painting – artist teacher creative

Learning observational drawing skills at my workshop in early 2014. Photo by Samara Clifford.

Drawing equipment from my workshop in early 2014. Photo by Samara Clifford.

Hi guys,

Happy New Year. I’m so glad 2015 is here because I made some big decisions in 2014, some were more difficult than others but all has led to my new approach to work/life balance.

As most of you know I have started teaching workshops for adults, teaching watercolour, drawing and all other media. This includes printmaking, collage, acrylic painting etc. I will have more workshops throughout the year so stay posted to my blog.

This year I am going down to 4 days a week of teaching Secondary School Art and Visual Communication Design. This means I have more time to make my own art, yay, and I get to teach in a less formalised manner.

Starting this month I will be taking individual tutoring sessions for adults and children/teenagers (11 years of age and up) from my house. I am also interested in teaching for corporate functions etc. All the info for how to contact me about any of these teaching activities can be found in you click ‘LEARN’ at the top of my blog. Email me if you have questions at selbraine@hotmail.com.

I’m super excited to get my little business going. My first workshop this year will on Thursday 15th January at Work-shop Melbourne. Go to http://www.work-shop.com.au/event/painting-with-watercolour/ to get your tickets.

Hope to see some of you at one of my workshops.

Happy Saturday.

The beautiful Adele concentrating on her drawing skills. Photo by Samara Clifford.

This is Gerard being a most excellent water-colourist.

When I was growing up my Dad was always in the garden. Growing up in Queensland meant that ‘garden’ meant tropical paradise. Inside the house he always had exotic plants beautiful potted and perfectly set against the interior colours and textiles of our lounge room.

Now that I’m a grown up (kind of) the green thumb has been past down. I have potted many plants both inside and out. My favourite is the ‘cheese plant’ or Monstera Deliciosa. Houses from the 50s had these plants growing to huge heights with leaves the size of small children. Having bought an Eames book and looking at magazines on interiors, Luke and I bought a ‘cheese plant’ of our own a few months ago. It thrives in our light filled living room. It intrigues me, with it’s almost prehistoric shapes and curves. These plants have become super popular of late, with the leaves popping up in prints, paintings and store fronts all over Melbourne.

For weeks now I’ve been planning on painting the leaves for my Dad as a Christmas gift. To thank him for sharing his love of gardening with me. Above is my first attempt at trialling a compostion of the shapes and curves of the monstera deliciosa that I love so much. What do you think of it?

Happy Sunday.

artist teacher creative

Tag: painting

Tutoring, workshops and teaching in 2015

Cheese plants. I love them.