"Origin" limited edition print, 580mm x 900mm

Nov/December 2011

Hi Everyone, 2011 is almost over! It's been a great year in many ways and for me personally, it's wonderful to be back in Sydney.

I'm looking forward to 2012 and if you haven't visited my Facebook page yet, you can find it here - it's a great way to stay in touch. Also, I have 2 limited edition prints now available and the details are just below.

Thank you to everyone for being a part of my journey as an artist and for your continued appreciation for my paintings! Take care over the Festive Season and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

"Soliloquy" limited edition print, 560mm x 900mm

Origin - (pictured top left) - limited edition giclee print on Hanhemuhle paper, 580mm x 900 mm. There are only 20 prints available in this series .

Soliloquy (pictured left) - limited edition giclee print on Hanhemuhle paper, 560mm x 900 mm. There are only 20 prints available in this series.

Both these prints are from my Dutch Series and are produced by Fine Art Imaging. They also come with a Certificate of Authenticity and are guaranteed for over 100 years.

For further details and enquiries regarding commissions please contact the studio on 0411 248 100 or email to info@susiesierragallery.com.

Aug/September 2011

"Erasure" (detail) - Dinh Q. Le

SCAF - As part of their Culture and Ideas series, Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation held an Art and Activism forum on August 4th. The speakers for the night were John McDonald, Julian Burnside QC and author, Nick Jose. The evening was lead by Dr Gene Sherman AM and central to the discussion was the human rights situation in Asia with particular reference to artists Ai Weiwei and Dinh Q. Le.

I was moved to listen to the stories and insights regarding these artists and also the refugees who find their way to our shores. For my own part, it caused me to reflect on the fragility of human nature and the mind. One feels deeply for the artists and those who suffer at the hands of their detractors under regimes that choose to stifle artistic expression and independence.

We were lucky to see a recent short film on Ai Weiwei and to hear how he and his employees have been managing since his detention in China.

For further details and to view the current exhibition please visit www.erasurearchive.net or contact the foundation on 02 9331 1112.

May/June 2011

Creation landscape "Darkness and Light" 1988

William Robinson - The Transfigured landscape on view at the QUT Gallery in Brisbane is an outstanding opportunity to view the works of one of our most cherished living artists. The exhibition coincides with the artist's 75th birthday and is a worthy tribute to his contribution to Australian art.

Robinson has been a favourite of mine ever since I slapped eyes on his farm yard paintings. I've loved his sense of humour and authenticity. However, the soaring heights that he has achieved with his Creation Landscape paintings brings the senses to new altitudes literally. From a bird's eye view, we travel from morning to night, to the stars and back, scaling extraordinary heights. Each painting plays like a symphony upon the senses and it is a joy just to stand before each work. The influence from Chinese landscape painting is beautifully evident and akin with my own love for this particular style.

"Origin" - oil on linen 101 x 183cm

Shambhala (pictured left) is an exploration of Oriental influences upon the Dutch master's of the 17th Century - oil on linen, 1020mm x 1830mm. Private Collection.

It's no surprise the Dutch were so deeply influenced by the brilliant flower paintings coming from Asia. In the East, the art of flower painting was perfected centuries before the practice developed in Europe. It was also quite synonomous with poetry and spiritual practices.

For enquiries please call the studio on 0411 248 100.

IWDMarch, Town Hall

March/April 2011

International Women's Day was firmly on the agenda. With the 100 year centenary, it was a great turnout. Joining in the street march with me was Carolyn Wenzel from Greenpeace which was a real highlight!

I think it should be a whole week devoted to women as there is so much to celebrate. Bring on the quotas and thanks Carolyn!

Art Month Sydney - I hope some of you were lucky enough to see Ian Howard's exhibition at Watters Gallery in Darlinghurst. Deeply personal and symbolic - a real offering in many ways. His story is very moving.

Janine Garner's LBD Group dinner was held at the Cotton Duck restaurant in Surry Hills. LBD Group is fast developing into a powerful movement. Small groups of 10 meet to share ideas with the intent to build a global community of like-minded women working together to become architects of change.

Studio - I'm back in my studio in Mullumbimby now where the wedge-tailed eagles circle above me. Each morning I wake to the sounds of wild pheasants outside my window. At night, when it rains, nature sings a powerful hymn and the sounds grow louder as the rain intensifies.

I will be in Sydney again on March 30th just in time to catch the last embers of Art Month and I look forward to catching up with everyone then. Have a wonderful week.

January/February 2011

The artist's studio is a place of contemplation, and intense discovery or at least we like to think so. For me, a studio can never be large or spacious enough.

The best studios face south to catch the light from the south pole. This is often refered to as blue light, whereas the light from the north is quite warm. Southern light reveals everything - all the flaws ... and the colours are true.

My work is inspired by nature and the history of flower painting. I am especially drawn to the techniques of the old European masters as well as the skilled ancient Oriental masters.

Flowers represent life eternal and symbolize hope and renewal ...

Mullumbimby Studio

November/December 2010

Mullumbimby on the far north coast and 10 minutes from Byron Bay, is the location of my new studio.

On the hill, there are views out to the ocean on one side and beautiful Mount Chincogan on the other. It's just paradise ...

For further enquiries call 0411 248 100.

October 11th 2010

As one of the judges for the Greenway Art Prize in Sydney, I was really impressed with the quality of work submitted. Congratulations go to Gilbert Grace, for his painting of Bruce Ashley, entitled "Genius of the Greenway".

The GreenWay Festival is part of the Greenway Sustainability Project and is a joint project between Ashfield, Leichhardt, Marrickville and City of Canterbury Councils.