http://www.collette.co.nz en-nz Collette-Contemporary Artist 30 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/403197 A bit about those things that frame our eyes, real or false, whats best? Click the image to read more my blog 005, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/403197 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/403242 Collette will be exhibiting with a group of artists at the Artists Den & Gallery in Milford Auckland, starting 7th Feb 2012 click on poster for details.... 005, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/403242 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/397461 The latest artwork by Collette Fergus, that first time you applied lipstick ,what a treasured memory! Mugs, coasters and jewellery + much more also available, check out the painting here and the shop for our new product range 052, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/397461 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/394790 Page two sees New mini 100mm x 100mm paintings of vintage and retro inspired artworks including new rockabilly tattoos, check them out here. Follow us on Facebook as well. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Collette-Contemporary-Artist/207833852561960 050, 6 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/394790 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/393412 The Jandals range of mixed media artworks by Collette Fergus, local Waikato artist have been a huge hit for Christmas. They make great gifts it seems what with their smaller size of 250mm x 250mm and fun kiwiana theme topped off with a unique glass and resin finish. Collette is happy to take orders if you would like one or even a set of two or three, but you will need to be in quick if its for Christmas. Check out Random on Grey,300A Grey St if you want one urgently. 049, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/393412 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/391754 Calling all budding vintage style pinups, rockabilly and vintage style vixens. Saturday 19 Nov 2011 Where: The Celebrating Age Centre, 30 Victoria Street, Hamilton Time: 9am-4pm....more info click on image 047, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/391754 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/390803 Opening again at 300A Grey St, Hamilton East 12th November - 4th December 2011. Supporting the Assistance Dog Trust. Six local artists including Collette Fergus. 046, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/390803 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/390802 I couldnt resist creating an artwork for this verse - Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive & well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, glass of wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO what a ride!' Amen to Boozehag Available as prints and cards coming soon 046, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/390802 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/388243 Random Connection is open again, this time we will be showing at Hamilton East, on the corner of Grey St and Cook St. Opening 12th November until the 4th December 2011 045, 1 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/388243 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/366704 Only last week I was exhibiting with a group of artists who most of us had the most......... click on image for more 029, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/366704 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/365611 The show must go on....but with more artwork, if you missed it so far we are staying on until at least the 16th July.....click on image for more details 028, 9 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/365611 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/361483 A group of Waikato artists with very random connections thought it would be a fun idea to exhibit together, this show being the first of.......click on image for more info 025, 18 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/361483 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/351314 How are the creative industries doing in this current global economy? Read on...... 019, 6 May 2011 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/351314 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/343177 This weekend saw the first street art market for Hamilton called ‘Art on Barton’ This event was designed to get local artists together and..........click on image for more 014, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/343177 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/340015 Saturday March 26th, Barton Street becomes an arts marketplace! Barton will be closed to traffic. So come and enjoy the day and take home some original art. Artists from all over the Waikato will be there displaying their work with some demonstrating. 012, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/340015 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/337389 How important are our hands to us artists? I’ve gone and done it again, cut one of my fingers in rather a bad way, two stitches bad so its........click on image for more 010, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/337389 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/333969 Finalists have just been announced for the Estuary Artworks art awards for 2011. Also just announced 'The Key' is the winner of the People's Choice Award 2011. The exhibition runs from 11th February - 9th March 2011 at the Uxbridge Creative Centre Gallery in Howick, Auckland where Collette is originally from.....click on image for more 007, 8 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/333969 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/328588 2010 Blog Review – what did I end up talking about? On day one I talked about what my plans were for this weblog; I had planned to write something every day and ...........click on image for more 001, 31 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/328588 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/328507 One of the top questions artists ask is how and where and should I sign my paintings? There is no real simple answer as to where or how as such but it is something you should do in that when..........click on image for more 001, 30 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/328507 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/328321 Christmas time in New Zealand doesn’t have anything to do snow and sleigh bells, quite possibly because of the 28c degrees average temperatures, so it’s about......click on image for more 052, 25 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/328321 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/326994 Language, we all speak it, in one form or another, but what about things like slang? For instance, in most