April 29, 2011 in Current Art Blog, Enjoying Old age & Art by mariejon

80 Cashed up and Arty Farty

ART & FRIENDS

Isn’t it interesting how friendships are, how people come and go in your life?   Some are there all the way others appear and disappear only to reappear again.

Just like I imagine these cats do in my painting “Cats in Case” in a Louis Vuitton bag (which is also available as a limited edition Giclee Print)

Cashed up Cats!

If I think about my own friends and I do have quite a few, although I could probably count on 2 hands the ones I could run to if I was really in trouble and know that they would come to my aid.  That’s not saying that I don’t treasure the rest any less as each and every one of my friends has added value to my life.

THE ART OF THE FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND

Now I won’t count into that number the “fair-weather” variety that did me wrong over the years. Oh yes I have had my share of those, as I think most of us have.  You know the type they come across all sweetness and light and you just love them to bits when suddenly you find they have just pulled the carpet from under your feet.

You are just like “I swear I was just standing on carpet a minute ago, what AM I doing here lying on the floor”!   With time you learn to dust yourself off and get on the bike again although it does hurt just as much as when you were little, it is lucky that with the years you learned some coping skills.

We just had this discussion with the nephew who said he has many different circles of friends and we are just the same.

FROM ART TO MONEY

There is the” Hippy Variety” – into having a good time and looking after the environment, “ The Cashed up lot” – when we go out with them we end up spending a week’s wage on one meal and need the magnifying glass to find the food on the plate,lol and have to stop at McDonalds on the way home!

“The Teacher group” – loves books like me & always interested in everything,  The “Arty-Farty gang” –  doing the art galleries, film and theater events,  “The Swim friends” – where it’s all about health & diets and the “Farmer mob”- oh you guess it, all about the weather at first, but then you peel a layer and there is lots more to them too.    I still see some of my “Modelling friends” where it’s about old times, botox and menopause, lol  – it used to be more fun when they were into sex, drugs and rock & roll!

THE ART OF LIVING LIFE

Not forgetting our kids, their friends, nieces and nephews as well, I have to admit I am rather fond of the younger generation – they are lots of fun and haven’t gotten that grumpy old man or woman syndrome yet either which is always a bonus.

Anyway what’s with the grumpy syndrome anyway – take a chill pill and enjoy life it’s way too short to waste on negativity (I do make exception for one grumpy friend lol somehow he is cute & grumpy and makes me laugh)

The thing is I enjoy all of their company and feel very lucky to have such a broad range of people who are all interesting in their own way.  So with such a cross section of friends there is not a chance to get bored.

Now over the last year I have acquired a new category the Facebook friends – and yes a lot are of course just acquaintances; however there certainly are some of those with whom a deeper relationship is developing, reaching out across the world from Scotland to South Africa, Indonesia to Hongkong, Turkey, France, USA, the Middle East and even Russia.

ARTISTIC WEBSITE

A rich diverse and very interesting lot they are.  So today I would like to share a poem from one of these friends, her name is Annamarie Causer and she is a writer, columnist and author of many poetry books.  She also writes for a website called  CRAIGMILLAR (look under Memories for Diary of a Countryside Lady) or find her on Facebook FB CRAIGMILLAR (for news, opinion, history and events)  Annamarie was inspired to write this from the “Cats in case” artwork, and I hope later on to share more of her work with you.

“ODE TO FUZZY FELINES
Kitties to the left of me,
kitties to the right.
out the box
they pop,
playfully causing fright.
Some with white sock.
A suitcase laced
with a li’l
bitty
kitty.
Legs braced
agin their tangling,
wrangling,
and dangling
furry body.
Their whirlish dervish
and devilish laced
antic
cause endless frantic
a worrisome flurry
and such a worry
(but only to cat haters)”

Here is a quote I like from Abraham Lincoln,

“No matter how much cats fight, there always seems to be plenty of kittens.”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you,

Love Marie     (C)

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALEand SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

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April 22, 2011 in Current Art Blog, Swedish traditions & other celebrations by mariejon

79 ART & You and Me and Bunny makes Three

ART & EASTER

Happy Easter to everyone and I hope you are all having the loveliest of times wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

This is how rabbits really live!

This acrylic painting “You and me and Bunny makes three” was one I painted many years ago when I first started out as an artist.  I have always been fascinated with animals and wonder how they are feeling and what they think.  I think we don’t give them enough credit and assume they only do things by instinct and not because they actually think about things.  I feel sure they are a lot more like us humans.

