One year later... I'm back!!!!!!

I have been out of the circuit for a wee while but please don't think I'm not thinking of you all, just had to deal with it MY way.... I figure If you don't run your own life, somebody else will!
Start as you mean to go on, That's what I say! , So I am proud to say I got my A into G and took 5 new pieces to the Manly Art Show and today they are being seen and enjoyed, new work too, from the meagre pieces painted in last 6 months, few direct responses from life on driftwood
and 2 medium canvases about emotions and the visuals of how I felt but was unable to voice...
Not too shabby, have been inthis same show for 25 years so good to still be here!
Didn't end up having a sale as such, just felt like prostituting myself to get money so i gave away 9 piecec over the last months and that filled the need to make room for the new, and find the right places for them to spread the love.
Gallery is no longer but I am so you are very welcome, just give us a buzz first.
Peace and Love to you all, hope you are all in sound mind and health
Oh and totally chilled tooo C U xxx

Where, What? Jo Bain?

Well i missed August, in fact very often time has no meaning, it goes fast, other times slow....
Can't believe its 6 months since my operation and a year nearly since i first found the lump...
Not the year I had planned, of course but I have learn't alot about myself, lost my old self really and have gone back to zero and have to pick myself up and start again...
Have struggled to get back in to life, sorta strange to shake off being in 'sick mode' so time to get stuck into a new project... have listed new work on website and have a sale mid September planned, last year I let NINE go at bargain prices, made a whole lot of people happy and made room for the new work. What is next?
Off to Wenderholm to paint for a week and totally chill out, be one with nature!

New Paintings "History in the Making" detail

My starting pint was from research of real windows in France

"New Life" 2011

Also to folllow; detail "History in the Making" A new techinque I'm returning to more and more
of old drawing on the painted surface, its a bit lika doodle or scribble but quite satisfying and somehow elusive at the same time

Art News Jo Bain

You make a living from what you get
You make a life from what you give
Winston Churchill quote I saw in hospital, so true
Very quiet week, detoxicing from all the drugs poured into me for 5 months,
I feel a little lost, lucky I have the family round me and a project to complete, I love a challenge, painting a Manniquin for the Wearable Arts, in Warkworth over the month of August,
very interesting how the shape influences the paint. Will post a photo when done !!!
Also entered the Depot, in Devonport, Portrait Show starting this week...
Sending one of my new people panels I've begun of medieval style people at important moments in life, this is New Born, the emotion and colour, its like burqundy crystals, stain glass windows portrait , very different style for me. I like all the black, great contrasts.
My solo sow is on in Northcote until 3rd august at NorthArt. beautiful large pieces painted all but one at Regional parks in this neck of the woods, some lovely paintings of the light through the trees and old gravestones among trees and flowers. Come and see me in there, I am on duty at the Gallery, 31st July 10 to 4pm email is currntly out but call me for detailsPh 09 424 1190

ART NEWS FROM JO ! Done and Dusted!!!!

DONE! DELIVERED! SHOW WAS BUBBLE WRAPPED,
20 HUGE PIECES /TRAILER FULL! TARPAULIN ON! [and bucketing down]
AND MY LAST CHEMOTHERAPY TODAY!
FOR AN ENCORE HAD TO TAKE TRAILER TO CHEMO!
WAS SO COOL,
they hang show, choose pieces, do advertising/ invites/ Opening, food, its funny I thought it would be hard to let go of control, they may not even pick my favourites, but it feels GOOD,
I really feel so happy for myself,
firstly completing a goal I had ,THREE years ago, to work slowly on these big pieces,
paintings that would SAY something, [more political?] maybe just a stronger voice, a honest, Pure, in you face, look! Listen!, I often add words now and have to say I was pretty proud of myself still completely project, what with this and that,
gave her gallery, NorthArt, Paintings to choose from and I am at my low LOW moment with chemo, supposed to be in bed dribbling.... nah, way over rated.....
Now hope you can be there, on SUNDAY for the Opening 4 to 6pm at Northcote,
you have to see this, I am super excited to SEE what they have done with them [as I won't have seen it either...]
loading pictures of new Paintings on website to coincide with Exhibition 'Switch".
My own family don't recognize them as mine, can't wait to see the reaction.....
If you need more info. call us at pH 09 424 1190 Or North ART website or pop to mine www.artistjobain.co.nz
Hope your life's are as blessed and wonderful, aren't WE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE!

