Embrace Artistic Diversity, Discover Professional Framing, Host Unforgettable Events, and Join Our Creative Classes at Sunset Framing & Gallery
At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we believe in celebrating creativity in all its forms. Whether you're an artist exploring multiple mediums, someone seeking the perfect way to preserve treasured memories, looking for a unique venue to host your next event, or eager to dive into sustainable crafting, we have something special to offer.
In this blog, we'll delve into the importance of embracing artistic diversity and how you can stay true to your creative process while effectively marketing your work. We'll also highlight the value of professional picture framing and why investing in quality framing is essential for the lasting protection of your cherished items. Additionally, we'll introduce our versatile event hire space, perfect for creating unforgettable experiences amidst the vibrant, art-filled ambiance of our gallery. Finally, we'll introduce our new series of creative classes, Eco Creations: Mystery Crafting with Purpose, designed to foster sustainable creativity using everyday materials.
Join us as we explore how Sunset Framing & Gallery can support your artistic journey, provide the perfect setting for your most memorable moments, and inspire you to create sustainably and joyfully.
Drawn From Here Project - Port MacquarieDrawn From Here is an annual creative art journal project open to all residents on the Mid North Coast. Participants of all ages and skill levels are supplied with a blank A5 art journal which they are invited to complete however they wish. These art journals then form a unique, fun and interactive exhibition, held at project sponsor Sunset Framing and Gallery.
Drawn From Here Project - Opening night and exhibition
We are so excited to welcome you to the Drawn From Here Exhibition, opening this Saturday, the 12th of October, from 5pm to 7pm at Sunset Framing & Gallery! This exhibition will run for two weeks, giving everyone plenty of time to come in and experience the incredible collection of art journals created by our talented local community. All are welcome to visit during business hours, where you can not only view the journals but also immerse yourself in a unique, hands-on creative experience.
As part of this year’s exhibition, we’ve set up a special creative table filled with art supplies just for you. Visitors can take a seat and add their own page to our ongoing Community Art Journal, which will be displayed alongside the other journals. At the end of this exhibition year, these community contributions will be bound into a single art journal that will remain on site as part of our permanent Drawn From Here Art Journal Library—an ever-growing symbol of our community’s creativity and connection.
We also want to note that this is a family-friendly event and project, and we love seeing families get involved! However, we do ask that parents keep a close eye on their children, as the journals on display represent hours of dedication and personal expression from each artist. If children are feeling creative, they are more than welcome to contribute to the community journal at the creative table—just be sure to supervise them while they work. And if they'd like to take their artwork home, just let us know—we have some special paper just for them!
We can’t wait to share this special exhibition with you and invite you to be part of the Drawn From Here legacy. See you on opening night or anytime over the next two weeks!
The True Value of Professional Picture Framing: Why Your Memories Deserve More with Framer Scott
In today's DIY culture, it's tempting to think that almost anyone can refinish some wood and craft it together to create a frame. While this might seem like a cost-effective way to showcase your cherished memories, there's a significant difference between a homemade frame and professional picture frame. At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we believe that memories that matter deserve to be showcased with the utmost care and quality.
The Art of Professional Picture Framing
Professional picture framing is not just about assembling pieces of wood with glass and backing; it's a skill, a trade dedicated to safeguarding your treasured family memorabilia, heirlooms, and memories.
When you choose professional framing, you're investing in the longevity and protection of your items. Our process involves the use of high-quality, acid-free materials that ensure your memorabilia are preserved for generations. From the type of staples, glue, and tape we use to the careful selection of matting and backing, every detail is ethically
ethically chosen to offer maximum protection.
Professional Picture Framing & Canvas Printing Central Rd, Port MacquarieProfessional Picture Framing & Canvas Printing Central Rd, Port Macquarie
Quality Materials Make a Difference
At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we use only the best materials to create frames that not only look beautiful but also provide lasting protection. Acid-free products prevent deterioration, while UV-protective glass shields your items from harmful sunlight. These materials are crucial in maintaining the integrity and appearance of your framed pieces over time.
Respect for Your Memories
We understand that the items you bring to us are more than just objects; they are story holders of your family's journey. Whether it's a photograph of a loved one, a child's artwork, or a valuable heirloom, each piece is treated with the respect it deserves. Our professional framing services are designed to honor the current owners and the future generational owners of these items.
The Professional Touch
The difference between DIY and professional framing lies in the details. Professional framers have the expertise to choose the right materials and techniques to ensure your items are beautifully displayed and well-protected. This level of care and attention is what you pay for when you opt for professional framing. Knowing the difference between framing and oil verse a pastel, a photo verses a canvas, each have their own special needs.
The Hidden Costs of DIY Framing
While DIY framing might seem cheaper initially, the hidden costs can add up significantly over time. Frames made with subpar materials and unprofessional techniques often fail to protect the items within adequately. Over the years, you might notice issues such as:
Ultimately, these problems can lead to the need for costly repairs or even complete re-framing, making DIY framing far more expensive in the long run.
Why Choose Sunset Framing & Gallery?
At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Our skilled team is dedicated to creating frames that not only enhance the visual appeal of your items but also provide the necessary protection to preserve them for years to come.
When you bring your items to us, you're not just getting a frame; you're getting a promise of quality, care, and respect for your cherished memories. We believe that memories that matter deserve to be showcased with the best possible materials and craftsmanship. That's why professional picture framing is worth the investment.
Frameable Memories
Remember, professional picture framing is about more than just aesthetics; it's about preserving and protecting your memories. At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we create frames that tell your family's story and safeguard it for the future.
Choose professional framing for your treasured memorabilia, and let us help you showcase your memories in the best possible way. Because memories that matter deserve to be showcased with care and quality.
Embracing Your Artistic Diversity: Why You Don't Need to Conform to a Single Niche, by Business Curator Cherie
In the age of social media marketing, the mantra of "find a niche" has become ubiquitous. Artists are constantly bombarded with advice to narrow their focus and specialize in a single style or medium. While this approach might be effective for marketing purposes, it can have a detrimental effect on artists who thrive on exploring multiple mediums and styles. Having worked in the field of art and business for a long time, I want to emphasize that you don't have to confine your creative process to a single niche. Instead, the key lies in how you market your diverse body of work.
The Importance of Artistic Diversity
Art is an inherently personal and evolving process. Many artists find joy and fulfillment in experimenting with different mediums and styles, allowing their creativity to flow naturally. Restricting yourself to a single niche can stifle this creative freedom and negatively impact your mental and emotional well-being.
Staying True to Your Artistic Process
Your artistic process is unique to you. It reflects your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Forcing yourself into a niche can disrupt this natural flow, leading to a loss of authenticity in your work. It's crucial to stay true to your artistic journey, as this authenticity is what makes your art special and resonates with your audience.
Marketing Your Work to a Niche
While your creative process should remain fluid and multifaceted, marketing your work requires a more strategic approach. This is where the concept of niching becomes relevant. Instead of confining your art to a single niche, you can market your diverse body of work to different niches. Here's how:
The Balance Between Creativity and Marketing
It's essential to find a balance between your creative process and marketing efforts. Here are some tips to achieve this balance:
Staying Authentic
Your authenticity as an artist is your greatest asset. Audiences are drawn to genuine, heartfelt work. By staying true to your artistic process and marketing your work strategically, you can build a loyal following without compromising your creativity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you don't have to confine yourself to a single niche as an artist. Embrace your artistic diversity and allow your creativity to flow naturally. Remember, marketing your work to a niche is about strategically reaching your target audiences, not restricting your artistic process. By finding the right balance between creativity and marketing, you can stay authentic and thrive as a multifaceted artist.
Host Your Next Event at Sunset Framing & Gallery, Where Creativity Meets Celebration
Planning a memorable event requires the perfect venue, one that offers not just a space, but an experience. At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we invite you to host your next event in our versatile and vibrant gallery space. From intimate dinners to small weddings, our gallery provides the unique atmosphere and amenities that will make your special occasion truly unforgettable.
Discover the Unique Atmosphere of Sunset Framing & Gallery
Imagine immersing your guests in a funky, art-filled environment where creativity and community converge. Our gallery is more than just a venue; it’s a dynamic space that breathes life into every event. The vibrant ambiance created by our rotating art exhibits adds a unique touch to any celebration, providing a stunning backdrop for your memorable moments.
Flexible Arrangements for Any Occasion
At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we understand that every event is unique. That’s why we offer flexible arrangements to suit your vision. Whether you’re planning a sit-down dinner with our available tables and chairs or a stand-up cocktail party with ample space for mingling, we can accommodate your needs with ease. Our goal is to create a seamless and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.
Retro Music System: Enjoy our vintage and retro records on a high-quality retro sound system, or play your own playlist via Bluetooth to set the perfect mood for your event.
Funky Amenities: We offer ample parking during after hours and a convenient unisex toilet with art deco and artistic styling to enhance the unique experience for your guests.
Personalized Catering to Suit Your Tastes
Your dining experience should be as unique as your event. That’s why we offer the flexibility to bring in a food provider of your choice. This allows you to tailor the dining experience to your specific tastes and preferences, ensuring that every detail of your event is perfect. Whether you prefer gourmet cuisine or casual fare, your catering will be a reflection of your style and vision.
Why Choose Sunset Framing & Gallery for Your Event?
At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we prioritize respect, authenticity, and community in everything we do. As a locally owned business, we are committed to providing a welcoming and professional environment for your event. Our focus on quality and customer satisfaction means that we handle your special occasion with the utmost care and attention to detail.
A Space for Every Celebration
Our gallery is the perfect venue for a variety of private events, including:
Experience the Perfect Blend of Art and Celebration
Choosing Sunset Framing & Gallery for your event means choosing a venue that combines the best of art and celebration. Our gallery is more than just a space; it’s a place where memories are made and creativity is celebrated. We are dedicated to making your event truly memorable and ensuring that every detail is taken care of with the highest level of professionalism.
Contact Us Today
Ready to make your next event unforgettable? Contact us today to discuss your event and discover how Sunset Framing & Gallery can provide the perfect setting for your celebration. Let us help you create lasting memories in the coolest venue in town.
Experience the unique blend of art and community at Sunset Framing & Gallery, and make your next event one to remember.
Introducing Eco Creations: Crafting with Purpose 🌿
We're excited to introduce a new series of creative classes designed to bring joy, creativity, and sustainability into your life. Having a household of seven and running a family business, we understand the importance of creating moments of connection and creativity that don't strain the budget. That's why we've developed the Eco Creations: Crafting with Purpose – a series of classes focused on recycling for creativity, helping you make beautiful and practical art using everyday items. If you want to keep an eye on what creative events we have coming up, check out our event listings on Facebook or browse our Whats On page
Unleash Your Creativity Sustainably
Our Eco Creations classes are all about making art that is both beautiful and eco-friendly. Each month, you'll dive into a brand-new eco craft, using materials like framing matt board offcuts, old frames, and various recycled and found papers, including some gelli prints and artist-designed art papers. The goal is to equip you with the skills and techniques to create with a practical twist, using mostly items you can find at home. This not only fosters creativity but also promotes sustainable crafting that is gentle on household finances.
What to Expect in Our Classes
All Materials Provided: We take care of everything you need to unleash your creativity. All materials are provided, so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and a spirit of adventure.
Expert Guidance: Join us in our 2nd-floor creative space on Central Road in Port Macquarie. Under the expert guidance of Cherie Rayner, our gallery curator, photographer, digital artist, and creative facilitator, you'll explore new techniques and discover your creative potential. With decades of experience in the photography and creative business fields, Cherie is passionate about sharing her knowledge and love for creativity.
Learn New Techniques: Each class will introduce you to various techniques that you can use in your own projects at home. From color strategies to composition techniques, you'll gain valuable skills to elevate your crafting.
Exclusive Access: Your registration includes admission to our online collaborative community, "Club CoCreate." Here, you'll have access to how-to PDFs, free downloads, new ideas, discounts, and first dibs on future class opportunities. Connect with like-minded members and continue your creative journey beyond the classroom.
Light Refreshments: Enjoy light refreshments as you immerse yourself in the art of paper crafting. It's the perfect way to relax and fuel your creativity.
Take Home New Skills: Not only will you leave with beautiful creations, but you'll also gain new skills and techniques to continue your creative endeavors at home.
Enjoy Good Company: Spend a few hours in a meaningful activity, surrounded by fellow creatives. It's a great way to connect with others and share your passion for art.
Why Eco Creations?
Eco Creations is more than just a crafting class; it's a movement towards sustainable creativity. By learning to create with recycled materials, you're not only fostering your creativity but also contributing to a more sustainable world. These techniques allow you to create beautiful art without impacting your home budget detrimentally, making it accessible for everyone.
Join Us for a Creative Adventure
Ready to embark on a crafting adventure like no other? Join us for Eco Creations at Sunset Framing & Gallery and discover the joy of sustainable crafting. Contact us today to register and take the first step towards a more creative and sustainable lifestyle.
Create, connect, and celebrate with Eco Creations: Crafting with Purpose. We can't wait to see what you'll create!
Join the Sunset Framing & Gallery Community
At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we are passionate about fostering a vibrant and inclusive community where creativity thrives. Whether you are an artist looking to explore diverse mediums, someone who wants to preserve treasured memories with professional framing, planning a special event, or eager to engage in sustainable crafting, we are here to support and inspire you.
