SENTIMENTS: Anticipation

2 more nights and it begins.

These last few months of preparation, stress, and uncertainty are all leading up to Sunday. I may have hung artworks at By Blackbird this time last year, but a gallery space and an opening event is a totally new experience.

I can say with certainty now, whatever may happen from here on, this has been one of the most valuable learning experiences for me. From choosing a venue to budgeting and promotions, I've learned things the hard way but it will stick with me forever.

Heck, I'm going to write up exhibition tips for new artists as a note to myself and anyone else who doesn't know where to start.

Anyway, to those of you who are coming to the exhibition, thank you so much for taking the time to venture out into the hills in this bone-freezing weather.

I have left one of my sketchbooks in the corner for you to write a message if you have the time, it would be such a lovely edition to my sketchbook.

To those of you who can't make it, I'll be back to blogging in another two weeks. New projects and major changes are underway. I have put off so many things to get this exhibition done, and now that it is up and waiting to be unveiled, I can't wait to show you what I have in store next.

SENTIMENTS Exhibition

Artists: Elaine Cheng, Avril Thomas, Erika Walters

Venue 

Magpie Springs - 1870 Brookman Rd, Hope Forest SA 5172

Date 

August 2nd - September 20th, 2015 

Opening Hours

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, public holidays: 11am to 5pm

Opening show on August 2nd at 2:00pm

Facebook Event

SENTIMENTS: Shanghai

How time flies! It's almost July, which means my exhibition is only a month away. 

SENTIMENTS is an exhibition of my travelling sketchbook. If you've been following me on Instagram, you'll see that urban sketching and journal writing has become a big part of my work. I love having the ability to record what I see, hear, smell, and taste with my pen and paper. In this exhibition, I'll be taking you to three cities that have made a significant impact on my life.

The first of these cities is Shanghai, where I was born and raised.

With every returning visit, Shanghai has developed and grown to epic proportions. Skyscrapers, shopping malls, night life... but it's the old houses that have almost crumbled, the dirty street markets with their slippery floors, the street vendors pushing their make-shift carts in the early morning, and our cramped little two-room apartment, that I look forward to the most.  

There's nostalgia down every alley, around every corner. It rings with every school bell and every blast of the horn from those damned cars. I used to look at all these aspects of Shanghai with loathing and shame, but now, it has become my favourite thing about the city. It has a personality like no other.

The best food was always from the street carts or the tiny family stores that barely had any room to sit. They certainly weren't the cleanest of places, but the owners were the kindest of people, and it was the most genuine soul food: Made fresh on the spot with countless years of experience and practice; because it was their livelihood. 

Have you been to Shanghai? What's your most vivid memory?

I'll be bringing you more snippets as my exhibition draws closer. For now, you can stay updated by following me on Instagram. 

SENTIMENTS Exhibition

Venue: Magpie Springs (1870 Brookman Rd, Hope Forest SA 5172)

Date: August 2nd - September 20th

Opening: August 2nd at 2:00pm

Facebook Event 

Snapshots: Of My Home

From Sydney to Brisbane... and now to Adelaide, I've lived in a few places but only one has been a home to me. At first, I despised it. Moving down to South Australia with its vast emptiness and underdeveloped suburbs, I craved to be back in a restless city full of energy.

"There's nothing to do here," I would complain whilst cooped up in my room with a computer and video games. When I finally took the time to get to know South Australia, there was beauty around every corner I turned. This is my home.