ABOVE: My work day begins, December, 2024.
Aaah, the freshness of a new year.
Although this might not be published by the end of January, I started drafting it at the beginning of the year.
Time flies, especially when Queenscliff Gallery’s (QG) doors are open seven days a week. It’s tough and not.
Being grounded is quite lovely. Doing the same thing ritualistically has a soothing side. That the summer has been fruitful makes up for missing out on leisurely pleasures and the FOMO.
My health issue first introduced me to the joys of cancellations. I often had to ground myself and keep life simple to survive. Then, a dear friend, the late Michael Leunig, affirmed the experience with a divine poem, JOMO—the joy of missing out.
Oh Leunig, how can you now be titled, (the late)?
Leunig got so many things right. I learned so much from our time spent together when his exhibitions were on at QG and being constantly surrounded by his work.
What luck to work with this great philosopher; he had a great way of defining contemporary life – a Leunigosophy.
Through poems, tea cups and teapots, flowers and colours, wise pilgrims, penguins, cats and dogs, he exposed the stupidity of human beings in a fitting, naive fashion while also highlighting what was most important in life.
I’d often find myself twisted, spinning, and confused reading his poems, only to become unravelled and enlightened by the end. His paintings and drawings always made me wonder how he made his points so simply.
So, it’s… it’s not such a fresh start to the year. The loss is immense.
Bolognese anyone?
Well, that’s what I’ll be dreaming about as I start developing the sketches that returned with me from Italy last year.
Although we began our trip in Verona, and my initial sketches were of Verona, the Arena and The Barber of Seville, my hand-selected the sketches of Bologna’s urban scenes.
Something has stuck for me since Bologna – I think it’s the colour and scale of the city and its beautiful boldness, but my colour palette for this next body of work is being planned around the Bolognese colouring.
I’ve completed one painting, and another is well under painted. As per my last body of work, I will not be putting the images of completed works online, and at this stage, I’m not ready for studio visits, but I will let you know as soon as I am.
Bologna and Verona initial sketch in studio
Bologna and Verona initial sketch in studio
In the Studio Dec 2024
Verona street scene sketch
Sketching, Bologna
Since my return from Italy in September, my QG work has consumed my available capacity, and I’ve only now been able to begin painting.
So, some changes had to be implemented at QG and the gallery’s exhibition structure – not only because patrons have changed how they interact with galleries, and artists have changed their practices too, but because sales mean survival. My work has always sold, but I have never been able to make enough of it.
I look forward to managing QG more efficiently and having more time to paint.
With more time and a few encouraging sales over the summer (allow me to brag for a minute), I’m in a confident position and even daring to dream that perhaps we might be able to return to Italy this year.
There’s no harm in dreaming…
Soula Mantalvanos Hares' Secret Keys SOLD
Soula Mantalvanos Fondamenta S. Felice Venice Washing Day II SOLD