Our dedication to quality, respect, and authenticity shines through in everything we do. We believe in the power of art to connect people, create lasting memories, and inspire new ideas. We invite you to become a part of our community, where your creative journey is celebrated and nurtured.
Explore the endless possibilities of artistic expression with our guidance and support. Discover the value of professional framing to protect your cherished items for generations. Host unforgettable events in our unique and dynamic gallery space. And join our Eco Creations classes to learn sustainable crafting techniques that are both friendly to the environment and to your budget.
New to the family but a regular to the space is the Vinyl loving crew, embracing our new friends from the Record Fair and showing them some support we have 3 dates for a Pop Up Vinyl shop between now and the New Year with Hold Steady Records.
We warmly invite you to visit Sunset Framing & Gallery, engage with our offerings, and connect with fellow creatives. Together, let's celebrate the beauty of art and the joy of creativity. Join us today and be a part of the Sunset Framing & Gallery community—where creativity meets community, and every visit is an experience.
Until next time, live a creative life,
Scott & Cherie Rayner
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When you think about your home or workplace, do you envision a space that truly inspires creativity and relaxation? Or perhaps it could use a touch more personality, some vibrant color, or something that reflects your unique style? If you’re searching for ways to enhance your surroundings, incorporating art is the ultimate solution. Living with art isn’t just about decorating walls; it’s about enriching your life, supporting local artists, and making your environment a reflection of who you are. Let’s explore how art can transform your space and why Sunset Framing & Gallery in Port Macquarie is your go-to destination for local and personalized wall decor.
Art has the incredible power to inspire. Whether you’re looking to spark new ideas in your home office or add a creative touch to your living room, surrounding yourself with art can ignite your imagination. At Sunset Framing & Gallery, located on Central Road in Port Macquarie, we showcase a wide variety of local artists whose work brings fresh and innovative ideas to life. Our gallery is a hub of inspiration, featuring unique pieces that can breathe new life into any space.
Your home or office should be a reflection of your personal style and taste. Art allows you to express your identity in a way that’s both meaningful and visually stunning. From bold, modern pieces to subtle, serene prints, the art you choose can speak volumes about who you are. At Sunset Gallery, we specialize in personalized wall decor that ensures your space feels authentically yours. Explore our in-house decor print range, crafted with care and creativity, to find pieces that resonate with your unique style.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s essential to have a space where you can unwind and relax. Research has shown that viewing art can significantly reduce stress and promote relaxation. Imagine coming home to a room adorned with calming artwork that helps you decompress after a long day. At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we offer a selection of preloved art and local masterpieces that not only enhance your space but also provide a sense of tranquility. These pieces, often sourced from the Mid North Coast, add a layer of comfort and history to any environment.
Investing in local art is more than just decorating your walls; it’s about supporting the talented artists in our community. When you purchase art from local artists, you’re contributing to the thriving arts scene in Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast. At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we’ve been championing local talent for nearly 50 years. Our gallery connects you with incredible artists from our region, offering a diverse range of work that’s perfect for any space. By supporting local artists, you’re investing in your community and ensuring that the arts continue to flourish.
Browse the many local art and decor options here
A well-chosen piece of art can do more than just enhance your decor; it can also spark meaningful conversations. Art invites discussion, curiosity, and connection, making it a great addition to any home or office. Whether you’re hosting guests or meeting with clients, the artwork you choose can serve as a fantastic conversation starter. At Sunset Gallery, we feature a diverse array of local artists, ensuring there’s always something intriguing to talk about when people visit your space.
Art isn’t just for the home—it can also have a significant impact on your work environment. Surrounding yourself with art in your office can boost creativity, enhance productivity, and make your workspace more enjoyable. At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we offer personalized wall decor and an extensive range of decor prints that can transform your office into a creative haven. Our collection is designed to inspire out-of-the-box thinking and elevate the atmosphere of any workspace.
If you would like us to quote you on installing art in your workplace - email us here
If you love the natural beauty of the Mid North Coast, why not bring some of that outdoor charm into your home? Nature-inspired art can infuse your space with the calming and refreshing elements of the outdoors. Our collection at Sunset Framing & Gallery includes stunning landscapes and delicate florals that capture the essence of nature. These works of art create a serene, grounded atmosphere, helping you feel more connected to the world around you.
Art has therapeutic benefits that extend beyond mere aesthetics. Both creating and appreciating art can serve as a form of therapy, helping you process emotions, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity. Incorporating art into your daily life can be an act of self-care, providing an outlet for emotional expression and helping you maintain balance. At Sunset Gallery, we’re here to help you find pieces that resonate with you on a deeper level, bringing peace and wellbeing into your space.
There’s something uniquely special about owning a piece of art with a story. Our preloved art gallery offers a curated selection of one-of-a-kind pieces that have been loved before and are ready to find a new home. These artworks, often with roots in Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast, carry a sense of history and character that adds depth to any space. Whether you’re searching for a vintage print or a classic painting, our preloved collection has something for every taste and style.
We are building an online gallery of preloved art if you would like to browse what we have so far click here if you would like to find out how to list your preloved art for sale with us send Cherie an email at [email protected]
At its core, art is about joy. It’s about finding beauty in the world, expressing yourself, and creating an environment that makes you feel happy and fulfilled. At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we’re passionate about helping you find art that brings joy into your life. Our extensive range of local and in-house artworks ensures that there’s something for everyone—whether you’re an experienced collector or just beginning your journey into the world of art.
If you’re eager to enrich your home or business with the transformative power of art, we invite you to visit Sunset Framing & Gallery on Central Road, Port Macquarie, or explore our online gallery. Want to be the first to know about new works and artist introductions? Email Art Gallery Manager Cherie at [email protected] to join our exclusive email list.
Let’s work together to make your walls a canvas for creativity, inspiration, and personal expression. Living with art is more than just decor; it’s an investment in a richer, more fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the perfect pieces to make that happen, call, email or drop into the gallery!
Until next time, stay creative Scott & Cherie
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Vintage Movie Posters Galore!
Prepare to be transported back in time with our third release of original vintage movie posters, now available on our website and online shop. Immerse yourself in the iconic worlds of classics like 007 Moonraker, Enter the Dragon, Flashdance, Smokey and the Bandit, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. These stunning posters, presented in Daybill size, are sure to add a touch of cinematic history to your space. Hurry, grab your favorites before they vanish into the vault of nostalgia!
Spotlight on Featured Artists: Beric Henderson
We're thrilled to continue our exploration of artistic brilliance with the second of our current three feature artists, Beric Henderson. Stay tuned for an exclusive deep dive into his unique style, inspiration, and the stories behind his captivating creations.
Unveiling the Depths of Art: More Than Just Paint and Canvas
Discover the hidden layers behind every successful artwork! In our latest article, we delve into the emotional intelligence, years of experience, and extensive research that artists pour into their creations. Learn why investing in art means so much more than acquiring a beautiful piece—it's about embracing the artist's journey and the profound stories woven into each masterpiece. Stay tuned to explore the true essence of art and the rich narratives behind the canvas.
A Heartfelt Thank You from Artwalk Port Macquarie
We are immensely grateful to everyone who joined us at Artwalk Port Macquarie! Your participation and enthusiasm transformed our pop-up space into something truly special.
The joy on the faces of children as they interacted with our projection wall was priceless, and seeing parents join in made it even more memorable. To all the young at heart who embraced the fun, and to everyone who stopped by for a chat, your presence meant the world to us.
We also extend our gratitude to those who enjoyed the music and added to the vibrant atmosphere with their dancing. Your appreciation of the community group collaboration art installations on the sidewalk side of our activation space was heartwarming. The wonderful comments and numerous photos taken were a testament to the efforts of almost 30 artists and creatives involved in our site.
This event celebrated community, creativity, and connection. It wouldn’t have been the same without each and every one of you. Thank you for making Artwalk PMQ a memorable experience. We look forward to many more moments of shared joy and artistic exploration next year—our thinking caps are already on!
Special thanks to our creative groups who crafted the amazing collaborative artworks. We received so many wonderful comments and feedback, and we can't wait to share them with you at our next meet-up. Your contributions make our space what it is, and we love you for it.
A big thank you to Port Macquarie Hastings Council for the immense effort put into organizing and executing the event. Your months of hard work made the night a success.
We are also deeply grateful to El Motor Inn for providing the space and for your support of this event and our business. Our Murray St home away from home is invaluable to us.
Lastly, a HUGE thanks to our incredible team who worked, created, supported, and encouraged us (and even took care of the washing when we worked late). You are the most amazing, wonderful, and inspiring young humans, and we are so proud to call you our children—aka young adults.
Here are a few photos from last night. Photographer Cherie was busy in the booth for most of the night but managed to capture a few moments towards the end. Enjoy!
With gratitude and full hearts,
Scott & Cherie
Image credit: Reimagined Images (if you’d like a copy, just DM us—we're happy to share the original file)
Lights, Camera, Trivia: Movie Magic for Your Next Dinner Party!
Lights, camera, action! Looking to add some cinematic flair to your next dinner party? Get ready to impress your guests with these movie-themed trivia tidbits featuring some beloved classics. From secret agents to outlaw adventures, we've got all the facts to turn your gathering into a blockbuster event!
007 Moonraker:
In Moonraker, James Bond ventures into space to investigate the theft of a space shuttle.
Trivia Fact: The title of the film comes from the name of the villain's space shuttle, which is named after an Elizabethan English sailing ship.
Enter the Dragon:
Enter the Dragon stars Bruce Lee in what is considered one of the greatest martial arts films of all time.
Trivia Fact: Bruce Lee's performance in Enter the Dragon marked his first and last appearance in a Hollywood film.
Flashdance:
This '80s classic follows the story of a welder by day and aspiring dancer by night.
Trivia Fact: The iconic audition scene featuring Jennifer Beals was actually performed by a body double, Marine Jahan.
Smokey and the Bandit:
Burt Reynolds stars as the Bandit, a legendary truck driver smuggling bootleg beer.
Trivia Fact: The film's success in 1977 played a significant role in popularizing CB radios among truckers.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid:
This Western classic follows the adventures of the infamous outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Trivia Fact: The memorable bicycle scene was inspired by real events from the outlaws' lives.
Impress your guests with these fun facts and turn your dinner party into a night at the movies! Whether you're a secret agent aficionado or a Western enthusiast, there's something for everyone in these cinematic gems. So grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and let the movie magic begin!
If you would like to the full 3rd release of vintage collectible movie posters CLICK RIGHT HERE
Introducing Beric Henderson: Exploring Nature's Canvas
At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we're always on the lookout for artists whose work captivates the imagination and sparks meaningful conversations. That's why we're thrilled to shine the spotlight on Beric Henderson, whose unique blend of art and science offers a fresh perspective on the world around us.
With a background in both art and science, including a PhD in biology from the University of Sydney, Beric's creative journey is as diverse as it is inspiring. His art delves into the intricate interplay between physical and philosophical aspects of creation, inviting viewers to ponder our connection with nature and the oceans.
Beric's preferred mediums of painting and drawing serve as vehicles for his exploration of environmental themes, particularly the profound impact of climate change on our planet. His thought-provoking artwork has been featured in over 80 exhibitions across Australia, South Korea, Venice, and Switzerland since 2003, showcasing his talent on a global stage.
Notable accolades include being shortlisted for prestigious national art prizes, such as the 2024 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize at the South Australian Museum. His work has also garnered acclaim from audiences, earning him "audience favorite" awards during exhibitions in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Locally, Beric's presence in the art scene is palpable, with solo exhibitions at the Glasshouse Regional Gallery and upcoming showcases in Hobart and Taree. His relocation to Port Macquarie in 2016 has provided fertile ground for his artistic exploration, allowing him to immerse himself in the coastal environment and develop his own visual language inspired by nature's wonders.
As champions of local arts, we're proud to support Beric Henderson's artistic endeavors and showcase his remarkable talent to our community. His artwork, which can be found in various collections including the New Norcia Museum and the Figure1A Science Art Collection, serves as a testament to the power of creativity in fostering deeper connections with our environment.
Join us in celebrating Beric's work and the beauty of nature through art. Together, let's explore the boundless possibilities of expression and appreciation for our world.
“Botanica” 2018
The original artwork is large, measuring 160cm x 120cm. It was created with detailed lines of ink and an acrylic wash and aims to reflect on the moment of creation of the natural world. An outward explosion of natural biodiversity – plants, fungi, trees, life. It was the signature artwork of my 2019 solo exhibition “Symmetry of Nature” at the Glasshouse regional gallery. This print is a signed and numbered quality reproduction, and has been hand-painted with acrylic to accentuate the colour and make the print a distinctive artwork in its own right.
Polar 2018
I have been fascinated by the Antarctic for many years and by the accounts of early explorers like Douglas Mawson who braved the extreme conditions with primitive equipment and courage. As global temperatures rise the ice is melting and conditions changing. The drawing “Polar” was the first of a series of lone iceberg drawings I made to illustrate our fragile relationship with the southern ice cap.
