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
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Underground Systems Paris
Sunday, April 7th, 2013Storing artwork. High bushfire risk areas
Saturday, April 6th, 2013When 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
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Using Postcards. Arts Business.
Monday, April 1st, 2013Different 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 …
My favourite artist of the month. Anselm Kiefer.
Saturday, March 9th, 2013
My favourite artist of the month is Anselm Kiefer. A German artist who creates paintings and monumental installations with crusted surfaces, incorporating, lead, concrete, ash, acid, earth, glass and gold, broken glass, oil, emulsion, shellac, acrylic and raw materials from nature.
I particularly like Kiefer’s ambitious project of transforming an old derilict silk factory in La Ribaute France into a monumental studio art complex where he created his monumental works. He dug out underground chambers, tunnels, to create living and working spaces set amongst strange, reinforced, concrete towers and bunkers, woods and caves. There was even a crypt, an amphitheatre and underground pool.
A trailer from the movie “Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow” about Kiefer’s last days at the studio.
Robert Hughes on Anselm Kiefer
A record of an assistant’s time with Anselm Kiefer from his studio in Barjac. This was in 1999 -2000.
Xtinction Xhibition
Sunday, February 24th, 2013Xtinction
Slices in Time- Jenny Davis – Digital Photography. Wax – textile – butterflies and string.
Xtinction is a contemporary art prize inviting artists to explore the concept of extinction… to people, places, things, flora and fauna. Xtinction aims to broadly highlight the many Australian species that are presently endangered. Artworks include painting, sculpture, photography, wearable art and mixed medium works, and include the use of sustainably sourced materials and objects.
Date: 23 February – 24 March
Venue: Three local galleries, HEALESVILLE Victoria.
Contact Details:
www.threestories.com.au
Artworks are on display and for sale at three Healesville Galleries:
The Artist’s Lounge – 222 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
Yarra Valley Gallery – 5 Church St, Healesville
Three Stories Artspace – 505 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
Time: Daily 10am-4pm
Interview with Outlook8studio.
Saturday, February 23rd, 2013
by Kristina Law on Feb 18, 2013
What is your shop name and what do you sell?
The name of my shop is Outlook8studio and I sell original abstract paintings, drawings and sculpture.
What art do you most identify with?
Abstract Expressionists especially Rothko, Pollock, the Surrealists, Dada, Vincent, Tapies, Joseph Cornell, Picasso, Manet, Ian Fairweather, Max Ernst, Basquiat, and so many more.
What themes do you pursue?
Themes that’s a hard one to answer. As abstract art is more about getting to the essence of something, feeling the emotions and being moved enough to create. I guess, it’s about resolving and figuring out problems. Many years I was looking for a nothingness,
Read the full interview Designstyleguide (more…)
Creative Passion. Gaming.
Saturday, February 16th, 2013My son is very creative and extremely passionate about Gaming.
I think he was born with a game controller in his hand…
Website Obscure Creations
You Tube Snakelet
He spent many years studying at University to learn the skills of 3d animation, rendering, modelling and animation (2D and 3D), game theory and practice, as well as, subjects in computer-generated design.
After University unfortunately, he was unable to find any work in Australia in the Gaming industry and today, works full- time in Melbourne designing for another company.
He spends all his spare time, gaming and creating mods and games for others to enjoy.
I believe, with all that creative energy and passion inside he will one-day run his own studio where he can create games full-time.
Handmade Books & Journals – by Jenny Davis.
Saturday, February 9th, 2013Handmade Books & Journals – by Jenny Davis.
I’ve made over the years, varies styles of recycled, handmade books/journals to scribble, draw, glue & stitch in and I sometimes sell them … When overseas I make little transportable books from found papers, objects, advertising materials and packaging I find lying around.
