Peta Lloyd
Some insights about me
I am a collector of ‘things’, manufactured and natural.....I love the feelings associated with finding an object and exploring it’s parts, of imagining the life it has had, who has used it? Where has it been? What storms has it weathered? Has it been much loved? Or was it seen as useless and cast away in a careless manner? I ponder on the found ‘thing’s’ story? I wonder what new story it will tell when I connect it into my artwork?
My creativity is expressed in a variety of art forms, such as; printmaking, artist’s books, collage and assemblage. My Artist’s Books have all been of the ‘unique’ variety to this point, however, now I have my very own press I plan to produce some small editions of books as well as prints.
I prefer to use experimental approaches in my artwork, at times, mixing mediums and using techniques which are sometimes defined as ‘craft’ rather than ‘art’. For example using stitching in my work or using materials that are considered unusual, like, used teabags, recycled papers. I attach found objects, which can include common items like, bale twine, rusty bottle tops and seed pods.
I often present my work in a shrine type format, especially my assemblage work and at times my prints and collages.
I studied art through CQ TAFE and gained a Diploma of Visual Art in 2007. I also enjoy teaching others and have had the privilege of teaching ‘art’ to a variety of groups over the past 6 years.
Being a lifetime collector of things, I have naturally become an artist who has adopted a philosophy and a passion for up cycling, recycling and repurposing objects. This desire to recycle and reuse objects and materials can also be seen in my humble hand built home.
The above is a little bit about the arty side of me! But there’s more!!
I’m also a mother of three amazing grown up daughters. I also have two granddaughters and one grandson, who are all beautiful and very creative beings! I am married to a fantastic man, (Bruce); we live in our oval shaped mud brick house on top of a hill in a beautiful place called Coowonga, situated in Central Queensland. Our home overlooks the South Pacific Ocean to the East as well as hills and bushland to the North, South and West.
In order to pay the bills and keep food on the table I work four days a week with students and families at a Catholic Secondary school in Rockhampton as a counsellor. The other three days I spend at home working in my studio or pulling weeds from my overgrown garden, watching the birds that visit us or taking our very energetic pointer, Sirius, for walks. I also cook and sometimes I have to clean and iron, (my two least favourite jobs!)
I have coordinated three previous collaborations, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. All of the collaborations have played an important part in shaping me, both as a person and as an artist. One of the very best off shoots of participating in all of these collaboration’s, has been the friendships that I have formed with everybody. These friendships are very precious to me!
I am looking forward to another exciting and challenging journey with each of you as we all participate in the ‘Whispers Collaboration’ 2011 – 2012!! - Peta Lloyd - February 2011
Get to know me better at http://petalloyd.com
Tamara Allen
Hello All,
This august I welcome my 33rd birthday and I believe that I quite like the number. I changed my life professionally six months ago and it was the best decision I could have made for myself. I've had several years of unexpected and ongoing challenges that I've had to plough through but I feel as if I may have reached the calm in the storm.
Now to my artisit soul. This emerged when I wet my feet in a postcard collaboration which fizzled before its third round. There are a few of us who morphed out of the postcard collaboration and jumped into the Altered Book Collaboration (ABC). The ABC experience pushed me to explore, experiement and at times pull my hair out with artist block. Being part of a collaboration of people with different approaches was inspiring and exactly what I needed to grow. Of course the other upside was the connections made with some of the most generous and genuine people I have had the pleasure to meet.
I have also participated in a collograph workshop through TAFE with Michelle Kershaw which I found really spoke to me. I enjoyed the process as much as one can when dealing with ink and its tendency to be difficult (can be frustrating when you wipe away too much or too little from the plate after all the preparation involved). I then learned about photopolymer printmaking and this just cemented my love for printmaking (next big hurdle is my own press but until then I'm lucky that Peta likes my company, so I get to use hers). The perfectionist in me enjoys bookbinding probably the exactness involved in measuring, cutting and stitiching. It also helps that I have a compulsion for books.
Anyway there's a little history on yours truly.
Cheers Tamara.
Sarah Larsen
Get to know me better at http://petalloyd.com
Tamara Allen
Hello All,
This august I welcome my 33rd birthday and I believe that I quite like the number. I changed my life professionally six months ago and it was the best decision I could have made for myself. I've had several years of unexpected and ongoing challenges that I've had to plough through but I feel as if I may have reached the calm in the storm.
