Cheralyn Darcey

VIDEO! ~ Eco Conference Artist in Residence

Ok here is a video of my exhibition studio :) I think I have another but I'll leave you with this until tonight.....
 

Magic of the Garland

OK! I've decided to make a FEW Art Pendants available to go with this exhibition.
It's all about Birds & Flowers :)
They really take a lot of my time and as you all know I can not 'mass produce' them.
Each is 100% unique, created from reclaimed jewellery items and other interesting items, let's not forget a whole lot of magical intention.

As always, I do create commissions from your supplied items (solo earrings a specialty!)
cheralyn@hotmail.com

Part of my exhibition 'Recycled, Naturally" as Artist in Residence at the 2011 International Environment Conference, Sydney, Australia.
open to the public 10th& 11th September.

 

"Magic of the Garland"
8 x 5cm
assemblage art pendant
Gold plated Greek souvenir pendant c1960s, cabinet door fitting c1960s, Labradorite silver ring c1980s, brass heart locket c1980s, modern wing charms, bail and findings.
* the heart locket does open and can hold photos/very small keepsake
Presented on a white silk cord with large bail that can accommodate a chain/ necklace of most sizes. TO PURCHASE

 

 

Waratah Dreaming - International Eco Conference

I could not get a photo WITHOUT orbs!!!!! Conversation with Mum (also an artist) this morning "I don't know why but I've always painted, drawn, sculpted waratahs without a photo or a reference. I just feel how they are. Don't really understand it as they are not my 'favourite' flower but I just know them" Then this! Orbs EVERYWHERE!!!

"Waratah Dreaming"
130 x 91 x 32cm
assemblage sculpture of discarded objects
aluminum cans, wires, speakers c1980s, tail light c1950s, soda cup c199os, hair product bottle, fallen branches - Garigal Forest, vase, reclaimed textiles, wharf pylon fragment c1940s HMAS Penguin Balmoral Navy Base, environmental friendly paints & mediums. Produced in an Eco aware studio.  
* vase is secured to wood base.

PART of my exhibition at the
International Environment Conference, North Head Sanctuary.  Open to the public
NEXT WEEKEND... loads of events and free activities.  I'll be there all day, LOVE to see you!
Cheralyn Darcey ~ Gallery Shop
I've opened a Gallery Shop! This way I can accept credit card and those who are not able to attend the exhibition can still have a chance to purchase... so here are the details of my new online store.  I will list available items over the next few days. The only proviso is that the pieces must remain on display at the International Environment Conference Exhibition until Sunday 11th September.

Sirens - Warringah Art Prize

Last year I created "The Fairy of Warringah" for the Art Prize. She was created from some of the unusual things, along with the rubbish that I collect when I'm on my walks and hikes around our beautiful bushland. I do this a few times a week and it's why I wear a backpack, even on short wanders. She was a finalist and I was so very proud.
During the past year I have been fortunate to have been invited to do eco workshops at the Australian Museum and I was selected as one of the environmental artists to exhibit and hold workshops at the International Environment Center Conference later this year in Sydney.
My decision to exhibit less and to concentrate on these very important, awareness raising events which represent the very essence of my artwork has perhaps made me a little less visible but I must say enriched me greatly as my artwork aligns more closely with my heart.
I've been very blessed with commissions this year from private individuals and companies and equally impressed that everyone has been happy to honour my direction.
New connections have brought me new inspirations and as our concern for our environment increases, I find the stories and subjects of mythology, traditional indigenous stories and  personal spiritual  beliefs enrich my work.
Last year I connected a little closer with two authors, Lucy Cavendish and Serene Conneeley. They too have been enchanted by the call of the oceans at this time and a book borne of this "Mermaid Magic" was released. Not only a book of mythology but a book filled with environmental study, messages and positive visions for the future. I was blessed to create my very first commission based on my current body of work for Lucy, "Oceans Kiss" and am working on her sister for Serene.  

My Warringah Art Prize 2011 entry,  Sirens, is a culmination of the past twelve months.  I have spent a few days a week on beautiful wanders, power walks, jogs on our Northern Beaches, collecting rubbish, finding treasures and listening to the song of Sirens.
I am much inspired by Norman Lindsay. His sculptures fire my very soul and urge me to continue when at times I feel I am lost. His paintings are the doorways of my daydreams.



