Lorna Fencer Napurrurla

Recently I returned from a wonderful adventure in the Northern Territory, where I travelled through historic lands such as Kakadu and Katherine Gorge.  It is impossible not to be influenced by the aboriginal heritage there.  One artist who particularly caught my attention was the highly personal style of Lorna Fencer Napurrurla, one of the first group of Artists who embraced the use of acrylic paints. Lorna's work illustrates her ancestral stories, primarily of the Yam complex that influenced her country at Yumurrpa in the Tanami Desert.  Her innovative style and use of colour are heart felt and enriching. 

There are numerous small galleries throughout this region Lorna was part of Mimi Art Centre, Katherine.  

If you happen to be in Darwin, it is well worth visiting the impressive Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Ngapa Manu Yapa 1999

Spring Water at Yamurrpa 2002

Artist of the Week, Rolando Garay

One of the advantages of producing quick drawings is that we get a glimpse of ourselves when our conscience isn't watching.  Rolando clearly has excellent technical ability, but it is the freedom of his mark making in this top piece that I find particularly enigmatic.

Artist of the Week, Tania Lee

There is an industrious output whenever Tania has a brush at hand.  Her painterly approach is generous, direct and saturated.  Her work is indicative of her unwavering ability not to be swayed by interfering thoughts or influences.  Tania's drive, passion and perseverance chart her massive growth even since posting her in December of last year.

Artist of the Week, Lalita Sherwell

As the Drawing session progressed so did Lalita's submission to her drawing language.  She continued  to define and fragment her work, etching her way to something deeply formed, tactile and unobstructed.      So much weighs upon the headspace we're in, as opposed to our ability to replicate the anatomy.

Lalita used a soluble graphite.

Artist of the Week, Megan Power

This is Megan playing around on a canvas sketch pad with acrylic paints!  (I urge you to look at an older post of her work for comparison.)  Every Artist must search out ways to be stimulated, time and time again.  Often these new ways can seem extremely foreign and be easily disregarded, but it's these gems that we must hang on to.  Hang on until we're ready to acknowledge the clues that they behold, ready to take the next stepping stone and see what emerges when we follow that path. Perhaps one day  to merge the old and the new, and give birth to a new form.

Artist of the Week, David De Roach

Sometimes we hold on tightly to what we know, being weighed down by our mighty intellect, denying any space for that releasing agent.  It can take numerous approaches to peel back the layers until we can reveal something of the state of our soul.  For David the pivotal moment came through a chance, sensory exercise, where everyone was required to close their eyes and trace the texture of their face with one hand, whilst drawing with the other.  His self portrait has a rich, raw quality that is captivating.  

Artist of the Week, Caroline Wundke

As soon as we find our voice, our song, our marks, everything moves together in symphony.  You can almost feel that shift, you can sense it, because you are PRESENT, focused and a conduit that is uniquely informed.  This is the process every Artist must learn to trust and build on time and time again.   Caroline certainly exhibits that TRUST and commitment in what she is doing.