(Here is another link to my art blog and painting about how ants really live in apartments 70.  ‘’CONDO’S OF KATHERINE”)

That said perhaps I have gone a tad overboard in my depiction of how the rabbits live – but you never know – have you been down a rabbit hole?

ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS

Really, if I could I would have asked our darling dog Moses who lived to be 18 years old; he had the heads up when it came to rabbits and their dwellings.    When we lived in a renovated church, we had the grave yard right next to the house and the rabbits thought the grave yard was the perfect place for their burrows, so nearly every grave had a hole or two going down into it.  My little dog Moses thought it was so much fun to chase the rabbits down there, as he just fitted into the holes.  Quick as a flash he would be gone and I was always so worried when he disappeared as I thought he might get stuck underground, or even worse come out with a bone in his mouth and not of the rabbit variety, lol!

THE ART OF KEEPING COOL

We were told when we moved in,  that the graveyard was not used anymore, and we never felt one bit of unease living so close to it.  It seemed to me to be a very peaceful place however I was a little bit unsettled when I came home from work one day and found that a fresh grave had been dug and there was a big mound with flowers left over from a  funeral.  That feeling passed however and nobody that had been put to rest there ever came back to visit or haunt us.

THE ART OF CELEBRATIONS

We spent many wonderful Easters both in the church and at the farm and now this year will be the first one in the new house by the sea.   Things are still a work in progress around here but we will be joined by both kids and their lovely partners for a little celebration.  We won’t be having all the trimmings as there is only so much you can do when you live in on a building site, lol.

However I can guarantee that there will be lots of food and wine and laughs anyway.    How us crazy Swedes normally celebrate Easter is something I have already written about and if you missed this Blog 2. SWEDISH EASTER & Art I would really urge you to have a look as it is quite a scream and has enjoyed a lot of traffic on the net!

Here is a quote I like in the spirit of Easter from Kahil Gibran (Lebanese American artist, poet and writer)

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. “

Till next time, happy painting and sculpting to you all.

Love Marie xxx       (c)

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALEand SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

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April 15, 2011 in Art Exhibitions, Current Art Blog by mariejon

78 A Cup of Tea and a Lie Down & Art

GREENHILL ART GALLERY

This acrylic painting on canvas called “Teaotalers Club”, is one of two paintings that I have just finished and delivered to Greenhill Galleries here in Adelaide.

The Teatotalers Club!

TEA POT ART SHOW

The show was called “The great Teapot Show” and the brief to participating artists said the aim was to create a varied collection of all things to do with Tea Pots (& cups, tea paraphernalia and tea customs etc).  Whether practical or whimsical, huge or miniscule, formal or funny – let your imagination run wild in whatever medium takes your fancy – paintings, ceramics, wood, glass, fabric, jewellery metal or whatever.

With a brief like that it was impossible to say no I thought, as I love to let the imagination run free, although I must admit that my husband is also a great source for ideas and I do love to have his input too.

I have mentioned the Gallery in some of my other art blogs and you may want to recap on a funny incident between the Gallery Director and a client here; 14. “ADAM & STEVE” .

RUSSELL STARKE OAM FOR SERVICES TO THE ARTS

This brings me to tell you a bit about Russell Starke and his gallery in Adelaide.    Greenhill Gallery has long been recognized as one of the most important exhibition spaces in South Australia and was established in 1972 by Veda Swain.  Russell Starke became the Director in 1988 and continued the tradition of showing great artists as well as giving promising new emerging artists a go.   The gallery is also well known for holding charitable events; Russell’s philosophy is to give back to the community, as he can identify with how it feels growing up in a family where money was tight.

Not that that is the only feathers in his cap, oh no Russell Starke has been awarded an OAM (the Order of Australia – which is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth ll, and is “for the purpose of according recognition of achievement or for meritorious service”).

I grew up at a time when Russell was a must see on television on a Friday night introducing horror movies for Friday Suspense Theatre and he scared the living daylights out of me then (something that he can actually do now too if he get cross, lol).

There is also a soft and cuddly side to Russell which was very evident when he shared offices with my modeling agent Tanya Powell many years ago and doubled up as the baby sitter for her newborn son and anyone that has ever seen Russell interact with children also echoes that statement.