Sirens
Cheralyn Darcey 2011
Warringah Art Prize 2011 entry - Waste to Art section
59 x 48 x 33cm
sculpture and assemblage of found objects from the beaches of Warringah
aluminium cans, plastic drinking straws, foam fishing floats, beer bottle top, esky lids, fishing tackle, fishing line, various nets and meshes, bottles, metal signage, plastic pieces, light bulb, broken glass, plastic bowl, metal light fitting, fabric, wire, bead, broken piece of a wharf
paint, ceramics
Our footprint heavier, transcending to theirs.
We don't think, we discard, we don't see.
It washes away with cares.
Drains, cascades, floats, filters, settles.
Once it's gone, at rest,  what does it matter?
Words, actions, no connection... no match
So awakens the Sirens.... they make what they will of it.... for now playful... for now alive....
the precipice of their tolerance rising from the depths of our disregards

As always, I am a fierce supporter of the amazing work of the Manly Environment Center and am donating 25% of the sale price prior to commissions to them in support of their wonderful initiatives and programs.

 
 

Workshops & Angels & Kids!

WORKSHOPS
For many years I taught various workshops... I was adding up those years today and the number was about 22. So I guess it was no surprise I needed a break.  Everything from painting, collaging, printmaking, pastels, scrapbooking, crystal healing, art journaling, tarot,  children's art, environmental art  and the list goes on!
I did burn out. I loved teaching so much but I had young children, no nearby family, a husband in the Navy.  I was flying all over the country teaching workshops at National Craft shows as well as my own classes, those at community colleges and shops.  Oh that's right and writing magazine articles too!  Fun, exciting, but very very busy.
As many know, I've never stopped completely, but I don't count mentoring, that to me is just what an artist does.
So Monday was the return of teaching.  It was a tarot class and was born out of my Tarot Guild presentations.  A wonderful night and I adored the interactions, laughter and space you all help create and I hope everyone came away with something new.  Those who where at the class, keep practising and remember you can do it! Don't rewrite the books, write your OWN!!!! ;)
ART WORKSHOPS
I am working furiously on getting a series up and running. First one is already booked out, sorry. Be patient more are coming. WOW!...am I AMAZED at the amount of old art students I've bumped into in the past week!  "You put the energy out there"... as my Mum says.
Bit limited by the need to keep things clean at my workshop space at Yindela but we all know LIMITATIONS only makes one more creative!
Thank you for all the suggestions and YES YES YES we are doing Meditation Tangles, Mandalas, Collage amongst my bag of treasures. The very next one will be a Meditation Mandala class... details tonight!
Great to catch up with Tracey and her gorgeous daughter (another nudge!) and YES I will be doing Children's Art Workshops too. I get to learn the most then :)
ANGELS
Now these came up a bit.  Monday night during my Tarot workshop, I was asked about Angel cards. My best friend Karen will tell you (and most esoteric shop owners) they have a funny habit of jumping out of my hands. I find it VERY funny and we all have a good laugh about it. :)
BUT, I'm often very scared to admit it to people as I know how popular they are and I don't want to offend. I take it as a clear message "We are not for you" But no malice on either side.
Stacey De Marco was talking about Angels on social media this week and I was happy to see someone put the subject on the table (Love that girl's bravery!) and just as happy to see so many with similar attitudes.
So no I don't work with them. If you look back over my posts, I think I wrote one two years ago about them. I am asked a few times a week if I can create them on commission and the answer is always I'm sorry, no.  I do not create them for exhibitions or commissions, only for charity events that I feel right about. For example I've supported Tour de Cure the past two years with Angels I've created JUST for them. The team has strong beliefs in Angels and I'm MORE than happy (as the angels seem to be) in creating them.
picture: 'The Angel of the Tough Track'

YINDELA ART SPACE
Looking for KIDS! I'm just about to announce a group exhibition for Primary School aged children. So if you know an arty kid (aren't they ALL?!) watch this space. OH or THIS one:  YINDELA
"Local Birds" exhibition in support of the Manly Environment Center opens NEXT Thursday night
We have the very inspiring Robynne Millard opening it for us. I have the exhibition in my studio at present... :) .... you will ALL love it. The interpretations are wondrous. I just love the sneeky ways my three sculpture artists have worked around my 'sorry it has to go on the wall' edict!

