Moving Through - 2019, August

I just came across this lovely image sent to me by a client who’d bought several of my works off the Trailing the Trappist exhibition. I’d intended to share it a while back, but with building and renovating, then moving house and my daughter’s wedding, I’d forgotten I guess. But timing is everything. Always.

I shared the image on Instagram and then on Facebook, and only just now seen the relevance for me.

The relevance in both the subject matter then; of doorways, gateways and paths … of moving through. And now of the wonderful relevance of these works in the context of this particular image. With the light on the images … that the wall is in a passage, a through-way …. and with stairs behind.

All these things point to moving through …

I’m currently working on a body of work that continues with this theme. And so. I am deeply encouraged. On I press. Moving through.

Sheltered - 2019, July

I’ve started on a new body of work, and am enjoying stretching myself a bit with a few new elements however, I’m still so drawn to using images with umbrellas. 

The significance for me perhaps is that an umbrella allows one to be in and among the usual hustle and bustle of things going on, but keeps us sheltered, safe and shielded from the onslaught of rain, from the glare of the sun and from all that’s about. 

Umbrellas seem also to be as wings that like Mary Poppins, could float us off to somewhere else. 

Perhaps the August winds that are, will do just that, transcending me to a new space. I hope so.

Walk with Wings - 2019, June

walk WITH WINGS

One of my own personal favourite-of-favourite works has just sold.

It has been in the gallery in Franschhoek for quite some time, waiting for the right person, and the right time to ‘see it’.

Sometimes we can’t run ahead, for whatever reason … we have to walk. Our wings, waiting for flight.

Incognito In Ireland - 2019, June

My daughter Andrea relocated from South Africa to Dublin at the start of 2018.

Working for William Fry, the first CSR event that she volunteered to work at was Incognito 2018; a public art initiative in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

The connection for Andrea and me was particularly special, where her involvement was integral in the 2010 and 2014 everyONEcounts projects, where we raised awareness through art for the plight of Abandoned Babies and then for that of Human Trafficking.

Andrea has her Masters in Law with her thesis presented on anti-Human Trafficking.  With a heart for social development and upliftment, she is also a creative and loves ‘the arts’ in all forms.

When she reminded me of this year’s Incognito, I gathered up a group of seven SA Artists who very willingly and lovingly contributed three artworks each, in a rather frenzied short space of time so that my son James could take the work with him on his flight to Dublin in January this year.

It was a great success in both Dublin and Cork.

Together - 2019, January

I was approached to donate a work to The Savara Initiative who were looking to raise funds and awareness for the outstanding and incredible work done to assist Township Dogs. It was a great, great privilege, honour and sheer joy to make this works.

Horseback riding, with dogs and birds - 2018 August

I couriered more works to the Art in the Yard Gallery in Franschhoek yesterday.

With 2018 being the year of the dog, I've used more images with dogs.

I specifically chose not to keep the dogs 'on leads' to represent a mutual and trusting friendship.

My childhood memories of long peaceful outrides with my horse, the birds flying around freely and of dogs all about, are always present in my work; along with pilgrims journeying along African roads and through fields. I never felt alone.

You can view all the works currently in Franschhoek here  

Forests and Roz - 2018 August

A few of my latest 'forest-works' have recently sold.

These always make me think of my friend Roz Cryer whom the world is the poorer for her parting. 

I first met Roz through our mutual friend Maggie Strachan. We were all painting forests at the time and opted to exhibit together in an exhibition we titled "Earth, Light and Spirit" in 2007 at artSpace Durban with Karen Bradtke.  By chance, I captured what would become an epic photo of Roz in front of her easel, painting a beloved forest from her home in England.

Later she bought two of my first-forests painted from our beautiful Nottingham Road, here in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa titled:  Towards The Light

Just before her death, we had been exchanging art-postcards.  Our last card exchange included images of forests.  Her last message to me in the card was "Resisting going into the Forest, but know I must go". 

She walks now with me in each forest I paint, and I look forward to meeting her again in the Great Big Forest where treasures are to be found in the rich earth, with light abounding and in which our spirits soar.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Peaceful Studio Moments - 2018, April

For just over two years, we have been renovating a property that before had stood completely derelict for over twelve years.  It has been a tough journey.  In this time, I have had several temporary studio spaces, all of which have provided a place of solace and purpose.  My current space doubles up as a spare room, and at times to it serves as a workshop for Patrick.  

The views out to the garden are wonderful, and of course, any view is made that much more lovely with the most Handsome Hugo close by to keep me company.  His rhythmic steady snores often make me yearn for bedtime though ... but, together we're making memories and the work continues to bring joy.

Disruption @ The Kznsa Gallery - 2018 Jan

On until 4th February 2018, this wonderful exhibition reflects the fabulous talent of the KZNSA Gallery's Members.

