Solange Villarroel

'B' is for bird

2011-09-08T13:34:00.005+10:00

Here's my contribution to the 'B' is for Bird exhibition held here in our very own quiet little town of Bellingen, organised by the ever lovely and super talented local artist Karlee Rawkins.

It's a large (120 x 80 cm) charcoal drawing titled "One night an Owl"

I'm happy to say it sold along with lots of other pieces, raising some funds for children with special needs. I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this group show. It felt like the opening was a grand celebration of this towns abundant talent and creativity! I want more.

Street Art - Inflatable sculptures

2011-04-02T16:58:00.004+11:00

I've been interested in 'paste-up' art and street art for years and just haven't got around to doing it. I recently saw 'exit through the gift shop' the mocumentary about the famous street artist known as BANKSY. My inspiration to make some street art has been rekindled. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH6xCT2aTSo&feature=player_embedded

Working in the Heat

2011-01-27T14:01:00.005+11:00

The heat in my work shop has become officially unbearable. Nevertheless I only get one day to work....so I can't stop!

If I go missing, you know where to find me. The company I keep doesn't seem to mind the relentless heat one bit.....my friend the fat python lazily watches as I beat metal.

I took a break and snapped some shots for your vieweing pleasure.

I am managing to make some rings despite the heat. However, I'm not sure that I can sustain this much longer...I may need to take refuge in the river for a while.

Behind the scenes

2010-12-03T16:39:00.003+11:00

Working alone is definitely the best way for me but nevertheless it's so great when people share photos of their studios and work spaces. Sharing something of the process behind an artwork adds an extra dimension to the appreciation and inspiration that can be shared amongst us all.
When I recently did some live painting in the shop window of Weave here in Bellingen, I felt exposed and vulnerable but also intruiged and the challenge was very insightful for me on a very personal level.

I look forward to participating in some more live art! Bring it on......

Unravelling a Tale of Hearts

2010-12-03T13:05:00.005+11:00

I have a wee exhibition of some recent illustrations, some paintings and jewellery currently on show at Weave in Bellingen. The show is on from Nov 20th till Dec 10th 2010.

As part of the opening I did some live art in the shop window which was a very different way to paint. I enjoyed it despite not really being able to sink into my own world of painting. I had plenty of conversations with many gorgeous folk.

One of my latest illustrations is on show which is inspired by the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland. It's a mixed media illustration using graphite, watercolour and some red stitching sewn throughout it.....

Also on display is the finished portrait I mentioned in an earlier post. A portrait of the lovely Miss Johana, titled "La Piel del Corazon" ("The skin of the heart") acrylic on canvas 900mm x 1200mm

Pushing Paint

2010-09-02T10:53:00.003+10:00

I've been learning the techniques of the old masters. It has inspired me beyond words and I am in absolute awe and completely in love, more so than ever, with painting pictures. It's so much fun to create an illusion with paint on canvas. I can't imagine life without painting. My latest picture is a portrait of an exquisitely beautiful woman who lives in our little community. However, I am attempting to give life to a new woman on my canvas, with this beautiful woman's help...if that makes any sense.

I am completely inspired by a painting of Leonardo's called "Lady with an Ermine" (Cecilia Gallerani). I am faced with a time constraint and have to paint using acrylic paint which I am finding pretty damn challenging to say the least. They dry so quickly..especially now with spring in the air and that makes it very difficult to push and pull the paint around on my canvas. Having said this, I am trusting that good things can come out of challenging situations. I'm out of my comfort zone...and that, fundamentally is a very good thing.

My latest piece...fit for a goddess!

2010-06-08T14:28:00.000+10:00

This is my latest creation....it speaks for itself. Made with eco friendly practices including recycled silver.

Mortals, Masks and Meanderings

2010-06-04T19:06:00.007+10:00

I have finally put together some shots of our group exhibition. It was incredible seeing all our work hanging and creating a certain feel in the room. There is something to be said for contemplating your work on an individual basis and then contemplating your work as a collection. It was a very insightful moment for me to say the least. Thank you to all my friends, family and art goers that showed their support. I can't wait for the next show......

La Gata

2010-01-18T14:12:00.005+11:00

My artwork "La Gata" is currently featured on the front page of "Kit and Caboodle". Very cool......