Click here to see more of Berics work
The Hidden Depths of Successful Artwork: More Than Just Paint and Canvas
When patrons invest in a piece of artwork, they are acquiring much more than just paint on a canvas. Each successful artwork embodies a rich tapestry of emotional intelligence, personal expression, years of experience, and countless hours of research and development. Understanding these hidden depths can greatly enhance the appreciation and value of the artwork.
Emotional Intelligence and Expression
Art is a profound form of communication, transcending words to convey complex emotions and ideas. Artists channel their emotional intelligence into their work, infusing it with feelings and narratives that resonate on a deeply human level. When a patron buys an artwork, they are connecting with the artist’s emotional journey and the story behind the piece.
Years of Experience
Behind every brushstroke lies years of dedication, practice, and honing of skills. Artists spend a lifetime mastering their craft, exploring different techniques, and pushing the boundaries of their creativity. This wealth of experience is evident in the nuances and precision of their work, making each piece a testament to their artistic evolution.
Research and Subject Development
Creating meaningful art involves extensive research and thoughtful subject development. Artists often delve into historical, cultural, and social contexts to bring depth and authenticity to their work. This intellectual labor adds layers of significance to the artwork, enriching its narrative and inviting viewers to explore its deeper meanings.
Exploration and Innovation
Artists are perpetual explorers, constantly seeking new ideas and ways to express them. This spirit of innovation drives them to experiment with materials, styles, and concepts, resulting in unique and groundbreaking works. Patrons who invest in art are supporting this continuous journey of discovery and the creative risks that come with it.
Personal Connection
Ultimately, what makes an artwork truly special is the personal connection it forges with its viewer. The time, effort, and soul an artist pours into their work are what captivate and inspire patrons. When someone buys a piece of art, they are investing in this intimate relationship, gaining a piece of the artist’s heart and mind.
At Sunset Framing & Gallery, we celebrate the multifaceted process behind every artwork and the remarkable dedication of the artists we represent. When you invest in art, you are not just purchasing a visual experience but becoming part of a rich tapestry of creativity, emotion, and intellect.
Following on from our very community based Artwalk space we would just like to let know about or community creative groups:
Every Friday 10am till 12pm - Crafting Connections
byo craft, chat & connect over crafts and a free cuppa
2nd Thursday of every month - 5.30pm till 7.30pm - Aperture Photography Group
A fun social group for photography lovers, byo camera to have a play at the months photo set up.
4th Thursday of every month - 5.30 till 7.30pm - Creative Souls Collective
A community of artists and artisans that gather, connect and collaborate
For more details call us on 65834100 or check out the facebook events
Wrap Up
As we close this edition of our newsletter, we hope you enjoyed Artwalk 2024 as much as we here at Sunset Framing & Gallery did. We invite you to enjoy everything we have to offer from vintage movie posters to interactive art experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by. We look forward to seeing you call into the gallery sometime soon, the invitation to join any of our creative communities is always open. Stay tuned for more updates on socials, and thank you for being part of our vibrant art community!
Stay creative and connected,
The Sunset Framing & Gallery Team
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We were honored to sponsor the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards, a celebration that highlights the hard work and success of our local businesses. Our contribution involved handcrafting and designing 140 custom frames for the finalists, all done in-house at our Central Rd workshop. Witnessing the joy and pride of the finalists as they took selfies with their framed awards was immensely rewarding.
Framer Scott behind a wall of framesFramer Scott behind a wall of frames being made for the Business Awards
The frames were a labor of love, with Framer Scott constructing them and cutting the inner matt boards. Jackson sourced the appropriate frame moldings and cut the glass and backings, while Samantha assisted in locating frame moldings, matt boards, and fitting the certificates.
Glass Prep in the Glass Zone of the workshopJackson sourced the appropriate frame moldings and cut the glass and backings Our second story creative space taken over for fitting of certificates.Samantha assisted in locating frame moldings, matt boards, and fitting the certificates. It took all our space in our creative space on the second floor to fit all the certificates.
Framer Scott in the construction workshopFramer Scott adding the final elements to the fit out of the frames for the 2024 Business awards.
Framer Scott in his finishing room putting the final touches to all the frames for the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards 2024. Scott many extra hours in the workshop leading up to this event, as a business are proud to have pulled off such a massive order of frames in the time frame we had and for such sensational people.
Framer Scott finishing off the fixtures of the frames.The frames were a labor of love, with Framer Scott constructing them and cutting the inner matt boards. While also doing all the final fit and finish of all the frames with a little help from Cherie.
Cherie helped with the final touches, and Creative Community member Colleen generously volunteered to fit bonus discount vouchers to the backs of the frames, showcasing the spirit of our gallery community.
Congratulations from us.A bonus discount vouchers to the backs of the frames in congratulations to all the finalists. Fitting vouchers to the frames.Creative Community member Colleen generously volunteered to fit bonus discount vouchers to the backs of the frames
Our decision to sponsor the awards stems from our deep respect for local businesses, the backbone of our community. They sponsor local sports groups, fundraisers, create employment, and contribute to the town's economic viability. We also hold great admiration for Business Port Macquarie, a non-profit industry association dedicated to helping our local business community thrive.
The awards, launched in 2007, acknowledge the growth and success of businesses in Greater Port Macquarie. Each year, local businesses are encouraged to nominate and enter across various categories to share their success stories. Now in its 17th year, the awards continue to celebrate our region’s business achievements, with categories aligning with the Business NSW Regional and State Awards.
Congratulations to the Business Port Macquarie committee for organizing such a fantastic event, and kudos to all participating businesses, finalists, and winners!
You can go to the Business Port Macquarie website and see the finalists and the winners by clicking on those words.
Here is a few fun photos from the awards night, we took a mini frame as our "bling" and so we used it as a bit of a prop, enjoy a bit of fun with Framer Scott and Photographer Cherie via some phone photo fun. We dropped a few random mini frames with other tables on the night, did you get any photos with one? Send us your best ones in a dm via Instagram.
A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner. A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner. A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner. A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner. A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner. A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner. A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner. A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner. A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner. A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner. A bit of fun from the 2024 Business awardsA few cheeky phone photos from the 2024 Coastline Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Gala Dinner.
We are super excited to be back near our old premises on Murray St for Artwalk Port Macquarie 2024 on June 7th, showcasing our commitment to community and creativity through a series of engaging and interactive installations.
The collaborative pieces from the Creative Souls Collective group and Crafting Connections group added a new layer of connection and community spirit. These groups planned and created individual sections that came together to form larger art pieces. The Crafting Connections installation, made from “granny squares,” will be deconstructed post-Artwalk and turned into rugs for the local women and children's refuge, continuing their seven-year tradition of support. The Creative Souls Collective’s piece will remain in our creative space as a reminder of the power of collaboration and community connectedness.
Crafting Creations crew Elements of the Crafting Connections group collaborative piece. This piece is going to look amazing.
Elements of the Crafting Connections group collaborative piece. This piece is going to look amazing.
Crafting Creations crew Elements of the Crafting Connections group collaborative piece. This piece is going to look amazing.
Creative Souls CollectiveCreative Souls Collective working on their collaborative installation for Artwalk Port Macquarie 2024, they gather once a month in the gallery to connect, create and collaborate. The 4th Thursday from 5.30pm.
Creative Souls Collective working on their collaborative installation for Artwalk Port Macquarie 2024, they gather once a month in the gallery to connect, create and collaborate. The 4th Thursday from 5.30pm.
Creative Souls CollectiveCreative Souls Collective working on their collaborative installation for Artwalk Port Macquarie 2024, they gather once a month in the gallery to connect, create and collaborate. The 4th Thursday from 5.30pm.
Photographer Cherie will lead the immersive photo booth, where participants will be photographed against a plain background and later digitally immersed into a background of their choice. This booth, themed around community, allows participants to choose from three backgrounds ranging from soft pastels to bold, almost fluorescent colors. These images will form a large collage representing the Greater Port Macquarie community, showcasing Cherie’s skills as a photomedia artist and her passion for visual records of local events.
A test image for the immersive photo boothA test image of what you will get from the Immersive Photo Booth, this was part of Photographer Cherie's test series leading up to the 2024 Artwalk. Participants will get digital version of their very own immersive artwork - for free.
Our interactive wall projection, designed with bold colors and movement, invites participants to engage playfully. Projected onto the wall of the Murray St car park, it allows individuals to interact with the animations, creating fun and memorable experiences for all ages. This design aims to offer a free and interactive activity for families, understanding the importance of engaging children and creating enjoyable family moments. Join us in the carpark on the coastal side of the old ambulance building in Murray St, Port Macquarie to be part of this fun.
A couple of the Sunset Crew modeling for our test run of the interactive projection.get in front of the projection and become part of it, bring the kids, the grandparents or your crew and have some fun in front of the projection. A couple of the Sunset Crew modeling for our test run of the interactive projection.get in front of the projection and become part of it, bring the kids, the grandparents or your crew and have some fun in front of the projection.
As we approach our 50th year in business, we reflect on the incredible support from our community. Our success in providing custom framing, art sales, and other services is thanks to you. By hosting local creative groups and supporting the arts and broader community, we aim to give back and show our gratitude. Your support over the years has helped us overcome challenges like floods, bushfires, and a global pandemic. Together, we continue to bring creativity and community spirit to the Mid North Coast.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here's to many more years of supporting and celebrating our vibrant community!
Sunset Framing & Gallery on Central Rd, Port MacquarieAt Sunset, we're not just about framing pictures; we're all about framing a vibrant and connected community! Picture this: a retro haven where creativity meets camaraderie, and every snapshot tells a tale of artistic passion.
🎨 Supporting the Creative Vibe: Step into our art space, where imagination knows no bounds! We're the heartbeat of a lively creative community, providing a canvas for local talent to flourish and connections to bloom. Whether you're an artist seeking a spotlight or an art enthusiast seeking inspiration, our walls echo the vibrancy of our community's artistic spirit.
💼 Boosting Local Biz, One Frame at a Time: We're not just framing local art; we're framing a stronger local economy! Sunset is proud to support local businesses, using our frames to spotlight their craftsmanship. Because when local businesses thrive, our entire community shines brighter.
🌐 Community Roots Since '75: We've been weaving into the fabric of this community since the disco days! From bell bottoms to Bluetooth, we've been your go-to for framing through it all. Our journey is your journey, and every frame we craft tells a story of decades-long community collaboration.
🤝 It's a Two-Way Street: Just like a perfectly balanced frame, community support is a reciprocal art. Your support fuels our frames, and in return, we're fueling community dreams. Sponsorships, donations, and creative spaces - we're giving back to the community that has embraced us for decades.
👨👩👧👦 Family-Owned, Community-Driven: Sunset is more than a business; we're a family, and our community is an extension of that family. Your memories, your milestones, they're all part of our shared narrative. Because in our world, your community is our community, and every frame is a chapter in our story together.
So, step into Sunset Framing and Gallery - where every frame is a piece of community art, and every visit is a journey through the colorful tapestry of our shared history. 🌈🖼️
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Hello, art enthusiasts, fellow creators, and cherished patrons of Sunset Framing & Gallery! 🎨✨
Step into our world of boundless creativity and inspiration as we embark on a journey through the captivating realms of artistry, preservation, and progress. Today, we have the pleasure of shining a spotlight on the remarkable talent of one of our own: the incomparable Yvonne Kiely. Join us as we delve into the depths of her artistic expression and explore the breathtaking beauty of her creations.
But that's not all! We're also thrilled to unveil an exciting new initiative designed to elevate your art experience and ensure the longevity of your cherished memories. Discover how our complimentary 2-year Clean and Check service for custom-made frames is revolutionizing the way we safeguard your treasures with care and dedication.And finally, as we look to the future with anticipation and excitement, we're delighted to share updates on the latest happenings at Sunset Framing & Gallery. From the reopening of our second-floor creative space to the buzz of activity surrounding our new roof installation, there's never been a better time to be part of our vibrant community.
So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and prepare to be inspired. Whether you're a seasoned art aficionado or a newcomer to the world of creativity, there's something here for everyone. Welcome to our creative haven – let the journey begin!
Yvonne Kiely - Revealing the artistArtist Yvonne Kiely photographed by inhouse photographer Cherie.
Spotlight on Yvonne Kiely: A Journey Through Artistic Expression
In the vibrant tapestry of our local art community, few voices resonate as consistently as that of Yvonne Kiely. Born from the windswept landscapes of southern Ireland, Yvonne's artistic pathway began amidst the boundless expanse of her family's secluded farm. It was here, amidst rolling hills and whispering fields, that she first discovered the transformative power of creativity.
Yvonne's formal education in fine art at Dublin’s National College of Art and Design laid the foundation for her artistic expression, while her studies in fashion at the National School of Art in East Sydney infused her work with a dynamic fusion of color and texture. Yet, it was her immersion in the international textile and design industry that truly ignited her creative flame, propelling her into a world of jet-set excitement and boundless inspiration.
For over three decades, Yvonne has called the NSW Mid North Coast home, where she has carved out a niche as a professional artist, painter, and art therapist. Her works, showcased in prestigious galleries and exhibitions across Australia, speak to a deep reverence for the natural world and the human experience.
