Ali J Art & Illustration

Upcoming Show - Sketchel vs 696

The first of many shows coming up.  I'm still finishing off the canvas for the sketchel, and I'll reveal it a  little closer to the opening date for the exhibition.  I wish I could go and see it!

Burn Out

I'm sure everyone has had the feeling that they are starting to burn out.  It really hit me at lunchtime today.  I'd just come home from coaching young girls umpiring and market shopping for groceries when my mind just said "that's it I've had enough".  I was completely physically and mentally drained, in fact I'm still tired from thinking about it.  So I spent a few hours this afternoon doing something that involved reading magazines and watching television.... yet I can't really remember anything that I did.  I know I had homemade pizza for dinner... yum!

So tonight is my catch up night on answering e-mails, listing new artworks and finishing up on some illustration commissions.  I've got a few magazines that I'm due to be featured in September and October so I've also been creating top secret illustrations for those too.  They were a lot of fun!

Having no downtime is the only downfall to working for yourself.  I can't really afford to take a couple of days off as a break, I've got so many things to do.  I'm still completing my list of 55 projects to finish, and just as it was down to the magic 10 projects only left to go.... well you can add another 30 or so projects to that.  :)  I love being busy, but I need to remember to sit down and breathe every once in a while.

You may remember this painting.  Well, yesterday I had a fantastic phone call.  This is yet another of my gallery paintings to sell.  This one will be my first to belong to a public collection.  It was purchased by the Town of Vincent library.  I'm very pleased!

I had more wonderful news to tell you, but I'm so exhausted that my thoughts are drifting away.  I'll also share some new illustrations with you in the next few days when I get a moment of daylight to take some fabulous pictures.  Have a wonderful day!  xox

Powered by ScribeFire.

Art Exhibition Details

Hi!  I hope you are well today.  Here it is wet and miserable and I really don't want to leave the house.... but I have to because I have my first class for my graphic design course today.  yay!  Then I'm rushing off to the opening night of another one of my exhibitions which I'm really looking forward to.  I have been told that there are at least 100+ extra paintings then what can be displayed, so I won't find out until tonight whether my works will be included.  It's hard to tell with exhibitions as with some you really need to make your work stand out whilst others are more traditional.  We'll see... keep your fingers crossed for me.

I just wanted to provide some details for the Art Exhibitions that I'm participating in over the next few weeks.  This is one of those times that I wish I had a website!  I can't guarantee my work is in all the exhibitions as I'll find out myself on opening nights, but I'll update this post & blog as soon as I find out.   These exhibitions are all in Perth, Australia - but I will have more over the next few months around the world which I'll announce as they occur. 

City Of Joondalup Art Exhibition
In the centre of Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre, Joondalup Drive, Joondalup.
Open during shopping hours and closes Saturday 5th August.
"Blue Eyes and Wild Curls" - Acrylic on Canvas
** I have since discovered that my work was the first one sold on opening night in 10 minutes and could have sold many times over. Yay!  I'm so glad she is well loved.**

City of Belmont Art Exhibition
Belmont Forum Shopping Centre near Big W
Open during shopping hours, 30th July - 10th August
"Into the Night" - Mixed Media on Canvas
"Wishful Thought" - Acrylic on Paper and Canvas

Town of Vincent Art Awards
Town of Vincent Civic Centre, Loftus St, Leederville.
Open 11am - 5pm everyday except the final day which will be 11am - 3pm. Open from 4th August - 12th August
"Dreaming Of" - Acrylic on Canvas

City of Melville Art Exhibition "Water Works" Theme
Melville Civic Centre, 10 Almondbury Rd Booragoon
Open August 6th - August 16th (sorry no times were available to me)
"Stormy Seas" - Acrylic on Canvas

If you get the chance, and wish to see my work up close along with some other wonderful artists, pop down and have a look.  I can't guarantee my work will be shown at every exhibition due to the fact that so many people enter these exhibitions but I will keep you updated as soon as I find out.  I just thought I'd let you know incase you were in those areas and wanted a look.

Have a wonderful day!

First Art Exhibition

Tonight we attended the opening night of the Joondalup Community Art Exhibition.  I was so nervous about having my work exhibited.  I've hesitated about submitting work to exhibitions since I was a teenager, but I finally decided that it was time to overcome that hurdle, and just do it.

We were running a little bit late (we were running on "me" time) and arrived 15 minutes late to the opening.  We had a little wander, and a drink before looking for my work.  I was so nervous I was shaking so much that I could barely hold my drink.  I've had this nightmare the past few nights that my work wouldn't be displayed.  However, we turned the corner and all my dreams came true....

There she was!  Yipee!

Oh - and look closely at the bottom right corner.... she's got a red sticker.  "What does that mean?" I hear you non arty people asking (Don't feel bad - Chad asked).  Well it means that she has a sticker to match the colour of her top.  :P  Just kidding.  The sticker means she has sold!!!  Within 15 minutes of the gallery opening and by the end of the night only 1 of 2 works sold out of 140 (so far - Chad was counting). 

(I have since discovered she was the first work to sell at the exhibition, and could have sold many times over.  I'm so proud!  Information like this inspires me to keep creating.... I'm so happy.)

A few more works were reserved to be purchased later, some were still waiting for buyers and a few others were priced unrealistically to never sell.  There was one work which was a canvas wrapped in paper like a present and listed for 5 million dollars.  I guess the person thought they were funny by submitting it - but it certainly is a conversation peice.

I'm overjoyed and overwhelmed by tonights experience.  I love it when I can feel that all of my hard work is starting to pay off.  I'm off to be creative once more!