On a personal note:
Count down on... am so excited, have the enrollment forms for Nature Care College. Next year I am beginning the final stages of a major long term goal. I have been studying counselling for the past three years and now I begin full time on campus study in Naturopathy.  I have taken the long way round but what a scenic route it's been.  Having left school so early I missed out on a lot but I actually feel the universe knew what it was doing all along.

Creative Blessings this week!
Cheralyn xx

New works from the SEA!

WARRINGAH ART PRIZE
TODAY: finishing off my Warringah Art Prize entry... it's been a year of work on this one... HINT? I was a finalist last year and it's a follow on with that concept. 
You may think you know but there is a surprise :)
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE
I am also busy putting together my workshop for the Environmental Conference here in Sydney. LOADS of fun there... more details very soon and I'm happy to say the pieces for my section of the exhibition are really coming along well. Look out next week for a brand new series. I'm getting so excited about this... I know I've been quiet exhibition wise this year and as I said in December, I really needed to say lots of nos in order to give this my full attention. This after all is what my art work is all about. I have always believed the true beauty of art is to speak the passions of people. Mine is looking after our environment and what is already here. But you already know that ;)
 

Soooo.....Want to give a huge prompt to everyone to start looking at places like Reverse Garbage here in Sydney and other ways to recycle when you are doing things. I often see people suggesting ebay, etsy ect, which I admit I do turn to for elusive little pieces... but I know a lot of you who read my blog make craft items along with art and  ask you to think recycle or reuse first and to do it LOCALLY. These types of places are wonderful. Sometimes you have to think a little outside the box and you may have to adjust your ideas but you won't only be saving money, you will be saving our environment too. 
Reverse Garbage
If you are a Facebooker... their page is awesome as they actually list interesting new things.
The main webpage is great too and has links to Facebook ect.
If you are not in Sydney, do a search for similar place, your local council is a great start!
More ideas soon :)
Oh you want a sneeky peek at New Work? lol Come back tomorrow! ;)

The Mermaid Muse and exhibition update!

EXHIBITIONS
The past year has been all about two VERY important exhibitions I'm involved with in September. Recently I've shared images of some of my work for my exhibition space at the International Environment Center Conference which will feature Australian Wildflowers and Wildlife. VERY excited and there are a few favourites you can see again as I've been able to loan them back for this occasion. I am also holding free workshops and demonstrations... will be  awesome!
The second is an exhibition with Pete Christie entiled "Where Land Meets Sea".
Both exhibitions follow on from my work of many years which feature found treasures and forgotten waste in our environment that I've collected on my walks and hikes.
Last year my Manly Arts Festival exhibition body of work and my Warringah Arts Prize Finalist sculpture looked at our beautiful bush. My Fairy of Warringah was created from pieces collected from the bush tracks of the area.  As most know this year (because you keep buying my pieces BEFORE the exhibition!) I've concentrated on our seas, oceans and waterways, inspired by my work with the Australian Museum and the Manly Environment Center last year.
MANLY ENVIRONMENT CENTER
Although being involved in these exhibitions and prizes gives me great pleasure and creating these works for art lovers is exciting, the true heart of my work comes from the knowledge that proceeds from my work has always gone towards helping the Manly Environment Center.  Often I think we forget that these smaller close to home organizations are even there. I support larger concerns too but I ask everyone to look local, change happens right on your doorstep and if you live on the Northern Beaches of Sydney or use them, check them out, drop in and check out their calendar of events. If you live somewhere else... have a look at what is in your area. Local council is a good place to ask.
THE MERMAID MUSE
So today I'm sharing a special one that is swimming home to Gem Green-Sweedman of CryshellMagic tomorrow.
I was inspired by Gem's magical creations born of crystals and shells to create this Mermaid Muse and hope that she reminds her that the world is there before her. The muse is there to support her because she knows the love and intent behind her artwork is true. Anything is possible whispers the Mermaid Muse.
I hand sculpt the faces of my girls and guys and animal friends then everything else is reclaimed waste, found and gifted treasures!

Ocean Kiss

   WELL... a few months being born this one... here she is... mmmmm she needs a name! I think I will leave that to the new owner.
My VERY first Mermaid too!
She features a hand sculptured face (by me) and treasures given to me by the new owner.
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say who just yet. She swims home this week.

YES I can... my very first Mermaid belongs to the my inspirational beautiful friend
Lucy Cavendish.

