Artists Down Under - Australia and New Zealand - March 2023

SIMS

FRONT COVER by KEVIN

- Cosmic Travel

Haysom - Lowland Gorilla

DOWN UNDERartists

Australia and New Zealand

Another month has gone past and it has been another successful month for our artists.This month we bring you all of your old favourites and some exciting new images from our artists,new interviews and Featured Artist, so settle in and enjoy this month’s edition of our Artist Down Under magazine.

The artists have been very successful this month with more exhibitions and competition entries. Well done to you all, most deserved.

Our Photoshop guru, Andrew Haysom, has put together some very helpful tips on Lab Colour Mode, something I never knew about but is extremely helpful.

The girls from the Redlands Digital Artist Group have been busy at work compiling another in their Chinese Whispers series for you all to enjoy.

Maureen has organised a special interview with one of our talented artists, Helen McLeod. Her work is amazing and a very interesting interview to go with it. I know you will all enjoy this one.

Our Featured Artist this month is Kevin Sims from New Zealand. Kevin is one of our much loved artists and his work is awesome. Please be sure to read all about Kevin’s life and what lead him to Digital Artistry.

Seeing March is the first month of Autumn, I set the Monthly Artists Challenge theme to “Leaves”. They have come up with some amazing images that they have shared for you.

Well that’s it from me for this month. Stay safe and take care of each other.

Backgrounds: Foxy Squirrell

Designs - Jai Johnson

Lane

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Awakening

Rosa Perry - Bird Wreath

Pam Henderson

https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/dennis-rickard/

artists Achievements monthly down under

artists down under facebook page

The Artists Down Under Public Facebook page has been set up to allow the artists in the group to showcase their work and to enable them to share promotional information about themselves, e.g. exhbitions, awards etc...

You can find the Artists Down Under Public Facebook page at this address; https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtistsDownUnder/

So, if you are an artist in the group, don’t forget to regularly share your work and information here, and to let your friends and family know about the page if they are interested in viewing the latest art and news from the group.

If you are a reader of the magazine who does not have access to the page, please click the link above and request to join. When you request to join you will be asked to answer three simple questions that will allow us to determine if you are an eligible artist who may wish to join the group and therefore be able to post on the page, or a member of the public who can view, comment and like the work on the page. It’s a great place to see some great art from this vibrant group every day!

Maureen Maxwell - Touch Of Whimsy II

Kye Thompson - Fierce Rain Kaylene Helliwell - Walking Through Elenor Gill - Who Knows

Penny De Jong - Macaw

Three ADU members receive a special gift

Our very good Awake friends Teddi Rutschman of Foxey Squirrel and Diane Stafford from WhiteLaneStudio continue to give gifts as a reward for members of the Artists Down Under group who contribute to the ADU Facebook page by regularly posting their artworks and supporting other members with their comments.

Teddi, from Virginia, USA, is well known for her fantastic sets of digital designer backgrounds, masks and all kinds of wonderful elements ready for designers to add to or build a wondrous creation.

Teddi Rutshman can be found at http://www.foxeysquirrel.com/ http://www.oscraps.com/shop/Foxeysquirrel

Teddi has given a 40% discount voucher for one very lucky member to spend in her on-line shop.

Diane Stafford from Chester, UK, designs Photoshop textures and overlays for photo artists and photographers to use in their digital artworks. Diane has created another special kit just for Artists Down Under for the month of MARCH.

Two artists will receive a Diane kit each.

Diane Stafford can be found at https://whitelanestudio.co.uk/biolinks

The MARCH lucky winners are

Teddi Rutschman (Foxy Squirrel) 40% Gift Voucher

- Kaylene Helliwell

Diane Stafford (WhiteLaneStudio) Texture & Overlay Kit

- Andrew Haysom

- Hemant Kogekar

Kaylene Helliwell - We Got This

Penny De Jong - Smooth Operator

Rosa Perry - The Desert Rose And Her Oasis

Sandra Dann - Dreaming Of Venice

LIVING THE PHOTO ARTISTIC LIFE

https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/issue96-final?fr=sYTY5ZTI1ODEw

Congratulations to the following artists for having their images chosen to appear in the International magazine “Living The Photo Artistic Life”.

