In the news

Welcome back.
It has been a busy term so (in between program planning and proposals) I am looking forward to hanging out with my kids and playing in my studio.

I found myself in the local paper this week. They were writing an article on the facility where I teach Recycled Art and so my lovely friend David and I had our photo taken.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/preston-hub-offers-life-skills-and-support-programs-for-most-vulnerable/story-fnglenug-1226960273891

The classes finished today and everyone is looking forward to coming back next term. If you would like to join us, we would love to see you. The classes run on a Tuesday morning during school terms. Anyone can join. If you have no artistic ability, have created art before or would like to try something new, this is the class for you.
Please note that from Term 3 the class has been renamed Mixed Media Art.

Contact Preston Neighbourhood House for dates, cost and any other information you require.  218 High St, Preston VIC 3072.  (03) 9484 5806

We spent today creating Angels and Big Cats.
Here are a few samples of the great work the group produced.

Angel (demonstration piece) 

Red Cat and Growly Lion

Tiger and Angel

 

 These pieces were made using recycled cardboard and papers, vintage book pages,  oil pastels, acrylic paints, stencils and stamps.

My New Studio

Happy days,
for the first time in years I have a studio in the house. No more traipsing out to the garage when it is wet and cold. No more having to put ice packs with my materials in the Australian summer heat. I am doing cartwheels I am so happy.
I thought I had better post some photos while it is nice and clean - before I start working and it looks like a teenagers bedroom!

 

 

I will stop pinching myself to see if I am dreaming and get to work enjoying this space.

Till next time....

Happy days

Hi there.
Well its back to work after a lovely Mothers Day. I got spoilt with some lovely presents and dinner with my beautiful kids and husband. My favourite thing every year though is the cards my children make me. The gorgeous drawings and the funny things they write just make my day. To all the mums (or dads doing it on their own) I hope you had a wonderful day full of love.

I went to look at my new studio space yesterday. I am so excited to be getting an indoor studio! My current one is a garage, so space wise it is amazing but its either too hot, too cold or leaking. Only a few weeks now and I will have a beautiful space to work in. Happy days.

If you are out and about in Preston on Wednesday morning I will be at the Preston Neighbourhood House Open Day. Pop in and have a play with a quick workshop I am running from 10:30am-noon based on recycled art. There will also be some samples of my work on display. 
Additionally I will be around from 12:30-2:30pm running the Drawing and Painting Class. So pop in and say hi, try Tai Chi and maybe even win a door prize. The opening is at 10am.

Preston Neighbourhood House:  218 High Street Preston VIC 3072 

Ph. 9484 5806     office@prestonhouse.org.au      www.prestonhouse.org.au

© Kelly Gatchell Hartley

I am feeling exceptionally excited at the moment. I have booked my tickets and will be in Mexico for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
 I plan to go to Mexico City, be in Oaxaca for Dia de los Muertos and then head up to Guadalajara.I can't wait!
I know I am going to need a BIG suitcase for all of the treasures I will be bringing back as I love Mexican folk art.
If any of you have been on a Mexican adventure, I would love to hear all about it.


Until next time, have a fantastic week
Kelly xxxx
 

 

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So what are Altered Books?

I love a good book, which led to my love of altered books. Any art form that allows me to reuse and repurpose unwanted  materials excites me immensely. I have used it as a creative outlet over the years, firstly as a way to do personal works to help me through the bad times and focus on the good (art therapy I guess you would call it). Now I use books as frames for my assemblage art works and pages to draw illustrations on.

I have just finished running a two day workshop on Altered Books and thoroughly enjoyed being able to share this art form with others. For those who are still wondering 'What is an altered book?', take a quick read of this ....

If you live in Melbourne (Australia) would like to take a look at my altered book/assemblage art in the flesh, pop on down to my exhibition. This is the only solo show I will be having this year. Opening Friday 28 February. 6-9 pm.
I would love to see you there.

Busy times a coming...

 

 

I hope you have had a wonderful holiday break and are looking forward to all that 2014 has to offer. We adopted a dog for Christmas and the sweet boy follows me everywhere. He especially enjoys having a lie on the hammock and hanging out in the studio with me.  My year is starting off with a lot of great things, including an exhibition, workshops and art classes for adults. I feel blessed to be able to do what I love and share what I know with others. Please find all the details below and if you are able to come along I would love to see you. 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Later in the year I am following my heart and going on my dream trip to Mexico. I am really looking forward to absorbing the art, crafts, landscapes, food and culture. I am especially excited about being there for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I plan to do many sketches and  take a lot of photographs in preparation for completing a body of work on my return.

To help me get there I will be having big studio sales starting in March. It will be a great opportunity for you to get original artwork very special prices. Layby will be available on some works and work can be sent worldwide.

Keep an eye out for details.

 

Until next time

Kelly xxx

New Exhibitions...

Today I set up some older and reworked paintings at Art @ 1 Spring Street (Melbourne).
Exhibition runs to mid January 2014. Pop in for a look if you get a chance
There is a sale running until Christmas - buy one piece get 30% off the second piece

Opening on the 6th of December is a group show Lost, Found, Reuse at Brunswick Street Gallery.  Pop in if you are in the area. I will put up the opening details and some images ASAP

Lost Found Reuse - 6 December - 19 December 2013 Along our daily routes and travels we encounter objects which become the lost, the found, or and sometimes, the reused

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Time Another Place: The Exhibition

Another Time Another Place opened at 1 Spring Street on October 18. We had a fantastic night with lots of art lovers, live music and bubbles.

Exhibition continues until November 26
Art @ 1 Spring Street
Access via Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Open 9-5 Monday to Friday

We were lucky enough to get some great advertising for our show. Firstly we got a write up in the October issue of Art Almanac, then we got a photo in MX. Thanks to both of these publications for supporting local unknown artists.

 

 

Some photos from Another Time Another Place:

 

© Kelly Gatchell Hartley

© Kelly Gatchell Hartley

© Hola Holga