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Letting the rocks speak

12/23/2017

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Rocks are all unique. They have their own particular feel, shape and texture. When I pick one up one there is a kind of conversation going on. Looking at them from different angles opens up a whole realm of possibilities, maybe a colourful Indian elephant or an old Elizabethan cottage complete with beams and a cottage garden.  Initially the rock may look rather imperfect but such imperfections such as a raise edge or pitted surface can enhance and not hamper the end product.

Igneous, sedimentary or metaphoric they all have the capabllity to transform into all many of things, the only restriction is your imagination.

After showing a few of my first painted efforts to friends I was told there is a local Facebook group called Cavy Rocks (Dunedin NZ).  The group has been inspired by #palmyrocks  and its aim is to paint some rocks and hide them in places around Dunedin for others to find then re-hide OR keep. What a cool idea for children, a treasure hunt and who doesn't like one of those?

Here are a selection of my first batch of painted rocks.  Some will be given as gifts, others sold and a number hidden for children to find. From Frida Kahlo to a fairytale mushroom house there is something for everyone.

​All rocks are painted with acrylic paints and finished with a coat of marine grade varnish so they will be protected from the elements.


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Gnu called Harold

7/24/2016

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I always seem to have drawn. During my early days it was with wax crayons which graduated to pencils and later pens.

As a small child animals were my favourite subjects. Woodland creatures would be drawn doing human things such as cooking, shopping and playing games. They often appeared in clothes similar to those of Beatrix Potter.
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The other week I picked up some pencils and pens and had a go at drawing animals again, these were the result. The animals were created and named by Nick Lee-Frampton and I set about drawing them. The gnu is called Harold; he's a rather clumsy gnu who gets into various scrapes and the second a timid red squirrel called Melody. Mediums used were Derwent colour pencils and a fine Pentel black pen.
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A Maneki-neko pot for the New Year!

2/2/2016

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Last month with the New Year just beginning I was thinking of a suitable art project to kick start things creative. I have a number of house plants which are out growing their tired terracotta pots and thought painting a new one for the house would be a great idea and brighten up the room.

Sometime ago I bought several large terracotta pots from a local garden centre in a sale so have chosen one of these for the project. Now I was faced with settling on a theme for the decoration. Being a cat lover I chose the Japanese beckoning cat Maneki-neko image, which is a talisman and supposed to bring good luck to the owner. After a rather sad year in 2015 I could do with some happiness.
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This good fortune cat is often depicted with an upright raised paw. This image also has a special place in my heart, as my elderly tabbycat (Sam) who died last year from a brain tumour was taught the trick of raising his paw and understood the command "happy paw".  Here he is:

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Maneki-neko can have either the right or left paw raised (even both) and some say the higher the paw the greater the wealth or good luck. The cat is originally a Japanese Calico Bobtail and is seen in various colourways although the traditional is white (for good luck generally).  Often the cat has a red collar and a bib and golden bell. The first Maneki-neko were seen in the early 1850's but they could go back much earlier in Japanese folklore.

On this pot I am painting three cats which comfortably fit on the outside and it is very fortunate that the number 3 in modern Japanese culture is auspicious and Maneki-neko are often found in rooms on the third floors of buildings.


I've used acrylic paints and seal the paint with two coats of marine grade varnish to protect the pot. Ten years ago I used a similar method on pots I have outside in the garden and they still look like new.  As a contrast to the black background I've painted some Cherry blossom.  From the Heian Period (794 - 1185),the cherry blossom has been revered by Japanese. The flower's brief blooming time and the fragility and beauty of its blossom's, has led to an association with the transience of life.
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These are ideal for presents to friends and family and can be planted up with either house plants, herbs, blubs or a favourite flower. I will be planting a palm in mine.
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Emerging Moth Collage (Work in Progress)

7/20/2015

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I've been creating a big mess with my scissors and glue this afternoon. Taking me back to childhood when I used to cut things out of my dad's discarded mail order catalogues.

Just recently I have become interested in moths and thought they were an ideal subject to start with. My first tiny paper collage moth has "emerged". It is made up of old magazines, junk mail and an old school atlas. I will cut out tiny antenna later instead of just drawing them with ink pen. The first is the original colour and then I played around with the hues and saturation. 

The intention is to create around 9 or 12 of these in different shapes and colours and mount them on contrasting backgrounds to create a tiled affect suitable for a greeting card.
 

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    Author

    My name is Anni Morris.  
    I am a freelance artist and domestic magician.  I like cats, gardening and good friends.

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