Here's the link:
http://kitandcaboodle.ning.com/photo/photo/listFeatured?xg_source=msg_feat_photo

Public Interest

2009-12-17T09:11:00.003+11:00

I am totally over the moon with the amount of positive feedback I've received after having the last exhibition. I have had a few works commissioned and another gallery showing interest in my work as well as people visiting my studio and purchasing jewellery from me personally. That has been fantastic! My ideal way of working would be to meet the people I make things for and work with them to come up with an extra special and unique piece that's just for them.

I am working on these earrings today which were commissioned after the exhibition. "Tierra y Fuego" are what I call them. Made from recycled silver, silver wire and copper.

Exhibition Opening Night

2009-11-23T12:21:00.005+11:00

So the long awaited moment had finally arrived. The opening of our group exhibition, "Mortals, Masks and Meanderings".

On my way to the gallery I felt mixed emotions but predominantly excited and enthusiastic. I arrived armed with fruit and cheese platters and was met with some mild hustling and bustling. Andy, the gallery owner/curator was a soothing presence and offered me a hand, conjuring up a few "soon to be" much needed napkins. Ashley and Josh our two gorgeous, young musicians were floating about spreading their good vibes. I checked in with them and as soon as they found their cosy spot off they went on their incredibly beautiful musical journey for the afternoon. It consisted of an array of slow and fast tempo gypsyesque music with Ashley playing flute and Josh, guitar. They were awesome!

I went and took what was to be one of my last looks at the collection for the next couple of hours. And then everyone appeared out of the woodwork. They seemed to come from no-where and before I knew it there were kids slurping up the watermelon, glass after glass of red being poured, people laughing and weaving their way through a very packed (I'm happy to say) and rather hot gallery and a curtain of red dots began to emerge. Some were even next to my works! Yeeeee haaaaa.......... Not that I was in the gallery at all at this point to witness that. I had seen the collection many times and the room was swelteringly uninviting to me.

I decided to drink a couple of red's after all. Just to loosen up a little and to help me cope with the stimulation overload. Mind you a tiny part of me had thought I'd feel like a lost rabbit in the woods being spot lighted but instead I felt totally at ease and happy to be sharing a piece of my world with those that could appreciate it. So I fluttered about outside. Happily listening to the music and chatting to everyone whilst I had friends, who had managed to take a peak at the exhibition, pop over to me, reporting that red dots were appearing next to my pieces.

I must say it was a great experience to share and celebrate the results of many hours of introspection, reflection, hard work and inspired madness with the beautiful community of little ol' Bellingen.

I may even try doing it again some time soon. There's plenty more where that came from.

Visual Sound

2009-11-14T14:02:00.004+11:00

Once upon a time I was visiting a friends house and there was a bowl of water sitting by the door (presumably for the dog). The sunlight was reflecting off it creating an image of light and colour that appeared on the ceiling above. I sat there for quite some time marvelling at the visual feast of intricate geometrical patterns that appeared and disappeared. These patterns seemed to be synchronising with the various sounds that were occuring in and around the room.

This was my introduction to Cymatics, or visual sounds. The images that sound frequencies create when placed through some kind of medium that is receptive to sound vibrations. Typically you see beautiful cymatic displays on thin metal plates that hold sand or (as in the example of my story) liquids that have a light source put through them.

I've been in and out of an obsessive relationship with sound frequencies and sacred geometry. I'm venturing back there again.
One, because I feel like there is always more to learn and two, it inspires me.

The visuals that sound create are of an exceptionally beautiful nature and the geometry fascinates me. The fact that you can see what you hear never ceases to amaze me. I'm of the belief that many if not all your senses can be affected by sound, by any vibration. Wether it be positively or negatively.
There is no doubt in my mind that sound can be very healing. It's known as sound therapy.

I was once part of a meditation school where I began my mapping of consciousness. One of the techniques we practiced involved making sound with our voices as a means of creating a "vehicle" for consciousness (awareness) to travel within or upon. The purpose being to deepen your meditative state. A similar concept lies behind the practice of chanting.
Visual aids such as mandalas or yantras etc are used for similar purposes.

I am going to create a series of art works that are inspired by my fascination with visual sound.

