The mind boggles... I was working in my studio on a pastel commission of a bush fire. This painting-  "Where there is Smoke" eventually traveled across the seas to England. While working on it the inspiration for "Natural Rhythm" emerged.

Natural Rhythm
The inspiration and meaning behind “Natural Rhythm” comes from TWO sources. Serendipity and Knowledge.

The Inside Story…(serendipity)
The inspiration came as I looked out of my studio window while hard at work on my commission piece. It was a grey, drizzly day.
I noticed that a spray from our reticulation had left a circle of discolouration on my garden wall. I saw this as the glowing red hot sun of the fire season. Then I noticed that the damp on the wall left a ‘pattern of hills' rising up from the base of the wall and the  long drips of moisture looked like trees... 
AND…
 I just happened to have a canvas the exact same dimensions waiting to come to life. I initially got all excited and thought it would look great in black and white using charcoals and conte crayons but it slowly became obvious that multiple glazes were what was needed as well as adding some intense inks for good measure, then I added the silk threads and felt and ribbon musical notes as the painting really wanted to ‘sing’.
 
The Outside Story…(knowledge)
Fire is one of nature’s essential elements without it there would be no life. Although sometimes we see it as catastrophic and devastating it also provides warmth, regeneration through germination and produces essential minerals that are returned to nourish the soil.
I often describe it as Mother Nature doing her housekeeping.
The textured area for the sun reflects its radiant energy that then flows in waves across the painting finishing with the notes representing the natural rhythm of nature.

This piece has turned out to be my key piece for a joint exhibition with the South of the Rivers Potters' Club titled "FIRE" featuring a curated collection of the clubs best work from the humble beginnings of "Glorious Mud" and up to 20 of my paintings on the wall to compliment their theme.  I hope you are able to join us at the exhibition and this insight into my crazy thought process shows how easy it is to be creative if you let your  imagination go and run with it.
Debra Scidone

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The South of the River Potters' Club are having their biennial selective exhibition "FIRE" at the Atwell Gallery. Their great creations have been "fired" in the kiln and I am lucky enough to compliment their theme with my "Firewall" of paintings.  You are invited to call in from Sunday 13 Sept to Sunday 20 Sept .
You might even get a start on your Christmas shopping by purchasing  a work of art from these talented creatives. Hope to see you there.

 We had perfect days for each of the four Sundays this year and I would like to thank all who came to see the 2019 collection.
This years challenge was to match the new pieces to the following categories;

1. My Dreamscape
2. My Imagination
3. My Fauna (more Pigmy Possums are on the loose again!)
4. My Gardenscape
5. My Seascape
6. My Landscape
7. My Birds

there were plenty to choose from but here are some pictures.......

Two to go....... The first two Sundays in November were perfect and this week is set to not disappoint with 28 degrees and our wonderful Christmas trees in full bloom in the reserve outside our garden. The flowers are down nice and low for a really good view.

There is a NEW artwork in the Studio as well. She glows from the doorway, you can't miss her. This is her new beginnings........

And this is how she emerged as the "Glowing Bride"......

Hope to see you soon, on the last two Sundays in November or make an appointment at a time that suits

"Moonlit Landscape" captures the eye of the Judges again. This time it won the Watercolour Section of the York Society Art Awards. Sponsored by York Pharmacy & Local Businesses.

Judges Comments,
This modest sized work very successfully captures a moonlit evening with a wonderfully understated but evocative colour palette, in a finely balanced composition.
Link to all York Art Society Results which shows the framed painting

Framed in a hand crafted wood frame the image size was only 9" x 5". It was sold at the exhibition.

Delighted to receive 2nd Prize for Works on Paper at this years Kondinin Art Prize. My entry, "Pigmt Possums in the Gum Blossom" was created in watercolour and acrylic ink.

Judges Comments - A delicately executed watercolour with a great balance of composition and colour. There is a softness about this well thought out painting.

Very pleased to receive a Highly Commended  at the Dalwallinu Art Awards for one of my favourite photographs. It was taken in the Snowy Mountains and the immature male wren sat and posed for ages for me. I also have a framed quartet of his images in the studio. It's called 'Strike a pose'

This was a first at entering my photography into an award, so a great result.

I will have them on display at my Open  Studio & Garden Days coming up each Sunday in November

This piece is part of a series from my trip to a station called Nalbarra just south of Mt Magnet in Western Australia. There was a little siding called Jilbering on the way that was full of surprises. A beautiful display of our Western Australian wildflowers.
Judges Comments - Competent use of the media.
SOLD at the exhibition.

My watercolour 'Moonlit Landscape' was selected  by judge Camilla Loveridge for my 'Effective use of colour' in this years MCAA award.
The judge's comments were "Beautifully rendered colour showing sensitivity and restraint"
The painting is a small 9" x 5" watercolour on watercolour canvas, framed  in a natural wood frame to compliment the colours used in the painting.
The scene depicts the tawny light of the moonlight just on dusk . I was happy with the atmospheric qualities that I was able to achieve from a very basic palette of complimentary colours.
The MCAA Awards are held at the Atwell Gallery, Cnr Canning Highway and North Lake Road, Alfred Cove. W.A. open daily until Sunday 25th August 2019.
There are 48 pieces of quality art on display and a very fine collection of Junior art as well.

Moonlit Landscape
Watercolour on watercolour Canvas
Image size 9" x 5"
by Debra Scidone
$275