Art & Illo blog

Last week I conducted a tile Art workshop at a school in potato growing country, Hillston. I worked with a fabulous group of Year Six students and their teacher Jane Murphy to complete a whole school (primary) tile mural that will be displayed in the school for years to come. The tiles are yet to be fired but I have attached a photo of the mural pre-firing. The student's took real ownership of the artwork and worked together as a design team. It was a great experience for the students, teachers and myself as a teaching artist. If you would like me to conduct an art workshop for your school or community group please feel free to contact me. Visit my workshops website for more workshops and the gallery page http://www.studiooutside.com.au/artworkshops
The photograph below is of some of the year six students piecing together the mural.

This little critter is a new edition to the Blu'bie range - just in time for Easter. She will only be available for a limited time so be quick. Although bilbies do not reside in the Blue Mountains I couldn't resist them for Easter - they are the Australian Easter Icon (rather than the bunny which is not native to Australia) and their habitats are threatened meaning numbers are dwindling.
You can purchase Belinda Bilbie online at http://www.blubies.etsy.com or locally at The Nook Craft Cooperative Gallery, Leura.
For those of you who voted for 'My favourite toy' on Etsy, in which one of my toys was nominated, thanks so much - Georgia the Yellow-bellied Glider won - yippee!

Link: http://www.wintermagic.com.au

ArtStreet is nearly upon us. All us arty folk have been getting itchy fingers waiting to get out the art materials ready for this years ArtStreet. For me, so much so that I'm coordinating ArtStreet this year. For those of you unfamiliar with ArtSteet - it is an exhibition of artwork by local Blue Mountains artists. The work is exhibited in the shop windows of participating businesses. The artworks will be displayed for two weeks, one week prior to the big day Saturday 20th June, and the week following. It is great exposure and there will be some great prizes. Keep your eyes peeled for the ArtStreet little artist man, where you see him you'll find info. I've attached a piccie of him here.
I'm looking forward to seeing all your amazing entries.

The most recent edition to the series of e-book illos I'm working on.

Okay, so winter seems like a long way off in this heat, but Winter Magic is starting to get ready for this years festival in Katoomba. Tonight (Monday 2nd Feb) is the first meeting of the year and I'll be attending with a few ideas to share. If you are keen to become involved then come along to the meeting held in the Carrington Hotel Library at 7pm.
For more details on the festival's goings on go to http://www.wintermagicfestival.com.au
Here's a picture I took at last years festival. The parade was fantastic along with the events happening throughout the festival.