Taking One's Self Seriously

2009-11-10T09:09:00.007+11:00

It's finally here! The greatly anticipated and enormously exciting moment of the year (for me that is!) Our Exhibition opens this Sunday 15th November, 5pm, Nexus Gallery, Old Butter Factory, Bellingen. Please come along..........

A few posts ago I wrote about a little bunny friend of mine who, on occasion, gets around disguised as a ferocious wolf. Our exhibition explores a couple of themes. One of which is the masks we all wear. An interesting thing to contemplate if you are a human that socialises with other humans. What masks do we wear? And why or when do we wear them? Are we even aware that we wear them? or do we deny that we have masks at all?
I know one mask I wear is that one I wear when I walk into the supermarket. Everything is always "OK" when I'm at the supermarket because inevitably, in a small town, I always run into someone I know. And heaven forbid anyone discover that I may be feeling really sh*#t that day! Oh noooooooo, we wouldn't want that. Silly really isn't it. That some (if not most) of us feel we have to be "ok" all the time. Because really were not ok ALL the time, occasionally we are just not ok at all. I'm trying to drop that mask and occasionally I do.
But do masks serve a purpose? Do we need them sometimes? Hmmmmm..........

Eco-Friendly Jewellery

2009-11-07T19:25:00.007+11:00

The planet is basically not coping with the demands we over-consuming humans place on it!

So......

I have made the decision to try and make my practices, including my silversmithing, as environmentally sustainable as possible. I was very happy to discover that the silver I have been buying to create my pieces with is recycled silver obtained from various Australian refineries. The silver scraps from silver jewellery and photographic equipment is re-melted and sold to people like myself. That's great!

I have been very busy preparing for our up and coming group exhibition that opens Sunday 15th Nov. I am showing my work along with two other gorgeous and very inspired women, Julie Fuad and Nicole Crampton. Check out our snazzy publicity shot.

My contribution to the show includes the Mapuche inspired series of jewellery and some charcoal nudes as well as prints and a couple of paintings. Here's a sneak preview of some of my work.....

Birthing since the beginning of humanity

2009-09-07T11:39:00.004+10:00

I have to take the time and digress......

Women all over Australia have gathered today to protest at the steps of parliament house.

Sadly women's rights in Australia are being compromised. Current legislation is threatening to put an end to homebirthing in Australia. Basically this means that as women we will no longer have the choice to birth our babies at home if we wish to. This is a tragedy to say the least.

At present homebirth midwives cannot receive indemnity insurance. Originally what sparked the reaction to rally in Canberra was the proposed legislation which would ban homebirth midwives from practicing without indemnity insurance. Essentially this meant they would no longer be able to practice and therefore homebirth would become illegal in Australia. However two days ago the government announced that homebirth midwives are now exempt from having to practice with indemnity insurance till 2012. That's really not good enough but it buys us some time to take further action and make sure the government hears our claims and honours our needs as women.

Women need to feel safe, comfortable and supported whilst birthing and some women feel this when they are in their own homes, birthing in a midwife assisted situation, as opposed to being in hospital. Hospitals are for sick people, or people who have medical conditions that require medical attention, most pregnant women don't fit into this category.

I didn't birth any of my children at home. I would have loved to but couldn't for various reasons, non of them medical. However to think that I couldn't have chosen homebirth as an option...well it feels oppressive and unjust to say the least.

Whether women feel safest and most comfortable birthing in a hospital or whether they feel most comfortable birthing in the comfort of their homes, the choice should be available to them.
Birthing is a life changing experience for many reasons and as women we need to have our needs respected so that we can maximise the possibility of positive outcomes in birth. This is not only for our benefit as women but for the benefit of our children...after all they are the future.

Some friends of mine put together this video letter that represents us here in the mid north coast of NSW...... if you're interested, please take a look.

"20+ people from the Mid Nth Coast of NSW
were interviewed for this video letter sent to MPs
across Australia.

We hope that the politicians who watch it may be
influential in positively shaping the legislation so that
Midwives can access insurance, keeping
Homebirth legal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnJKgqqQfTw"

Let's hope the powers that be are willing to listen to us.