Trash Books
In my trash books you may come across scribbles- an idea – a thought –budgets – numbers old exhibition invites- a collage- drawing-artists postcards – catalogue covers-fabric swatches-tags, botched print outs- advertising materials-art and travel catalogue pictures- junk mail –stickers- wallpapers- newsprint-tags and baguette bags -computer keyboard keys-old cheque butts and more….stuff I get inspiration from
Urban Cave Books
A collection of bits and pieces inspired by my interest into underground and abandoned spaces. Tunnels, derelict warehouses, dilapidated factories & industrial spaces. Created from my collection of debris left behind in the streets. Graffiti, graphics and consumer packaging.
Vintage French Couture Books
I made these when I was living in Paris. Original collage on cover created with vintage Parisian fashion style papers with traces of gold embossing. Authentic French baguette bags made into pocket pages, recycled envelope pages, large re-cycled tags aged with tea, decorated with cut-outs and writing from vintage magazines, small punched tags made from designer papers,blank white paper +re- cycled brown paper pages with a collage bookmark
Chambre des Secrets Book
A very special hand made book inspired by old Paris and made in Paris. French inspired hand- sewn and hand bound book. The cover is created from vintage deep purple, brocade silk wallpaper with French cafe seam binding, hand stamped with French text.
Pages embellished with vintage and silk wallpapers, brocade fabric swatches and a gold pocket full of vintage wallpapers. A vintage lace bookmark finished off with a paper gold crown from a Brittany “Nouvelle année” hat . The book is all tied up with Paris stamped, frayed ribbon and a tulle glass- glittered pin. This almost completes the story… 18 mixed round and luggage style decorated tags. All tags are hand dyed or aged and “décorées” (decorated) with vintage “botanique” wallpapers, original antique French monograms and royal coach stamps with glitter, crowns and delicate scrunchy ribbons in mocha chocolat, deepest rose pinks and pastels.
Vintage Wallpaper Books
Old potato sack book,tattered and torn
Rustic, vintage industrial style books, created from old Australian potato sacks, with beaut graphics. Some have added scraps of text reclaimed from old tablecloths depicting, Australian places and wild flowers.
Each journal is handmade and loaded with vintage papers , recycled from an old business ledgers,handmade brown papers & tea stained white paper pages .
All lined inside with vintage papers from French decor magazines I found in Paris. Hand and machine sewn.
All topped off with a tag written, Old potato sack book,tattered and torn…then finished off with a string or leather loop, with vintage upholstery button to close.
Fabric books from French vintage fabrics and hand dyed canvas.
Baguette De Paper bag books made in France… Unique hand made books inspired by France and recycled bits and pieces from day to day life, in Paris plus, a love for raw honest materials and hand stitching. The books are made from blank crinkly, brown paper, salvaged from packaging. Hand sewn together with scraps of indigo blue denim fabric and coptic stitching, using coloured wools and beads. Includes, raw, unused coffee filters, fragile stickers, Middle Eastern cupcake papers, candy papers, coffee stained tag with original image from vintage French magazine, patterned correspondent envelope candy tags and more.
A pile of little books created from scrap vintage encyclopeadia’s
Cottontail Books
In Australia I am inspired by the rustic, the vintage, patinas and rusty weathered surfaces of urban cities and country landscapes.
In France, I am very much inspired by the quality, handmade feel and look of things. Raw fabrics, cottons, muted colors. My little pocket -size books are homage to all the things I love about both countries.
Chambre des Secrets 2 Book.
A very special hand made book inspired by old Paris. Hand and machine sewn. The cover and pocket, has been created from antique French tulle netting, with embroidered edges. Next, a layer of sheer chiffon, in deep ecru, with vintage cotton trim and French silk tassel, in rose pink. This is used as a bookmark .Beautifully embellished and hand embroidered with French silk cording, in deep pinks and purple. All topped off with, handmade silk fleurs and a rose in various shades of rose pink with more silk tassels in French green. Inside the front cover the Eiffel tower glitters on top of a piece of antique cotton lace.
The journal closes with an aged doily medallion, hooked over a vintage gold Pierre Cardin button. I added 2, 1950s, iridescent crystal- glass, clip on earrings to close the front pocket. Inside you will find 112, lined pages of aged Italian paper with lines.
