Montsalvat is Australia’s oldest surviving artists’ colony and still continuing today. It is set on 12 acres with many buildings, where various artists practice their crafts – guitar making, jewellery and art.

I went to Montsalvat to visit my friend, Jodi Wiley’s exhibition which is closing this weekend. Jodi paints amazingly detailed eucalyptus bark on small canvas.

I took a direct train to the end of the line at Eltham and then a quick connecting bus and then a short walk. After an extreme week of weather, Saturday had blue skies and sunshine, just perfect for exploring and wandering a small part of the 12 acres. After viewing Jodi’s art, I stayed three hours, relaxing and sketching in the fresh air and sunshine.

During my visit I used a few different styles of sketching, depending on the time and place.

I quickly sketched the peacock as I was sure he was going to go at any minute. However, he was comfortable with my presence and stayed for ages. I sketched in watercolour pencil and added a little water with my waterbrush.

I scribbled down the colours and shapes of the chickens. They were in a coop and did not stay still for long at all ! I used the waterbrush used to loosen up the sketches. As you can see, they do not have any detail. (a waterbrush is pen shaped, with a brush on one end and the body is a reservoir to fill with water.)

There were also some large geese and ducks that I wanted to draw but decided to move on as there is more to this place than ducks and chickens !

When I sketched the buildings I knew that I did not want to get caught up in their incredible detail. Many are built in a rammed earth style, looking hundreds of years old. It felt surreal as though I was in England, but surrounded by eucalyptus. And the buildings had corrugated iron roofs.

I wanted to sketch only a few buildings on the page. I was happy with the size and time I spent on this (I did not note the time – but it felt right). There were so many buildings that I could have sketched. The features and details are a sketchers and photographers delight. Another visit !

I then caught the train home…

2015 has been an eventful and amazing year.

I moved in September 2014 to Melbourne after 10 years of living in Sydney. The move provided so many new opportunities.

I started listing my achievements and was astounded at how much I have accomplished. Some of the things I have done were on my ‘to do’ list and others were on my ‘wouldn’t it be wonderful one day if… ‘ (medium and long term goal) list. Through the year opportunities presented themselves and I think I grasped most of them.

In this blogpost I have listed my achievements, links to the relevant website and then links to my blog post about the event (if you missed it and want to read up and follow my artistic adventures).

• Website   www.alissaduke.com I previously used to have a blog on Blogger but realized I needed more. I completely amazed myself by creating my own website.  I expected trauma and tears , but it all went smoothly thanks to well written instructions. It still needs a little work, but has the look and style I was hoping for . I used this book http://www.alannahmoore.com/ Create Your Own Website Using WordPress in a Weekend

Read about it at http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/01/welcome-to-2015.html

• I have a weekly blog . You can sign up to receive email notifications when I post a blog (like this one) . The blog is all about my art – what I am up to, hints and tips and sketching adventures.  www.alissaduke.com/blog

• Etsy . www.etsy.com/au/shop/AlissaDuke. I have an online shop to sell drawings . At the moment I sell my drawings printed on greeting cards (see the next achievement) . I investigated the options on where to sell online and decided on the Etsy platform. I have had a slow, steady and encouraging trickle of sales. Thank you to all who have purchased cards !
• Read about it at  http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/03/my-etsy-shop-is-open-2.html

• Greeting cards – I now have some of my drawings printed on 24 cards and 5 envelopes. I located a Melbourne commercial printer www.printtogether.com.au (from local recommendations).  They scan my drawings capturing the subtleties of watercolour pencil and are very patient with my technical ignorance.  The cards have the high quality look I wanted  and I am very proud of them .  I then sourced envelopes and cello bags and all the associated resources.