Let's take a closer look at a few of Yvonne's creations currently on the walls:
"Let’s Dance" Dimensions: 120x120cm Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Transport yourself into a world of whimsy and wonder with "Let’s Dance." Inspired by the effervescent energy of David Bowie's iconic anthem, this vibrant masterpiece invites viewers to lose themselves in a flurry of pink and white hues. As Yvonne's brushstrokes dance across the canvas, a symphony of flowers blooms in defiance of nature's boundaries, beckoning us to embrace the joy of uninhibited expression.
"Sandlines 1" Dimensions: 150x100cm Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas
Embark on a journey along the shoreline with "Sandlines 1," where the ebb and flow of the ocean's embrace are captured in layers of texture and movement. Inspired by coastal walks and the ever-shifting sands, Yvonne masterfully blends raw linen, archival glue, and acrylic paint to evoke the transient beauty of nature's canvas.
"Misty Ocean" Dimensions: 40x60cm (framed) Medium: Acrylic
Step into a realm of serenity and introspection with "Misty Ocean," where the soft embrace of Ireland's "soft days" comes to life on canvas. As gentle mists envelop the coastline of Port Macquarie's Lighthouse Beach, Yvonne invites us to linger in moments of deep calm and quiet contemplation.
From the sweeping vistas of "Sandlines 3" to the dreamlike allure of "Land Of Milk and Honey," each of Yvonne's works serves as a portal into the soul of the artist, inviting us to explore the depths of our own emotions and experiences.
Explore more of Yvonne Kiely's breathtaking artworks and immerse yourself in a world of beauty and inspiration. Visit Art by Yvonne Kiely For sale at Sunset Gallery and enjoy browsing the works of art by Yvonne currently available through us.
Elevating Your Art: Introducing Our Complimentary 2-Year Clean and Check Service
As guardians of cherished memories and treasures, we at Sunset Framing & Gallery understand the paramount importance of preserving the beauty and integrity of your most precious possessions.
That's why we're thrilled to announce a new initiative designed with you in mind: introducing our complimentary 2-year Clean and Check service for all 100% in-house custom-made frames. This value upgrade is our way of expressing gratitude for your continued trust and loyalty, while also providing essential care for your valued investments.
Why the emphasis on regular maintenance, you might ask?
Well, the truth is, the environmental factors surrounding your frame – be it moisture, dust, or grime – can take a toll over time. Without proper upkeep, even the most meticulously crafted frames can succumb to wear and tear, compromising the safety and longevity of your cherished items.
Our expert team will diligently inspect and clean the glass in your frame, ensuring it remains in pristine condition for years to come. But it doesn't stop there. We go the extra mile to identify and address any signs of pitting, particularly common in metallic frames that haven't received regular attention, mould that can be common in our climate due to humidity in the home and acid that can leach out of the walls and into the backing of your frame and if left unchecked into the artwork within.
We recognize that in today's uncertain times, every dollar counts. Yet, we firmly believe that investing in a custom-made frame isn't just a luxury – it's a safeguard for the memories and valuables within. Unlike "cheap" frames that can unwittingly harm your items with inferior materials, our professional-grade, acid-free products offer unparalleled protection and longevity. It's not just about spending more; it's about investing wisely in quality that stands the test of time.
By offering this complimentary service, we aim to show appreciation for clients like you who understand the value of safeguarding your treasures with the utmost care and attention. Your trust in our craftsmanship and materials is not taken for granted – it's celebrated and reciprocated with every frame we meticulously construct and maintain.
So, whether you're preserving a cherished family portrait, a priceless piece of art, or a memento of a special moment, rest assured that your investment is in good hands. With our complimentary Clean and Check service, we're here to ensure that the beauty and significance of your treasures endure for generations to come.
Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious memories. We look forward to serving you and safeguarding your cherished items for many years to come.
As part of our commitment to supporting artists, we're thrilled to say our complimentary 2-year Clean and Check service for all 100% in-house custom-made frames, is transferable - from the date of framing. This service not only ensures the longevity and pristine presentation of your artwork but also presents a unique opportunity to add value and assurance for your clients. Imagine being able to offer not just a beautiful piece of art but also the promise of ongoing maintenance and care, courtesy of Sunset Framing & Gallery.
It's a powerful way to instill confidence and trust in your potential art clients, assuring them that your work is not only a stunner today but will remain so for generations to come. Let us partner with you in elevating the perceived value and quality assurance of your artwork and it's framing, ensuring that your clients know you value not just your art but them also.
Looking Up: Exciting Updates from Sunset Framing & Gallery
As we embark on the journey of progress, we're thrilled to share some exciting news from Sunset Framing & Gallery. Our creative space on the second floor is soon to reopen for hire, offering a vibrant hub for artistic endeavors and community engagement. While the installation of a new roof may bring a bit of noise and construction activity, rest assured that it's all systems go in our framing workshop and gallery space.
Though the view from outside may change temporarily, our commitment to excellence and creativity remains steadfast. We invite you to join us in embracing this phase of growth and renewal, as we continue to elevate artistry and inspire connections within our community.
Stay tuned for updates on our reopening and upcoming events. In the meantime, don't hesitate to visit us at Sunset Framing & Gallery, where creativity knows no bounds. Thank you for being here and for your support of our family business ~ Scott & Cherie
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You can browse our framing gallery by clicking here
Here are a few moments with our own family that we think deserve a frame around them, we love our crew and we love making memories with them, and in today's fast and crazy pace world we love the idea of putting some of our family memories into a frame and on the wall so the whole crew can be reminded of the fun we have together, then when we have new favourite memories we can swap out the photos in the frames.
If you like the idea of reminding your kiddo's young and not as young anymore of the wonderful times had when your all together then give us a call and we can explain how we can do this for your family photos also.
Check Out Scotts recent top pick
ohhhh the visual delight you will find by clicking here
Here we are on Facebook Here we are in Instagram
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Hello friends, followers and fans Thanks for dropping by and joining us for little chat with one of our local artists who also happens to be exhibiting in the Summer Show.
Hi Alycia, lets get straight to it, when do you like to create?
First thing in the morning! If I put it off until the afternoon it just won't get done; I get too in my head about whatever it is I'm wanting to do and can't make a mark. But if I've just woken up, freshened up and had a cup of tea - let the sunshine and the breeze in - then I'll easily settle into the project in front of me.
That sounds delightful, art & tea what a combo. You have recently joined our creative arts group Creative Souls Collective which is all about connecting artists within our local community and society, do you think art has an impact on society, if yes how?
Absolutely! If there is an audience for any piece of art, they will never walk away from it with an empty mind. Art will always impart some thought or feeling, and even if it might be minor, you will be different after seeing it than if you hadn't. On a large scale, an esteemed artist exhibiting new work in a popular establishment will have a rippling impact throughout our society. It starts with all of their different artistic peers who will create more art in any number of consumable mediums, who will also inspire one another, and then the rest of the world in our daily pursuits. It just starts with one new idea!
Well said and you have raised some valid ways that art impacts art as a whole and more specifically the art world, very interesting points, thank you. Your "newish" to the professional art world, do you find it easy or hard to navigate the professional art world?
It can be tricky when there's not really a set guidebook; everyone navigates it differently from different starting points. I think I've settled into a little rhythm now, and I'm happy with the connections I've made in our community. I think that's one of the most challenging things, putting yourself out there and meeting other creatives.
We agree, it can be very daunting to get out of your comfort zone and meet other creatives, we tend to hide in our studios a lot. Changing the subject a little here is a question more on your art practice, before you make a mark on your canvas or paper how much time do you spend on preparing to create a piece?
I will almost always put down a basic sketch before I get the paints out, depending on the subject this could take a little or a long time. With flowers, I will tend to get quite detailed with the pencil so that I can see all of the layers and get the shape and scale of how I would like it.
Most of the landscapes I paint will come from a reference picture I've taken myself, but other pieces will be almost a collage of pics from all different places, and that can take some time as well to see how all the pieces will fit together.
Outside of that, however, I can be a little headstrong, where once I have an idea, my only goal is the end result. I can definitely see the advantages of doing preliminary sketches and painting and I want to take a bit more time to study my subjects in future.
Thank you, that was a really open response I am sure there will be many other artists who get something from that. Tell us why do you make art?
I want to inspire people. I want just one person to see something I've created and feel something because of it. I want to make art that says something and communicates or challenges an idea, and I also want to make art that makes me happy - that looks 'pretty'.
That sounds very fair, to reach another individual with your art is a powerful form of connection, most importantly making art that makes you happy is essential for an artist, we have seen some of your art that fits the pretty and it is very uplifting and joy filled. Do you think formal art training is essential to have a professional art practice and why?
I don't think it's essential, there are so many accessible ways for people to learn and access materials that all it really takes is motivation. That being said I would love to study one day and I understand the value of learning traditional practices.
Ahh yes the old motivation can make or break the best of intentions. Can you describe your favourite piece of art you have created?
To date, my favourite piece is still the self-portrait I painted for my HSC major work a few years ago. It's the biggest canvas I've worked on and includes two of my favourite subjects to paint: portraiture and flowers. It's a long rectangular canvas with a lush green background. There are three rows of flowers distinct by their colouring, pink, purple and blue and including lilies, roses, orchids and tulips. The focal point is a nude portrait with a forward-facing gaze. I also used stamps to print words and phrases onto the canvas, a technique I hadn't used before but I was really happy with the result!
Wow that sounds amazing, I hope you can show us that piece at some point. Tell us, where do you find inspiration?
I can find inspiration in so many areas. The places I've been or the feelings I've felt. I'm inspired by the media I consume and other artists' ideas. I thrive on suggestions or themes and as such would love to do commissions for people.
Do you think making, viewing or living with art is good for your health, why?
Oh for sure, any and all of these keep you thinking, analysing and asking questions. Art can be an incredible stimulus, whether or not you yourself are a creative person. Especially because it can affect both parts of us, depending on which you are more in tune with, your thinking and your feeling. Most people associate art as being one of those interests that align more with your emotions, how it makes you feel or what the artist is trying to express. But one of the great things about art is that you're allowed to question it; even if you feel like you don't 'get' a piece of art, it will provoke you to start thinking critically about it - how it's been put together and why. To live a happy and healthy life I think we have to have experiences that keep our brains active!
Wonderfully put, thank you. Last question, how can people who are not in need of any art still support your art practice?
Most people don't feel like they need new art all the time unless they're avid collectors, but that doesn't mean that you can't support your artist friend to keep creating in other ways.
Just going to see the exhibition even if you don't intend to buy can mean so much, acknowledging the work they've put in and taking the time to appreciate it! And as contrived as it may feel, posting about your visit can encourage others in your broader circle that it's worthwhile, and someone that your post reaches might just be in need of a new piece of art.
Feedback is also important, let us know if there's a certain style or subject you like to see from us, or even if you have an idea for something you'd like to see us create! Inspiration is always welcome, and the finished product will be that little bit more special knowing the initial idea was formed alongside somebody in your life.
They are fantastic suggestions for alternative ways to help support local artists, thank you so much for your time Alycia we have really enjoyed your responses. We look forward to watching and supporting the growth of your art practice and having you as part of our creative family has already been insightful and a joy.
If you would like see the artwork that Alycia has in the Summer Show then CLICK HERE if you would like to find Alycia on social media you can find her RIGHT HERE
Thanks for joining us, if you know of an artist you would like us to chat with then please send me (Arts Manager Cherie) an email at [email protected]
Till next time all, stay creative, stay kind and remember to support local art.
Cherie
All images in this chat were created with portraits of Alycia taken by Reimagined Images and images of Alycia's artworks used with permission and crafted into montage works also by Reimagined Images.
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Hello and thanks for being here, we welcome both you the reader and Fiona to the Sunset Gallery blog, its always nice to have you all here.
Fiona and I (Gallery Admin & Arts Manager Cherie here) are going to have a little virtual chat, hopefully you the can get to know Fiona a little more, understand her as an artist and as a Greater Port Macquarie local.
Fiona if you had to describe your art with three words what would they be?
The most favourite part of artmaking is the telling of stories of one of my favourite themes - the botanical world and my childhood memories of spending time in nature. My work combines a bold colour palette of gouache with linework illustrations to create sometimes whimsical, paintings and illustrations to reveal my wanderlust for the world around.
Do you have any artistic influences and who has been your biggest influence?
My original and biggest artistic influence began whilst at high school when I discovered Linda Jackson’s work. Her work was inspired by the Australian bush and she created fabrics of the most brilliant colours, shapes and textures, including that of the Australian eucalypts.
I can see how Linda has influenced your art, your work has a strong botanic component, tell us do you have a fav time of the day to create?
My favourite time of the day to create is early morning or evening when I’m being more disciplined. It’s when I get to think more clearly without daytime distractions.
Oh I can relate to that, early morning is a great time to have a little peaceful creativity, Fiona would you suggest someone could develop their art practice and or skills?
I know it’s a cliche but developing your art skills is by practicing and continually painting. Playing with different techniques and materials is another way I develop my skills. I also love to see how other artists work and in person workshops and online courses are another way I work on my art skills.
Thank you for that, I’m sure many will find that interesting, on a different note do you think art has an impact on society?
I definitely think art has an impact on society. There are so many ways it does this. It carves the way for new and interesting solutions. Artists are problem solvers and our strengths are coming up with solutions and presenting this in new and interesting ways.
Wow I love that, and I agree artists are great problem solvers and often in very innovative ways. If you could identify the purpose or goal of your art practice what would it be?
