherwise, choosing the right kind of storage furniture may make a significant
difference in the event of a fire. In general, wood and glass provide better protection
against heat and soot than plastics and metals. Closed and sealed containers
provide better protection than open shelving.
Storage furniture
• Choose furniture that can be well-sealed, for example wooden boxes, trunks
and heavy wardrobes, rather than using open shelving for storing items.
• Furniture made of thick, old, seasoned hardwoods are best as they take
longer to ignite and burn and are less likely to discolour paper and textiles.
This discolouration is caused by the acids released in freshly cut timber.
• Similarly, wood products like chipboard, Masonite® and MDF are fire resistant
but emit formaldehyde and other damaging vapours in storage and during a
fire.
• Position storage boxes low to the ground but slightly raised, about 10cm
above the floor to avoid water damage.
• Aim to create as many layers of protection as possible between your precious
items and the external environment. For example, store items in acid-free
cardboard or paper pockets, folders and boxes. These can then be placed
within a wooden enclosure and kept in a heavy cupboard.
A note on fire-proof safes
Fire-proof safes may provide some degree of protection in smaller, less intense fires.
However, in extreme bushfires and at very high temperatures, the materials stored
inside tend to burn, char and even vaporise – even if the safe itself remains relatively
intact. As fire-proof safes are often made of metal, during intense heat they conduct
heat to the interior. For this reason we do not recommend that you rely on fire-proof
safes to protect your collections.
If you choose to use a fire proof safe, look for one meeting the Underwriter’s
Laboratory (UL) standards. UL standards specify the external temperatures safes
can withstand and the internal temperatures and relative humidity they can maintain.
UL-rated safes can maintain safe temperatures from half an hour to four hours in
environments of up to 1093ºC. Different models are rated specifically for the
protection of paper (UL 350), tapes, cartridges, microfilm and microfiche (UL 150),
and computer diskettes (UL 125). Model numbers specify the temperatures in
Fahrenheit, just below the temperatures at which these materials melt, scorch or
burn. To be UL-rated, safes must meet or exceed their test standards. Bear in mind
that bushfires can reach temperatures of up to 1200ºC.

Storage materials
• When enclosing materials within a crate or trunk, use cardboard and paperbased
boxes, folders and pockets where possible.
• Use the best quality material you can afford – acid free materials will provide
better long-term protection to your collections.
• Archival plastic storage material (polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene) has
many advantages, but in a fire most plastics melt at relatively low
temperatures, lower than temperatures that char paper. Different plastics
melt at different temperatures. PVC is harmful as a storage material and it
melts at 80ºC, well below archival plastics. Paper and cardboard tend to char
before they burn. Polyester (Mylar®), used in high quality photo pockets,
melts at roughly the same temperature at which paper ignites, making it the
most heat resistant archival plastic.
Frames
• Use wooden frames. Even though they become charred and will need
replacing, wooden frames have been found to provide the best protection to
the art work inside. Often, the art work will remain relatively unharmed.
• Metal frames may warp or distort, allowing protective glass to fall out and thus
expose the contents to soot and fire.
• Use 3mm or thicker glass for protection within frames, and use it for as many
works as you can. Combined with wooden frames, glass provides much
better protection than acrylic (e.g. Perspex®), which melts. Glass will
become soot-covered and may even crack, but can sustain higher
temperatures than acrylic.
• Be aware that glass is heavier than acrylic and shatters on impact. Make sure
framed works are secured in a manner appropriate to their weight.
• Use cardboard back boards, rather than plastic – 3mm or thicker, where
possible.
• Seal frames with gummed paper tape to protect the artwork from dust and
soot.
Remember that fire is only one type of risk your collection will face. Fire fighting
measures may cause water damage to items already charred and soot damaged
and increase the risk of mould.
There are many good reasons to choose plastic and metal storage furniture and
enclosures, including cost and ease of access. You may decide that the benefits of
using plastics and metals outweigh the potential risk from fire damage.
If you would like more advice about storing collections safely, please contact your
local AICCM Division or contact the Conservation Department of one of your State
collecting organisations.

The Australian institute for the conservation of Cultural material, inc.

Based on information from Kim Morris of Art & Archival, Queanbeyan; and ‘A Burning Issue’ by David
Thompson, History Victoria e-news no. 4 July 2006

Different ways to use postcards of your work.

I usually buy 100 postcards of my work at a time to give to people at my openings and whenever I sell something I always throw in a postcard or two into the parcel.

On the back of the card I include my name , artwork details, blog, website and email address.

People are more likely to keep a postcard (affordable art to frame) than a business card.

More ideas for using postcards or notecards of your work  Here …