Sonia Pusey

- Slave To Love

- Listen To Your Heart

Meaghan Pryor

- Ode To Wonder

Catbeaglecreations

- Lost Valentine

Louise Smith

- Stairway To Heaven

Ilona Abou-Zolof

- Snow Queen

Helen McLeod

- Mending A Broken Heart

- Two Hearts

Gitama Day

- Ban-drui Of The Bird Tribe

Kim Ricci

- Dancing To Nature’s Symphony

Rosa Perry

- Bird Wreath

- Folklore Deer

Carolyn Jenson

- Athletes Of The Gods I

Penny De Jong

- After The Drought

Lynette Paul

- Protea

Maureen Maxwell

- A Love Of Learning

- On No! This Can’t Be Happening

Rosa Perry - Bird Wreath

Sonia Pusey - Listen To Your Heart

Meaghan Pryor - An Ode To Wonder

Rosa Perry - Folklore Deer

Sonia Pusey - Slave To Love

Kim Ricci

- Dancing To Nature’s Symphony

Carolyn Jenson - Athletes Of The Gods I

LIVING THE PHOTO ARTISTIC LIFE

Catbeaglecreations - Lost Valentine

Penny De Jong - After The Drought

Lynette Paul - Protea

Maureen Maxwell - Oh No! This Can’t Be Happening

Louise Smith - Stairway To Heaven

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Snow Queen

Maureen Maxwell - A Love Of Learning

Helen McLeod - Mending A Broken Heart

Helen McLeod - Two Hearts

LIVING THE PHOTO ARTISTIC LIFE Featured artist Christina brunton

Christina Brunton - Creme De La Creme

Christina Brunton - Pixie Queen

Christina Brunton - Tribal Feathered Friends

Christina Brunton - Black Swan

Christina Brunton - Dream Dancing

LIVING THE PHOTO ARTISTIC LIFE Featured artist Christina brunton

Christina Brunton - Remembering Their Rodeo Days

Christina Brunton - Snow Queen

Christina Brunton - Time For Tea

Christina Brunton - African Pelican

light space and time

“All Women”

https://lightspacetime.art/all-women-art-exhibition-february-2023/

Congratulations to the following Artists for their special achievements in the “All Women” Light Space & Time competition.

Overall Special Merit

12th Place Lyn Darlington - “Kookaburra”

Photography & Digital

4th Place Lyn Darlington - “Kookaburra”

5th Place Ilona Abou-Zolof - “Restless”

Carolyn Dakin - “Country Living”

Julie Powell - “Tayla #1”

Lyn Darlington - “Amongst The Trees”

Honourable Mention Special Recognition

Carolyn Dakin - “The Unsung Song”

Ilona Abou-Zolof - “Happy Cow”

Julie Powell - “Carnival #2”

Lyn Darlington - “Thirsty”

Lyn Darlington - Kookaburra

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Restless

light space and time

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Happy Cow

Julie Powell - Tayla #1

Julie Powell - Carnival #2

Lyn Darlington - Amongst The Trees

Lyn Darlington - Thirsty

Penny De Jong - Announcing The Arrival Of The Supply Fleet To New Earth

Prue Wright - Viewing The Future

https://www.hmvcgallery.com/exhibitions-group/

Zealandia EcoSanctuary

End of Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington

Feb-Mar 2023

“For the Birds” is soaring back to Te Māra Toi Gallery at Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne. Running through February and March, this group art exhibition features up-and-coming and established artists. Their styles may vary, but their love for native wildlife shines through. This show is a celebration of wildlife and wildspaces.