Now to my artisit soul. This emerged when I wet my feet in a postcard collaboration which fizzled before its third round. There are a few of us who morphed out of the postcard collaboration and jumped into the Altered Book Collaboration (ABC). The ABC experience pushed me to explore, experiement and at times pull my hair out with artist block. Being part of a collaboration of people with different approaches was inspiring and exactly what I needed to grow. Of course the other upside was the connections made with some of the most generous and genuine people I have had the pleasure to meet.
I have also participated in a collograph workshop through TAFE with Michelle Kershaw which I found really spoke to me. I enjoyed the process as much as one can when dealing with ink and its tendency to be difficult (can be frustrating when you wipe away too much or too little from the plate after all the preparation involved). I then learned about photopolymer printmaking and this just cemented my love for printmaking (next big hurdle is my own press but until then I'm lucky that Peta likes my company, so I get to use hers). The perfectionist in me enjoys bookbinding probably the exactness involved in measuring, cutting and stitiching. It also helps that I have a compulsion for books.
Anyway there's a little history on yours truly.
Cheers Tamara.
Sarah Larsen
Hi Everyone , I was born in Nairobi , Kenya and spent my formative
years there. I painted and drew and created from a young age (the dog
modelled some delightful designs and being white proved an excellent
canvas ) I was given a very large blackboard from that time on and
remember spending many happy hours there.
I divided my time between tending an assorted menagerie of wildlife in
my care and my creative projects. I recall trying to make myself
wings so I could fly and testing them rather unsuccessfully by
jumping off the shed roof .Many hours were spent making small boats
and rafts from 44gallon drums cut in half and lashed together which my
brother and I then raced down the river at the bottom of our garden .
these skills learnt then have served me well.
I had rather lonely but free childhood as my siblings had all left
when I was quite young. My parents were older,professional people and
one simply looked after oneself as they were busy with their lives and
not interested in pandering to a bored child. I accompanied my
father,who was an ornithologist and naturalist, on many expeditions
collecting for various museums and also with my mother on occasions to
the ante natal clinic where she was the resident doctor.
Schooling , uneventful and my memories of it rather unpleasant,
thankfully the education system has improved . At 17 I left Kenya and
travelled to the UK , completed my training (Veterinary nursing) and 2
days after I qualified set off across Europe and Asia to Australia to
experience the world.. I knew nothing of Australia before arriving
except that there were good looking guys on the beaches who saved you
(called lifesavers of course) and equally good looking young men
inland riding around on horses chasing cattle !! As this at that age was
one of my primary interests I found the idea of such a country appealing .
I travelled overland through countries which are now devastated by
war or other forms of man's greed. I am pleased I saw them when I did.
I arrived in Australia in 1974 and travelled around Australia working
at a variety of occupations. I eventually landed in Thangool , got a job
as a barmaid and the rest is history so they say. I married a local
farmer 12 months later and had 3 children (all now grown & making
their own lives) .I worked when my children were older at the dental
office in Biloela and was there for around 10 years. My art was with me
throughout this time but at that stage it was simply for my personal
pleasure and not my profession .
In 1986 I resigned my job,we built my studio (a beautiful bush
timber structure) with the help of many neighbours, and I started my
life as a professional artist. I have exhibited nearly every year since
then,
locally , interstate and overseas. I have been fortunate enough to
win some nice awards and scholarships which have enabled me to continue
my studies though various workshops and Art schools.
I was invited to represent Australia and exhibit in Florence in the
Biennale in 2003 and again in 2005, the later offer I had to decline
due to drought conditions on the farm. Last year (2010) a group of
Biennial e Artists got together again and did two group exhibitions in
Melbourne and Canberra. I also travelled to South America in 2005
painting there. I have been teaching art in many forms for around 12
years .
In 1999 I was introduced to another of my life's passions , Yoga. I
now incorporate my passions Art, Teaching, Yoga, Healing and
Spirituality (Reiki , Kinergetics and Intuitive Art and Emotional
Release) into the workshops I run.
