Search This Blog

Welcome to the NZ Art Guild blog - here you will find the news updates, links to members art, information about art exhibitions and events, art challenge winners etc.

For full information about the NZ Art Guild, its services and to become a member go to NZ Art Guild

Friday, 25 March 2011

Gold Pan Art - Celebrating 150 years

It was impossible for many NZ Art Guild members to resist the opportunity to be part of a fabulous exhibition and celebration at the Tuapeka Goldfields Museum in Lawrence, New Zealand. The reason was not only that it was a celebration of 150 years since the discovery of gold in Gabriel's Gully but they also had to create their artworks on a gold pan!  It was an opportunity to be innovative and to think outside the box.

A total of 38 artists participated in this wonderful event - you can check out all the amazing gold pans by clicking << here >> and see the fabulous exhibition << here >>
There are still some of these gold pans available for purchase - but you better get in quickly as they are selling fast. They take sales over the Internet and phone so you don't even have to be there in person!

Here are some of the goldpans that NZ Art Guild Members did for this exhibition.

Anglea Laby


Sophia Elise


Sharlene Schmidt


Marimba Powley


Cath Sheard


Chris Cruickshank


Donna Massey


Hillary Ramage


Jane Tan


Joanne Redshaw


Margherita Giampeitri


Sofia Spirtova


Teresa Rodger


Toni Dolan

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Invitation to "Little Ladies" ~ Ingrid Boot

' Little Ladies'

Solo Show by Ingrid Boot

15th -28th March

263 Parnell Road

Parnell

Auckland

Tuesday, 22 March 2011

NZ Art Guild Challenge #4 ~Speed~



Every fortnight a challenge is issued to our guild members and also to members of our Facebook Fanpage

These challenges are completely voluntary. Submissions must be original and be completed during the 2 week time-frame. Participants may choose to interpret the theme in any way they wish.

For this challenge artists were asked to create a work of art inspired by
Speed.
ENTRIES:

Artist - RifRaf
Title: Horse
Size: 48" x 36"
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas


Artist - Chris Curickshank
Title: Wave Whananaki
Size: 600x300mm
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas



The next challenge is available now via our Facebook Fanpage - check it out for yourself and give it a go!


(you must be logged into facebook to view this page, if you are not currently a member of our group or facebook please feel free to join)

NZ Art Guild and KidsCan partner up


We are excited to announce that this year we are partnering with KidsCan Charitable Trust for the 2011 Collaborative Artwork. 100% of the sale proceeds form this artwork and a percentage of each limited edition print sold will be donated to KidsCan.

KidsCan is an amazing nationwide charity that is dedicated to eliminating poverty.

Education equals opportunity! Unfortunately in New Zealand thousands of children live their lives in extreme poverty, going without the basics most of us take for granted and this has a major impact on their ability to learn so they can reach their full potential.

So what is daily life REALLY like for the more than 200,000 New Zealand children living in poverty? These are New Zealand’s forgotten children who existing a world where they cannot be sure of having three meals a day, suitable clothing and heating in their home in winter. It means getting sicker more often, shortened life expectancy, poor nutritional status and not achieving age-appropriate developmental milestones. It means missing out on school excursions and not being able to participate fully in classroom activities; which leads to social isolation, feelings of worthlessness, loneliness and alienation.

KidsCan helps meet the physical and nutritional needs of disadvantaged NZ children so they can reach their full potential in life. They have several different programmes including Food for Kids, Shoes for Kids, Raincoats for Kids, Warm Kids (providing beanies and thermal tops) and Cool Kids (providing sun hats)

KidsCan currently supports more than 41,000 kids in 201 low decile schools. The demand for their programmes is growing - they have 21,000 children still waiting for their support. By supporting KidsCan we can help reduce their waiting list and ensure no child in our country goes without the basics they need for a healthy happy life.
Check out their website www.kidscan.org.nz for more information and to see how you can help.

Invitiation to Attend - Rural Connections Exhibition

Invitation To Attend

In April, Terrace Downs High Country Resort Terrace Downs celebrates the works from two amazing artists, Lynne Iggulden and Amy Preston. The creations will be complimented by the soulful voice of Kris Trousselot

“Rural Connections” is a fresh, exciting symphony of works that emanates the essence of rural life in New Zealand. It is an exhibition experience where you are able to dine with the artist enjoying the wonderful menu that Terrace Downs provides, all the while listening to the wonderful voice of our local and Singing Sensation, Kris Trousselot.

