Still testing the water for works paintings

This is another of the larger experiments as I feel my way towards a process I am happy with for the Freezing Works series of paintings. The process is much the same as with my previous post. I am still feeling good about this general direction, if not the actual result so far, which needs a lot more work yet.

Working on the works paintings

Just so you know that I really have been working – even though I have not posted much of late. I am still not sure how I want to tackle the actual paintings so have been doing some more experiments, working bigger this time (about A3 size).

I started with a layer of old sewing pattern collaged onto heavy watercolour paper with gel medium. This gave me some text and lines, much like the graffiti that is all over the works buildings. Next I put on really loose washes of Golden Fluid Acrylics, with no real scheme in mind. Over that I added more lines, this time using ink and a fine needle, courtesy of our vet clinic! Once all that had dried I started adding more colours, making some of the colour a bit more opaque, thinking about where the light and shadows are. These are still really only just beginning, but I think I may have found a direction I like…

Lots of little trials

Yesterday I spent a few hours doing more than a dozen 16×10cm tests on Bockford paper using fluid acrylics, pencil, pen, oil pastels, pastels and Indian Ink. As usually happens, I started off quite tight, drawing what I could see. Then, as I got used to the image and the shapes, the works got looser. There are a couple that are heading in the direction I want – both have at least some of the hazy, layered quality I am looking for.

These were all based on just one of the photos so there are more samples to come before I get to a stage where I am heady to bring out the canvases. Not that the paintings will be based on the test runs, but these wee works will certainly inform what I do, and help get my brain and hand familiar with the subject matter.

A whisper of grass

I have been working towards a couple of exhibitions, including the annual NZ Art Guild exhibition “Out of the Blue”, and have finally finished everything I need to get done. The last works will be in Monday’s courier. Yahoo!

This is the last work to be signed and made ready for hanging. It celebrates the wonderful warm colours of the land here in New Zealand as the first spring growth of grass pops through in the paddocks around us. It’s more about how I remember that time of year, and how it makes me feel, than about the actual look of the landscape. It is 10×10″ acrylic on gallery wrap canvas.

A whisper of grass

Some results are in

So far, so good. The health authorities released initial test results today, which show no asbestos on the dust samples they collected around town the day after the fire. Results from the air samples they collected will not be available for another 36 hours or so.

I spent my Saturday at work, handing out rubbish bags and gloves for the clean up, and repeating the advice I have been provided with. Human nature can be a funny thing and, in the last two days or so, I have seen some of the best and worst that stress brings out in people. Obviously because it is my work I can’t say much, but I will say this. It is often the people who have encountered the most risk, with the most to lose, who are also the most patient and understanding that some answers cannot be provided instantly. Enough said!

On the home front, most of the smoke smell has gone thank goodness. I have a bit of a cough etc, kind of like hayfever, but that’s all. Just a normal reaction to exposure to yucky smoke.

I have to work again tomorrow, Sunday, so hope things go well. Having dealt with 600 worried people in two days, I’m a bit tired out.

And the smoke goes on

Well, we got off fairly lightly yesterday cos of the wind direction. But woke this morning to a very smoky house, despite all the windows being closed up tight. I had a nasty headache by 10am and, 5 Panadol in 2 hours later, headed home leaving my staff to battle it out. I felt bad leaving them, but was barely coherent.

It’s incredibly quiet in the streets, like living in a ghost town.

So how is it going? Here’s some “highlights” from the media releases:

Patea residents can expect to receive information tomorrow about what they can do to minimise risks of asbestos contamination as a fire at the derelict freezing works site continues to smoulder at the southern approach to the town.

We will not know the true level of risk till Monday when we expect to reserve results of testing for the presence of asbestos in the town.

“People should remain indoors where possible and keep doors and windows closed. It’s important that children be kept away from any dusty areas that may contain soot and debris from the fire.”

Mayor Dunlop said the Council would have two farm effluent irrigators sprinkling water from the Patea River on debris at the Freezing Works site tomorrow. “By keeping the site damp we can minimise the risk of wind carrying any contamination towards the town or other areas. And the Regional Council is investigating options that may be available to keep the site safe from wind longer term, while we assess the best ways to permanently clear all traces of the fire damaged buildings.”

Huge emergency in town :-(

The disused freezing works in town caught fire last night. There is a lot of asbestos in the buildings so it is quite dangerous, and masses of acrid smoke. They evacuated everyone who lives near it during the night.

Today they are evacuating up to 300 more people whose houses are in the ’smoke zones’. All the shops are closed, and the day’s big Waitangi Day party in the park has been cancelled.
Those of us not being evacuated have to stay indoors for up to 3 days with all doors and windows closed. My husband is out on the ambulance helping to evacuate the rest home first, then individuals with medical issues.

Mum and I have battened down the hatches – doors and windows closed, extra water in saucepans… I keep a civil emergency kit anyway, so we have food, medicines, disinfectant and so on.

It’s been a busy morning though; because I work for Council lots of people are ringing me trying to find out what is happening and what they should do.

My only real concerns are: our 4 cockatiels and 2 Galahs in the outside aviary, I’m watching the smoke and will bring them inside if I need to. And Mum – she’s 83 and has serious health problems, so is probably quite susceptible.

All good though, we’re safe and sound.

Start of a new series

Yahoo! I’m into the new year with a vengeance. I have started a small series of 6×6″ acrylic abstracts based on views of the cliffs round Patea beach. They all use a similar colour palette but each one is based on a different vantage point or angle. They’re for sale on Etsy here and on my website here.

Where in the world?

Michelle’s latest challenge was about where all the Street Team come from. This is something I have already scrap booked. My digital camera has a flat battery, so I have scanned and stitched – hence the slightly scruffy image.

Patea is a small rural town of approx 1,000 people on the west coast of the North Island in New Zealand. Not always an easy community; over the years it has suffered from high unemployment, closure of its main industry, loss of a school etc. but fights on, and is looking good. Most people are employed now, the businesses seem to be doing well. It has always been safe to walk the streets…and as I go about my business I know most people by name.

It’s a good place to live.