My purpose or goal of my work is primarily to tell a story. Whether it’s an illustration or a painting there will be a story behind it. I’m not a writer but create and weave my stories into the art I create.
I love artwork that tells a story, it helps the viewer connect to it in a deeper way. We often see many artists who do not often get out of their studios, do you have a network of other artists that you connect with and support or that support you?
I do have a network of other artists where we support each other. And thanks to social media this network is now eire reaching. It also means that I’m opened to creating connections to new creatives and introduce their work to others.
That’s awesome and I’m sure it is really valued by yourself and them also, can you tell us what motivates you to create?
My motivation to create goes back to my love of telling a story. Creating is also a good way for my stress relief and mental health. I may not always create great work at these times but there’s a sense of accomplishment that I’ve taken out my pencils or gouache and put something onto paper.
Art is a sensational tool to have in the mental health tool kit, both in the creating and the viewing, great response. Have you found that your style has changed over time?
My work has changed over time and this goes hand in hand with my development of art skills.
How has it changed?
My earlier work was less illustrative and more stylised and graphic. Then a few years ago I rediscovered my love of gouache and that’s when my work became more painterly, illustrative and textural. I also reignited my love of nature and this has become a massive influence on the development my style.
That’s really interesting and probably relatable by many artists. Lucky last question for you, what is your go to medium to use?
My most favourite of mediums is gouache. I love the creaminess of this paint and find it quite versatile in the way that I use it. Sometimes I water it right down so that it work a bit like watercolour. I use an acrylic gouache which means that each layer works independently from previous layers. It’s how I work my style from loose areas and layer up with linework using a thicker layer of gouache.
Well thank you so much Fiona for your openness and spending a few minuets with us and thank you for being one of our Summer Show artists this season, your piece is a stunning representation of what you do, we hope that a local art lover can purchase it to put n the collection.
To purchase this artwork CLICK HERE to see more of Fiona's work on Insta CLICK HERE
Till next time all, stay creative, stay kind and remember to support local art.
Cherie
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Friends & Family,
Followers & Likers and
residents of the Mid North Coast and beyond,
What a fun time of year we are in, we start to gather for the festive season. Spending time with family and friends making memories and sharing time together, we love seeing these types of memories get put into frames and on the walls.
Check out this idea one of our team members had, we often hear our clients say they are running out of wall space for family photos, so as a solution to that she thought of the "seasonal gallery".
How does a seasonal gallery work? Its actually really easy and very clever.
1. You have a frame for each season or you could do one for each family member.
2. You pick your favourite memory for that season (or for that persons year) and you bring it in for us to print and put into the frame, and you hang it on the wall something like the below insitu image.
3. Then when it comes around to the next years season (winter, spring, summer or autumn ) or each birthday if your doing it per person you email us your new photo for that season or person, drop in your frame and we print up the image and refit it into your existing frame.
That way you get to have beautiful memories on your wall, it freshens your decor up and the kids get reminded of the good times (because lets be real, they sometimes forget how good life is when they are being told to take out the rubbish or clean their room ;) ).
What happens to the photos each season? Well our suggestion is that you keep them in the back of the frame, then when your child reaches a certain age you can gift it to them as a time capsule of their life to that point, you could say it becomes an analogue highlights reel. A collection of images that they can then create a collage wall of their own with or they could be put into a dry mount album to again create a momento for the family.
Below is a sample of what a collection of images may start to look like, depending on when you start doing it.
A little reminder to everyone that Mondays we are open by appointment only, that is so we can put all our energy into getting a bulk of frames made for the week, to get orders and deliveries done and its also when we do our hanging and install jobs, if you want to find out about our hanging and art installation services you can contact on our contact page right here
The Spring Show has been sensational, it was so good to be able to have a proper opening again.
We had a photo wall set up and loads of fun was had with it as you can see above and below.
To give you an idea of the variety in the Spring Show here is a list of artists involved this year
Alana Cabrera
Yvonne Kiely
Aleisa Byfield
Sarah Spencer
Ashleigh Menzies
Vivianne Hazenveld
Christine Moore
Rosalyn Fuhrer
Christine Onward
Renee Trounce
Deborah Page
Penny Lyras
Dimity Sinclair
Pauline Roods
Geordie Bull
Michelle Redman
Jan Herrera
Louise Bonny
Kerry Wheeldon
Leah Doeland
Thats quite the list dont you agree? It really would be great if you pop into the gallery and have a look at what is in the exhibition, it is one way you can show support of the local arts, and you never know you might find a treasure to take home.
We also have a number of permanent artists with mini displays of handcrafted wares that are perfect for gifts. Here are a few photos of some of the handcrafted wares to give you a sense of what you might find.
As always the vibe is chilled and retro in the main gallery, Saturday mornings are a generally a bustle of framing clients and art guests, the music is beating from our original retro record player and the tunes are upbeat as we enjoy the weekend vibes.
Did you know that the lovely Dani O'Brian is holding life drawing classes in the upstairs creative space? If your interested in the details of that you can find the flyer to it by CLICKING HERE
We had another wonderful opening with the Drawn From Here Project opening up last weekend here is a few moments from the opening.
It is a wonderful exhibition of 32 art journals all completed by different artists with a variety of mediums, styles, skills and content. We invite you to come in, look at the journals and explore the artists exploration. You can even make your own page and leave it with us to go into the community journal that will form part of the journal library here in the gallery.
We have our Summer Show opening in a few weeks, you can check out the details of it via this link you can also secure your free ticket to the opening night via the same event in the link.
Well folks thats all from us today, we hope you have a fantastic evening, we are heading out to support another arts community tonight so its time to head home and put on our glad rags and enjoy someone else's hard work.
Till next time, enjoy the vibe Scott & Cherie (we will try not to leave it so long )
]]>The Creative Space is filling up with amazing goodness from our Greater Port Macquarie facilitators!
So many events so much creative goodness coming up and thats just this month ..check out the creative events happening over the next few weeks
Beginners Contemporary Embroidery Workshop here
Now for something we have not had in the gallery for three or four years ..yoga!
Yoga White Lotus ~ Gentle Yoga This will be on every Wednesday from 6pm till 7pm starting from the 24th of April and will go through into May also.
But wait there is even more happening in May.
Journaling For The Creative Soul
Learn To Sew Classes With Fern
Create A Unique Contemporary Artwork
Learne To Draw Detailed Portraits
Our regular creative and free Social Groups that are held here in the gallery
Aperture Photography Group (The last Thursday of every month)
Handcrafts with The Nannas Of The Lost Art (every Friday 10am till 12pm)
Creative Souls Collective Group Meeting (The second Thursday of every month)
If you have any questions at all please feel free to call Vibe Manager Cherie on 0403681669 or email her at [email protected]
~ March No 2 ~
Hello Guys & Gals, Friends & Family, Followers & Likers and residents of Greater Port Macquarie as a whole,
What do you think of our new Creative Space that we hire out to local creatives and businesses for workshops?
We have already made improvements since this picture was taken too!
We had some feedback that last months newsletter/blog was to long, so we shall try doing a weekly one instead and see how we go, we are at week 2.
Oh what a week it has been, we have had a new photographer join the family of our online image library, the Nannas Of The Lost Art have been busy making blankets for the refuge, the creative space has had many visitors to it including the regular Tuesday afternoon crew, the framing has been vast and varied and we have launched our hot desk service (desk for hire by the hour/day or week).
There could be more however this is being written in the early hours of a morning with only one coffee intake so far. Speaking of coffee, we took ourselves off for a treat coffee on Sunday morning while we were childless for a few hours and we decided on The Boathouse at Sails resort and we have to say it was a really good coffee and the view is stunning. Check them out here
Movie Of The Week
Our movie of the week is an oldie but a goodie, drum roll please ..it is ….... The Thing From Another Planet
The low down on this movie: Scientists and American Air Force officials fend off a bloodthirsty alien organism while at a remote arctic outpost.
Check out the original trailer for a bit retro horror movie entertainment.
Fun fact about the movie
The Thing from Another World was released in April 1951. By the end of that year, the film had accrued $1,950,000 in distributors' domestic (U. S. and Canada) rentals, making it the year's 46th biggest earner, beating all other science fiction films released that year, including The Day The Earth Stood Still and When Worlds Collide.
Photographer Of The Month
Our featured photographer this month is a young gun by the name of Joshua Bejan he has landed in Port Macquarie and is loving the area to live and photograph in, Joshua is building a photographic business here and has done work overseas view the video below to her a little bit about Joshua and what he is all about.
We hope that you show him support by checking out his socials, follow him and or “like” or “double tap” any of his images you like, its a great way to give feedback to photographers, they really do get a feel for what online followers love by how many likes and double taps they get on an image. Dont forget to let him know how you found him. You can also see more of his work on his web site .
Just to give you a picture (pun intended) here is a few of Joshuas images
Our photo of the month is this one below it is one of Joshuas
The Nannas Of The Lost Art have been amazing over the last few weeks (ok ..ok they are always amazing), the group has grown out of its single table, it grew out of its two tables and so now we have three tables. The N.O.T.L.A group were donated some knitted squares by a beautiful soul and they have been making them into a variety of rugs and blankets, these will be donated to the Women and Childrens Refuge here in Port Macquarie. Here is a few pictures of a couple of the Nannas and their finished products ready for donation.
and
They are just the absolute business when it comes to matters of the heart and matters of the once almost forgotten handcrafts.
If you want to find out more about the Nannas Of The Lost Art
go to the events part of our facebook page you can find it right here
We still have a few more days left of the 30% off framing so get in quick, with Anzac day approaching it reminds us of this bespoke frame we did for a very special client who did the artwork for this frame. We really can come up with a stunning and tasteful design for your framing that will maximize the visual presence of your treasures within it and we welcome out of the box concepts like this one.
We have had the pleasure of framing some amazing artwork already this month we will show you a few next week.
How Living With Art Is A Benefit To You
When you look out your kitchen window and see the ocean vista and you feel that warm happy feeling within your soul its a lift on your day, what if you dont have an ocean vista, or a mountain top to look at ..what do you do then?
You find art that fills your soul with those same heartwarming, soul filling feelings. Art has the power to enrich your day, to lift your spirits to give you a moment of peace, nostalgia or escape. When it has that kind of power why would you not invest in your emotional and mental health with it.
We have a friend who worked in high end fashion in the hub if Sydneys top retail spaces and after chatting about the value of clothing she said "let me put it to you this way, you could buy an item for $10 at a major outlet wear it 4 times and it has shrunk, faded or gone out of shape that means it cost you $5 a wear and it was no good then the following season. You could spend $90 on a similar item but of higher quality and it not only lasts you years and years worth of seasons, it stays in shape, has not shrunk and is the same colour as when you purchased it and you can sell it on because its a quality known product, in one season you may wear it say 10 times, you have it for 6 years thats 60 wears, so that means it was only $1.50 a wear" that was a real thought provoking statement.
Its the same with art, you can purchase a low end mass produced item from a major outlet and putting aside that 5000 or so other people have it on their wall, is it going to stand the test of time? By quality original art that is made on quality product, framed in a quality product behind quality glass and it will last you a life time of those heart warming moments we mentioned earlier. Every time you enjoy looking at and living with that piece of art its going to become even better value, now that is going to make you smile even more.
"Art is good for you. And just like the effort you put into taking better care of yourself through exercise and healthy eating, it’s equally important to bolster your brain’s integrity through activities that provide positive psychological stimulation. Art easily fulfills this goal, for both those who consume it and those who make it. When you gaze upon a piece of artwork you really love and experience a deep sense of calm or joy, research is showing that this beautiful sensation of euphoria is not at all incidental. Most important, repeated exposure to the source of this positive stimulation makes you a calmer, more emotionally balanced person." S.C.Versillee
" MRI scans illustrate that viewing, collecting and creating art stimulate the emotion and reward centers of our brains. When we observe a piece of art that deeply pleases us, dopamine is released producing a psychological state similar to falling in love. As with mindful meditation, the act of regularly consuming and creating art is powerful enough to “rewire” our brains to improve our capacity for empathy and self-awareness while also increasing our resistance to stress1. A London study from the University of Westminster found that gallery visitors’ cortisol levels (the stress hormone) decreased after a 35 minute lunchtime stroll through the gallery.2 And interestingly, research has also shown that art affects men and women differently, with women receiving the most benefit from the act of making art, and men receiving greater benefit from consuming it.3" S.C.Versillee
We have created a board on Pinterest with links to articles on the benefits of art and living with art, its just here we hope you enjoy the read, its a good one for Sunday morning over your coffee.
From our family to yours, thank you for your support.
Scott & Cherie, Jackson, Samantha, Sienna, Danny & Alex.
Resources for further reading:
1. (2014) How Art Changes Your Brain: Differential Effects of Visual Art Production and Cognitive Art Evaluation on Functional Brain Connectivity. PLOS ONE 9(12): e116548
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0101035
2. (2006) Normalisation of salivary cortisol levels and self-report stress by a brief lunchtime visit to an art gallery by London City workers. Journal of Holistic Healthcare, 3 (2).pp. 29-32
http://westminsterresearch.wmin.ac.uk/3472/2/Clow_&_fredhoi_2006_final.pdf
3. (2012) Patterns of receptive and creative cultural activities and their association with perceived health, anxiety, depression and satisfaction with life among adults: the HUNT study, Norway. 66(8):698-703
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21609946
Welcome to the new year (we know, we know its February), we have been so unbelievably busy with the big move and having all our young Rockstar’s under one roof over the Summer Holidays that January has completely slipped by in a blur of boxes, sandy feet and easy dinners.