Artist Books Journals & Diaries.
Thursday, February 7th, 2013When I have an idea, I have to get it down as quick as possible before its forgotten so, wherever I go, I take my handmade journals, pieces of paper, or anything I can quickly jot things down …I use bags, my pockets and little boxes to collect found objects, street litter and of course would be lost without my camera…
How do you document your ideas?
A few pages from my European journals over the years.
Underground Spaces & Art. Beneath the City of Paris.
Friday, December 28th, 2012Underground Spaces & Art. Beneath the City of Paris. Throughout the world underground complexes criss cross beneath the surface of the above-ground world. There is a thriving underground world where the average person never gets to see…unless that person knows where to look. Fascinating subterranean cities and hidden underground spaces that dwell beneath our feet.
For instance, beneath the city of Paris below the Metro tunnels under the railway, stations, is another thriving world where people work 24hr’s maintaining the entire transport system to keep it working at its peak. There’s the famous underground cemetery the Catacombs”les carrières de Paris” full of caverns and tunnels. The walls are laden with an interesting installations of skulls and bones.
Wherever I go, I like to explore hidden underground spaces. In Paris I found a very special space under an apartment. Down there, I create stories, art and listen to the silence & chatter of the walls. I like to set up little dioramas between the red doors, damp earth walls and the ground. I then photograph and make little video’s of the scenes for later projects.
Happy Holidays & Stop Procrastinating…
Wednesday, December 19th, 2012Happy Holidays & Stop Procrastinating…
As 2012 ends, I would like to thank my followers at Outlook8studio blog, for all your support and comments over the past year.
“Happy Holidays” to all of you and hope you will continue to come back now and then, to see what’s new.
Procrastination…My thoughts now race ahead to the new year and plans for my arts business…What plans? I have been procrastinating far too long in this area and have promised myself in 2013 I will organise my time better…
So, I checked out some of my favourite blogs and found this article from, Carolyn Edlund at Artsyshark that may help all you procrastinators out there…
Art myths & making a living from your art
Saturday, November 17th, 2012Art myths & making a living from your art
A few of my thoughts about making a living from art…
The old myth about the “starving artist”, is just that and doesn’t have to be that way. Of course you can go around thinking like that, but in the end you will become the kind artist you believe. If you believe you can be successful in what you do, you will be.
To be a successful artist, as well as, make a living from your art, I believe, you need to treat your arts practice, as a business.
From my own experience I have learnt. (more…)
Cosmic Collision.
Monday, November 12th, 2012Cosmic Collision Collection . New black paintings from the studio.
“Cosmic Collision” Collection
Bursts of high-energy particles in outer space. Links to my interest in Astronomy, space travel, solar systems and atmospheric science.
Little abstract paintings on canvas,(12″ x 8″ – 30 x 20cm.) with black backgrounds, painted with bursts of brilliant colour, in rich, deep aqua, cad. reds and yellows, that seem to glow. Acrylic paints and sealer on gallery stretched canvas.
Please click on image or title to go to full size view & details.
Textural Surface Paintings. Barcelona Spain.
Monday, October 29th, 2012Textural Surface Paintings I did in Spain.
In 2005 I was artist in residence at the Can Serrat International Art Center in Barcelona, Spain. During this time I completed several series of works; which developed as a result of solitary expeditions into the surrounding areas.
Textural oil paintings on linen, linked to ancient Catalan architecture.
My little paintings are rubbings from actual surfaces around the Barcelona, Spain.
Ancient markings weathered , subtle & chalky
I added colour to my work with pure powder pigments and oils, hand mixed in my studio.
See more of my artwork at Outlook8studio on Etsy
Do you always have to finish your art?
Saturday, October 6th, 2012Do you always have to finish your art?
I always have lots of unfinished projects on the go. Paintings, sculpture and installations can sit around for years, unfinished. I live with them, then maybe, months, even years later, it will hit me that it needs this and that, and it’s finished. I also have 100’s of art projects and ideas in folders on my computer that may not even see the light of day in my life time.