"Ocean Kiss"
40 x 25 x 20cm
sculpture and assemblage
wooden block c1940s  - old wharf  HMAS Penguin Dive Annex, Taylors Point, Sydney; reclaimed metals, bottle c1980s, glomesh purse piece c1980s, hand dyed silk, reclaimed wedding dress c1990s; glass topaz coloured hair slide c1980s, hand dyed cottons, doll hands c1990s; pearls (Mermaids earrings) rosary c1950s;  brass furniture fittings c1960s; sequins c1960s; Indian bindis; gold embellished shell pendant c1980s; ceramics, art mediums;  wires, paint.
Client provided: freshwater pearl earring, shells, stone with sea plant, crystal balls.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the little stone with the tiny sea tree that she wanted included!

 

YES... I HAVE started another Mermaid... how could I not! Such a joy to create.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Witches Protection Nicho

What do like better than creating something for an exhibition? Doing a commission!!
I was in creative bliss making this Nicho.
It's a very serious subject, but still I felt so happy and grounded while he came to life in my hands.
Many times I've had this talk with people on WHERE I find my treasures.  People wonder about the origins of the things I add to the provided pieces I sometimes am given to include in my sculptures.
I know I'm a bit 'out there' at times but seriously, they really do just seem to be there when I need them.
I do have a little storage room, little being the word! I think of it like the Magic Pudding because I always seem to have enough of what I want when I go to it!!
But as I recycle and take a keen interest in that which is already here I think it really helps my process. opps arty farty talk! lol
Let me rephrase....
Being a Bowerbird helps me make stuff :D

This commission, from a very dear friend (no pun intended... oh maybe!) :)  , was created without any provided elements from the client. AHHH I dislike that word... what's a better word for art client?  Art Lover!
SO, I created it from her wishes and suggestions and I found every single item living in my Magic Pudding Closet... oh hang on... I found the can in Garigal National Park... I do love to rescue discarded things and give them new life after all. I'm not going to tell you all WHICH sort of can... mmm perhaps we should have a guessing game :)
Exciting?! YES! Well I think so.



WITCHES PROTECTION NICHO
I stand before you, bright protection.
Negativity and harm fall at my feet

empowered & blessed sculpture

 26 x 22 x 9cms
empowered & blessed sculpture
pendants: floral pentagram c1990s, small pentacle & silver  loop modern, oak leaf c1980s,
bottling lid c1950s, ethically collected hen feathers, typewriter keys c1960s,
brass frame c1980s, antler branches c1990s, black tourmaline, glass spell bottle, jet beads,
Japanese pendant c1980s, drink can, clays, nails, paint

Intention: Protection
Moon: full
Tarot: strength
Flower: peony
Colours: Black =protection, orange = strength, gold = healing energy, silver = wards off negativity
Herbs/Plants: frankincense, oak, rowan
Animal: Antlers = owners totem
Crystals/stones: black tourmaline, jet
Metal: silver & gold

WHAT ARE NICHO SCULPTURES?
I've created and exhibited Nichos for a long time... they are based on the Mexican Nichos,
a little shrine used to display saints and icons, usually the Virgin Mary.  I fell in love with
them after living on the border in San Diego, USA. The Mexican people make them out
of what ever they can find and you will mostly see them in missions and Churches but I've
also experienced amazing creations protecting homes and businesses. Beginning usually
with a base of tin, they then use paper, paint and found objects to create these
very sacred and precious little  shrines.
My  nichos are created in the magic workshop from found treasures and objects then
brought to life through meditation, ritual and lots of love.
Blessed and Empowered.

CAN YOU MAKE ME ONE?
of course I can!
Goddesses, Gods, Animal Totems, Reasons, Seasons, Spells, Intentions, People,
ANYTHING your little heart wishes. :)
email me: cheralyn@hotmail.com
www.cheralyndarcey.com

DO I NEED TO PROVIDE THINGS?
If you want to. You can give me everything, some things, or nothing all, I really don't mind.

NEXT?
Ohhhhhh a very special Nicho for an ART BLOKE who sometimes doesn't think he is! :D
But first it's Tarot reading on the high seas of Sydney Harbour tomorrow before I get back into the studio.

Wishing you all a weekend filled with Flowers & Happy Blessings,
Cheralyn
xx

 

 

Blessings

...night falls on Samhain eve.... the veil thins.

Hope you all had a magickal night!
Blessings,
Cheralyn
xx