The works are as diverse as our people, and each are exquisite. If you're in Durban, go see.

I've added a few photos on my Facebook artist page

You can also visit the Kznsa website to see the winners with their works.

Land Disrupted: picture postcards from SA - 2018, Jan

I was privileged to participate again in the KZNSA Annual Member's Exhibition, and felt sincerely validated in the recognition the work received. I also haven't been out-n-about for a long while, so it felt like a reunion of friends.

The link will hopefully take you to the album on my Lara Mellon Artist Page on Facebook.

https://web.facebook.com/pg/Lara-Mellon-Artist-201048243260930/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1798670163498722

Taken Beyond - 2017 October

It was great to participate in a group exhibition hosted by Art In the Yard in Franschhoek.  The theme was Taken Beyond and focused on landscapes. 

I thoroughly enjoyed creating this first body of works in my NEW art studio on our new property Hope Streams. Although it's still a bit of a store-room while we steadily finish renovating the main house, it is functional. Like in life "If we waited until all was perfect, nothing would be done at all". 

So, amidst the dissaray, I forge on, 'finding things' and mostly too, finding great joy. 

The work is filled with 'hope' and expectation for what 'lies ahead', and with lots of personal meaning in the bits of collage, gold, thread, stamps and my precious little images of people that I've photographed ... some from as long ago as 2004/5

As some of the stamps date back considerably, my friend Ana gently mentioned that I could very well be using "highly valuable" stamps in my work ... but oh, the value for me is in the use of them in a piece that will bring joy to whoever sees it ... rather than it being secured in a pristine album; much like the value of life is in it's use!

I have another body of work on the go, that goes BEYOND still ... and I'm happy to be TAKEN up in the process.

The images have in some cases loaded as quite large, and depending on your screen size/resolution you might need to scroll up and down a bit ..... but you can view the works on the beautiful Art In the Yard website.

If you're in and around Franschhoek, stop in to view them in the real where Sharlene will assist you.

Trailing the Trappists - 2017 Nov

I managed to keep somewhat ‘sane’ during the last months of renting before moving onto our property in June by creating these small artworks for the Trailing the Trappist’s Exhibition: 5th ‘till 12th November which will be hosted at the St Anne’s Hall at the Mariannhill Monastery. 

This has been an initiative by Maggie Strachan, where 16 artists will be soon be showing their beautiful works in response to visiting the various mission stations.  You can preview and purchase works by visiting the Facebook page titled Trailing the Trappists.  

------------------------------

Along with my husband Patrick and studio companion Hugo, I have recently moved to live on our new property: Hope Streams, in the misty hills and valley of Assagay. My life has changed radically over the past three years, where for about the same time I have blissfully laboured on these small but treasured artworks that have brought me joy, solace, centeredness and meaning.

For quite some time I have been investigating the concept of ‘transition’; of moving beyond or through a space, a place, a context; be it of a physical state, an emotional or spiritual one. I have a fascination with ‘time’ and ‘dimension’, and of ‘connection’ … and of the existence ‘beyond’ these concepts.

The subject matter of gates and doors from the Reichenau Mission and Mariannhill Monastery formed the basis for the theme of ‘transition’ for me in this exhibition.

I have combined printed photographs in a mixed media format; where the foregrounds leading to the doorways suggest that they could very well be that of an exterior or interior scape. The lines between the present and the future, between the internal and the external are intentionally blurred.

We are all ‘transitioning’ in one way or another; through grand doors, other times through side rickety gates, at the end of sand paths, slippery slopes, stone steps or concrete walkways. We are continuously on a journey, on one path or another, climbing steep unsteady ladders or by gentle turns along grassed paths where we oftentimes unexpectedly find ourselves anew.

In the end, either way, we are changed.

And the trail continues.

Packing (art) for the US of A ... - 2017 July

My sister-in-law Paula, lives in the States and keeps on at us for a visit.

Well. Not yet.

For now, my art continues to travel there.  And soon, Sacred Walk begins the journey across many miles and seas.  

This work has had a special meaning for me and I have found myself a little reluctantly preparing and packing it up to be collected by the couriers.

Even now, I have not enclosed it in its final wrapping.

My good-friend and art-partner Joan Martin often reassures me with "... there's more". She's right.  There is lots more work to come (I trust); but that moment of creating this particular work and the time and space I was in, is behind me now.  

Time is sacred.

Pink Blooms and Sienna Earths - 2017 May

My friend Ana and I started exchanging Mail-Art (postcards) in April of 2012.  

With no-thanks to the (un)reliability of the SA Postal Service, we cannot post these through 'the system'.  This means that we 'have to' meet to handover our cards.  So where we can, it's usually over a cuppa and sometimes lunch.

