Cheralyn Darcey

THE Collage Experiment - Opening Night (THIS week) News

   Having more than too much fun with these.
A million years ago I was a 'traditional' painter before I went all collage & sculpture crazy! For a very long time I also worked in pastel. I don't want to really go back but I'm enjoying recreating the feel of those works with my love of collage and recycling.  A little nostalgic trip that comforts yet overlayed with my new experiences and passions.  Everything, YES including the canvases and paint, is recycled.  My pallet was therefore limited but it was a challenge I found very rewarding.  There are layers of papers and textiles. Again, all found treasures.
I am showing a few of these explorations this week at the Opening of "Where Land Meets Sea" at Yindela.  Thursday 7 - 9pm  2 Yindela Street, Davidson.  Pete Christie is showing his work at this event . All welcome for a glass of wine and mingle.  I am donating a piece of artwork which will be available via silent auction in support of the Manly Community Centers' initiatives.

Where Land Meets Sea... I'm a little literal, I chose the beaches but they are my beaches, the way I see them. What is beneath the people, the boats, the business of beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WORKS IN PROGRESS (some are detail shots of larger works)............













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WeekEND

WHOOOOHOOOOO well I THINK I'm just about caught up.... no no, let's see I think, no I"M SURE this time NEXT week I will be. :)
EXHIBITION OPENING NIGHT
I Have the next exhibition at Yindela opening this week.... and we have an OPENING NIGHT too. If you are on the Northern Beaches in Sydney or want to come on over... share a glass of wine and a few nibblies while we kick off our next exhibition....
I have a few in this one too.
"Where Land Meets Sea" Pete Christie & Cheralyn Darcey ~  7 - 9pm Yindela, 2 Yindela Street Davidson.
FACEBOOK INVITE LINK
ZENTANGLES WORKSHOP
This Monday night! LINK
EVERYONE can do this.... it's art, it's meditation, it's awesome fun.
  In fact it's pretty much the most fun you can have with a pen.
 $30 everything included (yes tim tams too!)

I'm Back!

Well here I am back from THE break! It was wonderful seeing my family and catching up with old friends.  NO I'm not from Cairns but everyone I know is Sea-changing up there at present!~
I travelled a little bit, Atherton, Innisvail, Cape Tribulation. Meet lots of locals and did everything from bush walking, to dancing in country pubs to local awesome bands, to meeting indigenous artists... ohhhh LOVE this necklace of Echidna Quills and Cape York Lily Seeds made by the gorgeous Michele of Mila Mila..... a protection piece she told me. ADORE! (more photos soon of my happy travels and YES there will be paintings!!!!)
 

 

Other news? Well I've given up the day job. I have been working in retail for the past two years part time to supplement my art income and pay for my Counselling Diploma. That is coming to it's completion and a few months ago I began teaching again.  Yes AND I seemed to have bitten off a little more than I could chew with the volunteer work I do and curating at Yindela Cafe and and and........  BUT life wasn't meant to be boring was it?
Next year I begin full time at Naturecare College where I will be doing a three year Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy. Very excited about this as it's something I have been working towards for a while now.

ART EXHIBITION
Right now? There is my next exhibition with Pete Christie "Where Land Meets Sea' ~ Opening night is next Thursday 7 - 9pm at Yindela Cafe (2 Yindela Street, Davidson ~ Sydney's Northern Beaches) EVERYONE more than welcome! Facebook Invite

WORKSHOPS
I am busy developing Workshops at Yindela. At present I am teaching Art - Zentangles (a form of art and meditation) and Tarot. More things to come very soon (including more Art!). You can check out the calendar at www.yindela.blogspot.com

 

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.....
 

Day Three Eco Conference ~ Artists in Residence

FIRST UP TODAY (Sunday) 10am to 4pm North Head Manly.  It's the last day... get off the couch and get up here!!!! I'm here, all your favourite Environmental Artists are here, the effort they have all put into creating their exhibitions is HUGE. Be inspired! Along with us, there are lots of FREE talks and activities....
A INDOOR BEACH!

an AMAZING display and exhibition by The Wilderness Society centering on the issues with saving the Kimberley. I'll bring you a post about that on my blog soon BUT you REALLY need to come and see this amazing artwork.
Yesterday started off with a gift... some guys bring girls they know flowers... mine bring me skulls! Oh and a walk to more bones.....