"Switch" Jo bain's Exhibition Opening July 17th 4pm

Feeling so GOOD right now, got a chemo tomorrow, but never mind that, my head is on advertising, posters,finishing, the Show is a WEEK away, well less than until I drop off work, wow, its amazing feeling;
Seeing things through, completely a task, for years I have worked on these, all my life I have had this faith in myself, and to get to the finishing post,
even one you set yourself, to complete this vision I had
of a whole room of works in a perfect space/ loads of light/ white walls /on these fabulous canvases/ raw, real and in your face,
full of emotions that people would not be able to ignore, be polite, not mention,
to look upon that which is not visual but what we feel, the things we all recognize and know but do we really look?
The world seems behind me at the moment, the wind at my back, the perfect people turning up and helping and now a chance to be part of Wearable Arts in Matakana,
hey every day is GOOD DAY Hope to load photos on website next week so watch out for that, this week I'm orange/red/purple and pink [ in life and in the Art]
so very intense and upbeat, quite a wonderful resonance!

Art news Jo Bain

Amazing what a little change of attitude can make....
bit shocked to find i hadn't finished my chemotherapy as told, but have been so good
I get more, hey I know only three, but I've decided thats okay, after all,I'm not letting that STOP ME!!!!!
Have decided I am over being sick/ hospitals/drama and have starting teaching this week and I can't stop painting, cooking, writing, just told chemo i'd be late as had work til 1.30, in fact seem to go when it suits me now! Even the hair has started to be a soft fuss, that's not supposed to happen until 6 to 12 weeks after chemo is over, yes even my hair is stubborn.
Exhibition has to be packaged and delivered in 12 days,
no worries, have 25 large pieces to choose from!!!!!

Never mind, just have to handle being spoilt for choice, huh, and maybe book the next show.
Ponsonby, Devonport, Newton Galleries interested all interested !
Just remember,
EVERY DAYS A GOOD ONE

Jo Bain ArtNews/What do you Seek?

Only one month to my solo show, "Switch"

It's been very intense with them all in the studio, three years of work and with seeing this finale coming together before my eyes ,its exhilarating, and the paintings are bubbling forth,

surely I should be tired and finished but each piece starts another, several trips to beg borrow more paint, these HAVE to be painted... I should be pulling threads together, better not come unravelled... Just have walk without FEAR and all is possible.

Going to be the most exciting thing to see them with the beautiful light,

[ NorthArt is a wonderful space] we are all seeking something, is it light or the LIGHT?

I CAN SEE the whole pattern,We look for fulfillment in all the wrong places, rushing here, buying this, always busy, seems so hard to find peace , a moments silence, we are bombarded with sensory overload at every turn,

when did it become about quantity, NOT quality?

Being home sick for all these months has made me see, truly see ...

The world is inside out and we are looking at every thing upside down, what is truly important, what do we cherish...

What would break your heart, what would leave you broken???

I have been right down to the nothingness and you are still you, intact, pure

How beautiful is that?

Latest NEWS: JO BAIN Dragracing!

I feel fearless. I feel alive.
Spent Sunday drag racing my new car, my 50th b'day present, complete with
flame job, ,mitre high Celtic cross on bonnet & Tree of life on boot , Crucifix daggling from mirror and wait for it.....
on a Jag XJ40!
Was actually at a small "Jag members" meeting when I raced, they couldn't keep me off the track,
Loved IT! Doing 16.3 sec runs on the quarter mile, speeds of 150km plus, just rather into it! only woman racing too!
SO will cars now feature in my Art, you never know, Painting I started Friday is bloody fierce!
look out for " Always Another hill to climb", this series is looking strong and fearless too...

INSPIRATION to infinitiy and back

I am inspired by everything, birds flying by the window, a new shoot on my orchid , paints on sale, the leaves fluttering inthe wind, autumn, the cool of winter coming...
Yes, I know I am very VERY annoying! I see the silver in every cloud and the brightside of everything... sometimes I stomp about in a black temper,
especially if I can't paint, that is not pretty.
YES, definitly best for me to keep postive because your energy can be used for good or bad, you know how much you can achieve when you are angry!
Just don't use machinery or do anything delicate, ok.
Thanks for the awesome postive comments, I am so socially deprived now that even the outing to bank and supermarket looks good, bad state of affairs,
so keen and ready for a coffee out, definitly a visit to some beautiful trees....
If you see a very bald colourful woman photographing churches in Stanmore bay, and generally loitering, as they build a new church on a 120 year old site,don't worry....
Or, photographing wind blowing leaves in the middle of the road in Manly
that wasn't me, I know nothing, I know NOTHING
BUT getting out feels good again.... painting gates are bursting at the seams [hee hee]

Artist Jo Bain News: One Happy Chappy from the Cancer wards!!

