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Early last year in 2022, I was commissioned by Janet Graham Interiors Sydney, to create a series of large scale artworks for the lobby and penthouse of the Rydges CBD Hotel in Melbourne. The 3 artworks are now finished and shortly, I will send out information where you can view the artworks on permanent display in the hotel. The hotel reopens in late May 2023.
My practice fuses together the aspects of both the traditional and the contemporary ideas to explore themes of history, environment, and women’s history through abstract painting, mark making, intuitive hand stitching, and found objects to create a unique visual vocabulary
Through my use of mixed media, I use spontaneous mark making techniques, created intuitively and randomly, exploring the imperfections and incompleteness of space and unseen marks to convey my ideas. Inmy latest works I celebrate the beauty of the rust, random stitching, and the ever-evolving act of recycling, re-discovering and re-purposing in our current cultural context.
Each Landwrap piece is full of history with antique textiles, rust, sepia inks and found objects… rusty fence droppers from outback Australia, 200yr old textiles, metal detector finds from goldfields, in Victoria, 1800’s suspender buckles and 17th century smoking pipe fragments dug up from the Thames in London & more.
Landwrap Statement
The artworks link to the primal aerial view over Australia. Land Wrap is my relationship with the earth. A subconscious rendering of the desolate wilderness, granite landscapes, deserts, forests, waterholes and walking tracks of Australia. Being a primal source of the earth , once one is cloaked in “Land Wrap” it gives protection and wisdom for our future survival.
About Antique Textiles
The antique textiles I work with in the “Land Wrap” series are centuries old and sometimes, they seem to yell at me, but mostly, they lay silent. I think of the conversations had as I make my own marks alongside, others gone before. Ragged bits, old and new stitching, tracing marks left behind on old textiles are a reminder, of a time when women, had many obligations and few choices. I feel comfortable, as I stitch, tear, dye and reinforce the fragmented pieces. Somehow, I hope, in a small way, by reclaiming and reworking the textiles, I can give a voice to those women. Jenny Davis 2023
Started stitching the 3rd artwork in the “Land Wrap” series with antique textiles. I find my textile pieces are just like creating my big abstract paintings except, I’m using cloth & stitch instead of oil paint and pigment stick. A bit slower than the swish of a big paint brush or rag but worked in the same way. Antique textiles 200 years old, ink, gesso, rust, found objects and wax linen threads
I’m interested in the worn, stained & rusted patina of older cloth and random mark making. I bury textiles, tear up old clothing, antique & vintage cloth. I like to tell my story alongside the marks of other women and those long gone. If you would like to know how to rust textiles, paper etc.
I create with the debris left behind in the streets.
When I travel or just go walking, I discovered the physical “act” of gleaning (collecting) a creative process in itself, therefore, just as, important as the resulting idea or piece I may be working on.
When I used to go overseas, I usually had to buy another case, or send home boxes of stuff through the post back to Australia. Things I find in the streets, are free, or for little cost at markets, op shops etc. I sometimes, call myself the nomad artist as I like the challenge of creating with whatever stuff is around and rarely, take art materials with me.
Last time, when I was in London I found a few little bits along the Thames river. In the large mixed media textile pieces I am creating for the hotel, I have included some finds, I have collected over time.
A small collection of clay pipe stems from 17th century, rusty wire fence droppers from outback Australia, decorative metal bits from Paris markets and some 1800s metal detector finds from the goldfields in Maryborough Victoria. The textiles I’m working with are from 1800’s and they are from the USA.
I find as much interest looking on the ground for stuff as a tourist sees in the classic art and architecture.
At the beginning of 2022, I was approached by an interior design studio from Sydney, who asked if I would be interested in creating some artworks for a hotel refurbishment in Melbourne. It sounded like a good project and I was up for the challenge. Now, after many months of negotiations and studio visits I can finally begin creating the artworks. Over the next few months, I will create several large scale mixed media & textile artworks for the lobby and penthouse of the hotel. There will be lots of rust, mark making and stitch.
If you would like to see further stories from Outlook8studio please pop over to my new website here This is where you will find an updated, Outlook8studio, with new stories, new portfolio, purchase art and my live Instagram page.
Note: Everything about this Outlook8studio website will stay here, so you can still browse, 15 years of art blogs, stories & creative resources, the freebie pages & connect to my shop art pages+.
If you wish to follow the new Outlook8studio website, as well, just use the sign- up form at the bottom of each page.
I would like to thank all my followers for all your continuing support and interest in my art over the years.
Working this way allows me to be spontaneous and more free with the paint and marks.
I add many layers and glazes, drawing into the canvas with oil pigment sticks and sometimes add collage elements to give interest and depth.
All depends on what it is I’m trying to get out and express.
