Pittwater Life December 2020 Issue

Art Life
Art Life
Pair fly solo at Palm Beach
Art Gallery on Palm
Beach is presenting
two stunning, not-tobe-missed
back-toback
solo exhibitions
by award winning
artists in December.
The solo showing
by internationally
acclaimed, awardwinning
artist and
instructor Georgia
Mansur, who recently
relocated to Palm
Beach from a 200-
acre family vineyard
in Mudgee, runs from
December 1-6.
Georgia is transitioning
from living on the land her
whole life to the sea change
and the challenge of fresh
new subjects. She says time
in her new studio has given
her the opportunity to paint
around the Palm Beach area,
riding her bicycle around
and scouting interesting
flora and coastal vibe
subjects.
Some of her paintings
reflect her time spent as
Artist in Residence at Cable
Beach, Broome and as the
official Artist in Residence
for Emirates Wolgan Valley in
the Blue Mountains.
Georgia’s exhibition will
be followed by the visual
feast ‘LUST’ by
accomplished Sydney
artist Michelle Henry
from December 7-13.
Michelle admits the
exhibition may very
well make viewers
blush, as the artist
brings a collection of
some of her raciest
paintings of flowers
and figs together for
the first time.
Michelle is a lover
of flowers and of
poetry. She explains
her closely cropped
paintings of flowers
and fruit come from
her constant exploration
of new ways to look at the
things we see around us
on a daily basis and to find
the “sexy” in even the most
mundane of subjects.
Working in thin layers of
oil paint built up through
glazing, Michelle constructs
luscious surfaces suggesting
the subtle play of light on
and through the petals of a
flower, the tiny droplets of
water left behind after a rain
shower, or the intricacies of
the sweet juicy interior of
a fig.
Art Gallery on Palm Beach
is a collective of successful
Sydney artists offering a
broad range of original and
spectacular art.
– Catriona Pollard
* Gallery hours 10am-3pm,
Thursday through Sunday;
1/1095 Barrenjoey Rd,
Palm Beach.
Find your
inner
Picasso!
Panthers NRL coach Ivan
Cleary and his wife Rebecca
have launched a fun new creative
initiative at Newport for artists
of all abilities.
The couple, who both grew
up on the northern beaches
and bought at Bungan Beach
in recent years, have launched
‘Pinot & Picasso Newport’ – a
concept combining painting and
socialising with BYO drinks and
in-house music, with guidance
from a P&P accredited artist.
“We had a connection with the
founders of the business who
were from Penrith and Iv and I
loved the fun concept from the
start,” explains Bec, who added
her sister Yvette was also a key
member of the team.
Bec said the P&P sessions
would appeal to a wide
range of demographic.
“It’s definitely more weighted
to the ladies but the boys enjoy
58 DECEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
it also, often from their competitive
side,” she said. “From
a couple on a date to a few
friends, to hens parties, team
building events or fundraisers,
we provide an opportunity for a
large variety of light entertainment
seekers.
“We are an entertainment
outlet first – but one that still
provides our customers the
opportunity to take their art
seriously if they wish. A lot of
our guests whilst having fun,
are aiming to create something
they can be proud of.”
Bec said the P&P artist patiently
takes each class through
their creations step by step,
without pressure or judgment.
Sessions run on Friday
evenings, across the day and
night of Saturday, and Sunday
afternoons. Of course, you
get to keep your ‘masterpiece’
when finished. Pinot & Picasso
Newport also offers private
functions and pop-up events,
bringing the studio to you.
“We will always aim to provide
a solution for our customers’
needs,” said Bec. “The goal
is to grow enough, to be able to
provide sessions right through
the week.”
The studio is BYO alcohol
or other drinks, plus ‘nibbles’,
while P&P can provide light eats
on request.
The three-hour sessions cost
from $59 to $65 per person,
including a blank canvas “awaiting
your inner Picasso”, plus all
equipment.
“Newport seemed to fit the
right vibe – it’s a cool community,
relaxed, balanced... we know
we’re going to have fun!”
– Nigel Wall
* More info pinotandpicasso.
com.au/newport
The Local Voice Since 1991
Sydney Art
Space makes
space for
celebration
As difficult as this
COVID-impacted year
has been, Sydney Art
Space at Mona Vale has
decided to celebrate all
the hard work of its artists
whilst following COVID
rules.
Convenor Christine
Simpson says their special
‘End of Year Exhibition’
will be held at Sydney Art
Space from 10am Saturday
December 19 through 4pm
Tuesday December 22.
“There will be voting for
the People’s Choice Award
and the exhibition will be
held inside the studio and
the back courtyard, with
people allowed in 12 at a
time every 20 minutes to
view the artworks, vote
and potentially purchase,”
Christine said.
“Many artworks will be
for sale, as well as Sydney
Art Space vouchers for
that special Christmas
present!”
Christine also
announced the launch
of their 2021 Summer
School, which will
commence on January 13.
“There will be offerings
for adults, teens and
children across the genres
of drawing, painting,
sculpture, printmaking
and embroidery,” said
Christine. “Be sure to enroll
so you don’t miss out –
many people have already
started booking.” – NW
* More info
sydneyartspace.com
DECEMBER 2020 59
Art Life