Sunday, December 30, 2018

Looking back - looking forward

©2018 Barry Smith - Rainbow on a fragment of a painting on the Wall of Small Things
I find it useful at this time of the year to reflect on how my art practice has expressed itself - what have I done, what have I contributed to, what have I created. In a post such as this one simply tries to pick up some of those threads without covering everything or putting things in order of priority.

Because of time away in Scotland this year iPhoneography featured a bit more in my posts. It is one of the things one can do when on the move and/or away from the studio. But it also sharpens ones eye and inspires.

©2018 Barry Smith - Horsehair and wool fibres in rain droplets
©2018 Barry Smith
A milestone was the launch of Deckled Edge Press. A very significant commission was a limited edition of Imagine Equality posters to be presented to presenters and speakers at Australia's premier social issues conference (Communities in Control).

©2018 Barry Smith - Imagine Equality posters printed with large wood type
Skill development got a pretty good run this year.  A stone letter cutting course in Scotland.

©2018 Barry Smith 
And an introduction to bookbinding in Brisbane. It is not often that Fiona and I pause to invest in ourselves and our art skills.

©2018 Barry Smith 
Even though we were away in Scotland for a couple of blocks of time we did manage to do more art work on the block including: a new bridge across the rock river; the beginning of a sandstone installation; and a small installation of posts that is now nestled in the trees on the terraces.

©2018 Barry Smith 
©2018 Barry Smith 
Creating stock or product doesn't always seem to be all that creative. Still quiet a lot of product was sold through Maleny Additions and Entangle - so making functional leaf forms, ladles and lamps was quite a thing in 2018.

©2018 Barry Smith 
©2018 Barry Smith 
Peace and International Day of Peace always draws Fiona and I. This year: peace tags were sent out into the world; as were many peace peace; but also Fiona and I did our International Day of Peace installation in our tree on the block and on the gate at the cottage in Scotland.

©2018 Barry Smith  
©2018 Barry Smith 
©2018 Barry Smith 
Random acts of kindness and giving just seemed to emerge out of the ether this year including: book earrings for a dedicated group of book festival volunteers; and small bowls for volunteers at our local neighbourhood centre.
©2018 Barry Smith 
©2018 Barry Smith 
I did participate in a few exhibitions; but this was not my year.

©2018 Barry Smith  - Vase of trumpet flowers
Contributing to Mo Crow's Gathering (Love is the answer) was heart warming and engaging.

©2018 Barry Smith  - Small metal ingot
I loved continuing to develop my metal working skills by making small vessels.

©2018 Barry Smith 
©2018 Barry Smith 
Looking back - seems 2018 was a pretty full year; now looking forward to the possibilities of 2019.

4 comments:

  1. seems a lot of work knowing the time it takes to work silver into such beautiful objects. It is always a pleasure looking at your makes. Irene in Northern Ireland

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  2. Thank you for sharing your work here ... it is always fascinating to watch your process and likewise, to revisit the creations that spring from it.

    May the year ahead be one of peace realized ... and continued joy in all you do

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  3. your Mother Talisman is a treasure and treasured, namaste & Happy New Year it's a new day and a new year!

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  4. Hi I, LA and MC - thanks for not only dropping by but also leaving a comment - most appreciated. Hi Irene - it is good to know that we can reach out across the globe and connect with others and enjoy their art. Thanks. LA - I feel one of the remaining positives of Blogger is that it does allow one to share process with fellow artists such as yourself. And may the year ahead offer you joy in creating and the joy of life. MC - your gathering is really full on now - it seems so long ago that I sent my bits to you. May 2019 be good for you and Old Man Crow. All - go well. B

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Comments are welcomed - it is good to connect with fellow travellers.