RUSSELL STARKE AN ARTISTIC INSPIRATION

One of Russell’s other strings to his bow would have to be Bonsai which he actually taught” the art of” and my mother in law was one of his students and she would be full of funny little stories about those classes when she came home.  These days you can find Russell (that is if you can keep up with him) running 3 separate exhibition spaces, Barton Terrace, The HWY, Penny Hill Winery Complex, as well as being a theater critic, and making regular radio appearances on Radio ABC 891 and no doubt a million other things as well!

So I think this quotation by Hsun-tzu (philosopher) fits perfectly here,

“If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you all,

Love Marie xxx         (c)

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALEand SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

Click here to view blog post where you can view and make comments

April 8, 2011 in Current Art Blog, Public Sculptures by mariejon

77 Book stack water feature Sculpture

PUBLIC SCULPTURE

This water feature sculpture is one I was commissioned to do for the Balaklava Library (mid-north in South Australia), a few years ago.   I had of course lots of fun designing this sculpture and as I love both the water and books, so it was no stretch.   It is made from hebel and handmade ceramic and mosaic and took hours and hours to complete.

Public sculpture Books in a Water feature

SCULPTURE GARDEN

The mural, water feature sculpture and garden were created in memory of Des Ross in recognition of his service to the local area as well as Australia.  Des was both the President of the Local Government Association as well as the Australian Local Government Assoc., and a board room in Canberra is named “The Des Ross Room” in his honor.   I will tell you more about him another time when I talk about the mural which accompanied this sculpture.

ART AND LOVE OF WATER

My love for the water started early in Sweden when I as a little girl where I used attend “learn to swim” during the summer months and would spend all my available time in the water at Lake Malaren which is the third largest lake in Sweden.  When I think about it I was also rather fond of the yummy freshly baked bun all the children were supplied with (less so of the lukewarm milk that went with it, yuck!)

SWIMMING & PAINTING

When my own children here in Australia went to primary school and I occasionally helped out with the schools swim lessons it was suggested that I may want to get paid as well.  So I went and did the AustSwim course and got my accreditation.  It was a fantastic way of spending some extra time with my kids and also getting out of the art studio, mixing with people and getting paid at the same time.  The swim teachings  grew into 12 weeks of the year and as the hours were 9-3pm I could still get quite a few hours done in the art studio when I got home.  Leading up to exhibitions etc I would even take the paintings to the pool and paint during my lunch time to keep up.

I really enjoyed the company of the other instructors and also found it very satisfying to see the children gain confidence in the water and eventually learn to swim.  My only beef was sometimes when the weather was freezing and we had to spend every lesson in the water, thank god for wet suits I say.  I think that perhaps that is why quite a lot of swimming instructors have a bit of shall we say- extra padding on their bones.  I would look at them with envy as they frolicked in the water whilst my lips were turning blue, lol.

So it was a combination of the cold and the following tale that made me apply for the Instructor in Charge job, where I would be spending more time doing the admin work than in the water.

ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS

We had a lot of special needs children at the school with various problems and one of them I will call ‘Neville’ who was 16 years old and a big guy with Down’s Syndrome whose party trick was to run out of the changing rooms starkers to the delight and amusement of the other kids who thought it was so funny to see us instructors trying to get him to go back and put his pants on.

Des Ross Sculpture Garden Opening

Then it was the time when I was in the water and trying to teach him how to swim.  We were playing a shark game – I was chasing him and being the shark, we had lots of fun and were both squealing in delight.  However the tables turned when it was his turn to play shark and he took it absolutely seriously and I nearly drowned in the process.  Lucky for me another instructor noticed the “shark attack” and stopped him.   Lesson learned, Neville just did not realize his own strength, lol.

So here is a thought for all of us from Ramakrishna (mystic) which I like,

“Live like a mud-fish: its skin is bright and shiny even though it lives in the mud.”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting,

Love Marie xxx          (c)

If you would like to see some art blogs about other Public Sculptures here are some links;109 Stories behind the Wall and121 Volunteers our Backbone and  128 Sculpture and Women

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALEand SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

Click here to view blog post where you can view and make comments

April 1, 2011 in Current Art Blog by mariejon

76 Renewing our Vows in Vegas & Art

ART IN LAS VEGAS

As part of our trip to the US we were going to Las Vegas and having always heard about the Little White Wedding Chapel  and the celebrities who got married there which include Britney Spears, Demi Moore & Bruce Willis, Joan Collins, Michael Jordon, The Who, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Patty Duke, Mickey Rooney, we thought it would be lots of fun to renew our vows there too.