How lucky are we that you can do 10 hours of moving and then still have time to hit one of our stunning beaches (ok so a little red weed this season but we managed to find some great spots still) at the end of it, or head down to the town green and eat fish & chips with a beautiful cool breeze on the skin!
Great tip for families wanting a well-priced fish and chip meal Mikes Seafood do a great Tuesday special, check out the menu here.
Have you been by to see the new space yet or are you waiting for our official re-opening on the 16-2-19 from 7pm?
We are open for framing clients now so you don’t have to wait, if you have a treasure waiting to be protected and hung on the wall. We have decided to have a "We Have Moved In Sale" , you could call it a "Stock Clearance Sale" however regardless of what its called you will get a wonderful, amazing,
$30% off in stock framing
wow!
All you have to do is mention this blog or the "We have Moved In Sale" before picking your frame.
The above is a picture of one little space within the whole space. This is our Norman Lindsay wall, many of you know we have a large collection of his limited edition facsimile etchings, now that we have the space we will be able to change over what is on the wall once every month and have them on display all the time, so if you love his work pop on in at least once a month to take it in or if you like add one to your own art collection.
Did You Know ...
We hire out frames to artists? You did not ..well that is ok because it is a new service that we now offer.
We have been supporting the local creative arts community now for over 40 years, and like wise they have been supporting us for that time also.
Part of that long term support, connection and friendship has meant that we have got to understand how hard it can be for an artist to frame their work in quality, well made, archival framing. Many having to opt for bulk produced, poor quality, acid riddled frames that not only don't represent their art to the best it could be but those frames actually damage the artwork, making it hard to sell the art as an investment as it will inevitably become damaged. These low budget, damaging frames have in the past and still do get used for exhibitions by help local artists to reduce the cost of putting on an exhibition, while understandable is certainly not optimal long term for the artists or the collector.
To protect our local artists from this pitfall of fostering unsatisfied clients long term, and to protect our local art collectors and supporters from purchasing art that breaks down long term we have created a range of frames that our local artists can hire for exhibitions, they can sell them with the art inside if desired and arranged with us or they can display it framed and sell it as unframed with a fantastic special discount card for framing from us to give to their art collector or supporter with the purchase of an artwork.
That means no acid filled frames around artwork, it means happy long term relationships between our artists and their clients, it means art collectors have the choice of what kind of framing goes around their treasured purchase and of course it means we get to fix a problem that has been nibbling away at the minds of local collectors and art supporters for some time now while also fixing a challenge for our local artists when they want to do an exhibition.
We have a range of white or timber at this stage and if it is demanded we can create a range of black also.
For further details contact Scott via email [email protected]
Movies Coming Up @ Sunset
Come on in and browse our amazing collection of original movie posters, they range from the 40's to the 90's and back again.
All collectable, all investment art, all full of nostalgic memories, moments and film making history.
We will highlight 4 different movies each month, giving you a few fun facts to store up for those trivia nights and so you can show off at your next dinner party, why not make it a movie challenge to watch each movie we share, give yourself some a few hours to trek back in time and have some nostalgic fun. Why you could even invite a few friends over to join you and again wow them with your new found facts.
From the 40's ~ The Maltese Falcon
"By the end of 1941, moviegoers had a new favorite star in Humphrey Bogart, a minor actor whose back-to-back starring roles in High Sierra and The Maltese Falcon catapulted him to fame. The latter film quickly became a classic, viewed as the first major "film noir" and a prototype for the genre of hardboiled detectives, femmes fatales, and carefully placed shadows. It was, to quote its last line of dialogue, the stuff dreams are made of. Here are some facts about the 75-year-old mystery." ~ Mental Floss.com
1. Three of the statuettes still exist and are conservatively valued at over $1 million each. This makes them some of the most valuable film props ever made; indeed, each is now worth more than three times what the film cost to make.
2. The unusual cigarette lighter that graces the desk of Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) is a Ronson Touch-Tip table model. Made by the Ronson Co. from 1935-51, it is a classic example of the "art deco" style that dominated that era. Originals are so sought after by collectors that at least one company now exists that is entirely dedicated to restoring original examples to full working order.
3. Sam Spade refers to Wilmer as a "gunsel", a term the censors assumed was a reference to a gunman. The Yiddish term "gunsel"--literally, "little goose"--may indeed be a vulgarism for homosexual (the word "faigle", or "little bird", is usually used in that respect), but it's more commonly an "underground" term that refers to a person who is either a "fall guy" or a "stool pigeon", in which case Spade is making both a direct and an indirect reference to Wilmer's character.
4. The street sign at the intersection of Stockton Street & Bush Street, around 0:06:05, is just one block away from Monroe, where Dashiell Hammett, the author of the novel "The Maltese Falcon" lived for a few months in 1926. Monroe was renamed Dashiell Hammett Street in his honor in 1988.
From the 50's ~ Singing In The Rain
Singing In The Rain ~ Official Trailer
"Singin’ in the Rain isn’t just an upbeat musical from 1952. It’s also a history lesson about Hollywood in the late 1920s, when silent pictures were giving way to talkies. And of course it’s also a valuable tutorial on how to be an awesome dancer (i.e. be Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor). It is many things! Here are some facts about the classic musical to enhance your next viewing." ~ Mental Floss.com
1. A microphone was hidden in Debbie Reynolds' blouse so her lines could be heard more clearly. During one of the dance numbers, her heartbeat can be heard, mirroring what happens to Lina Lamont in the movie itself.
2. The film rang up a final price tag of $2,540,800, $157,000 of which went to Walter Plunkett's costumes alone. Although the final price overshot MGM's budget by $665,000, the studio quickly realized the wisdom of its investment when the film returned a $7.7-million profit upon its initial release.
3. The "Broadway Ballet" sequence took a month to rehearse, two weeks to shoot, and cost $600,000, almost a fifth of the overall budget.
4. Costume Designer Walter Plunkett said that this was the most work he ever did on a film, including Gone with the Wind (1939). Both films were period pieces, but Singin' in the Rain required a greater number of elaborate, ornately detailed costumes than Gone With the Wind did. They had to be more accurate, too, since 1952 audiences remembered Hollywood of the late '20s more clearly than 1939 audiences remembered the Civil War. All told, Plunkett designed about 500 costumes for the film.
From the 60's ~ Planet Of The Apes
Official Trailer ~ Planet Of The Apes
The late ‘60s were a turning point for sci-fi cinema. Though the occasional triumph like 1956’s Forbidden Planet would slip through the cracks, the genre was mostly a dumping ground for low-budget schlock fests throughout the ‘50s and early ‘60s. That started to change with the release of 1968's Planet of the Apes. The movie, starring Charlton Heston and directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, proved that science fiction was something that could be thought-provoking, transcendent, and (most importantly) massively profitable.
1. It was Charlton Heston's idea for the crew to have beards--he felt hair would continue to grow while they were in suspended animation. The film is mostly shot from Taylor's point of view; the audience is expected to identify with him and feel what he does. The first act of film sets up Taylor's character, creating the difficult balance that would allow the audience to feel ambivalent about Taylor, while still caring about his predicament.
2. There are no female orangutans or gorillas in the film.
3. The waterfalls were filmed at the 20th Century Fox Ranch in Malibu, CA; the watering hole where the astronauts swam had been created for Doctor Dolittle. A cornfield was grown especially for the film. Schaffner wanted it six feet high and was worried it wouldn't be ready in time to shoot, but in only ten weeks, it grew to eight feet. The script had the human women topless; the MPAA wouldn't approve it for the final picture.
4. Linda Harrison, who plays Nova, was having an affair with producer Richard D. Zanuck at the time of production. In the year of the film's release, Zanuck divorced his first wife and married Harrison. The couple were married for 9 years and had 2 children
From the 70's ~ Mean Streets
Official Trailer ~ Mean Streets
With its searing portrayal of low-level mafiosos in Little Italy and captivating performances by Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets stunned audiences when it was released in 1973. Today, more than 40 years later, the film remains a classic gangster film.
1. The innovative use of the hand-held camera was largely down to the fact that the film's meager budget didn't stretch to laying down lots of tracks for all the tracking shots.
2. The church in the movie, St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Little Italy, was the location of the baptism scene in The Godfather (1972). It appeared in The Godfather: Part III (1990), where Michael Corleone receives an honor from the church.
3. Clearing songs for the film ate up almost half of the film's $500,000 budget. Staying true to his well-documented love of rock, Scorsese used tunes by The Ronettes, Eric Clapton, and The Rolling Stones for the Mean Streets soundtrack. “For me, the whole movie was 'Jumping Jack Flash' and 'Be My Baby,'" the director said in Scorsese on Scorsese.
4. Keitel delivered one of the film’s most memorable performances, due in large part to a scene in which his character, Charlie, staggers drunkenly around a party. In order to capture the real sensation of being intoxicated, Scorsese strapped a swinging camera to Keitel’s head while the actor stumbled around, simulating drunkenness. (Call it the original GoPro.) To further enhance the scene’s inebriated tone, the camera was “undercranked,” meaning the scene was shot at a slower frame rate to give it a woozy, sped-up feel in playback.
Why Buy Original Art
Original art, or original fine art, isn’t “original” just because it’s creative—it’s original because it’s one-of-a-kind. Its opposite is a reproduction: a print or even a poster, manufactured in larger quantities by a machine. Original art is typically far more expensive than reproductions.
Don't make the mistake of believing that art is a luxury. It's a necessity, an integral part of our journey.
When we view a piece of art we often have an emotional response, whether positive or negative, or something in between. Different art appeals to different people and our personal taste becomes a form of expression when we pay attention to it and act on it, when we welcome it into our own lives. The spaces we live and work in should appeal to us on an emotional level, they should reflect our personalities. Original art is the perfect way to express your personal taste in a way that you simply can't achieve if you buy the same mass produced prints as thousands of other people around the world.
The average person is not a multi-millionaire art collector. For many, the act of purchasing art is very informal, often an impulsive buy at a furniture store, flea market, or craft fair. However, when you’re looking to decorate a space, you can make the right purchase by knowing ahead of time what you are looking for, how much you want to spend, and where the artwork will go.
A secret about buying art that many don’t know is that you don’t need to be a millionaire to afford original, high-quality artwork. Many galleries, even in Port Macquarie, offer some artwork for more affordable prices. Though it may be more expensive and a more time-consuming process to find the right original artwork, there are many benefits when compared to mass-produced wall art.
At Sunset Gallery we now have the ability to facilitate a payment system similar to a lay buy that is automated and secure, this makes it even easier to purchase art at a rate that is affordable for those who want to start collecting or supporting locals arts, thus our local economy.
We encourage both our artists and art collectors to ask us about this new payment system, we have been trialing it for a few months and it has received great feedback from those who have used it and from the artists who have sold work that would not have otherwise sold. This service is a solution to a problem that we seen existed for both our local avid art collectors and supporters and also our local artists, we are proud to be one of the first if not the first to offer this system in the creative arts community here in the Greater Port Macquarie area.
And what’s the point of buying artwork for your living space if it doesn’t look great? Original artwork is hand-produced, and every color is specifically chosen and hand-applied. Mass-produced reproductions use commercial inks instead of oil or acrylic paints, and they are printed by machines. Sometimes, your mass-produced artwork will look pixelated or digitally rendered when you look closely at it. Originals never have that risk, and even the most amateur art lover can tell the difference between an original artwork and a store-bought décor item.
A one-of-a-kind artwork will make your space your own. How often have you noticed the same Ikea artwork in several friends’ living rooms? Even if the artwork isn’t by a well-known artist, the originality of the piece evokes more of a sense of wealth and personality into your living space.
Original artworks have depth – literally. Whether gallery wrapped around stretcher bars or framed for protection, an original artwork will actually pop off the walls. Simply put, this depth will always fill a room more powerfully than a flat poster against a wall.
There’s not much conversation value in “Oh, I bought this from [any major retailer]. However, when you buy original art, it’s often an adventure. Many times you may meet the artist in person, hear their story behind the artwork, and understand the feeling behind it. Or you might have seen it in an art gallery on a vacation. Because the process of buying original artwork is so different from buying mass-produced consumer artwork, you can usually expect to have a great story to tell at the end of it. Not only can these stories impress your guests, but they’ll also help forge deeper personal connections between you and the artwork you buy.
The higher quality looks, the originality, the depth, and the story behind the original artwork all add up to help create a strong emotional connection to the original artwork you end up buying. The sheer fact that original artwork can often cost more money means that you wouldn’t end up buying it unless you already felt a connection and attraction to this artwork. However, if you buy original art, you can ensure that your collection is made up of only the worthiest of pieces, and not impulse buys that cost little but waste your wall space with cheap designs that don’t truly ‘speak’ to you.
The great thing about buying artwork is that it can often appreciate in value. Unlike furniture or Pottery Barn statement pieces, artwork typically does not lose its value for having been pre-owned. Instead, if you invest smart, your artwork may be worth more after years hanging in your living room than it was worth when you first bought it.