Art is selling “off-the-wall,” and will be refreshed throughout the show’s run. So if you fall in love with a piece, you can take it home on the spot! Proceeds are “For the Birds,” directly supporting Zealandia’s conservation projects. You can find the exhibition in the stairway landing between the front desk and Rātā Café. Entry is free.

Participating artists are: Hannah Shand, Rika Nagahata, Judi Lapsley Miller, Zoe Sizemore, Tyler Florance, Gill Mason, Pavee Patanasiri, Annemieke Hendriks, Maureen Kelly, Rebecca Chrystal, and Shaxu Art.

Judi is exhibiting two perky pīwakawaka pieces: “The Secret” and “Playtime”

The Secret (piwakawaka) Playtime (piwakawaka)

https://www.hmvcgallery.com/exhibitions-group/

Te Papakura Exhibition Space

New Zealand Parliament - Pāremata Aotearoa

15 Feb - 23 Mar 2023

Waiata Manu (‘Bird song’) engages the audience in the beauty and wonder of birds in sound and light through the lens and instruments of artists, digital artists, sculptors, photographers and musicians. Birds are explored through art as metaphor and allegory and the interpretations and artistic creations they inspire in us. It recognises birds as a pre-eminent symbol in New Zealand artwork and identifies both well-known and more recent artists. It explores the unique place of specific birds and bird conservation, threatened and extinct species including our role as conservators.

Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm

Entry via Parliament’s Visitor Centre, ground floor of the Beehive.

Judi is exhibiting two pieces “A Hidden World (kākāpō)”, which is also the featured piece for the show, and “A Real Kiwi Joker (kiwi pukupuku).”

A Real Kiwi Joker (kiwi pukupuku)

A Hidden World (kākāpō)

https://www.belcoarts.com.au/earth-unframed/

Belconnen Arts Centre Earth Unframed Exhibition

Canberra

10 Feb-26 Mar 2023

Artists have been invited from throughout Australia to investigate their concept of ‘earth’; our home, the environment, soil, land, fragility, strength or purpose. We’ve asked artists to embrace their imagination with a sense of play, political activism, boldness, experimentation, thoughtfulness, or contemplation, exploring this theme at A3 (29.7 x 42 cm) on paper and unframed. This includes drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and mixed media. All works will be eligible for consideration of the $500 People’s Choice Award.

Congratulations goes to Margaret Kalms for having three of her images entered into this Exhibition.

Margaret Kalms - Struggle For Life

Margaret Kalms - Let There Be Light

Margaret Kalms - Sands Of Time

exhibition

https://happeningnext.com/event/artexpo-new-york-2023-eid3a09p4sxc2

New York Artexpo23

Pier 36, Lower East Side, 299 South Street, New York, NY 10002

30 Mar - 2 Apr 2023

VIP / PRESS PREVIEW

Thursday, March 30, 2023 | 4 PM – 5 PM

OPENING NIGHT PREVIEW

Thursday, March 30, 2023 | 5 PM – 8 PM

Public Show Hours

Friday, March 31, 2023 | 11 AM – 7 PM

Saturday, April 1, 2023 | 11 AM – 7 PM

Sunday, April 2, 2023 | 11 AM – 5 PM

Congratulations goes to Margaret Kalms for having four of her images chosen for the New York Artexpo23 Exhibition

( NEW ZEALAND )

KAYLENE HELLIWELL

CAPE EGMONT LIGHTHOUSE

LYNETTE PAUL

artists

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Australia and New Zealand

SOME PHOTOSHOP INSPIRATION

LAB COLOUR MODE

By Andrew Haysom

Like me you probably spend most of your time in Photoshop in RGB colour mode, and perhaps some time in CMYK colour mode if you dabble in printing. These are the two most popular colour modes used in Photoshop.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is a colour space based around devices like cameras and computer screens, where colours are specified by the amount of red, green and blue light. In RGB each of the colour channels are specified by a number from 0 to 255. When all channels are at zero (i.e. there is no red, green or blue light) the result is black, when all channels are at maximum (255) the result is white.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) is a colour space based around printing, the laying down of ink on a white surface. In CMYK each of the colour channels are specified by a percentage (from 0 to 100). When all channels are at zero (i.e. there is no cyan, magenta, yellow or black ink) the result is white. The more ink that is laid down the darker the colour, and when the cyan, magenta and yellow channels are at 100% the colour is a dark grey. Ink from the black channel needs to be added to achieve dark colours, including true black.