Read about it

http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/03/my-etsy-shop-is-open-2.html
http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/10/new-greeting-cards-for-sale.html
http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/11/my-christmas-cards-are-available.html

• Linden Postcard show. I entered three drawings in this local non-juried art exhibition. I was proud to see them on the walls

Read about it http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/09/linden-postcard-show-2015.html

• I have held three Exhibitions. Two were held at my local library thanks to the local community East Melbourne library who provide free display cabinets. They were my first solo exhibitions and had the joy of an exhibition without the stress of framing, pricing, opening night. etc. I learnt a lot along the way about display and how much work is involved .

http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/10/new-exhibition-of-my-sketchbooks.html

http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/07/my-first-solo-art-exhibition.html

I have an exhibition at the Supreme Court Library http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/11/my-supreme-court-library-exhibition.html . It is still on til 22 January 2016 if you are in Melbourne

• Uppercase – two drawing projects  (snail mail and airmail parcel) published in this prestigious magazine

Read about it http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/06/my-snail-mail-in-uppercase-on-etsy.html

• Commission x 2 nest and car. They are both Christmas presents so I cannot show you !

• Market stall – Holy Trinity church. I shared a market stall selling my cards. (which led to a commission)

Read about it http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/10/my-first-markets.html. I may have a stall in an artisan market next year and this was a good introduction to how it works, the reality and set up .

• Local general store – outlet for cards – East Melbourne General Store – the lovely new owner Lisette is very supportive and promoted and stocked my cards

• Simone Ridyard’s book Archisketcher: a guide to spotting and sketching urban landscapes , has my drawing of the Sydney Opera House Available from North Light Books and Amazon (click on for links).
• as well as filling seven Moleskine watercolour sketchbooks . see ALL my drawings on flickr

People

Another very important part of my year were the PEOPLE . I have met and sketched with Melbourne Urban Sketchers, Erin’s travel sketch class, as well as local and online friends. They are  all part of the   wonderful and supportive art community locally and online.

Thanks to everyone who supported my art by  liking or following on facebook., flickr, instagram or this blog  or providing guidance and advice along the way. Drawing is great fun but the associated activities  involved in sharing my art are another world. It is  sometimes a steep learning curve and an adventure . I am still learning. (As you tell by the formatting of this page as things don’t go where I want them to on the page)

Looking forward to  2016

• Urban Sketching Symposium in Manchester
• Drawings and text In Cathy Johnson’s book – next year Artist’s Sketchbook: Exercises and Techniques for Sketching on the Spot Paperback – July 13, 2016 . http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1440338809?redirect=true&keywords=cathy%20johnson%20art%20books&qid=1449776507&ref%5F=sr%5F1%5F2&sr=8-2&pldnSite=1

I am not sure what will be included along side of Cathy and 23 other awe-inspiring artists . I find it hard to come to term that I am included in this group.

• Two more commissions a house and a car
• Potential for more cars as this year s commission is advertised in the car club magazine
• A stall at artisan Markets
• An exhibition in July
• being the In-house sketcher at a series of events.

I am looking forward to the New Years artistic adventures and to see the wonderful places they will take and people I will meet. See you along the way !

I have been working at the Library since last September and have spent some of my lunch hours drawing amongst the shelves. At first I drew in my sketchbook and then when I realised they were really quite good, I drew on loose sheets of paper. This means that there are about six earlier drawings in one sketchbook, which is a lovely record, but not very good for displaying, as only one page can be opened at a time.

My colleagues became aware of my sketches and are very supportive.The Director and Supreme Court Librarian at Supreme Court of Victoria encouraged me to have an exhibition.

I am slightly overwhelmed and in awe as they are surrounded by traditional (and modern) portraits of the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Victoria over the past 175 years painted by great Australian artists, many of them Archibald Prize winners since the 1920’s.

There is no photography in the court precinct so I will have to sketch the exhibition!

I also added some whimsy to the display with sketches on paper coffee cups.

Earlier this year  I had greeting cards printed with some of these images – available for sale on my ETSY shop

If you are in Melbourne. Please come and visit  my exhibition which is on display until 22 January 2016 . The Supreme Court Library is open to the public  as well as the legal profession and is a working library, You just need to go through the security (like at an airport).

Please note that no photography is allowed in the courts precinct , including the Library.

Supreme Court Library

210 William Street, Melbourne

8.30 – 6.00 Mon – Thurs,  8.30-5.00 Fri