The Mapuche series is underway

2009-08-28T13:17:00.007+10:00

A while back I mentioned wanting to do a series of jewellery inspired by my fellow ancestors, The Mapuche people of South America. I am happy to say that this series is well underway and I am madly creating some very special pieces that will be exhibited in the show I am taking part in this November. It has been such an amazing process of reflection, realisation and learning about the Mapuche and their rich and extraordinary culture. It has put me in touch with the spiritual aspect of day to day life as well as the spiritual side of doing what you love...... your art. I have always wanted to make everything I do part of my spiritual practice somehow. The Mapuche knew how to do this well, making offerings and doing rituals surrounding all aspects of jewellery making. Everything from giving thanks to the earth for the clay they used to make their crucibles or giving thanks for the silver that came out of the earth with various prayers and ceremonial song and dance. They had rituals surrounding the fire which transformed the solid silver into liquid silver etc.....It is so beautiful, so insightful and so in tune with the greater picture. I don't want to take anything for granted and even though I don't have time to be doing rituals about all the things I am grateful for, I still want to find a way of making my artistic/creative practice something which enriches my spiritual life ... (and the other way round!)
I will post a couple of pics just as a sneak preview soon.
I am also very happy to say that my drawings have now been framed and they look great! I am feeling less nervous now and quite self assured that all will turn out well and my submission of works will be good enough.

Another one of my creative ventures has recently taken me outdoors and I have finally dug out (with the help of some beautiful friends...love you guys) a vegie garden. The kids and I have been busily planting what will soon become our lunches and dinners. How fabulous. I will post some pics of this lovely creation also.

Better go take some pics.

Overloaded Creative Impulse

2009-08-08T10:02:00.002+10:00

I am busily preparing for an end of year group exhibition that is happening in November here in my little home town of Bellingen. I've started feeling a little nervous about getting a collection of work together. One thing that has relieved me of that just a little was taking my drawings off to the framers a couple of days ago. It's such a big deal having your work framed. There is always the question of whether or not it's worthy of framing because, as you may already know, it's quite an expensive operation. Regardless of any opinion anyone else might have, I am happy with my drawings and I hope to inspire others with them.

Wish me luck. Must go now and create some more stuff.

Painting my reality

2009-06-07T21:33:00.006+10:00

I had a meeting with my brushes and easel again this very fine Sunday. This time I began a painting of a young woman playing her violin in the wild green forest. I can only imagine what that would be like because I don't play the violin. I feel it would be an incredibly beautiful and liberating thing to do. Here is a blurry photo of my painting so far.... I didn't come up with this image entirely on my own. I have a photo helping me do that. I use photos as a guide to make my paintings.

There is quite a lot to learn with painting....how to make your palette up and decide on all the half tones and mid tones etc and learning how to paint so that the picture flows and the composition is harmonious......it all depends on what your trying to achieve fundamentally. I know a lot of painters get caught up with 'light'. While I was painting today I thought about this. I realised how it can become an obsession because one of the things you are trying to do, as a painter, is create an illusion. An illusion of 3 dimensions on a 2 dimensional surface and also the illusion of light. I'm talking specifically about the styles of painting involving an element of photo realism, not necessarily abstract styles of painting for instance
And here are some photos of my friend Alex's incredible studio that she has so very kindly offered to share with me while she is away. It's a completely inspiring place to be and fills me with joy.
Above is my painting on the easel and if you do a 180 degree turn, behind you is this incredible view of the mountains

A Field of Flowers

2009-06-01T09:19:00.007+10:00

I've only ever lain in a field of flowers in my mind. I would love to do it in real life....for some reason I have trouble finding a whole field of flowers here in Australia. So instead I made a painting yesterday of a young woman lying in a field of flowers. I love painting especially out at my friends studio which is surrounded by beautiful mountains and a pristine creek right outside her door. I had such a fantastic time painting with some incredibly inspiring music playing in the background that another beautiful friend sent me. It was one of those perfect moments that you have to yourself, like having your very own delightful secret. I am blessed with some very loving friends.

This is an amazingly beautiful painting that another friend of mine painted. I love the feeling I get when I look at it. I want to feel like that all the time, free and open, protected, emersed in love and radiant. An ethereal goddess. It's titled "Dancing in your timeless watch".
Did I mention that I am also blessed with lots of very talented and inspiring friends? You can see more of his amazing artwork at SergioColour.