[Figure 1 – The RGB and CMYK Colour Models]

SOME PHOTOSHOP INSPIRATION (CONT.......)

From the above descriptions it is obvious that the amounts specified in the RGB and CMYK channels not only specify the colour, but also the luminosity, and this can often make manipulating colours in these modes using things like the Curves adjustment tricky. It is very easy to end up with over-saturated or muddy colours when manipulating colours in these modes.

The Lab colour space on the other hand has a separate channel for Luminosity called the Lightness or L channel. In this channel the lightness or luminosity is described with a number from 0 (black) to 100 (white). The colour is specified using two other channels, the “a” and “b” channels. Both of these run from -127 to +127, with the “a” channel specifying green (-127) through red (+127), and the “b” channel specifying blue (-127) through yellow (+127). Eagle-eyed photographers might notice that these colour ranges are somewhat similar to the Tint and Temperature sliders used to adjust White Balance.

The Lab colour space is a larger colour space than either RGB or CMYK, and it is device-independent which is one reason it is often used in industry applications to specify colours.

In this article though, I’m just encouraging you to have a play with it the next time you want to manipulate colours in Photoshop, it is well worth it to do so – here’s how.

To convert your image to Lab colour mode you can use the Image / Mode / Lab command (see Figure 3). Alternatively, you can use the Edit / Convert to Profile command, choose Lab in the Profile drop-down and press OK (see Figure 4).

[Fig 2 – The Lab Colour Model]

SOME PHOTOSHOP INSPIRATION (CONT.......)

[Fig 4 – Edit / Convert to Profile]

[Fig 3 – Image / Mode / Lab]

SOME PHOTOSHOP INSPIRATION (CONT.......)

When changing image modes, if you have certain layers in your file (like Curves adjustment layers for example), you will receive warning messages (see Figure 5) that certain adjustment layers might be discarded, or that the appearance may change. You can choose to Flatten or Merge the document, cancel or proceed anyway. Use caution here so as to not lose any information from your file.

Similar warning messages will be shown when converting back to RGB or CMYK from Lab mode.

Note that when in Lab colour mode certain blend modes, adjustment layers and many filters are not available to you (see Figure 6).

[Fig 5 – Warning messages when changing Image Mode]

[Fig 6 – Unavailable blend modes, adjustment layers and filters in Lab mode]

SOME PHOTOSHOP INSPIRATION (CONT.......)

Also, in Lab colour mode you cannot save to a JPEG file, you will need to convert back to RGB or CMYK to do that.

To avoid the danger of losing layers, or making unwanted changes to your file, I will usually use one if the following methods

Method 1

Create a duplicate copy of the Photoshop file, and flatten it, and convert the duplicate to Lab and make the changes there. This method is most suitable when the colour change / grading is being done as a final step.

Method 2

Create a stamp visible layer and convert that layer to a smart object. Double-click the smart object – it will open in a new window – change this smart object to Lab mode and make the required changes. Save and close the smart object file. The adjusted colour layer can now be masked if required, or the opacity changed to reduce the effect.

When in Lab mode you will notice obvious differences in the Channels panel and the adjustment layers or panels where the colour channels can be selected such as Curves (see Figure 7).

Figure 7 shows a simple example where I have used a single Curves adjustment layer in Lab colour mode and a simple mask to change the colour of my car.

It’s worth having a play with Lab colour mode next time you’re looking for some significant colour changes, playing with the curve in Lab can be much more effective. I think you have more chance of getting a good result, and less chance of mucking things up by flattening, muddying or over-saturating the colours.