Who knows what it is??????
He is going into an artwork.... for my exhibition in January in Avalon. :)
And all day people do ask me, where do you find everything... well like above I'm given things but mostly I find them, because I'm aware, I look and I do something.
Carpark Eco Conference...

a rubber thingy-ma-jig but soon to be fine art material :)
VISITORS... I was very blessed with lots of friends coming to visit... gorgeous Lucy spent most of the day with me and provided as always, much laughter and word memory (I am terrible with place names, peoples names, pronunciation... though I never forget a face, place, feeling or time). I am very inspired by the work Lucy does (she's a writer) along with her friendship.
Gorgeous Karen... my BIGGEST supporter, awesome mate and cheerleader was there with the even more wonderful Pete and my awesome Pete (mmm I should of got him to bring his guitar!) joined us on the blanket of moaning (and laughter) in my studio!

YES I know... blurry picture! I think the photographer was laughing too much! I told you we are having too much fun at the Artist in Residence Studios!!!!!!!!!
We joined the Wilderness Society after learning about the wonderful work they do....
have a good look at their site with all the details... PLEASE.
I have been in discussions with other Eco Artists, Rachel Carroll, David Wiggs, and more from The Art Tree and we are putting together an exhibition next year to support their work and illustrate their messages. Stay tuned!
I was asked to be in another exhibition with Mark Rhodes and am very VERY excited! January 10th is the opening, Avalon ~ Save the Date. :)  Theme and more news soon.
TODAy? GET UP HERE TO NORTH HEAD!~ Last day, last chance.
What's in it for You? Interesting conversation yesterday.... People FLOCK to crystal shops, the 'new age' festivals because they are searching for something for them...
I've never owned a crystal that made me feel as centered, grounded, happy, connected and at peace as creating or looking at or read a piece of artwork  that sings the messages of our wildlife, spirit and earth.   I love retreats, rituals and gatherings but listening to talks or seeing the stands of people from all walks of life who have spent weeks, years and lifetimes exploring our world and doing something about it have opened my soul and made it dance.  I've burnt oils, beautiful incenses and candles and still do... but there is no replacement to a wildflower walk or a quiet wander through the bush while experiencing  the love the earth has for YOU.
Just be there.... connect with people... there are no free show bags of promises at these things... but you will go home with love, inspiration and happiness.  BE a Dreamcatcher!

Day Two Eco Conference ~ Artists in Residence

Eco Conference is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC today and tomorrow
10am ~ 4pm The Sancturay  North Head, Manly
call or text 0408105864 if you can't find me.... I'm there somewhere!
FRIDAY
Unfortunately I've left my camera in my studio up at North Head llast night so I'll share the rest of pics tomorrow!
It was a cold, wet and windy day but somehow nature prevailed and showed us it's magic... two cheeky very tame magpies hopped right into every ones studios to say hello.
A Plover family complete with THE cutest chicks wandered around us and finally the day cleared to a sky painting of gold spun sunrays set against departing clouds of icy blues and the softest greys.
I went to a couple of talks centered on Art and Science.
My friend Rachel Carroll shared her work and art in a talk... her studio is right next to mine at the Artist in Residence exhibition or as we have nick named it "Artist's Row" :) She paints wonderful works during and inspired by her trips to our bushlands. I love her Murry Rivers works and her BIRDS!  Those who have been to the "Magic Workshop" will recognize her work above my desk of a marvelous rooster.
Spent time being silly with friend and artist Dave Wiggs... LOVE his Manly Ferry paintings, well all his work but this guy REALLY gets the the feeling of one of my great loves in life... a Manly Ferry trip.  Making macchiatos out of instant coffee and admiring his lastest work .....
"Surfing before Exhibition" ;) seriously come and check out his paintings today!
Two people have made enquiries about purchasing my Waratahs (the largest work I have every created) and there have been delightful conversations about so many aspects of flowers so I've decided to 'stay' with the exploration of them for a while now.  Although as many of you know I have a great affinity with flowers, a s I've mentioned earlier this year  I was greatly influenced after reading  "The Flower Hunter" Christine and Michael Morton-Evans about the life and work of Australian artist Ellis Rowan  