The first 2 rows of photos show each painting as it progresses through the different stages.
The last 2 rows show another series of thicker oil paintings using thicker paint and using oil sticks to draw with..
None of the artworks have been resolved yet
I still seem to come back to the rich gold, red and orange colours of the Australian landscape, I experienced, when trekking in outback, Northern Territory, in the late 1970s.
Still the colours haunt me unconsciously and seep into my work, to influence me.
Adding marks is always a fun way to add movement and interest
I just love museums full of curiosities with collections of objects and natural history, of worlds filled with beauty, wonder and the imaginations.
Over the past few years I have been adding to a series of collages connected to artworks I originally created in London just before Covid hit.
Each piece has been created with found papers and packaging collected from the streets in London & suburbs with a mix of vintage papers. Hand sewn with linen threads. Artwork created using many methods, painting, sewing, pin – pricks, tearing , gluing and drawing. I have quite a few more than whst is seen below and will list more soon.
Peeks at new sculpture I’ve been working on. Grey army blanket I found at mums house when clearing out to sell after she passed away in 2020. Linen thread, vintage doilies, antique cloth 1800’s, gold thread, eco plant dyed textiles & rusted buried cloth under ground for around 3 months. Rusted wire fence droppers found in outback Australia.
My first bit of creating for the New Year. I’ve been wanting to do some textile sculpture for years. I usually make sculpture with hard materials, like wood, metal and found objects. Working with textiles, I want to continue my story of hard and soft. I like the harsh coldness of metal and soft and subtle of textiles. Total opposites. A few years ago I did a series of sculptures made from concrete with embedded indigo and rust dyed textiles into the pieces.
This bundle of eco dyed textiles will be used with rusted metals and found objects to create, free hanging sculpture installations for a future exhibition.
You can see some more about my art and creative process @ instagram
The first layers of textiles were rust dyed then, paint and ink used freely to create marks and colour. Then I used gum leaves, weeds, agapanthus flowers, saltbush and more rusted metal on the following textiles.
If you are wanting to learn how to eco dye and make textile sculpture. This course from Fiber Arts Take Two is amazing. Creating with Courage is an online course by Clarissa Callesen who is a sculptor and installation artist based in the USA The course is based on creativity and exploration. Centred around found objects and recycled textiles you’ll create fabric forms that are pieced together to make your own fibre sculpture.
My latest series of smaller works painted during isolation. I’m loving the colour combinations and I can see a bit of rebellion and freedom shining through. Maybe, connections to how I’m feeling, with the world situation, we are all in at the moment.
Making time for creative and studio time has been hard for me lately, with extra, unforeseen, life responsibilities. I work daily on my arts business, early hours, in the morning, before breakfast. Before anyone is awake. I then grab little pockets of time, in between, for time at the studio. At the moment, I am working on some smaller paintings, that can be created in a shorter amount of time, but, itching to start on some larger oils.
This year, I also planned on launching, a new series of online art courses, but for now, I’m unable to find the head space, time, or silence needed, to work on it. They are coming though… I’m looking forward to it all opening up again soon and making a fresh, new start. Hope you are all staying healthy and safe!
About the artworks
Spontaneous gestural marks with a play of colour and forgotten marks, left behind in the environment and in the mind.
Artwork Description
Acrylic paint, oil sticks, sealed, on deep sided gallery stretched cotton canvas. Each artwork measures, 25x30x4cm. Ready to hang with D-rings and hanging wire. (Framing Available) when purchased through Bluethumb
Signed with a certificate of authenticity.
If interested, in any of my paintings, or require, more info, please go to my online gallery. Bluethumb
Rose Yellow Light & Purple by Jenny Davis Purple Yellow Light – by Jenny Davis Purple Yellow Light – by Jenny Davis Purple on Rose Yellow Light – by Jenny Davis Purple on Rose Yellow Light – by Jenny Davis Purple Rain on Red – by Jenny Davis Purple Rain on Red – by Jenny Davis
If interested, in any of my paintings, or require, more info, please go to my online gallery. Bluethumb
The first phase of Artaviso ‘s Door to Door project is now live! An evolving virtual exhibition that will culminate in a physical exhibition in November 2020 at No Vacancy Gallery in Melbourne.
Here’s the image of my entry showing the finished artwork followed by the page from Newnes’ Pictorial Knowledge 1950s Encyclopedia (edited by Enid Blyton) which, selected at random, formed the basis of the artwork.
Check out my a mixed media artwork, Iso Charging Machine here
Check out the virtual exhibition “Door to Door” exhibition here
For sales enquiries please contact Hayley at @novacancygallery info@no-vacancy.com.au
Iso Charging Machine. Jenny Davis Being ripped from our natural normal states, during unprecedented times, this machine collects our thoughts, ideas, emotions and turns them into ingots. A kind of sorting machine for making sense of thoughts and the human state. Using as a sorting machine we may then see the bigger picture.