Other things, I deliberately leave unfinished. I like untouched randomness & rawness when creating. Especially in my painting, textile & mixed media work.
I like the freedom of no pressure to finish a piece.
Do you always have to finish your art ?
Experimenting. Getting Focused in the Studio
Sunday, September 2nd, 2012
As an artist, you really need to work everyday if you are really serious about making a career in the arts. Its a full-time job, but for the past few months, I have suffered from some sort of a block and haven’t been very productive as I should. I’m not sure anymore, where I’m heading with my art. I paint, draw make sculpture, installations, take photos, work on the business side daily and just about everything else.
I think maybe it’s time to get back to experimentation in the studio and focus on a new body of work instead of the one- off pieces I have been creating.
The article Artists – Make Effective Use of Your Studio Time from Artsbusiness makes a lot of sense to me at the moment and outlines how to make good use of your time and getting focused.
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Showing Your Art on the iPad.
Thursday, August 16th, 2012Lately I have been wanting to update my artist portfolio. I’m just not sure about which way to go with it. Should I print out large images and put in a folder?, as I have in the past, or, Would a computer presentation be better ? then I came across this interesting article from Maria Brophy’s blog and thought I’d share it with my readers
“Printed Portfolios are a thing of the past. How to Show Your Art on the iPad”
Art around the Fireplace
Saturday, August 11th, 2012Some thoughts on painting…I continually fight with my work. Am I rebelling about what a painting should be? I lay paint on a surface, spending days doing this, only to scrape and wipe it off. What my mind says to do, my hand does another. The battle is on… the less it becomes, the more it says. Reducing it to a “nothingness” taking away what is known, what is recognisable, what is seen and putting in it’s place a “nothingness” of truth, more true, than what is seen.
UX, for “Urban Experiment.”
Saturday, July 21st, 2012I just love this story …inspires me to keep working on my art projects which link back to my own treks of working in underground spaces below Paris over the past 5 years.
Thirty years ago, in the dead of night, a group of six Parisian teenagers pulled off what would prove to be a fateful theft. They met up at a small café near the Eiffel Tower to review their plans—again—before heading out into the dark. Read full story by Jon Lackman …
Do you make a living from your Art ?
Wednesday, July 11th, 2012With the extremely high price of showing your work in a gallery these days , I was thinking again of setting up a gallery in my home. I have seen artists do this in Paris with much success. Of course, Paris is a huge city and my house is in a small country town with very low traffic passing.
Many years ago I rang my local council suggesting I was thinking of using my home as a gallery to show my work. They didn’t have a problem with it. They only wanted to know if there was an area for public parking and said I would need public liability insurance etc. At the time there was no parking so I didn’t try it. Maybe that’s the way to go…
Sometimes it seems to be a no win situation for artists these days. Gallery commissions are going up and up (50- 60% in some galleries, plus other costs) while the galleries are doing less and less for their commission.
There are just too many artists, all trying to get gallery representation, and now many artists pay a gallery, unrealistic fees for hire of the space just to get their art up on a wall. The artist then has to pay for transport costs, design and print promotional invites, posters and flyers,opening night costs, food and wine. They are also responsible for their own advertising, media costs and have to supply, their own arts mailing lists etc.
The galleries have artists over a barrel, and the result is that most artists have extremely low incomes, even with good sales, once all the costs and commissions have been deducted.
Exposing your art on the web promotes and gets your work seen worldwide but you are also competing with millions of other artists as well. Resulting in maybe, a few sales and there are exceptions, but in reality, not many has resulted in big on-line sales.
On the up side there are many great opportunities online, work on collaborative art projects with other artists worldwide, enter competitions, art awards, arts residencies and many online exhibitions and other websites and blogs with heaps of resources for the artist.
Do you make a living from your art ? What do you do to get your art seen?
Some really useful, positive articles for Artists
Making Art and Making a Living
You’ll never Make a Living as an Artist
How to Make a Living as an Artist in Australia
I wanna be a Famous Artist and Make lots of Money
How to Make a Living as an Artist
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