I have recently entered a new chapter of my life with the delightful
addition to my family of my granddaughter Emma and her baby brother or
sister is in the production line as this is typed. It is a joy and
delight to have this little person in my life and what better excuse
could anyone have for playing even more. !!
I am looking forward to the experience of working with a new group of
Art Friends. I am enjoying the experience already although I am
challenged in working so small again as my recent works have been quite
sizeable . This will assist me to grow and expand , have fun, enjoy
great conversations and create new friendships. I am delighted to be a
part of Chinese Whispers.
Namaste, Sarah
years there. I painted and drew and created from a young age (the dog
modelled some delightful designs and being white proved an excellent
canvas ) I was given a very large blackboard from that time on and
remember spending many happy hours there.
I divided my time between tending an assorted menagerie of wildlife in
my care and my creative projects. I recall trying to make myself
wings so I could fly and testing them rather unsuccessfully by
jumping off the shed roof .Many hours were spent making small boats
and rafts from 44gallon drums cut in half and lashed together which my
brother and I then raced down the river at the bottom of our garden .
these skills learnt then have served me well.
I had rather lonely but free childhood as my siblings had all left
when I was quite young. My parents were older,professional people and
one simply looked after oneself as they were busy with their lives and
not interested in pandering to a bored child. I accompanied my
father,who was an ornithologist and naturalist, on many expeditions
collecting for various museums and also with my mother on occasions to
the ante natal clinic where she was the resident doctor.
Schooling , uneventful and my memories of it rather unpleasant,
thankfully the education system has improved . At 17 I left Kenya and
travelled to the UK , completed my training (Veterinary nursing) and 2
days after I qualified set off across Europe and Asia to Australia to
experience the world.. I knew nothing of Australia before arriving
except that there were good looking guys on the beaches who saved you
(called lifesavers of course) and equally good looking young men
inland riding around on horses chasing cattle !! As this at that age was
one of my primary interests I found the idea of such a country appealing .
I travelled overland through countries which are now devastated by
war or other forms of man's greed. I am pleased I saw them when I did.
I arrived in Australia in 1974 and travelled around Australia working
at a variety of occupations. I eventually landed in Thangool , got a job
as a barmaid and the rest is history so they say. I married a local
farmer 12 months later and had 3 children (all now grown & making
their own lives) .I worked when my children were older at the dental
office in Biloela and was there for around 10 years. My art was with me
throughout this time but at that stage it was simply for my personal
pleasure and not my profession .
In 1986 I resigned my job,we built my studio (a beautiful bush
timber structure) with the help of many neighbours, and I started my
life as a professional artist. I have exhibited nearly every year since
then,
locally , interstate and overseas. I have been fortunate enough to
win some nice awards and scholarships which have enabled me to continue
my studies though various workshops and Art schools.
I was invited to represent Australia and exhibit in Florence in the
Biennale in 2003 and again in 2005, the later offer I had to decline
due to drought conditions on the farm. Last year (2010) a group of
Biennial e Artists got together again and did two group exhibitions in
Melbourne and Canberra. I also travelled to South America in 2005
painting there. I have been teaching art in many forms for around 12
years .
In 1999 I was introduced to another of my life's passions , Yoga. I
now incorporate my passions Art, Teaching, Yoga, Healing and
Spirituality (Reiki , Kinergetics and Intuitive Art and Emotional
Release) into the workshops I run.
I have recently entered a new chapter of my life with the delightful
addition to my family of my granddaughter Emma and her baby brother or
sister is in the production line as this is typed. It is a joy and
delight to have this little person in my life and what better excuse
could anyone have for playing even more. !!
I am looking forward to the experience of working with a new group of
Art Friends. I am enjoying the experience already although I am
challenged in working so small again as my recent works have been quite
sizeable . This will assist me to grow and expand , have fun, enjoy
great conversations and create new friendships. I am delighted to be a
part of Chinese Whispers.
Namaste, Sarah
Get to know me better at http://sarahlarsen.com.au
Shelly Fitzgibbons
I love to be quiet.
Don’t get me wrong, I can be the life of the party but I just love being quiet … watching … waiting … hoping I will make a connection with something or someone in a way that hasn’t happened before. This is particularly special if the place or the person is already well known to me.
