Monthly Archives: February 2010

Not too bad I guess!

This is the photo that is going in the local newspaper to advertise my fundraising venture for getting to Italy in May. The pear painting on the wall behind me is off to an exhibition in a week or two; the piece in my hand is a trial run for the Italy works.

I am selling art shares in the trip, you’ll find all the details a couple of posts back. If you are interested in an original piece of art work and more, for just $35, have a read and then email me. I’d love to hear from you.

Interviewed for local newspaper

I have just spent some time with a local reporter. He’s doing a story for the back page of next week’s paper about my forthcoming exhibition in Italy. Laird’s also going to talk about how I am selling art shares in the trip. For more details on how you can be part of the whole exciting project, see this previous post. That post also contains a PayPal button so that if you decide to join in, you just need to click the button. Now I just have to hope the photos he took of me turn out alright!

NZ Art Guild Challenge #18 – winner Most Creative

The NZ Art Guild challenge this time was to illustrate a saying, using only 5 colors including black and white. I chose “on a wing and a prayer” and entered a digital piece using only blue, yellow, black and white.  The finished piece is 10x15cm and titled “on a wing and a prayer”. The prayer is a Shinto prayer for world peace.

Update: this piece was the winner of the Most Creative award. Thanks to everyone who voted.

Amazing news – invited to exhibit in Italy

I have been invited to exhibit at Cassino, Italy in May of this year. The exhibition is for New Zealand artists with a connection to the Battle of Cassino and World War 2 to create artwork inspired by the theme Peace and Remembrance. The exhibition is titled LEGATO. Artist Kay De Lautour is organising the exhibition in conjunction with Cassino Commune (City Council). Kay had the final say on the selection of artists based on their artwork and portfolio, and has invited me to attend on this basis.

This is an amazing chance to showcase my work to an international audience. More importantly, it is an opportunity for me to honour my father, Mansel Barker, who served in the Navy (and would never talk about it), my best friend’s father, Jack Robinson, who fought at El Alamein and was a POW and her Uncle Roy who is buried at Rimminy in Italy.

Whatever happens, my paintings will be in Italy from mid May. I would love to attend the exhibition, visit historical sites and talk with veterans who are there for the annual commemorations.

This is where I need your help. I have to fund-raise the cost of the trip so I’m selling ‘shares’ in my trip. For only $35 I am offering:

  • A share certificate
  • A hand made commemorative postcard mailed back from Cassino
  • A full colour newsletter after the trip, talking about the exhibition and my experience of going to Cassino.
  • And by, Dec 2010, an original 15x15cm painting inspired by Cassino, “my three men” and the exhibition.

So, I have a question for you: would you consider buying a share in my trip and helping to make this incredible dream a reality? If you are interested please email me at cathsheard@xtra.co.nz or click on the PayPal button to donate straight away. If you do use PayPal, please include your name and address so I can start sending you your goodies.

Freezing works: lights on, no one’s in XV

After a bit of a break to attend to other things, I have photographed another painting that I finished 10 days or so ago. As with the others, it is based on photos of Patea Freezing Works. This one is a bit different. I was unsure about it, so was letting it sit for a while. People who have seen it have been really positive so I think I’m calling it done. It is 16×16″ acrylic on gallery wrap canvas and is for sale on my Etsy.

The demolition of the works is progressing quickly; most of the major structures above ground are no more. Except for the chimney, whose fate has yet to be decided…