http://www.amandavangils.com en-gb amandavangils.com 2008-1-22T00:00:00Z amandavangils.com http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18953 Aside from a blog my website also allows me to have a forum. Its pretty lofi and not at all fancy but still has the capacity to host discussions not online chat just posts that can be replied to and expanded on. I have recently become pretty disappointed by the way a couple of the art forums that I have frequented in the past have gone. Having met a number of you through forums I really value the opportunity to have some online dialogue and I know many of you do too....so I thought I might make use of the forum application within my website and see how things go. Basically it would be password protected same as the blog page is and we could invite people to join in. I see it as being something small but hopefully with some good contributions and contributors. I imagine it would focus on anything to do with being an artist recommended shows exhibition information dealing with gallery issues art supply sales technical questions....whatever. And of course some humour too This is j... 2008-1-22T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18753 Well all the swap pieces have now found their way to their new homes so the New Year Art Swap is done and dusted. This is the first Art Swap I have organised and I had a lot of fun organising it so a big thank you to Simon Erika Steve Dianne Jim David Claire Glenn Jacqui and Vito for taking part. Especially to those of you busy working on shows who still gave the time to making new work specifically for the swap. I hope you all enjoyed taking part and seeing all the images posted on the blog... and that you all received something that you are happy to hang on your wall. Id love to do it all again next year. I have learnt a few things this time around. The very first thing I would do differently is give more notice teeing up the players about 3 months in advance. But I am also wondering if there are other changes I should be making for example should the size be set at a particular measurement eg 5x7 or should a minimum size be set or should it just be free reign should th... 2008-1-18T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18723 Yet another swap has grown from this little project Dianne Gall is now also swapping a piece of her work with Simon Collins. Ill post up images when they let me see them. ....so that will be 23 pieces swapped Glad to know the old bohemian camaraderie so essential to a successful swap is alive and well 2008-1-16T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18595 Well now that the New Year Art Swap has officially ended the swap seems to have spread its wings a little more. Aside from the swaps between myself Simon and Steve mentioned in a previous post Erika Gofton has now organised swaps with Dianne Gall Simon Collins and myself. So now instead of 11 pieces of art involved in this swap there will be 21 pieces swapped in all. Thats an exhibition right there Im not sure on the timeline for Erikas swaps but if there are any images confirmed in the near future I will post them up here. CheersAmanda 2008-1-14T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18427 The last image is of a very recent painting by Jim Thalassoudis. A fine painting in its own right Nocturne is also a study for a painting which will be included in his next show at Charles Nodrum Gallery 5th 28th June. Simon Collins is the happy recipient of Jims painting. Nocturne 2007 Oil on linen board 25.4 x 10.2cm 10x4 inches 2008-1-10T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18367 Well the Art Swap bug has hit some harder than most. I have been lucky enough to have a couple of extra swaps offered to me I think this must be project organisers privilege which of course I have happily accepted. After knowing Steve Warburton for about 20 years we have FINALLY organised to do a swap in March we have been talking about it for around 5 years but this project seems to have given us just the push we needed. And Simon Collins who I have swapped with before and who has been very busy in the studio has swapped me his Subi Oatley 2007 oil on board 5x7 for my painting Tumbling 2006 oil on linen 8x6 Lucky lucky me. Thanks guys. 2008-1-10T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18375 Well Ive had a few emails letting me know that pieces have been sent and some already received. I rather love the thought of all our art works flying through the air courtesy of Australia Post. These little treasures carefully wrapped and trusted to the postal service who could be processing bills and catalogues for all they know. Some people have asked me to pass on their thanks to the artists who created their piece. You can do this easily in the blog by adding a comment. At the bottom of each post you will see a comments box like this gt Click on the little envelope to leave a comment. You might want to let us know you have posted your piece or you might like to let everyone know that you received your piece. .. or you might just want to make a comment on any of the pieces. 2008-1-9T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18331 Well I thought its about time I posted up an image of the piece that I will be sending to Jacquie Comer. So here is Art Swap piece number 10 Ready Setty Go Ready Setty Go 2006 oil on canvas 19cm x 14cm 8 x 6 2008-1-9T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18329 Number Nine is Claire Busuttil Bridges The Shot Tower This fresh sketchy work is our second mixed media piece and will soon be making its home with David Brayshaw. The Shot Tower c. 2004. Mixed media acrylic pastel and impasto medium on paper mounted on canvas on board. 25cm x 23.5 cm 2008-1-8T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18330 Our first print Stellar Nursery V is an archival digital print from Jacqui Comer. This lovely piece is headed off to Dianne Gall. Stellar Nursery V 2003 Archival Digital Print archival paper amp inks Edition No 78 80 x 80mm 2008-1-8T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18275 More than halfway through....here is the seventh image. This one is a watercolour pencil on paper by Vito Manfredi and will be going to Erika Gofton. Peer Group 2005 watercolour pencil on paper 30cm x 21cm. 2008-1-7T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18271 Number six is from the wonderful Dianne Gall. Naughty Luci 2007 Oil on linen on board 14.6 x 14.6cm 5 34 x 5 34 inches Luci the female Lucifer is a Bobble Head Devil Girl Naughty Luci will be heading off to live with Vito Manfredi. Thanks Dianne. 