cultures there are a lot of abbreviations of ‘real’ words that generally only they can understand. I think its gone from one extreme to another now though in that kids now talk in letters rather than use the full word like ‘F’ off” which we all know what it means, or ‘ATM’ which means’.......click on image for more 051, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/326994 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/325196 The traditional Christmas tree as we know it is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree which is usually meant to be.........click on image for more 049, 1 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/325196 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/325223 Artworks all measure 200mm x 200mm and are under $200 NZD. The concept of this show is that you can pick up a piece or two or three and take it away with you for Christmas.Invitztion on the image 049, 1 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/325223 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/328331 This website shows little clips on how to tie seven basic knots, I just love the name too ‘The art of manliness, which is..............click on image for more 049, 28 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/328331 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/314418 You hear of songs being reworked all the time, there’s always a new version or ‘dance mix’ coming out but no one really talks much about.........click on image for more 042, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/314418 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/312268 Art on Main Gallery in Tirau is holding a small canvas's exhibition for the month of October. Collette's entry 'Curiosity' (pictured won Highly Commended which was a surprise for Collette as she wasn't even aware it was a competition! The art is all for sale and on a cash and carry basis. Art on Main Gallery can be found at 17F Main Street, Tirau and is open 7 days a week. 040, 2 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/312268 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/311329 I only recently heard about these miniature works of art and what they are about. The concept is to create trading cards to swap with other artists that are a uniform size as 2 ½” x ....click on image for more 040, 27 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/311329 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/308095 If you ever needed a good excuse to open a bottle of champagne, here’s an excellent one: to take part in the annual........click on image for more 038, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/308095 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/306634 Artists should make an effort to enter art competitions for several reasons. The pressure of deadlines, the prestige of winning and the opportunity to get exposure of your work are the.......click on image for more 037, 10 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/306634 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/304849 Collette is participating in this show in Invercargill. Celebrating animals in artistic medium!...... Click on image for more 036, 1 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/304849 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/303939 Decision making, procrastination and getting your art finished. What do you do when you can’t make up your mind what to do first or what to do at all for that matter? Well you could try my suggestion of throwing a dart at a dartboard but Im sure there are better ways to get organised and inspired or whatever it is that is stopping you producing more work. Im having that dilemma myself at present but mine is more about having too much to do and not enoug 035, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/303939 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/303060 In landscape artworks a good rendition of clouds can be amazing when painted well. There are tricks to painting clouds well but the key element is.....click on image for more 035, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/303060 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/302898 Skulls and Crossbones, what does this mean symbolically? The skull and crossbones is a symbol consisting of a human skull and two bones as in long bones which are crossed together under the skull. It is generally used as a ......click on image for more 035, 22 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/302898 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/301607 This post is more about saving some money for the down times, as anyone who is self-employed knows; there are ups and downs with income and work. It’s something I ......click on image for more 034, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/301607 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/301608 I’ve just recently celebrated my birthday! I love birthdays especially since having children myself, they have taken on a whole lot more meaning for......click on image for more 034, 15 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/301608 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/301183 Dr Sketchys What is Dr Sketchy’s? Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art school is the world's premier alternative drawing movement. Artists draw glamorous underground performers like ......click on image for more 033, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/301183 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/301177 The famous anti art school has finally arrived in Hamilton so I popped along for the opening night. Was a fantastic night and I cant wait for the next one, more inof coming on my blog. But for now, here are some of the images of the sketches I did. I won the Best dressed and also the best sketch done with your opposite hand! Yeehah!!!!! Bar tab and gifts galore!!!! 033, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/301177 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/300679 Last night I attended my first Pecha Kucha Night, held here in Hamilton. I dragged my darling hubby along and he too enjoyed the interesting speakers and the quick fire talks that didn’t drag on like your usual speeches tend to.....click on image for more 033, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/300679 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/300433 The Eye of Ra or Horus (as its really called) is a powerful symbol of protection This symbol as shown in my dot picture was frequently used in......click on image for more 033, 9 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/300433 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/300301 Yes I know I know, you fell like bursting into song with that heading! Well feel free to because if you’re an artist which is highly likely if you’re......click on image for more 033, 8 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/300301 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/300254 It was surprising to see a smaller turnout for the awards this year, especially after all the fuss that went down in 2009. Needless to say the.....click on image for more 032, 7 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/300254 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/300082 You could be forgiven if you thought I didn’t like conceptual art after the fiasco last year with......click on image for more 032, 6 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/300082 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/299562 This annual show that is also a competition will be held at Thornton Gallery 298 Barton Street, Hamilton from the 6th August to the 3rd September 2010. Collette has three pieces involved in this show and is the curator for the 230+ artworks on show from artists all around NZ....... 032, 4 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/299562 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/299563 Pocket Rockets Exhibition gets a gold star from me! This exhibition being run by the NZ Art Guilds Tanya Dann, is being held at the Rocda Gallery in Dunedin from the......click on image for more 032, 4 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/299563 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/299360 I know we all hate the hard sell and there is nothing worse than pressuring someone to buy something especially something as personal as ......click on image for more 032, 2 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/299360 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/295212 Every now and then a painting surfaces that has been created by someone considered evil or infamous in some manner, the first time I ever heard of one was in a book about Hitler who the world knows as.....click on image for more 031, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/295212 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/294256 Now no one could possibly have all this happen at their exhibition opening (Although I have seen one or two of these really happen at other’s shows and possibly one or two at one my own!), so in a way it is a list to make you feel better if things didn’t go entirely to plan on your art exhibition opening night! Just for fun lets visit what.....click on image for more 031, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/294256 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/293993 Recently I mentioned that I’d had a go at needle felting and that I’m keen to try actual felting as it looks lie an interesting craft and since.....click on image for more 031, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/293993 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/293831 I own several crowns and a couple tiaras, they’re not the ,made of gold and precious jewel type ones, as that would be daft and I’d have to be pretty rich to own something so utterly useless to .......click on image for more 031, 25 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/293831 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/293307 Its no secret that I like to do crafts along with my art, it’s that need to create or see how to create new things. It’s also......click on image for more 030, 24 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/293307 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292927 No two ways about it, I love Lace, I like to wear it and I like to paint it, in fact it often appears in my artwork. I cant say Ive ever made any although I’ve certainly had a go at crocheting and .....click on image for more 030, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292927 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292318 Being an Octopus We all talk about needing more than two hands to get all the work done that we need to do each day. I know I certainly could do with a few more, what with.......click on link for more 030, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292318 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292084 Art Quotes and Sayings There are many quotes out there about art, my favourite being, “Support Living Artists, the dead ones don’t need it!” in that it is my goal to educate the world to invest in artists who are trying to make a ....click on image for more 030, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292084 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/291757 Fairfield Bridge is an iconic landmark in central Hamilton. Artists focus on it when painting or photographing scenery in the city, meaning I have seen.......click on image for more 029, 17 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/291757 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/291520 Every now and then the debate comes up as to whether or not we should change our national flag here in New Zealand. A lot of people want to change it because it’s so similar to the Australian flag or they want to see something that shows what we stand for as a country on our own merits rather than having affiliation to the UK with the Union Jack as part of it. Please keep in mind these are necessarily my views I’m just speaking broadly of what I see and he 029, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/291520 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/290622 Over 40 NZ artists bring you an amazing array of artworks including, paintings, jewellery, sculpture, glass art, textile and much more! The exhibition is for one week only - so make sure you mark it in your diary today so you don't miss out! Where: ROCDA Gallery, 73 Princes Street, Dunedin Opening: Monday 2nd August, 5:30pm - 8pm Exhibition Open: Mon - Fri 11am - 6pm and Sat 11am - 3pm 029, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/35154/290622 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/290711 As a kid I loved to colour in, and would spend many hours doing so, always in competition with my big sis as to who could colour in neater, she usually.....click on image for more 029, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/290711 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/289030 Most artists presume they get rejected from a gallery because their artwork isn’t good enough, but it’s not always the case. Having worked in several art galleries over the years, I know that.....click on image for more 027, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/289030 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/288881 We have all seen it, the way some artists tend to paint similar things when they’re hot and the buying public are snapping them up. The ‘Rangitoto and toi toi’ paintings common on trademe.co.nz, or the .....click on image for more 027, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/288881 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/288431 One Size Fits All is a small paintings show for artists from all over new Zealand, primarily to get a huge amount of local artists together in one place and give the public a chance to view a snapshot of as many artists as possible in one viewing! The show has been running for.....click on image for more 027, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/288431 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/288244 What do you do on a cold winters day in Hamilton if you’re an artist? You catch up with friends and do a studio session with them, maybe have a few .....click on image for more 027, 27 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/288244 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/288245 All species of poppies are attractive and most are cultivated as ornamental plants. A few species have other uses, principally as sources of drugs and foods. The opium poppy fir instance is so widely used, for ....click on image for more 026, 26 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/288245 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287791 Creating a brand for your art is important, its not just about creating a logo and having a marketing campaign either. Not only can a brand define ownership.....click on image for more 026, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287791 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287771 Arsenic is a colour believe it or not and there we were thinking it was just a poison, so today’s blog entry is about some of those colours that we wouldn’t normally have on our palette or we may have mixed by accident and never had any idea what they were called. Some of you will know as.....click on image for more 026, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287771 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287686 The painting today is a ‘red eye’ as in red eye deduction but that’s not one of my tips as we’re not working with people for this, it’s about ....click on image for more 026, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287686 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287574 Ok so there aren’t any dirty little secrets and this is one career that is not quite what you think, but I got your attention right? Art models are.....click on image for more 026, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287574 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287359 Once upon a time I trained as a window dresser. These days most stores employ a visual merchandiser instead in that they cover a broader range of merchandise display and not so much the....click on image for more 026, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287359 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287129 No doubt you would have studied some of the history of cave man art when at school, I certainly did. Most of it we don’t remember, but some of the images still stick in my mind, especially the....click on image for more 025, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/287129 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/286957 Some days Im simply stuck on what to say, I still have around half a year to write things for this blog, but hey at least I can celebrate making it to that half way mark! What do you write about when your desk is piled with papers and you know you have to get your.......click on image for more 025, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/286957 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/286367 Burgundy or Claret…are we talking the colour or the wines? Burgundy as a colour is a shade of purplish red usually associated with the Burgundy wine of the same name; this comes from the Burgundy region of France where that particular type.....click on image for more 025, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/286367 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285802 As an artist you often need to create a bread and butter line, or in broader terms, a line of something that sells quickly and easily and more importantly, often. This is your product that you can re.....click on image for more 025, 13 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285802 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285666 I have a book in my bookcase called ‘A Guide to Japanese Flower Arranging’ and I’m about to embark on creating some of the designs as I think they’re so simple and stunning looking. Im not sure how....click on image for more 024, 12 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285666 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285412 Did you know that in some Asian countries especially Japan, business cards are considered an extension of you, that’s why when they present their....click on image for more 024, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285412 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285284 Long nails have always been a part of my life. I like many others see them as glamorous and lady-like especially when painted up beautifully. When I was......click on image for more 024, 9 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285284 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285129 Cooking We have so many cooking programs on TV these days it’s become super competitive and the art of cooking has become so much more than it ever used to be. Top chef and celebrity chefs we have it all. Going to a restaurant means you get.....click on image for more 024, 8 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285129 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284923 Monarchs often appear in my art work. I think they are the most beautiful butterflies you can ever see and I’ve.....click on the image for more 024, 7 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284923 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284715 Buttons have always fascinated me, I remember as a child sifting through the mountain of buttons my mother had in her sewing desk, there were....click on image for more 024, 6 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284715 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292104 I came across this cute little poem about Rainbows, and thought I should share it with you. Rainbows have always held a fascination for artists, in fact anyone and....click on image for more 023, 4 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292104 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284719 This week I was invited to attend a Dry Media presentation at Gordon Harris, our local art supply store. It was a full house with lots of artists wanting to know a bit more about our most basic of art tools, the humble pencil. And I can tell you there was.....click on image for more 023, 3 