Artist Jo Bain News: One Happy Chappy from the Cancer wards!!: "Had a bizarre week, or 2 , don't know what week that was, actually.... Total lack of short term memory now on this chemo stuff ,but I can st..."

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Two New Exhibitions* The Original Art Sale plus a deferral at Hospital

Yes , I was accepted, for the Original art Sale in Manukau, its a huge event at Telstar Clear events Centre, always feels good.Shouldn't need outside validation but can't help but be pleased. I used to do all the National competitioons, but its a huge cost and the courier parcel is a physic quantum puzzle nightmare of tape and huge/odd shapes, still working on the patience ...
So, I failed to have enough blood counts for more chemo, number 4 , but did manage to put 4 awesome pieces into exhibition, in fact some onto it collector could pick up a bargain,
one is a beautiful piece in Gaugains style " Families that work Together Stay together"
A small watercolour painted in Fiji, RakiRaki plein air, A green and turquoise river scene
"Washing Day" and a soft gold ,cream and red palm Tree, simplicity...
Also managed to drop off on same day two paintings to NorthArt for the members Show, hopefuly another 2 selections, more on that soon...
Awesome to see space for my solo July Show, "Switch" WOW! great space, beautiful lighting,
keep July 17th free for opening, can't wait to see them hung, I'm inspired, boards lined up, just work on that energy factor...

Art News from up on the hill in La La Land!

I am feeling very VERY vague, hey worse than usual ,but its all supposed to be like this, right? but often is pretty hilaroius in reality, as I forget everything, everything...
so I may well be a danger to myself as I continue to cook ,paint, and you know, live my life with nothing in my head, can't remember ANYTHING!!!!
Slow progress on the Painting, but slow and steady, quite interesting having to take my time and having so little energyetc
as I am writing, drawing, researching, relaxing and nuturing me so when the moment comes the paint just puts in down like a sweet song, just simple.

Half Price Artwork at Home Gallery/ANNUAL SALE IS ON!

If you have always wanted to pop in or know someone who may want to,
come this week to The Hole In The Wall Gallery, 23 Ardern Ave, Stanmore Bay
Call 424 1190 or otherwise open 10 to 4pm, Weds 20th to Easter Monday
This time of the year I let a few go out the door, make room for more, have to sell a few to keep up supplies of canvas,even though I have 4 beautiful huge canvases begging to be started, and a few small pieces half finished... come up and see what I'm doing, or have a chat, low in energy but I'm pottering into it slowly. Third chemo under my belt, can't say it isn't knocking me round, but I'm through the worst!

Go Van Gogh, he painted through all his sufferring, right

All I needed was a quiet week, but it was quite the opposite...full of drama
But an artist loves a bit of emotion and intensity,
nothing like a bit of Adversity to feed the soul !
Hence my hat is off [ and hair] to Van Gogh for painting no matter how hard it got, no matter what life threw at him ,he kept his faith, his Faith in " the Paintings" that had to be painted....
This new series is in 12 panels, I am currently onto the 4th piece and have drawn up the sketches for 5 more. Nice to feel this excited again.
I mostly do not have the energy to paint at present, but sketch/research/ read and think alot more, before the painting is started, So it's a bit like Art Schooldays, showing a physical trail that got you to the end result, ie. this series
Its very Different!
This will be for a Exhibition late in the year< I always have to be painting for 6months ahead of deadline! Watch this space!