[Fig 7 – Lab colour mode colour change example]

http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/george-koncz/

DOWN artistsUNDER

Australia and New Zealand

DIGITAL ARTISTS GROUP

A COLLABORATIVE GROUP OF PHOTO ARTISTS

CHINESE WHISPERS #64 “WHEN ERAS MEET”

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

Pam finished this month’s collaboration and turned Main Street into a fun mix of eras with a sci-fi twist. What are these women walking into?

As always, we hope you enjoy our collaborative efforts. ENJOY!

Pam Henderson

Maureen Maxwell

Maureen Maxwell

KEVIN SIMS

TENDING NATURE

MUSICAL NOTES OF NATURE

Nelson New Zealand

1. Tell us a little about yourself and where you live?

I live in Nelson at the “Top of the South Island”.

I was born at the bottom of the South Island and grew up on a sheep farm in the green rolling hills of Southland. Later we moved to Central Otago where we lived amongst some of the most spectacularly rugged scenery. Schooling at this time was streamed academic or practical. I expressed an interest in music and art however I was told that having no natural talent for those fields the academic path was the only option for me. At this time the “deer industry” was in its in fancy. Light aircraft and helicopters were being purchased specifically for this growing industry and I was fortunate to get the opportunity to go flying when a spare seat was available. I was hooked. Given no choice with my education I set my sights firmly on becoming a pilot. At 17 ½ years I joined the New Zealand Airforce and commenced an aircrew career. In tandem to this I commenced my personal path to gaining my airline transport pilot licence.

2. How did you become interested/get started in Photo Artistry?

My military career took me all around the world. I purchased a small camera to record the places I visited. This camera in my hands proved limiting and when I was shown an SLR camera plus zoom lens I quickly upgraded. Armed with the SLR camera I was invited to shoot portraits and weddings. This proved difficult to coordinate while working a career that was irregular shift based and requests for photoshoots often had to be declined. Time was always limited, and my photos were merely snapshots for my personal record and I used many of these photos as reference for my paintings. I enjoy oil painting on large canvases and the feel of real brushes. Unfortunately, canvas takes up a large amount of storage space when not on display. I had a small colour darkroom and experimented with compositing of several photographs. Limited success - however it showed me a path that I wanted to follow. Computers were in early development and when “Photoshop” first appeared I quickly purchased a copy and shortly thereafter a DSLR. I am completely self-taught, and this became a huge learning curve – keeping up with learning new features as photoshop developed – building computers to cope with the increase in data handling and management – learning to take photos that would composite without excessive manipulation. Slow and time consuming however I fortunately stumbled across Sebastian Michaels’ fantastic ‘PhotoArtistry’ course which pulled all my learning together.

3. What inspires you or gives you inspiration to create your art?

This is something that I have pondered regularly. From an early age I have enjoyed the work of the “Old Masters”. I think that my art stems from something buried deep inside from my early childhood memories and the fact that I was always told that I could never be an artist. Inspiration is everywhere particularly in music which I always have playing in the background as I create. I recreate from the emotions formed by the rolling hills, rugged country and nature combined with colour and light. Everywhere I go I take a camera to capture those magical moments that I can use in my compositions. I am building a large personal stock library.

4.

Do you have a certain approach to creating your art?

I make art for me so there are no constraints. I hate the white canvas so I often start with a colour that I feel will suit my whim as a basic primer coat. Depending on the general theme I often roughly block in rough brush strokes to apply texture. I will then look through my photo catalogue and select 6 or 7 images that have some interesting elements that may be useful then mask each selection. From here I just make several quick finger exercises to see what variations are possible to form the base concept. Part of that process often requires using “Topaz filters” to distort the original reference photo. This process I save in my concept’s library. It surprises me how often I will see things in this library that I suddenly see an opportunity to create a new image. With that as a base I then try to build a story and add detail. Once I have completed a piece, I merge all layers and save. The full .psb file is then deleted. I only create one offs – it is in my DIY nonproduction line genetics.