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284719 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284091 We all know designing is an art form and I really should talk about fashion in that way but I think what I did last night was much more interesting. Now as some of you would know I like to.....click on image for more 023, 2 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284091 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/283970 Since the 1980s I have been infatuated with the flashy cocktail. It wasn’t about the alcohol content although it did appear to be sophisticated as an adults drink and the ‘mocktails’ us kids were given just.....click on image for more 023, 1 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/283970 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/283071 A tattoo is a marking made by inserting dark, indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment mainly for decorative reasons. Tattooing has been practiced for....click on image for more 022, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/283071 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284095 My favourite pottery is made by a local contemporary potter called Tammy Kuypers, her work is quite diverse and always unique in that it is so unusual you wont find anything else quite like it. Tammy’s work is.....click on image for more 022, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284095 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/282214 One thing I fear as an artist is loosing my eyesight. I woke up today with terribly bloodshot eyes caused from a makeup allergy and although it....click on image for more 022, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/282214 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292108 Cake making and decorating is not my forte; in fact to be honest I’m pretty hopeless at it! I would literally break into a cold sweat thinking about creating some master piece for my children’s birthdays as being an artist everyone expected......click on image for more 021, 22 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292108 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/281737 The word cartoon has various meanings, based on several very different forms of visual art and illustration. The original meaning was in fine art, where cartoon meant a.....click on image for more 021, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/281737 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292101 I Paint What I See "What do you paint when you paint a wall?" Said John D.'s grandson Nelson. "Do you paint just anything there at all? "Will there....click on image for more 021, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/292101 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285283 Most students have at some time made Papier-mâché at art class, it’s a staple art form for many schools and a nice in expensive way to make and teach sculpture. I recall my sister’s class once making masks which they got.....click on image for more 021, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/285283 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/281894 I must confess Im not a huge fan of mosaics although some artists who work in this medium do impress me. I myself probably wouldn’t ever try it, I don’t like stuff that gets all dirty and under my nails like grout or clay so it’s not on my.......click on image for more 021, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/281894 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/280908 I need to clean out my mobile paint case as its getting really heavy and hard to close. Its one of those things that....click on image for more 021, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/280908 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284716 Op art, also known as optical art, is a style of visual art that makes use of optical illusions. Back in.....click on image for more 021, 16 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/284716 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/283684 I came across this poem about art and what it would be like to live life without it. I thought it was lovely and wanted to share it with you.......click on image for more 020, 15 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/283684 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/283163 Who doesn’t like to dance other than the shuffling guy with two left feet who whose too self conscious to let himself go with the flow? I’ve always been a bit of a free-styler myself, but don’t ask me to waltz, its not......click on image 020, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/283163 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/282703 The most prized of colours or at least the metal Gold is anyway! Gold or golden as it is sometimes called, is made...click on image for more 020, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/282703 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/282047 I can’t knit, there I’ve said it! My Gran tried to teach me but she gave up after I created a....click on image for more 020, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/282047 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/281638 A stencil is a template used to draw or paint identical things like letters, numbers, symbols, shapes, or patterns every time it is used. You may have also heard of it called pochoir the term used in....click on image for more 020, 11 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/281638 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/281330 Well I obviously know a bit about weblogs because I write one but I’m no expert For me this is a way to work on my fledgling writing skills as one day I ...click on image for more 020, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/281330 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/279764 Post Exhibition Blues Got you there, Im fortunate enough to not suffer such things, as I like to look on the bright side of life as much as possible, it also helps to not have unrealistic expectations of....click on image for more 020, 9 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/279764 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/281074 There’s something special about foggy frosty mornings, some people hate them but I myself, well I really like them a lot. The air of mystery and suspense that’s....click on image for more 019, 8 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/281074 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/280924 Back in the olden days artists had lovely big baggy smock type outfits to go with their berets, it was some sort of artist’s uniform but it was also for....click on image for more 019, 7 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.collette.co.nz/webapps/i/21423/158835/280924