Work Space

2009-05-26T21:50:00.005+10:00

My workshop consists of a small tool box, a few small plastic boxes, a dremel and a gas bottle and blow torch. I sit outside at a bench that was here when we moved into the house. I have to unpack and re-pack all my stuff everytime I work. I cut my sheet metal using rusty, blunt tin snips and I forge the metal on an anvil that is a second hand piece of old railway track a friend gave to me.
I felt like complaining about my state affairs today when I had to work in the howling wind and rain. I wished I had my own work shop that I could enter and shut the world out behind me. I often have a puppy or a child wanting to explore what I'm doing and the hardest thing is that I like to work alone without talking to anyone.
After having a little whinge to myself I stopped in my tracks and realised how foolish I was. I really am so fortunate. We who live in the first world all are very lucky. There is nothing to complain about. The fact that I even have the luxury of being able to explore my creative impulses is such a blessing. I have so much. I have no reason to ask for more.
I like the idea of making do with what I've got and I'm going to continue doing just that for as long as I can and keep creating many a weird and wonderful thing. Rain, hail or shine.

Copper can be tricky

2009-05-24T11:26:00.004+10:00

When I learnt about silversmithing I was travelling around Chile with my family. I was born there and my family moved to Australia when I was two years old. One of Chile's main exports is copper, so a lot of the metalsmith's work with copper. I love using it even though it's tricky because copper can take a lot more heat than silver can and when you want to solder a piece of silver onto the copper you can run into difficulties if you're not careful. You can easily melt the silver! That's happened to me a couple of times and it's still something I have to be very very careful with everytime I work.
One of my favourite copper creations is the bird pendant you have seen a pic of in a previous post and this copper ring with turquoise and jasper. I made the band adjustable to solve sizing problems. It's very comfortable to wear I find. But attaching the copper base to the silver band was tricky!

Colour - Where does it come from?

2009-05-21T09:09:00.007+10:00

Life in colour is just so spectacular! Someone once asked me if I dreamt in colour, "Ofcourse I do, doesn't everyone?" I replied. Doesn't everyone? I just assumed that all people do. My dreams are in full colour and sometimes slightly holographic or irridescent in some parts.

As an artist I have a deep interest in colour and the way it works on our psyche and how it works in general. Where our colours come from is of particular interest to me. I have some interesting information (somewhere) about the making of pigments which go into the paints etc. that we use. I will dig it up and post some of it on this blog in future.

Recently I made some crayon bags with my two big girls who are 8 and 6. They were so delighted when I gave them the bags that we had tie dyed and sewn together. It was a completely beautiful moment for me to see my girls so excited about their new crayon bags. It was the new colours that made them giggle with happiness. I can't explain the deep pleasure I feel from seeing my children full of joy about such beautiful and simple pleasures as receiving some brand new colours to use in their creative endevours. How wonderful! I hope they stay sensitive to such simple pleasures all their lives.

Long days.... short years

2009-05-20T14:43:00.006+10:00

Ah yes the days are long when you're a busy mother but, alas, the years are short. Time flies by but god it's hard to get through the day a lot of the time! What a paradox.
Birds are still fluttering about in my creative consciousness.

Bunny rabbits have made an appearance on my internal screen also. Bunnies disguised as wolves. Here's an image I've just finished.

I had lots of fun playing around with graphic manipulation on photoshop. The final result is a mixed media collage.

I'm hoping to include this fella in the joint show I will be participating in later this year. He says a lot about some of the things that are on my mind relating to vulnerability, self image, self confidence, sense of belonging and other related issues. We bunnies are complex beings.

Without your hands

2009-04-23T21:21:00.003+10:00

Ever wondered what you would do if you lost the use of your hands?
What if you never had hands that worked to begin with?

It's a thought that crosses my mind from time to time when I'm working.

Behind the scenes

2009-04-01T17:08:00.003+11:00

There are many things we artisans have to do to give life to our creations. A lot of those jobs are not exactly enjoyable but absolutely essential. For instance today I've had a day of making tiny sandpaper tubes which fit my dremel so as I can polish my pieces once they are made. I have to make these tiny tubes in 9 different grades of sandpaper which I cut out into strips first and glue to a precise measurement or they don't fit! I have to make quite a few each time because often there will be one sharp edge on a pendant or ring that tears the sand paper tube whilst I'm polishing and I have to replace it. Then, of course, there's all the sanding and polishing which can take hours depending on the finish I want. I have to sand each piece with 9 different grades of sand paper and then I apply a polishing paste.....then scrub and wash and hand dry and shine! The end result is a beautiful piece of silver jewellery.