I work part time in research (I am a Physiotherapist) and am passionate about knowledge, especially science. I make it my business to stay informed about health and wellbeing so I can look after myself and my family well - Husband Greg and Daughter Lauren (just 18 and off to Uni).
Artistically I am an embryo. I have learned though, that I regularly need to liberate the inventive chi within. Fortunately, this takes on many different forms, as I tend to get bored easily. I take pleasure in:
photography (just made the switch to DSLR)
reading (fiction and facts, particularly chemistry and physiology)
writing (I am about half way through a musical script and score)
music (listening, playing and writing)
paper (I buy paper just to look at it and feel it)
My husband thinks I’m suitably certifiable.
Recently I have been exploring the combination of abstract photography with art based on a word or a theme. Chinese Whispers is a perfect playground for me J
I am really excited by this collaboration (my first) and I wish to specifically thank my friend Jen for being so inclusive. Cheers to Chinese Whispers.
Jen Conde
Jen Conde
The Artist Book Collaboration, expertly managed by Peta Lloyd in 2010, opened my eyes to how much fun it can be working with eleven other empowering and creative souls on a collaborative project. The process of getting to know these artists initially through their work and finally in person at our Brisbane get together was a fabulous inspiration to me over the entire 12 months. I am looking forward to enjoying the fruits of our Chinese Whispers collaboration over the next 12 months and engaging in a rich exchange of discoveries and insights on the Blog.
I live by the bay in Brisbane and holiday at the beach or on our boat, so the sea and water play a big part informing my artwork. I believe Art, like religion, is an attempt to explain our place in the world and use a range of materials to explore concepts of the sea, nature, spirit and my own place within. I enjoy working the surface, using pencil and mixed media, drawing, intaglio printing, paint and ceramics. There’s nothing better than being able to spend the entire day in my studio, doing the work I love.
So, now, back to the studio I go. Have fun working on your Whispers pages everyone….
Get to know me better at http://jenconde.com
Tracey Hewitt
Another of the Altered Book Collaboration collaborators, I enjoyed our last collaborative effort so much, I wasn't about to miss out on this one! I'm at my most confident among fibres, threads and textile 'stuff'. At times I've found the collage and painting elements of our collaborations a little daunting, but the support, encouragement and appreciation of this fabulous group of artists always keeps me buoyed! I love the way this makes me stretch, and am constantly in awe of the work of the other eleven...
I enjoy (among many other things) My family, my friends, photography, reading, learning, wine, music, lemon delicious slice and the sound of rain on the roof. Oh - and driving on my own with the windows down and the music really loud!
I spend too much time finding fascinating things on the Internet, and too little time exercising (although I do love yoga...)
Get to know me better at http://traceyhewitt.blogspot.com
Olley Bath
My re-interest in art came about when I did a mixed media workshop with fellow collaborator – Sarah Larsen – nearly 7 years ago. Since then I haven’t stopped trying to learn as much as I can.
I have dabbled in oils, gouache, but mostly acrylics. I have sculpted with hebel & pottery. I have created books, scarves, collages & artworks. I etched & printed an acrylic plate with my friends from BAVA & created a landscape without a paintbrush. I have discovered a love for liquid acrylics & I indulge my addiction with paper every chance I get. I love & buy handmade papers & I even gave that technique a go last year. I have started collecting more & more interesting things than I ever did before!!
All of these things make me a “weirdo” in my husband’s eyes, but I think he’s the weirdo because all of my children are collectors too. (He doesn’t stand a chance when we go on holiday). I have 3 beautiful children & a very cute, loyal & sometimes naughty Miniature Schnauzer, I own a shoe shop, I am doing an Administration Traineeship at our local power station, I am married to a very patient man – my best friend & just to make life really busy I like to think I am an artist too.
My passion at the moment is Coptic binding. I am currently selling my handmade books at the Mill Gallery gift shop in Yeppoon, Qld. I taught my first book binding workshop in February this year with another one coming up in May. Teaching was a new experience for me but one that was rewarding, as I watched eight very happy ladies walk out with a lovely book that they created themselves.
This is my 2nd book collaboration – my 1st being ABC – A Book Collaboration. I absolutely loved the experience & can’t wait for this one to unfold. I have met some wonderful lifelong friends whom I will have fun with in 12 months time wherever we may meet again.