5.

What does your art mean to you?

Art to me is about making wall display images that make me feel good about myself. As I said earlier, I love large canvases. I have an Epson A2+ printer and a 32inch TV Frame display. My images are always constructed to fit these display methods.

6. Do you think since starting in photo artistry it has changed you and if so, how?

I think that life has changed my mental approach to photo artistry. My initial approach was more deliberate and focused on producing images that would appeal to others. Life was busy and the results were rushed, structured and it was not being true to myself. Life took a turn for the worse and it reflected in my art. Dark images that I could not alter however hard I tried. Through my recovery period, with the support of some wonderful people and a wide variety of books, I began to make sense of my brain. With that I believe my art began to evolve, and I started producing images that were true to myself.

7. Is there anyone that you draw inspiration from?

Photographer Andris Apse is a landscape photographer who specialises in high quality panoramic photographs. His photographs encourage me to explore the landscape with a critical eye seeking the ideal light and composition. I like to visit art and photo galleries to analyse what draws my eye to a particular piece.

8. Where do you see (or hope to see) your art taking you in the future ? What are your next steps?

I intend finishing my current employment at the end of this year which will see an end to working irregular shifts. My lightroom catalogue is well overdue for a tidy up along with my website. I hope to travel and visit some of the old art galleries of the world while capturing more images for my library. Time to relax, enjoy new adventures, make every day count while leisurely creating art.

BOOBOOK OWL ART

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Australia and New Zealand

INTERVIEW WITH HELEN MCLEOD

By Maureen Maxwell

Helen, you are one of our more recent members. The photo artistry images you’ve had published in our ADU magazine this last year have been wonderfully artistic and beautifully created. You’ve also been published in the international magazine ‘Living the Photo Artistic Life’.

Thank you for doing this interview. I’ve spent some time browsing through your website https://2-galleries.com and found it to be very comprehensive and most interesting.

You are a professional photographer, and digital artist, as well as running a variety of related classes (including Photoshop) and workshops. You live in Christchurch, New Zealand with access to incredible scenery including the beautiful mountainous region of Mt Cook. And then continuing through to the magnificent Queenstown area and the fjords on the west coast. In other words, this part of New Zealand’s South Island is a photographer’s paradise.

HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY, AND THEN PHOTO ARTISTRY?

Since about the age of 10 years I have had a fascination with photography, but sadly this was too expensive for my parents to allow me to take many images. These were the days of film. As a student I worked many jobs that enabled me to eventually purchase my first camera, but I found this to be a very slow learning process. I would record my camera settings in a notebook that I carried in my camera bag and then refer back to these once I received my developed and printed photos back, usually months later. It really wasn’t until around 2004 when I bought my first digital camera that my photography finally took off.

Following the devastating earthquakes that occurred in Canterbury in 2011, I decided a change of career was in order, so I turned my focus to my passion, photography. Having a near-miss experience, I decided life was too short not to explore the things that interested me. I completed two diplomas (one in professional photography, the other in digital photography) and it was during this period of study that I discovered the photo-artistry realm. I embraced the freedom this genre of photography allowed me to explore, and the rest, they say, is history. My obsession was born.

YOUR DIGITAL FINE ART GALLERY IS FULL OF CREATIVE STORY-TELLING IMAGES. WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM?

There are many people who have inspired me along my journey, but the most notable are Jerry Uelsman, Maggie Taylor, Brooke Shaden and Julieanne Kost. My surrealism comes from Jerry, use of colour from Maggie, whimsy from Brooke and use of textures from Julieanne.

I enjoy being outside to exercise and am fortunate to have on my doorstep a forest that I love to run through. Every morning when the weather permits, I start my day with a run – this is how I meditate. I try to empty my mind and let ideas come to me, acknowledging them along the way, discarding those that I don’t like and remembering those that I think have photographic potential.