Time consuming? Yes...Does it drive me crazy? Sometimes, but it's essential preparation that I need to do to get the results I want.
Don't you just LOVE handmade things! I do.

Birds and Copper

2009-03-30T21:58:00.006+11:00

I've been having lots of fun hammering metal into all sorts of shapes and contorted designs. The alchemy behind working with metal fascinates me.

And as for the designs, well the birds are featuring not only in the drawings and paintings that I am doing right now but they are present in the jewellery I'm creating as well. This rectangular copper pendant has quickly become one of my favourites. I might have to keep it for myself!

As for this 5 plated, silver beauty, well I like how it worked too. It's quite stunning and it took me more patience and concentration than I can afford right now to sew each one of those silver beads on, one by one, so as to fix them in place..... ugh...the things we do for love.... the love of our craft that is.

To Paint or Not To Paint.....

2009-03-29T21:25:00.006+11:00

I've dusted the cob webs off my easel and brushes this week.....a brave move because I have such little time as it is. But if I stay away from painting and drawing any longer I'll burst. Anyway, I'm totally out of practice, it's been a loooong time since I last painted, so I have to keep reminding myself that I shouldn't expect too much and I should just focus on loosening up and having fun playing with paint. I did have fun and I enjoyed playing this week. Getting re-acquainted with colour and paint is always so invigorating, so liberating. It's so easy for me to fall into 'the zone', into that realm where time no longer exists, when I'm painting and drawing.
I'm back in that dimension where I am re-vistiting my obsession with the nude female and birds, I can't seem to escape that paradigm just yet.
Kathryn Del Barton is a favourite artist of mine for many reasons but particularly because she understands the obsession witth female nudes and birds....and love of our children. Above is her Archibald Prize winning painting "You are what is most beauiful about me".

Really HAND made

2009-03-22T15:33:00.010+11:00

The Mapuche, the earth people (mapu - earth, che - people) are the indigenous people of central and southern Chile. I was born in Chile and my parents immigrated to Australia when I was 2 yrs of age. Recently I took myself and my little family (consisting of my partner and then 2 little girls) back to Chile. We learnt a little about the Mapuche, and their amazing silversmith skills. Their jewellery is incredibly beautiful and formed an integral part of their traditional ceremonial outfits. The women for example, would wear Chaway (earrings) which had specific markings that represented the earth, heavens and rain during their ceremonies for summoning water from the heavens. I am fascinated by the idea of making jewellery which has a ritualistic or ceremonial aspect to it and is not just for asthetic purposes. I would love to make beautiful pieces that can provide the wearer strength, courage, hope, protection, peace etc in times of need. I am thinking of making a Mapuche inspired series of earrings and necklaces next. The Mapuche apparently believed that the silver jewellery worn by the women endowed them with protection and the power to sing and dance. I love the thought of the men and women wearing the jewellery I make and being inspired to sing and dance.
Their metalwork techniques obviously did not involve electrical equpiment or any hi-tech business. They forged, annealed, cut, stamped, polished, cast, moulded, wove, joined.....they did everything by hand. Such incredible, inspiring work.

Food for the Soul

2009-03-19T13:06:00.013+11:00

Being creative is one of humanities redeeming features. Why do we need to be creative I ask?...... There are many answers to this question and I suppose I can only speak for myself when I say that being creative means being alive! Without a creative outlet of somekind I feel....half dead, as though something deep within me, that normally stirs and rumbles has been put to sleep or worse still, is desperate to errupt, to manifest and can't! When I am creating I feel moved I feel in touch with deeper parts of myself, I feel....awake and nourished. I feel love for myself and for life, for all those around me and that adds meaning and purpose to my existence (not to mention the fact that it makes me a much nicer person to be around!) What say you.......

In blogs we trust

2009-03-18T12:16:00.003+11:00

I thought I'd use this blog space as a type of visual verbal diary of sorts to document my inner workings as I travel through my creative procceses. I am very short of time these days with 3 small children to look after so my entries may be concise, sporadic, abstract, disjointed and may well be described as unprocessed, unfiltered thoughts. We'll see how it goes.....