Busy Busy!
Am organizing the advertising for NorthArt Show in July, its called "Switch",
the Best huge canvases [36" by 48"] and ART work from the last 3 years.
Also organizing Annual Easter Sale here at the Home Studio/gallery too, more details soon
Or email me at gallery@jobain.co.nz for info

Art Chat from Rodney Artist Jo Bain

From in the midst of my chemo

My knight in shining armour fixed everything! rang the hospital, got stronger medicine within an hour it was faxed, picked up and I had relief from nausea 24/7 , 24 hours, instantly.
Gone after 3 minutes!!!!!!! One month of putting up with being so sick, hey, isn't chemo like this?
Gone ,GONE, I laughed out loud and couldn't stop!
Being Jo Bain, I started to sketch, by the next day started to paint, i felt like me again, in fact I think this is the best work i have ever done.
I might be onto some of the most important series of paintings in my career....
Am I strange to be enjoying my cancer, does that make me an optimist ?
or plain crazy, to always see the silver lining?
I feel absurdly happy and good about life, I am in a good place with so many joys
and all those beautiful people in the community being nice to me, I feel lucky.
I must update my website with new photos, some of the new stuff sells as I finish it,
maybe not only I can see they are good paintings.... so pleased the creative flame in me still burns on.... www.artistjobain.co.nz

"Quiet Time"by Jo Bain

Been a very quiet time, but I really am appreciating the time to slow down and take a respite, to just be in the moment and appreciate all the small joys each day brings.
Have just completed my second chemo and have lost my hair, feel embarassed to be even worried about such vanity but you really do still feel the same, your spirit is intact and untarnished.
Energy is low but still manage to draw the ideas and read /research ideas, and in the future these paintings will come in with a hiss and a raw!!! Even began a journey!
Have been accepted for the Original Art Show and paintings are ready for Easter Show, it has to be work from the current year so its great that i am usually so prolific because I had finished some special ones from plein air painting of trees at Wendlehlom and local trees at Stanmore Bay.Also
working on spontanous pieces that I do just for me to get the emotions out, very raw, direct and simple, they come from the place of nothingness so don't have to be important, or to have an end result but actually really like them, often finished off with drawing on top of the canvas.
Funnily enough I have sold everyone people have seen so life sure is full of surprises...

Painting everyday!!!!!!!

Have been delighted that I have been able to get into the studio and do more than
Think and Look!
Its been along time since I have had that energy,
sometimes it felt like that creative part was GONE but its been 10 years since activity level has gone so low, but even during surgery and recovery I did manage to potter and at least draw.
Now I have 18 weeks of chemo and was daunted to think I wouldn't get any thing done, for all that time, definitley not patient!
But have found that pottering every morning in the studio has been very productive, its as though I use my time more effectively or maybe see what needs to be done very clearly.
Put 3 pieces into the Estuary Show in the end, including one that got slashed
and ripped until it said what it had to say.
Now resolving some unfinished pieces, as well as working on this new series of people in front of a Stain Glass Windows, medieval looking ,great black contrasts .
Working on one today with all the late fall of summer and the carpet of Pohutakawa, green and red in vivid display, fabulous !

Exhibition News

Been a quiet summer, but not going to let a little cancer slow me down! Just completed an exhibition at The LakeHouse Art Centre, Jan 11th to the 3oth, thank you to the wonderful help of staff there.
Next on is the Members Show at the Estuary Art centre, starts next week ,on 3rd of March,
I have a very special piece, for an aptly named show ,'Reflections',my first day of Chemo too.
I am painting or drawing when I can and recording the emotions and feelings for expressing at a later date. Having an exhibition in July at NorthArt , 12 of my big canvases can be enjoyed how they should be seen, in a wonderful new space, but lots to do before then.
Easter Show and Original Art Show coming up fast now, time to get back into the studio, so not being able to teach or gad about could be good for me! An Artist loves a challenge!

About Jo Bain - the artist

Jo has always been painting, cutting, drawing, attending art courses from a early age. She trained in 1980 at NSTC working for 17 years as a kindergarten teacher making the most of 12 weeks break a year to paint. Every few years relieving teaching to enable her to paint for more days a week. The freshness of the children's colours, their openness to use a variety of mediums and their lack of preconceived ideas has been influential.

In 2000 Jo began full time art training at Hungry Creek Art n' Craft School, giving her the confidence to become a mixed media artist working in Acrylic, watercolour, ink, pastels and recycled textures. In 2001 Jo began to enter competitions - winning both The Pumphouse Award and Third overall in the Royal Easter Show. Jo was accepted for many prestigious shows including the Goldwater Art Award - Waiheke, The Original Art Show - Auckland, The Affordable Art Show - Wellington and she was merit prize winner twice in the Franklin Art Awards.