The story of this amazing woman who adored flowers, who pushed boundaries, travelled the world in pursuit of capturing the essence of her love of art and flowers really captured me. She did all this at a time when these things for women would of seemed as likely as me jumping on a Space Shuttle to sculpt moon daisies! I do say to myself these days... "What would Ellis of done?" ;)
She was a woman who wanted to bring the wonder of the natural world to all... I really admire that. She made the ideas of nature accessible through her works with the way she painted and her newspaper column about her travels.  Now it;s not so much about getting people to just see what's out there, with mass media we can all see it, but we need to 'see' what we are doing to nature.
As Rachel said yesterday.. people respond to art, music and poetry. It opens their hearts so their minds can see.
So I hope that you don;t just 'see' pretty flowers when you view my new works. Some are flowers you will recognize, some are blooms of my imagination. I wish that you find them attractive but that they remind you that there is beauty and worth in everything. It;s up to us to do something about it.


and because so many have asked for it... my girls WILL be making a guest appearance for the weekend....

 
LOVE to see you this weekend!
Cheralyn xx

 

Day One Eco Conference

What a wonderful day!
After a moving Opening Ceremony with Uncle Max and Cathy where I was BLISSFULLY smudged (ohhhh needed that after all the pressure!), the doors where flung open on the Artists in Residence studios.  What a wonderful collection! I've exhibited with many of them before so it was a warm day filled with smiles and laughter catching up.
I spent the day meeting people, creating and finally RELAXING in my studio. PS Ohhhh I'd love to permanently STAY on site, what a wonderful place for an artists colony!!! Studios, exhibition spaces, workshops... oh my... just bliss! mmmmmm thinking cap on. :)
North Head is gorgeous....... A flock of gregarious Cockatoos dropped by, followed by swooping Kookaburras. Wonderful.
  Everyone adored my Gasong Drum, the other artists couldn't get their hands off it!!
YES you can buy them from the very cheeky but totally amazing Col... they are $165  and you are saving Gas tanks from landfill while filling your space with the sounds of blissful happiness.
you can call Col on 0487736824 there are other Youtube clips just search Gasong Drum
(pictured David Jenkins and Mark Rhodes)

 

(pictured artist Midori Furze)
So my room was filled with Gasong happiness in abundance all day.
I met the very wonderful Polly Higgins... WOW what a gorgeous girl and what amazing work she is doing... you MUST check her site out and if you live in Brisbane or Cairns, she is heading your way this week!!
www.pollyhiggins.com
Soooooo all the PUBLIC fun starts Saturday... I know the weather is looking sad BUT we are dry and happy up on North Head, Manly... the studios are cosy, there are lots of Eco INDOOR displays and wonderful people to meet, and the Cockatoos are still here, so don't be a stranger. Grab a brolly and get up here :)  Saturday and Sunday ~ the details

 

International Eco Exhibition SET UP!

Exhibition SET UP... packing bags as I'm moving in for the next four days... am VERY VERY excited to be part of all this... it's not all about ME... there are 13 other Artists that are exhibiting at the International Conference of Eco Ideas.   I'll be there all day every day. It's open to the public THIS Saturday and Sunday, North Head Sanctuary, Manly, Sydney.... LOVE to see you there.  LOADS to do including Art Installations to join in, Wildflower walks,  Music and FUN... great for kids... great for EVERYONE.
LINK TO THIS WEEKENDS' EVENT

My room and exhibition.... "The Ideas of Birds & Flower Graffitti"
your sneeky peek as it opens tommorrow :)

 

 

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.