Cats getting married

ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS

This naive painting is part of my Cat & Dog series and I have actually painted two very similar works but in different colors as it evoked such happy memories, one which sold in my Japanese exhibition and the other just recently here.

You see hubby was finally taking me to America something he promised to do 25 years prior, so you can’t say he doesn’t keep his promises.  The promise was made in a weak moment, lol when he was trying to get me to marry him – I had been in Europe modeling for the best part of two years and had come home to Australia to spend Christmas with my parents.  Bryan and I had taken a break from our relationship which had begun when I was 14 and I had full intention of fulfilling my potential and going on to New York where I had been offered a six month contract to model in the Big Apple.   Well the rest is history; I never made it to New York that time, instead stayed put, married the love of my life and instead was eventually crowned the’ Australian Model of the Year’ which was a pretty good compensation anyway.

Finally he makes good on his promise (lol, you know how kids, houses and life gets in the way) and after a week of Disney land and all the things LA has to offer we are on the plane for Vegas.  Kai and Hillivi our children are with us for the big family holiday, and the wedding is all planned and booked.  I have a beautiful pink dress,  Hillivi my bridesmaid will be in a matching dress, and  Bryan and Kai have suits with matching pink ties.  Every detail thought of.

ART OF THE WELL DRESSED HOBO

So we arrive in Vegas and are in awe already, all the lights are flashing and there are slot machines all around even at the airport.  We do meander a bit but not too long and get to the baggage collection area, and wait and wait.  Everyone’s bags turn up apart from Bryans, which just happens to be the one with all the important stuff in it – just bought Christmas presents, film camera, wedding shirt, as well as every single bit of Bryans clothing including the winter clothes for New York (where it’s snowing &  minus 11).

Luckily the suits were in a separate carryon bag and I had the ties in mine, as the wedding was that afternoon at 5pm with not much time to dally around.  We had to improvise and he wore a white striped shirt, which if he had taken his jacket off would have made you laugh with a huge emblem on the back! We never did find out what happened to the bag as it never turned up.  We imagine there is a very well dressed hobo wandering around filming at the airport!   Bryan had to buy a whole lot of clothes in Vegas – and we just couldn’t stop stirring him about the souvenir style gear he got with “I Love Vegas” on every item!

Artistic Inspiration

I am happy to say the rest of the day went off without a hitch, we stayed in a couple of gorgeous rooms at the very flash Monte Carlo.  The limousine picked us up and took us down the strip past all the iconic Casinos with a million people milling around and lights flashing.  The wedding chapel even has a Drive-through section but we had the ceremony in an intimate little room with a Negro celebrant who was fantastic and added to the atmosphere.

ART, ROMANCE AND WHOOPS!

It was really emotional and romantic and such a marvelous occasion to share with our two kids who looked just so beautiful and handsome respectively. After all the photos we returned to the hotel in the limo and found a wonderful  trolley laden with all kinds of cheeses, crackers, fruits,  nuts and a bottle of red in our room, which we thought the hotel had so kindly provided us with. So we hoed into that and had a wow of a time until we found a little card tucked under a napkin with a middle eastern name on it (now we got worried about the mafia, lol) but then found out luckily it was actually for the guest that had already vacated our room earlier in the day.

Whoops, lol, but the hotel were very good and just let us have it. Then still in our glad rags we went and caught the Monorail and explored Vegas and then finally at 11pm thought we better have our wedding dinner (we had stuffed ourselves silly on that cheese platter!).  Anyway we had our celebration dinner in a gorgeous little Italian restaurant in the Stratosphere Casino, and it was one of those nights were everything just fell into place and was wonderful.

Four very tired little vegemites caught the last Monorail back to the Monte Carlo at 2 am, exhausted with sore feet but very happy.  You may enjoy another travel and art blog, here is a link;90 I Miss New York and  137 ICE SKATING IN CENTRAL PARK

I will repeat this quote here as it fits so perfectly said by someone I greatly admire, Oprah Winfrey (Television host and Philanthropist)

“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you all,

Love Marie xxx        (c)

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALEand SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

Click here to view blog post where you can view and make comments