Ana loves all-things-bright; bright blooms and colourful prints. She is as bright in life too. I on the otherhand tend towards the earth tones.  

Looking back over at our cards, and the photos of some of our exchanges, it is evident that Ana's love for bright and happy colours must be influencing me positively.

You can see the images of our exchange on my facebook artist page - Lara Mellon Artist

Don't Run

Our much-longer-than-anticipated transition period (whilst we build our new home) could have had me feeling like running away often I'm sure .... if it weren't for creating art, in whatever form.  

Joan and I have been exchanging mail-art (postcards) since 2012.  Recently our friend Ana De Vlieg has also begun exchanging with us. I will blog about our postcards too.

It is the most wonderful thing, to have this connection, and a good reason too to meet over a cuppa and occassionally over dinner. I look as forward to receiving a new card as I do to responding with one.

We often include portraits and other images from the Sktchy App that Joan introduced us to.

I have loaded all of Joan and my postcards right from 2012 so you can see them here on my Lara Mellon Artist Facebook Page.

My last postcard was digitally printed from an oil painting that I did in response to a beautiful image off Sktchy.

You can also see some of these images on my Instagram link.  

A really great aspect of the postcards is that they're 'in-conversation' so have personal meaning and create a record of where we've 'been at'.  They are also experimental so we get to stretch ourselves a bit with a playful approach and the connection with another artist-friend is invaluable.

So, there's no need for me to run off anywhere .... these exchanges keep me relatively sane, and certainly hopefull and looking forward.

Treats that last a lifetime - 2016 Dec

The Buzzart Fair at the KZNSA Gallery is always a treat for me, both in exhibiting and selling my own work, and then in spoiling myself with treasures to enjoy in my home for a lifetime to come.  

This year I bought two Tricam Prints; a lovely mandala drawn by Nindya Tricam and a beautiful drawing of the Durban Station by Nikhil Tricam.  Look them up ... their works are wonderful.

You're bound to find a unique item, hand-crafted and local-to-Durban from the fair, so if you're in the area, stop by.

You'll experience a profound difference in living with origional, hand-crafted, made-with-heart works compared with the mass-produced same-old-same in all the super-commercial shops out there.

Transcend the Present I - Mixed Media on Board - 16x12cm - SOLD

Transcend the Present II - Mixed Media on Board - 16x12cm

Still, Through Forests @ The Loading Bay - August 2016

You are invited to join us for the OPENING of the NEW exhibition at The Loading Bay Gallery – Friday 29^th July at 6pm.

With a new series of artworks; Still, Through Forests will be my last exhibition this year.

I hope so much if you’re in Durban you can stop by to enjoy these and all the wonderful works by my fellow artists as listed below, in the great space that is The Loading Bay. 

 My work reflects the freedom I find in open landscapes and then of forests filled with mystery. In some of these, I have included photographed figures taken during a typical day in the city.  Placing these photographed images within painted forest and landscape settings creates a certain magic for me, and suggests that perhaps even living within the urban space, the longing for freedom of open planes and the magic of forests persist within us.

Through Forests @ The Loading Bay - July 2016

I thoroughly enjoyed making these artworks for part of a group exhibition at the wonderful Loading Bay Gallery housed in the beautiful Con Amore in the hip hood of Station Road in Durban.  

The exhibition opened on the 1st of July and runs until the 24th.

You can view the works here or on my facebook page.

My work reflects the freedom I find in open landscapes and then of forests filled with mystery. In some of these, I have included photographed figures taken during a typical day in the city.  Placing these photographed images within painted forest and landscape settings creates a certain magic for me, and suggests that perhaps even living within the urban space, the longing for freedom of open planes and the magic of forests persist within us.

Opening @ The Loading Bay Gallery

Durbanites: Opening Friday 1st June, 6pm @ The Loading Bay Gallery .............. but you're welcome to stop by anytime till the 24th.

See Loading Bay Gallery for details re. opening times etc

Not Afraid – Mixed Media on Board – 8x23cm

Through Forests - July 2016

Lara Mellon @ The Loading Bay Gallery from 1 July – 24 July 2016 

Join us at the Opening this Friday from 6pm

My work reflects the freedom I find in open landscapes and then of forests filled with mystery.

In some of these, I have included photographed figures taken during a typical day in the city. 

Placing these photographed images within painted forest and landscape settings creates a certain magic for me, and suggests that perhaps even living within the urban space, the longing for freedom of open planes and the magic of forests persist within us.

 

Loading Bay Gallery:  Grace Kotze 0825605045

15 Station Drive, Durban (housed in Con Amore Home)

Wed - Fri: 10:00am - 4:00pm and Sat - Sun: 9:00am - 1:00pm

Gallery closed on Monday and Tuesday

Facebook: Loading Bay Gallery Instagram: loadingbaygallery