So when is it beneficial to buy art reproductions?
Art is used as a medium to express the personal thought of the Artist and to cause a reaction in the viewer. Art can be political, it can reflect what is happening in society or it can simply be a way to make us hold on to a memory. It usually makes us think. The act of observing a piece of art, the art of 'seeing' art, is a complex and deeply satisfying process. It can create mood, it can trigger a surge of dopamine, it can relax us or inspire us, energise us. Art prompts genuine emotional responses and can stop us in our tracks the first time we see a piece we love. Why wouldn't you bring that power into the spaces that you live and work in?
Why Should You Print Your Photos
Each time you print a large sized photograph, every detail gets amplified. You can see whether there was good contrast, nice lighting and any defects become very easy to see. This is in contrast to what happens when you post photos on social media sites like Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Most of these photographs are viewed on small screens that hide a lot of details. In fact, with a short Photoshop session, you can edit these photographs and fix some of the flaws in the photographs. But this could make you a lazy photographer. Printing your photographs makes you focus on taking better images with your camera. The fact that you will be able to see all the flaws clearly can motivate you to get it right from the start.
Each time you print a good photograph, it inspires you to go out and get more creative with your camera. It boosts your ego as a photographer and puts a smile on your face. You will suddenly feel this renewed zeal to go and search for the perfect scene for your next photo. This is particularly true when you take photographs of nature. Photos that contain beautiful birds, flowers and landscapes can be truly inspiring and refreshing when they are printed on large photo paper.
Almost all great photographers and graphic artists have galleries where they display their work. If you want to expand your horizon and market your photography skills to high net worth individuals, you have to learn to print high quality photographs. According to renowned landscape photographer Paul Kowalski, digital technology should be seen as a means of enhancing photo printing rather than as a substitute for it. After spending days or even hours to find the perfect scenery to shoot, you need to be able to turn that effort into a printed work of art that can attract the same attention as a painting on canvas.
Digital photographs now save time when we need to share images and other pictorial proofs but they take away a vital piece of the original photographic process. Before the widespread adoption of the digital sharing of photos, photographers had to spend a substantial amount of time in the second phase of photography – picture development and printing. Even individuals who take photos as a hobby will remember the fun that came with selecting a particular type of paper (typically matte or gloss), taking the negatives or digital camera to a photographic lab or printing the photo on your home photo printer. Other aspects of this process are choosing a nicely designed frame and then hanging up the photo for others to see and admire. Printing photos offers you an opportunity to produce a physical proof of your work that does not need a particular type of machine to read except your eyes.
If you are tired of seeing the same boring wall or the old decorations in your home or office no longer inspire you, you can revive your home with printed photographs. Combine photos of nature with some of your personal or family photographs. To make the process more rewarding, spend time choosing some new frames (different styles and sizes) and then carefully select pictures that bring back pleasant memories or motivate you in a special way. Choose a place in your bedroom or living room and use your creativity to create a focal point with your framed photos.
Printed photos can provide great inspiration for improvement in photography, serve as a way to increase your income and also provide inspiration and satisfaction for you and your loved ones.
Once you take an image, you can’t capture that exact same second in time again. Sure, you may be able to imitate a landscape photo again, but even with landscapes, changes in the weather and seasons means that second image won’t be the same as the first. This is especially true for images of people — we’re constantly growing up, growing old and changing in other subtle ways. An image’s irreplaceable nature only increases with time.
Print your photos because, if you loose those photos, you can’t replace them.
Photographer Missy Mwac compares never printing photos to floral bouquets — if you never print your photos, you’re only enjoying them temporarily while they circulate your feeds. Printing your photos is like moving from a bouquet to a potted plant — they’ll be around much longer. (Of course, the metaphor only goes so far, it’s pretty hard to forget to water your pictures, so chances are, your printed photos will last way longer than the fern wilting on your windowsill).
Print your photos because, in electronic form, pictures are only temporary enjoyment.
Loosing images from a hard drive failure is devastating. Sure, you should also back up photos on cloud storage, but creating prints is one more layer of protection from loosing those memories. Printed photos aren’t hacked, accidentally formatted or lost in a technical failure.
Print your photos because the digital files may not always be there.
Words by Photo Direct & Photo Do To borrowed with respect and appreciation.
Photo Of The Month
Photo by Cherie of Available Light Images
This image is currently printed on canvas and on display in the gallery on Central Rd, Cherie is one of our image bank photographers and also our in house photographer, offering photo restoration services, artwork imaging and she covers most of our events and social media imaging.
You can see more of her work at
Available Light Images Web Site
The story of this image goes a little like this "I had just been over at North Shore Beach doing a late afternoon shoot, I knew that it was going to be a supermoon and was pretty keen to capture in a photo but to be honest I was pretty tired and feeling unmotivated. My partner and I were driving home and we went passed the headlands ..well we almost went past, it looked amazing so we pulled in, I jumped out of the car and set up my gear. As I took one long exposure image a car came into a car park behind us and it lit up the foreground, it was not quite timed right but I could see the potential, so every patient partner jumped into our car and turned the headlights on for the required amount of time that was needed. Then here we are. Its often how it goes for me, I may be forcing myself out to absorb some nature or to practice my craft and I get blessed with timing and light, other times its a lot of time spent testing locations, checking weather conditions, tides, sun direction and so on. This image was a combination of both" Cherie
"I take photos as a type of visual journal, its my kind of art, my kind of craft, its my thing and if I dont do it daily then my heart and soul dim a little, so here are some moments in time that I have experienced in life and via my lens, I hope these moments bless you as much as they have blessed me in experiencing. " Cherie
Well everyone that is a wrap until next month, we thank you for journeying with us. We hope you enjoyed all the information, tid bits and the imaging.
Please feel free to leave us a comment or feedback, share this blog or tell a friend about it.
Hopefully we see you all at the official re-opening on the 16th from 7pm.
From our family to yours, thank you for your support.
Scott & Cherie, Jackson, Samantha, Sienna, Danny & Alex.
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Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us and our local artists this year, your support is always appreciated.
We have huge news coming so please keep an eye on your inboxes, if you have not subscribed to our Gallery Family list yet please do so below so you are 100% in the loop of everything exciting, new and creative.
Sign Up For All The Latest News Here
Did you know we have a full image library of local photography by a number of photographers that you can custom order to a size and format that suits your decor? Here is a popular one of Tacking Point Lighthouse by Cherie Morton.
If you would like to see some sensational local photography click here
Yet To Happen In 2018
We do have one more event outside of our Christmas parties, local arts group Creative Souls Collective have been gifted exhibition space for a few weeks in December. Its one of the ways we can support our greater arts community by donating the exhibition wall space to arts and school groups, this is the first year this group is exhibiting so we would love to see our gallery family give them loads of love by dropping in and signing the visitors book, buy purchasing art and or by following the artists on their socials which you will be able to get during the exhibition.
The link to the event is below.
Facebook Event Creative Souls Exhibition
We have a few of our community groups having their Christmas gatherings as always they welcome new members.
Both the below events are bring a plate to share events how ever if you would like more details click on the links below.
Nannas Of The Lost Art Christmas Gathering and Christmas Craft Morning
Creative Souls Collective Group Christmas Gathering
A few moments from the last month
A little peek into all the fun that was had during the last exhibition, we had so much fun with workshops, artists talks and demonstrations that we are already looking forward to next years Small Works exhibition.
An album of fun and creativity
A few of the participants in the Polymer Clay Workshop
A lovely group of ladies listening to Kerry Wheeldon doing her Artist Talk during the small works exhibition.
We had a lovely opening morning for the Small Works Exhibition, pictured here are three well know ladies in the local arts community.
Margaret Rayner, Judy Jelsma and Gloria Muddle for more images of the opening click HERE
Christmas Hours
Well Christmas is almost here, we hope you are all set for your family dinners, your catch ups with friends and your planned time out moments, we will be closed between Christmas Day and the New Year, opening up again on the 3rd of January 2018 so we can have some time out with our brady bunch ..and the dog and cat of course.
Next Year
..oh so much is happening nextyear, its huge, its big, you dont want to forget too subscribe, go to the top of this page so you can be one of the first to find out out BIG news!
Thank you so much from our family to yours: Scott, Cherie, Jackson, Samantha, Sienna, Danny, Alex, Sandy and Marigold
Hello Guys and Gals, Ladies and Gentleman, Friends, Family and Followers
A huge welcome to all our new gallery friends who have joined us recently.
Just in case you have not found our social yet here are some links
Facebook
Wow Wow Wow do we have alot going on this month, exhibitions, meet the artist mornings, creative workshops, artist talks, community groups and so much more.. some free events and some are paid events, if you want a little look at whats happening and when check out the link below and attend what ever grabs your attention, we welcome you all in supporting our local artists and arts community by attending any or all of the events you are able to.
All things creative goodness in the form of events within our creative space!
We are so proud to be able to support so many local artists and the arts community, did you know we also support the greater community with donations and discounts to fundraisers.
One of the most popular ways to raise money for charities of late has been auctions and one item to auction is sporting memorabilia, here is one we did not to long ago, we can keep the design pretty simple to keep costs to a minimal outlay along with our discount or we can you full wall art feature frame. This one has two cut outs and a plaque with details to go with the feature item, we sourced the images for this one to add detail and interest while keeping the set up simple to keep the outlay low.
Something Free ~ Free ~ Free ~ Free ~ Free ~ Free ~ at the end of this blog dont miss it!
Why should you get you memories framed in custom made personalized framing?
Why Im glad you asked.
Great interior design creates a theme, it gives you an ambiance to your home.Getting the Picture framing right will go a long way towards enhancing a space and giving it character and personality that suits you.
If you hang framed family photos in a common area or main living space, or even if you place them on bedside tables and bookshelves, it conveys the fact that you love your family, it also tells your family you value them.
Hanging framed artwork in the bedroom or in the entry to your home, on a feature wall expresses your appreciation for art and creativity.
Framed artwork will enhance your space, it will transform your home into a personalized gallery that you have free admission to 24/7, that you get to curate 100% yourself.
You know you want more than a plain, boring wall but your not sure about putting a bold colour on, or about making a commitment to a solid colour yet,hanging framed pictures or artwork on that wall can be the perfect solution. By using a hanging system you can also alleviate putting holes in the wall that you may want to change at a later date.
When those amazing memories sitting on a computer hard drive or in the bottom draw or maybe the artwork from your kids first year at school, maybe their last year all framed up in a design that compliments your home and your style and placed on that otherwise empty wall, you can stop debating over wall colour and just enjoy the moments of your life that you have traveled so far.A collection of Vintage advertisements.
Hanging photographs and artwork on the wall give it the color you’ve been wanting while adding an assortment of stories and visual interest that enhance the room. That’s not all.
We have a few new frame molding designs this season and they are stunning (If you want to see our amazing collection of framing inspo then make sure you go to the link at the end of this blog).
Prisma is a contemporary and blended design, it reflects popular trends in furniture, with the combination of a stained timber-look and textured hand brushed finish. Incorporating angled profiles and distinctive elegant shadow lines, and it stacks together well for a stylish look. Its available in 4 different sized profiles, in black or white.
Now the contemporary and trendy Italian Classic, Frassino is a unique and organic design. Made of solid European ash without any joining, drawing on the raw beauty of natural timber and finished by hand. This beautiful frame is available in 2 profiles and 4 colours; white, grey, brown and black.
Oh me oh my the timeless and iconic Victorian style, Radica is made using natural poplar veneer and hand finished with beautiful gold leaf and a classic matte black edge. An evergreen design that will never go out of style. Available in 3 profiles.
For some other ideas of items you can frame check out our Pinterest board of inspirational goodness here
Here is a few images to tempt you to our Pinterest board.
Vintage Magazines in a curated collection.
Wrapping paper to pretty to throw away.
Thanks to all who have made it this far, now as a thank you local photographer and gallery Vibe Manager has decided to give you a free image to use as a screen saver or background for your home or work PC, just remember you cant print it or sell it, it is just a special gift from us to you our V.I.P's.
(That free thing is in the link below)
Click here to find the free image, just right click and save the image to your device, while your there why not have a browse at all the other images within our local photography gallery, we currently have four different photographers available with more to be added soon.
Well thats all from us till next time, enjoy November and we will see you in the month of Christmas.
Scott, Cherie and the whole team here at Sunset Framing, Printing & Gallery
We hear many artists being asked the question “how long did that take you to do” or “they were in the right place at the right time” in reference to a photographers image.
So on average it might take an artist 12 hours to paint a piece of artwork and a photographer maybe 30 minuets to set up and take a photograph!
And a frame is just bits of wood glued together right!
WRONG!
WRONG!!
WRONG!!!
An artist will take years, sometimes their entire working life to perfect their style, their technique and their process, it may have taken them just hours to physically create a piece of artwork but to get that one piece out it has taken years of perfecting and working, studying, sweat and tears before they even put paint to canvas for that particular piece.
Same can be said for photographers, they didnt just buy an expensive camera and then get lucky in a good spot with nice light. It has taken them years of learning, years of practice, thousands of bad photographs perfecting their style and technique. Hours getting to know a location, checking tides, understanding the way the light will fall at certain times of day and seasons. Sure they might get a lucky break of spectacular light but they still need to know how to handle it, how far to push it and how to compose with it.