Once filled, each ingot is ejected from the mould and left to simmer and collate. Upon settling, thoughts, ideas and emotions disperse into smaller sections. Once, we can identify and describe our own emotions, action, can then be taken, to sort, keep, or delete. Some gold, some less important.
Inside the little textile book I have been making from my previous post.
I hope you are well and safe at home if you are in a lockdown situation still. I’ve been finding it difficult to create with all that is going on, but I have managed to add to this little book bit by bit each day so far.
Hope everyone stays safe and finds some inspiration and snippets of time to create in these strange times💜🌻❤️
I hope you are well and safe at home if you are in a lockdown situation still. I’ve been finding it difficult to create with all that is going on, but I have managed to add to this little book bit by bit each day so far.
I started of with a pile of old fabrics I had sitting on the table for ages. Some antique pieces from 1800s quilt and 70s Laura Ashley pin stripe fabrics.
Decided to make a little fabric book. I stained the pages some more and made marks with inks. Found some old string to sew down the center to make the pages.
Using some of the antique textiles, I added some features to front cover with an old buckle. The buckle was found in Maryborough Vic. with a metal detector. 1800’s
It’s the first time in my life,!I’ve sewn on press studs, very fiddly…I used them for the closure on the back of the book. With a button on top. The fabric on closure is over 100 yrs. old, very delicate, so hoping it holds.
Now all I have to do is fill in the pages.
Hope everyone stays safe and finds some inspiration and snippets of time to create in these strange times💜🌻❤️
In the studio. The beginnings of my first painting and series for 2020.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 5 … Made a few more changes to the painting today. Still a way to go.
A week later
Finished painting. Minimal flat, top surfaces, with many transparent underlays of colour, marks, drips and splashes. I don’t want the edges of the painting to be contained so, I’m not sure if I would frame this. Untitled for now. 90 x 90 x 2 cm. Acrylic paint on stretched canvas.
I’m not sure, if I’m finished with concrete & textiles, I was using a few years ago.. I’m thinking of very fragile wafers of concrete, sewn into, like sutures closing a wound, enhancing and protecting scars on delicate skin. Maybe it’s time to play some more…
I am donating 100 percent of the sale of my 2nd painting “Over Land 5 ” to help the wildlife in the recent fires. Normally this painting sells for $600, I am happy to sell it for $400 (Please see details below)
2. Send to me, via private message, or email strazz.au@gmail.com a screen shot, or photo of your donation receipt, plus your address.
I will then package up the painting and send it to you free of charge
Over Land 4. Aerial perspective over outback Australia. Winsor & Newton acrylic paint, pigment ink, shellac on deep sided canvas. 30 x 30cm. Ready to hang. Signed with a certificate of authenticity
Please purchase this artwork as all proceeds from the sale will go to help rescue and treat the wildlife affected by the recent fires in Australia.
Too hot to go to the studio today (43 C – 110 F) so I’m working in the house studio. Messing up the the large table, workbench, I just painted for Xmas dinner. It will now become stained and marked until, I paint it for the next event, or next lot of visitors.
Making collage with vintage and rust papers.
The process of tearing and pasting helps me to slow down and be in the moment. Something I need right now after the rush of appointments and Christmas.
I’m using lots of old paper and pages from antique French magazines disintegrated from age and torn from the long trip back in my luggage, from Paris.
So, I have been using them in my mixed media and collage projects.
On one trip to France I bought home a heap of middle eastern cake papers. I think they were $1 a pack. So I got a mix of colours. They are great for adding pattern and texture.
The inside of window envelopes have great patterns for collage. I often use envelopes to make little books and peepholes in the book pages.
Sundays in the studio are usually quite relaxed, but today, I wanted to clean up some painting edges, as I cant afford to frame every artwork.
I also attached d- rings and wires for hanging. Now, when they sell (enthusiastic) I will only have to package and post them off to their new homes.
The biggest problem many artist’s face, is lack of storage space. I’m running out of space in the studio and at home.
Almost time for cleanup and clean out… which can be a bit of a challenge for me these days, given few physical limitations..
But, if I can get more organized in the new year, Id like to try something I haven’t done before.
I’m thinking of opening up my studio to the public on a few weekends. Whenever, I was in Paris, I noticed artist’s randomly open up their apartments, to show and sell their art. Same story everywhere it seems, too many artist’s not enough outlets to promote and market artwork.
Anyway, I hope you are all having a lovely Sunday.
I’d love to hear from other artists who have opened up their studio.