2008-1-6T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18193 Ive been really excited to see the various pieces as images have come through. Artwork number 5 is by Glenn Locklee. Its the first mixed media piece charcoal oil paint and fabric on board. Picnic Point will be winging its way from NSW to Jim Thalassoudis in SA. Picnic Point 2007 charcoal oil paint and fabric on board 27cm x 20cm. 2008-1-5T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#18149 Another lovely painting. This one is by Steve Warburton and will be going to Glenn Locklee. Untitled 2008 oil on masonite 23cm x 21cm. 2008-1-3T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#17953 Heres another one this time a very beautiful painting by David Brayshaw. Davids painting is appropriately titled Moonlight Study and this one is coming to live with me. Thanks Dave Moonlight Study 2007 oil on canvas on board 7x 5 2007-12-31T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#17924 The next cab off the rank is Simon Collins painting Newtown XP which will soon be winging its way to the home of Steve Warburton. Newtown XP 2007 oil on board 12.5cm x 17.5cm Thanks Simon for being one of the first to show your pic. Ill post mine soon too. 2007-12-30T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#17750 Hi Everyone Thanks for all the positive comments youve emailed through about the Art Swap. I have really enjoyed organising it and am so grateful that you were all keen to take part.....Im hoping to do it all again even bigger and better next year. I am about to head off to sunny Hervey Bay in Qld to spend Christmas with the family no Im not from Qld they migrated there. Ill be back on the 29th and will upload any images of the swapped pieces that come through on my email while I am away so pop back in on the 30th and check for any updates. I am really looking forward to seeing all the pieces....... In the meantime..have yourselves a very Merry Christmas. CheersAmanda 2007-12-23T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#17677 I have the first image to post from the lovely Erika Gofton. Erikas piece is from her I Spy series and is going to a very pleased Claire Busuttil Bridge. I Spy Untitled 28 2002 Oil on Canvas 15 x 15cm 2007-12-22T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#17712 OK. We have 11 final players who each have one person to send something to. The match ups are totally random. I put all the names in one column and then drew out folded postit notes with names written inside. I did have to put a couple back in and redraw when I matched Simon up with Simon and Jim with Jim but otherwise there was no interference. Steve Warburton sends to Glenn Locklee Simon Collins sends to Steve Warburton Vito Manfredi sends to Erika Gofton Jim Thalassoudis sends to Simon Collins Jacqui Cormer sends to Dianne Gall Glenn Locklee sends to Jim Thalassoudis Erika Gofton sends to Claire Busuttil Bridge Dianne Gall sends to Vito Manfredi David Brayshaw sends to Amanda van Gils Claire Busuttil Bridge sends to David Brayshaw Amanda van Gils sends to Jacqui Cormer Ill send on postal addresses to everyone via email. Works should be sent out by the 10th January. If you have a piece ready to show up on the blog please email it through I would love to see... 2007-12-21T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#17555 We now have one more player confirmed Jacqui Cormer. Jacqui is a painterprintmaker and friend of Erikas thanks Erika for passing on the invite. An examples of Jacquis work is below and more can be seen at httpwww.charleshewitt.com.auartistdisplay.phpartComerJacqui Blushing Vista V oil on canvas 45x61cm 2007-12-16T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#17556 Hi All Due to a number of people going away for Christmas New Year holidays um including me which I had kind of forgotten about the date for sending out artwork has been moved.......after all this is meant to be fun not stressful. New date to send work out by is 10th January. Names of who sends to who will be drawn Friday 21st December and posted on the blog towards the end of the day. We currently have an uneven number of players so if anyone wants to invite another friend please do. If you cant send your work by the 10th please just let your recipient know. Thanks. CheersAmanda 2007-12-16T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#17454 I am so pleased that you have all agreed to play. I think we have a great class of punter which should make for a very satisfying swap. I imagine that anyone playing will be happy to receive a piece from anyone else in the group....well I certainly hope that is the case I know that I am very excited to know that I will receive a work from any one of you..... Now I am just going to have to get cracking on making something worthwhile. So who is playing in the New Year Art Swap As of today we have 10 confirmed players. Looking at the list it seems that most of the artists that I know are figurative oil painters. In no particular order the swappers are Claire Busuttil Bridge Glenn Locklee Erika Gofton Steve Warburton David Brayshaw Jim Thalassoudis Dianne Gall Simon Collins Vito Manfredi and me Amanda van Gils. Websites are all listed below. Please take some time to have a look around and see the wonderful talent making up the group. I am still... 2007-12-12T00:00:00Z http://www.amandavangils.com/page18.htm#17393 I love a project and not having a show coming up found myself needing to organise something. So in the great tradition of art swapping I thought I would try to organise a New Year Art swap amongst friends and friendsoffriends. I floated the idea with a trusted friend or two and got a very positive response. The idea was simple....build up our own art collections contribute to someone elses collection and hopefully get to know each others work and meet some new people. I invited artists from NSW SA and Vic who all have regular exhibitions mostly painters. I would have invited artists from other parts of the country but it seems I dont know any. Participation is invite only I sent out the initial invite but everyone who is playing is free to send on the invite to people of their choosing this way everyone in the group is known by at least one other player. The guidelines were pretty simple Works can be drawing painting photography....whatever your preferred medium is. No th... 2007-12-7T00:00:00Z