As you are an avid follower of art, old or new, It gives me great pleasure to invite you personally to view the works and attend the opening of ‘Rural Connections'

You will also get to meet the artists as they have consented to be present for the opening launch on Thursday 31st March at 6 pm in the Avoca Fine Dining Room, Terrace Downs Resort.

Should you be unable to attend the opening, the works are available for viewing and purchase between
31st March – 5th May 2011 from Terrace Downs Resort during opening hours.

I Hope you will take advantage of this golden opportunity.

With warmest regards,

Rachael Inch - Arts Director

Any further enquiries
Contact Rachael
Email: inspirationalart@hotmail.com
Phone or text: 021 1229317

Friday, 18 March 2011

The Sketchbook Project - Exhibition

ARTIST: Tineswari Maruthamuthu
EXHIBITION: The Sketchbook Project
COUNTRY: USA
LOCATIONS: Brooklyn NY, Austin TX, Portland ME, Atlanta GA, Washington DC, Seattle WA, San Francisco CA, Chicago IL, Winter Park FL
DURATION: Feb 19 – July 31, 2011
ARTIST: Tineswari Maruthamuthu
VIEWABLE ONLINE FROM APRIL:  http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject


OVERVIEW: Thousands of sketchbooks are being exhibited at galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the USA. After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be cataloged and available for the public to view. We sent 28839 artists from 94 countries blank sketchbooks. Just under 10,000 books were returned completed to us — all of which will be on display. The tour starts February, 2011.
In between tour dates, books will be on display at Brooklyn Art Library between the following dates:
Open Tues - Sun from 12:00-8:00pm.
March 22nd - March 27th
April 19th - June 7th
June 24 - July 10
July 20th - July 24th

Starting August 5th books will be permanently located at Brooklyn Art Library.
The 2011 Tour
February 19 - March 6, 2011
Brooklyn,
NY Brooklyn Art Library

March 12, 2011
12:00-6:00pm
(during the SXSW festival!)
TX Austin Museum of Art,
Located in the Community Room,
823 Congress Ave, Austin, TX

March 13th, 2011
12:00-6:00pm
(during the SXSW festival!)
Austin, TX 29th St Ballroom at Spider House
2906 Fruth St, Austin, TX 78705

March 30-April 2, 2011
Portland, ME SPACE Gallery
538 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101

April 8-9, 2011
GA The Granite Room
211 Peters St
Atlanta, GA 30313

April 15-16, 2011
12:00-6:00pm
DC Hillyer Art Space
9 Hillyer Ct NW
Washington, DC 20008

June 10-12, 2011
WA Form/Space Ateller
2407 1st Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121

June 18, 2011
Minna Gallery
111 Minna Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Unfortunately you must be 21+ years of age to enter venue

July 14-17, 2011
Hyde Park Art Center
5020 South Cornell Avenue
Chicago, IL 60615

July 29-31, 2011
Full Sail University
3300 University Boulevard
Winter Park, FL 32792

Facing Knockbacks - Lack of Self Confidence?

Sophia Elise, Manager of the NZ Art Guild shares how she deals with knockbacks as a Creative Entrpreneur.  Here's the article on The Big Idea website
Or you can read the interview below - we would love to hear how you have dealt with knockbacks and lack of self confidence - you can share with us by commenting on this post or on our facebook fanpage

As Managing Director of the NZ Art Guild and a creative business mentor, Sophia Elise is used to supporting others and knows a thing or two about how to stay focused when faced with a knockback.

“A knockback doesn’t have to be a knock out. We choose whether we stand back up and if you don’t get back up you won’t achieve anything.”

Sophia shares her personal experience and advice in this Generator QnA.

Have you ever had knockbacks, lost confidence or started to doubt your talent?
Over the last seven years there have been several times that a knockback has made me question my ability to create a successful business or event. The knockbacks come in various shapes and sizes; they can be internal or external and can be completely out of your control.

What did you do to get back on track?
I believe that the times when you feel your confidence is low and you experience self doubt it’s essential to take time out to reflect on all the things you have achieved. At times I have even written lists of my achievements so that I can get things in perspective. You suddenly realise that you have achieved more than you have given yourself credit for and it puts the one knockback that you have just experienced into perspective. Remember to take time to celebrate your successes.

Another thing I do is talk to my peers and mentors and ask them their thoughts. I believe it’s important to be open to constructive criticism so that you can grow as a person and a business. Most of the time people are more than willing to share insight, advice and information – you just need to ask. The support and encouragement they can offer you can be essential to getting back on track. Surround yourself with good people.

