Reflections of 2016 and what lies ahead for 2017 …..

I had every intention of writing this blog entry at least 4 weeks’ ago, early in 2017 but as usual time seems to pass by way too quickly. 

With every new year I subconsciously reflect on the year that has passed, celebrating achievements, feeling proud of new things learnt and being grateful for good health and happy times spent with family and friends.  Sometimes the year that passes delivers these fortunate memories more than others and I feel fortunate that last year was one of those years for me.

2016 was a wonderful year for me in terms of personal growth as I studied my Certificate III in Visual Arts at Northern College of Arts and Technology.  The course was part-time and provided an excellent opportunity for me to learn new skills that I previously had not explored.  The exposure to collage, watercolors, oils, acrylics, intaglio, gelatine and lino-cut printing have added a new dimension to my art and skills that I had not previously had.  Weekly life drawing sessions really pushed me out of my comfort zone, into that space of self-doubt which is so critical to learning and growth.  Prior to the course I really hadn’t enjoyed drawing and didn’t possess the skill or knowledge however, it is so nice to confidently say that I can now draw.  

It was a really special time to work alongside other talented artists, collaborate and learn from one another.  I feel really blessed to have met such beautiful women who have become wonderful friends.

Naturally, a particular medium resonates with us more than others and one that I am particularly enjoying at the moment is collage. 

To enhance my interest and gain further inspiration, I attended a workshop in January at the home studio of Anne Warren and this inspired me to continue exploring collage further, resulting in a body of works titled “Glamorous Nature”.

These pieces explore the synchronicity between women and nature, in particular how the beauty of each collide and enhance each other.   We live in a fast paced, disposable, sometimes artificial world where beauty is so often critically judged.  My intention is for these works to celebrate the simplistic beauty of women and nature.

While I really never “plan” for what lies ahead, I do intend to exhibit this series in the future, whenever that may be.   This series came together quite organically and while I can have the best of intentions of what work I may like to produce, the majority of the time it just happens.

I have made some conscious efforts however for 2017 which include continuing with intaglio printing and learning collagraph printing.  As always I will always work on some mosaic pieces and jewellery.

For me it is important to be involved in my local arts’ community and therefore I will be volunteering as a Gallery Attendant at the beautiful historic Montsalvat in Eltham on a fortnightly basis.  This provides an excellent opportunity to support other artists who exhibit in the galleries and also assist the daily operations at Montsalvat.

The first exhibition that I will take part in this year is titled “What Lies Beneath”  a group exhibition by Thou Art Mum exploring Layers at the Long Gallery Montsalvat in April/May.  

The 2016 NCAT Create students will also be exhibiting works relating to "Grids" at Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre from 3rd April - 1st May, 2017 and I will exhibit a piece titled "Spring in Tathra" in this group exhibition.

This year I will continue to have my art available for purchase.  Currently it is available via Etsy, Red Bubble, Saatchi Art and other exhibitions throughout the year.   Direct enquiries via this website and social media are also welcome.

How it all began and some personal details about me ...........

I am a mother of 3 young females who I absolutely adore and cherish.  I am also a devoted and supportive wife, living in the leafy northern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia.  I work from my home studio and operate Fickle Nellie.

I have had a few different jobs during my professional life; waitress, legal secretary, receptionist, administration/office duties and my last profession was in the Early Childhood Sector as a co-educator in 3 & 4 year old programs.

Personally my interests and passions are: music, walking, yoga, weight training/gym, cycling, reading, singing, coffee, good food, friends and I love the beach.

I have always been drawn to the aesthetics of mosaics and learning the art was on my "list of things to learn and do".  Ten years ago the opportunity to do this presented itself.  After admiring the work of a family friend named Pam, I asked her if she was interested in giving me private lessons and I was so lucky that she offered to do so.  

I visited Pam for a 3 hour lesson once a fortnight for about 2 months, at her home studio and looked forward to this time so much, excitedly waiting for the next lesson at the end of each completed class.  I was so fortunate to be taught by such a talented woman, who inspires me so much with her amazing work.

Pam set me free to practise independently and I just kept making whenever I had spare time.  Initially, I created garden balls and other garden objects.  In 2013 I joined a local female artists' group named Thou Art Mum, who exhibit annually with themed exhibitions.  The first exhibition that I entered a piece in was titled "Branching Out" (a tree theme).  

I had a collection of 3 mannequins and was inspired to mosaic a female torso, with trees wrapped around her body.  This was the first large piece that I had attempted to work on and after many hours "Mother Nature" was complete and exhibited at the Long Gallery, Montsalvat (2/4/14 - 11/5/14).  It was with mixed emotions that this piece was sold and I was fortunate to be the recipient of the People's Choice Award, for this piece.

"Mother Nature" exhibited in the Long Gallery, Montsalvat, Eltham as part of Thou Art Mum Group Exhibition,  Branching Out, 2014.  Nominated as People's Choice Award winner.

The next Thou Art Mum Exhibition for 2014 was "On the Surface" at Gasworks Art Park, Albert Park, with the theme exploring pattern and texture.  For this exhibition I was inspired to produce 3 works combining the contrast of mosaic with printed retro material.  I entered 3 pieces for this exhibition and these were also the first framed mosaic pieces that I produced, taking my work to a new level.

In addition to producing mosaic works, I taught myself how to bead and create jewellery.  I like to wear a variety of colorful pieces of jewellery and found that it was difficult to find unique pieces to accessorise with my outfits.  This prompted me to experiment with a variety of materials including gems, thai silver and rare vintage belt buckles.  I have created and sold many pieces of jewellery, including earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces.  

My jewellery and mosaic creations became popular and with quite a few sales happening I decided to create Fickle Nellie a business selling unique one of a kind pieces.  I then opened an online store with Etsy in 2013 - https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/FickleNellie.  

I have tried a few different sales approaches including sales within the home (party plan style) and a few different markets.  Sales and marketing is still an area  that I will be focussing more energy on, with a shop opening on this website very soon.