I guess, too, I have a rebellious streak in me … I like the thought of challenging other’s perceptions of what photography is and so this inspires me to push my photography even further.

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR APPROACH AND PROCESS IN CREATING YOUR DIGITAL ART! DO YOU CREATE YOUR OWN ELEMENTS, IF SO, HOW?

Once I have a concept I sometimes (badly) sketch this out, so my idea is not lost or forgotten. I search amongst my library of images (I photograph every element myself) to see if I have all the components I need. If I don’t then I set about capturing those that are missing. I am always on the lookout for elements to use in my images – I have many I am yet to find an image in which to use them. Quite often I turn elements into Photoshop brushes to apply these in my compositions in a unique manner.

These then literally get thrown roughly into position on a canvas to see if I can get my concept heading in the direction I had envisioned. I play, experiment and try different things pushing my initial concept to its fullest. From here I go back and finesse, adding components, removing them, changing the lighting and shading, adding or changing colours, making sure the story is being told in the way that I want.

Oftentimes the end product is no longer the initial concept, but that doesn’t matter, as it generally evolves and grows during this process, resulting in a piece of work that is stronger than the original idea.

Cotton Cloud Trees

INTERVIEW WITH HELEN MCLEOD (CONT....)

I THINK OUR READERS WILL BE INTERESTED TO READ MORE ABOUT YOUR CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS.

As an educator I believe we learn in a combination of three ways: listening, seeing and doing. I am a strong proponent of getting out there and learning through practical classes. My workshops and classes are both based around this philosophy: I impart my knowledge, we together put it into practice, and then you learn through your own exploration of techniques/ideas and inspiration through support and guidance.

During the year I base my workshops in beautiful Central Otago where we learn about different photographic techniques out in the field in a hands-on manner. As everyone sees a scene in a different manner, these workshops culminate in the production of a photobook in which all attendees submit images to share with one another – another great way to learn!

I am extremely fortunate to know this area to an intimate degree and have the full support of the locals – they have opened their properties to me exclusively, making these workshops even more special to those attending.

In the past I was using Photoshop in a different manner, which means that I have an extensive understanding of this phenomenal program. This year I will be holding my first Photoshop Boot Camp which will be a total immersion for a week to demystify the complexities of this program. This will build skills in a thorough, comprehensive and nurturing way – exciting!

Fabulous Faberge - Handle With Care Square The Enchanted Forest

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR CREATIVE JOURNEY TAKING YOU IN THE FUTURE?

Two art galleries in Christchurch are representing me, for which I am grateful, and I have been fortunate to have been asked to exhibit my work both in NZ and internationally. I would like to produce new work for these galleries.

More recently I have been contacted to talk about my work to photographic clubs – I find this so rewarding and I would love to share more about this type of photography with others, by offering workshops, critique groups and support networks.

Each year I donate a piece of work to raise funds for the Friends of the Brain Institute, who research various diseases of the brain in hope of finding cures to them. It is challenging finding something that will bring as much interest as possible to raise as much funding as possible for this.

Kaizen training is a large part of my creative journey at the moment and is making me explore slightly different artistic avenues with my work. As such it has inspired a new portfolio of work.

Wastelands

Fabulous Faberge - Dragon Eggs Woeful Wood Nymph

AS A MORE RECENT MEMBER OF ADU, COULD YOU PEASE TELL US WHAT BELONGING TO ADU MEANS TO YOU?

I am a little frustrated at myself for not finding this group of talented photo-artists sooner as I’m sure this would have helped my personal artistic development sooner!

I truly love being a member of ADU as it gives me the ability to express myself visually without judgement and in a safe environment – the members get it! It is so lovely to feel supported and I am so inspired by the many likeminded people who contribute to both the Facebook page and the magazine – I am in awe of the work that I see there.

PLEASE TELLS US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR BACKGROUND AND YOUR OTHER INTERESTS.

