Soula Mantalvanos | Artist, designer & gallerist Melbourne Australia
Soula Mantalvanos | Artist, designer & gallerist
That translates as a casual hello from where I write in beautiful Italy. To be more specific, I’m in Cortona in the magnificent Tuscan hilly home of dear friends… having been welcomed back again. Where would artists be without their dear friends and patrons? While Theo and I take an annual break and I gather some new sketches [...]
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 Although this might not be published by the end of January, I started drafting it at the beginning of the year.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.
Well, that's life, isn't it? The perfect storm comes along and forces you to change all your plans. I've had great experience cancelling big plans and learned to be very adaptable. Emotionally, I've also learned to deal with these situations by planning something bigger and better ahead. And that I have.
I really like intimate exhibition spaces! Small spaces attract much attention, especially if they are great (if I may say so) and at the gallery entry and exit point like the Vestibule at Queenscliff Gallery (QG). I finally decided it was time to send Endurance out into the world. I'm working on a new body of work and feel a few of my self-portraits can finally face the world. After a few touch-ups, I also re-introduced Hare's Secret Keys. Both works incorporate the Fornasetti wallpaper that I live with and love and my two marionettes.
It was fabulous. Super fabulous! I can't thank everyone enough for visiting and supporting me through this exciting time, and for the divine patrons for all the dots - there were many! So many, I've flung myself right back into Venice in the studio - but it's looking a little differently. More on that next year! Here are the Here and There [...]
Mark your diaries! I'm having an exhibition of paintings and etchings inspired by my most recent trip to Venice.You might also like to sign up for my news or to Queenscliff Gallery's news to receive the preview notification.Works have begun to sell - Queenscliff locals are popping in for regular previews, and three works have been acquired.The works will be published on social [...]
I just returned from a trip to Italy! It was my third visit to Venice, a fifth visit to the Guggenheim, a second visit to Rome and the first-ever visit to Cortona, Milan, Verona, and a magnificent Venice Biennale. The most exciting 'first' was being able to draw more and prepare for my return to the studio, where I plan to explore [...]
Read the full post here
Lyno thinking (in pinstripe) at the Gertrude Street Enoteca Finalist in the Alice Bale Art Award 2008. Glen Eira City Council. December 2008 This has to be my most favorite portrait of Lynn (ok, that's a little difficult to confirm), but it certainly moves me more than the other paintings... and to think my feeling about the painting was right is added happiness. [...]