When I’ve had a knockback in regards to a project or event I’ve stepped back and re-clarified my intention. I then looked at alternative ways to move forward with it. How can I get around it? Who else can I talk to? What do I need to change? What do I need to learn? If there is a way to achieve it and the project will deliver what you need and want then persevere by instituting plan B.

If I get continual knockbacks for a project, I’ve had to stop and analyse why. I’ve needed to be honest and impartial in my assessment (which is hard when you are passionate about or emotionally involved with the project) It’s important to acknowledge that there are valid reasons for the knockbacks, maybe it’s just timing (eg. trying to get sponsorship for art awards during a recession) and if so you may need to let it go and put your energy into a project that has more potential for success and results.

A project can be parked while you establish more contacts, gain more knowledge, increase finances, wait for external influences to pass and then that project can be picked up again later. It doesn’t mean it’s over forever; it’s just not the right time for that project.
Another way of overcoming the self doubt is to set yourself an achievable goal. If you have had to park a project or let it go, focus your energy and attention into another project or business area. Choose something that comes easily to you, which you know you will succeed with. This can help remind you what your strengths are and boost your confidence again.

It’s important to remember that whenever you make a mistake or have a knockback that affects your confidence that you don’t spend too long looking back at it. No one wins them all. Everyone makes mistakes and experiences set backs – they are just part of our growth. They help us to know our limits. Shake off the self doubt and lack of confidence – don’t quit, because your turn will come.

How do you deal with a 'no' - particularly one that is important to your project?
I think that most people when they get a ‘no’ start to question themselves and the project. That’s not a bad thing, it’s natural and it’s important, as it makes us improve, change direction, innovate, persevere etc.

I like to make sure I understand why they’ve said no. This is so I can work out if it’s something inherent that needs to be changed or maybe it just wasn’t the right door I knocked on. Remember not to take it personally – it’s not you as an individual they are saying no to – but your idea, concept, proposal.

It’s important to try and remain objective so that you don’t get stuck on one way being the right and only way. Sometimes you have to look at alternative ways to address the issue and reassess your expectations and priorities.

It’s important to keep the knockbacks in perspective. For example, when I didn’t win a business award, I looked at the level of competition I was up against and celebrated how far I had come to even be in the same category as them. It’s not that I wasn’t worthy – it was just that someone else was more worthy.

When you are lacking confidence, do you wait till this passes or do you get on with it anyway?
If you have other people relying on you to keep the business ticking over you don’t have the luxury to wait till it passes.

I also believe that if you focus inwardly on the negative it can contribute to a lack of confidence and a downward spiral where if you focus on giving out it can help you stay on track.

Has self doubt and a lack of confidence helped you achieve or bring a project to successful fruition?
I don’t believe that self doubt or a lack of confidence brings a project to successful fruition. What will make it a success is the way you respond to that self doubt.

A knockback doesn’t have to be a knock out. We choose whether we stand back up and if you don’t get back up you won’t achieve anything. We make a decision about whether we persevere or give up – Thomas Edison said when inventing the light bulb “I’ve not failed I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”

It comes down to the way you look at set backs, no’s, mistakes etc. If you treat the obstacles as an opportunity for learning you won’t suffer from the downward spiral of self doubt and lack of confidence.

What’s the best advice you have ever been given about dealing with knockbacks?
I don’t think there is one single piece of advice I have been given – it’s more a combination of advice which include
- If you can’t change the situation change the way you look at it
- Be prepared to listen, analyse and change
- Never ever give up
- And remember that necessity is the mother of all inventions


Sophia Elise Profile
Sophia Elise is the Managing Director of the NZ Art Guild, which provides support, promotion, opportunities and resources to NZ visual artists.

In 2009 she won the David Awards for Most Community Minded Business. In 2010 she was a finalist in the David Awards for Most Inspired Use of Marketing and Most Community Minded Business and was also a finalist in the Her Businesswoman of the Year Awards for Outstanding Business Citizenship.

She was one of 13 Auckland creative entrepreneurs to be awarded a place on the ART Venture Programme 2010. Sophia provides business mentoring for start up businesses under her company Creative Business Consultants. She is also a visual artist who has exhibited extensively throughout NZ and overseas. Sophia is active within the art community as a Member of the Board of Trustees for Mairangi Art Centre and a member of the ART Generator Network.