I was born in Dunedin (located in the South Island of NZ) but moved to Wellington for work. My career started in Chemistry and then moved into Forensic Science (specifically as a Fingerprint Examiner with the NZ Police). I travelled internationally with the Police and often supported this work with my photography, so my experience is wide and diverse.

Both of these professions were rather black and white worlds which seemed to suppress my creative side. It was once I had left science behind, that my creativity seemed to know no bounds and just came forth, hence my often weird and wacky photography.

I love being in the outdoors, so landscape photography is still very important to me. My camera is never far from me when I am out hunting, fishing or four-wheel driving. I also run and mountain bike in my local forest, which luckily for me, is practically on my doorstep.

DIFFERENT FRIENDS

monthly artistic down under

Pam Henderson - The Boat Ride

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Leaves

Colin Campbell - Leaves

Rosa Perry - Autumn Leaves

Bev Terawskyj - Leaves

Penny De Jong - Echeveria Framed

Prue Wright - Leaves

Andrew Haysom - Leaves

Julie Powell - Ciel

Karen Waalwyk - Falling Leaves

Christina Brunton - Amongst The Leaves

Karen Waalwyk - Snacktime

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adu artists business advertisements

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50% of profit donated to endometriosis research

When I first heard about endometriosis I felt a deep compassion and need to do what I could to help. Women with endometriosis suffer debilitating pain, disruptive symptoms and often endure multiple operations simply to function normally. Few people are patient when listening to descriptions of pain, symptoms or illness. This can have the effect of silencing people who are ill.

My compassion inspires my photoart which I show in presentations to raise awareness. I joined Awake to teach me advanced Photoshop skills, specifically to expand my photoartistic skills to create imaginative and dramatic images.

My photoart opens dialogue enabling freer expression of hidden feelings, experiences too private to mention in ordinary conversation. I create photoart inspired by the concerns of women with endometriosis. Several women have said that the process of imaging their suffering has helped them to face their pain and illness. There is immense strength in being heard. I want my photoart to become visual screams!!

26 women with endometriosis have told me about their experiences. They spoke to me about their concerns and collaborated during the photo session. We explored meanings of body, ideas of self and impacts of illness together, agreeing which ideas we would explore photographically. My photos are often carefully arranged, but that doesn’t mean they are fake. They represent the personal truth and experiences of 26 women with endometriosis. These women are remembering and acting out their OWN experiences. They choose their own stance and facial expression. Women with endometriosis are the only people who truly know what endometriosis FEELS like.

Unfortunately endometriosis is relatively common; an estimated 1 in 10 women living with endometriosis, being over 175,000,000 women worldwide! And an estimated 500,000 women in Australia! Their experiences are heart-breaking. Regular illness and debilitating pain result in missed education and poor career opportunities leaving them women vulnerable to poverty.

Women with endometriosis need real medical progress to reduce their suffering. I passionately desire to raise money for endometriosis research so that faster diagnoses are made and more effective treatments are found. To raise money for endometriosis research, I host events and sell products on Redbubble. Recently I gave $3,000 to Canberra Endometriosis Centre!

Art by Margaret Kalms

Share ‘EndoWomanArt’ with your friends on social media to raise awareness and money for women’s health!

We all need clothes & household goods. Buy yourself a treat or buy a special gift for your friends. Make your shopping count!

Remember 50% of profit goes to endometriosis research!

https://www.redbubble.com/ people/EndoWomanArt/shop

Follow ‘Life with Endometriosis’: https://www.facebook.com/ LifeWithEndometriosis

See Margaret Kalms photoart, ‘Life with Endometriosis’: http://www.endowomanart.com

Margaret Kalms

Bunch Of Butterflies On Grevillea Sweatshirt

Butterflies False Colour Grey Stripes

Bunch Of Butterflies On Grevillea Pencil Case

WEBSITE: http://artistsdownunder.com.au/ http://tinyurl.com/artisitsdownunderpublic