So given that it has taken so long to come to the visual delight that it is when you come to view a piece of art/purchase it or sell it do you think a cheap, mass produced, non acid free, ill fitting frame gives it the respect it deserves, does it give the artist/photographer or investor
the respect they deserve?
Of course not, if you purchase an artwork in a frame that is anything less then acid free and archival quality then you need to question the integrity of the artist, do they just want to make a sale with maximum profit with no care given to the longevity of the artwork or the client who is making the long term investment. If you purchase an original artwork with the intention of having it hanging on your wall for years then it needs to be in a quality frame that is not only going to last years but is also not going to start eating away at the artwork, slowly releasing acid into the paper or base of the artwork.
A custom frame is meticulously measured to fit its contents perfectly, it is hand cut, glued and pinned together to form a strong vessel of security for its contents, the glass is custom cut to fit the frame, the acid free matt board is perfectly measured, hand cut and selected to be the happy medium ground between the frame and its glorious contents. All the products used to build this wonderful, strong, long lasting frame are professional framing products and most definitely not gaffa tape and cardboard from the local newsagents or stationary store.
Integrity In Custom Framing
Even some framers will use products that are cheaper to purchase and sacrifice quality to be able to do a cheaper version of a custom frame. This is sacrificing quality integrity, its sacrificing credibility and gives those of us that will not budge from our code of conduct as professional framers a harder time because those who get the lesser quality custom frame end up with a product that resembles something similar to the mass produced chain store frames then they dont see the value in custom framing and then often end up framing their art in chain store mass produced frames.
Each quality made custom frame is in essence a piece of framing art, each one is an individual, sometimes inspired by another or similar in feel, but each custom set up is made to fit a specific need, a look, a desire, it is framing art and its framed art.
Gwen Fox talks Integrity and Art in her blog, below is a snippet from what she writes to see the whole article click on the link under the snippet.
“What does integrity mean to you? Does integrity mean something different in your art than with yourself?
Integrity as a concept has to do with perceived consistency of our actions, values, methods, principles, expectations and outcome .
Integrity means the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.
Integrity means to complete what you say.
Integrity means you stick to your personal code of conduct….what you have decided is right or wrong.
Integrity means honoring yourself. It doesn’t mean you have to “feel” like doing the job or even like the job…..it means you do the job because you gave your word.
Saying and doing are two totally different things…..integrity is doing what you promised.
Integrity is a skill….it is developed over time. It is developed with experience and observation.
Integrity must be maintained.
Integrity gives us a foundation from which to draw on for future projects. We automatically know our strength because we have proven it to ourselves (this one is really important)
Integrity is our secret back up system.”
On a different note but to do with one of our core values - community
We have been supporting the creative arts community for over 30 years, we do this by offering our exhibition space and creative space for local artists and creatives to showcase their art, this is done at a minimal cost to give them every chance to have a platform to make connections to the wider community.
These exhibitions are free to enter and are open to the public to view and enjoy at leisure, giving our general community every opportunity for cultural growth and cultural experience regardless of their financial position.
We have been on the ground level of the Artwalk event since its conception, we are proud to be a part of its growth and part of the event itself, again this opens up the opportunity for our local artists and creatives to connect with the wider community.
We like to ensure our creative and exhibition space is promoted though all our social media and web based data bases because we believe that Great Port Macquarie has a large pool of creative talent in it and we are working towards raising its profile as a creative arts tourism destination.
We support a number of large events like the up coming Glimmer Ball for Hastings Cancer Trust, we donate frames and products to be auctioned and given to sponsors. We also do regular framing for other fundraisers at cost so they can have quality framed sporting memorabilia to auction off. We again do at cost printing and framing for groups like surf clubs and marine rescue for certificate framing as part of what they offer to long term members and sponsor.
We also open up our creative space to community groups to hold events in, such as The Nannas Of The Lost Art group that meets once a fortnight, this is free space for them and it is all about building connections between generations through the art of tradition handcrafts like knitting, thread work and so on. We have donated our space to community collaborative events such as the Drawn From Here Project that is about inspiration and connection that will have a finale exhibition giving everyday crafty people an opportunity to be a part of an exhibition that is open to the public, giving them a sense of being a part of something special, something bigger then the everyday, this same opportunity is being taken up by local high schools, giving art students an experience of being in an exhibition and their families the chance to support them at a public event.
We also started an online photography community that has seen the growth of local landscape photographers boom, this has highlighted the Greater Port Macquarie area as a hotspot for traveling photographers and social media influencers.
We have always and will always support our creative community, it has always be a major business belief for us, it is our way of thanking the community for supporting our family business.
Margaret and Cherie had a little chat a few weeks ago about a variety of things to do with Margaret and Sunset Gallery and the history of both in the arts community.
If you would like to view the whole chat click here we adore Margaret as does everyone who has ever had the pleasure of having her design a framing solution for them or even those who have just popped in to have look around and chat.
Thank you so much for being part of the gallery family, we hope you enjoyed our passion that has been expressed in this months blog, and we hope to see you at one of our July events, we have listed them below with links to the social media events for your ease of navigation.
From our family to yours, thank you for your support:
Scott, Cherie and the juniors ~ Jackson, Samantha, Sienna, Danny and Alex
Whats coming up for July
Handcrafts with the Nannas Of The Lost Art
6th of July 10am till 12pm
Tatyi Djiyagan (Sister - Sister)
Elements Dreaming Exhibition ~ free entry
7th of July till 15th of July
Teen Creativity Workshop
Making Dream Cards
10th of July 10am till 12pm
Teen Creativity Workshop
Hidden pocket bookmarks
12th of July 10am till 12pm
Create and Connect Group ~ Free
14th of July 10am till 12pm
Creative Arts Workshop for teens
17th of July 10am till 12p
Creative Arts Workshop for teens
19th 10am till 12pm
Handcrafts with the Nannas Of The Lost
20th of July 10am till 12pm
Batik Painting Workshop ~ Bookings essential
with Kanooka Creek Art
21st of July 10am to 1.30pm
Create and Connect Group ~ Free
28th of July 10am till 12pm
Photography exhibition
by Robyn Musset and Rob Smith ~ Free entry
28th of July till 12th of August
Keep an eye our on our Facebook page
Sunset Framing and Gallery in the events menu
for any updates.
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Welcome to another blog by Sunset Gallery & Framing as always we welcome you into our creative space with open doors and open hearts. Speaking of doors ours are open different times now, as of today we are extending our hours to 8.30am till 5pm to make it more convenient for you all to make it in outside of work hours to pick up your custom framed treasures, we welcome your feedback on these hours because we want them to work for you.
Well it's coming up to the end of the financial year and we have so many exciting events on, such as exhibitions, workshops, social nights and the list goes on.
The current exhibition is by Robyn Jackson titled The Life Of An Artist
Robyn is a Mid North Coast artist and this will be her fifth solo exhibition of original paintings.
"My theme for this exhibition explores my life as an artist. My everyday life is documented through art. My art diary enables me to cobble together my thoughts on my art practice. Painting is like breathing to me. I need to document the experiences around me through my connection with the landscape and what inspires me."
Robyn’s favourite medium is painting on silk. “I usually start with a photo that has beautiful lines and design and then the colours flow with a story of their own. Many works use vibrant dyes on silk because these mediums make my heart sing. “
Robyn will be at the gallery every day from 10 am to 3 pm so you can meet and talk to her. She also plans to demonstrate painting on silk, this is such an amazing opportunity to be able to watch an artist at work and to watch the process and technique that is used to create beautiful art .
If you would like to get an idea of what Robyns style of art looks like click "here" to go to her website.
Our next workshop is by long time local and creative workshop facilitator Robyn Wallace.
She will be demonstrating the following print techniques .
1. Wood carving on paper fabric or card. (stamp)
String pressure pull print.
Riso line drawing silk screen ( onto paper, fabric, resin.
Paper bag cut with silk screen. (Shells).
Moving screen, layered prints , multi coloured prints.
Some screens will be ready to try using the will be the opportunity for participant to make their own designs and screens, how much fun does that sound?
All equipment and paint supplied to sign up to this event (there is only a few more days to be able to do this) click "here" .
Now as it always goes at the end of financial year we have to do stocktake and that's not exciting, not at all, nope not even a little bit and to add to that we have so many other interesting things to do the events that I mentioned earlier and also family life. As some of you know we have 5 kids between us and we are always talking on the phone with them, helping them with homework, taking them to their activities and socialising events as you do as a parent, it's a busy life so who wants to do any more stock take then what is needed …... not us!
So we have devised a plan we are going to have a complete sale on all current stock, now that's going to help us because if make amazing custom frames for all our vip clients (thats you) well then we won't have to count it all and it's going to help you by you getting to get a great deal on a archival quality frame that will get your treasured items out of the draw or off the the top shelf in the bedroom.
Have you been following the live videos on Facebook of a Tuesday? Scott has been going through the process of custom framing, from the beginning stage of selecting a frame style, glass to how its put together out the back in the building stage. As you know we make all the frames on site by hand giving our framing clients a truly individual custom design.
If you missed the first live session here it is,
This gives a lot information on what is the right framing choice and why, its well worth having a look, and we think Scott is doing a fantastic job of being thrown into the wide world of the web live. If you think he is doing a great job be sure to comment.
On another note but relating to both family and work, our family would like to thank your family for supporting our small business, it's only through your support that we can support local charities and therefore for our local community. Sunset Gallery and framing have been supporting and have been supported by our local community for over 40 years now and that is only possible due to local support. So again we thank you and we thank all those who have supported us before you because we are only here because of you.
Just to let you know what one of our current local community causes we are sponsoring is please click this "link" .
It is the Hastings Cancer Trusts major fundraising event the Glimmer Ball, so thank you for your support that enables us to support this very worthy cause, we have both been effected by cancer within our immediate and extended family so this one is a cause very close to home.
On that note, its a wrap so we can get to some of those small people we mentioned earlier.
Until next time, we wish you and yours all the best
Scott and Cherie
So tell me what is the last very special thing that you treasured, was it something made by your child, was it a memento from a special occasion, was it a piece of family history?
Whatever it was or is chances are we have framed it or can frame it.
We have had the absolute pleasure of framing and protecting some truly special items in our time, amongst those things are war medals, heirloom cookbooks, rusty old rabbit traps, a guitar, a football, a record, artwork by children, artwork by historical artists, football jerseys, movie posters, golf clubs, family photographs, a wedding dress, football cards, a school shirt signed by friends, a four leaf clover, a collection of brooches, heirloom teaspoons, brass buttons and so much more.
One of the benefits of coming to a professional framer like us, to a business that has been framing for over 40 years is that you get experience, knowledge, technique and quality.
Another benefit of bringing your treasured item to us is that we also treasure it and we respect it and what it means to you.
We get so much pleasure out of being able to protect and frame your memories, your treasures, your investments.
We honestly find so much joy from hearing the story behind everything we frame we love getting to know how something come about, how it came to be your memory, our job then is to find out how we can make those memories and treasures fit and sit within your life on your wall.
We invite you all to come on in with you treasured item and ask us how we would frame it, even if its something you still want to use every know and then, like service medals we can create a bespoke framing option for you, your treasured item and how you need to protect and use/view it.
Give us a challenge, bring us your most out of the box treasure so we can show you just how creative and inventive we can be.
Just to say thank you, for being part of our gallery family and supporting our family business we want to give you a 20% discount to spend on an instock custom frame, all you need to do is bring in a treasured item during June 2018 to get a custom framing quote and mention this blog.
From our family to yours, thank you for your support:
Scott, Cherie and the juniors ~ Jackson, Samantha, Sienna, Danny and Alex
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We have another vintage movie night on this Friday the 4th of May, starting at 7pm, its a gold coin donation and all funds go towards our youth art program.
The movie we are watching is called "The Longest Yard" here is a little info about the movie :
The Longest Yard is a 1974 American sports comedy film directed by Robert Aldrich, written by Tracy Keenan Wynn and based on a story by producer Albert S. Ruddy. The film follows a former NFL player (Burt Reynolds) recruiting the group of prisoners and playing football against their guards.
The film was remade three times, including for the 2001 British film Mean Machine (a shortened version of the title used for the original's UK release), starring Vinnie Jones, the 2005 film remake, The Longest Yard featured Reynolds as coach Nate Scarborough, and as the 2015 Egyptian film Captain Masr. In the two non-American remakes, the sport was changed from American football to association football.
The Longest Yard featured many real-life football players, including Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke.[4] The film was shot on location at Georgia State Prison in Reidsville, Georgia. It had the cooperation of then-Governor Jimmy Carter. Filming had to be delayed from time to time due to prison uprisings.
If you would like to find the finer details of the event click here
If you want to see a sample of our vintage movie posters you can find them here and here
We happened to catch Sunset Framing and Gallery owner in a live Facebook video during the week, if you would like to see him chat watch the video below.
Thanks everyone for stopping by and we hope to see you in the gallery really soon.
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Welcome to this weeks trailer of all that is creative goodness over the next few weeks.
Our leading artists this fortnight are
Kim Staples ~ exhibiting artist, acrylic painting workshop facilitator and Artwalk Port Macquarie live painting artist.
Jon Dorne ~ Artwalk Port Macquarie live painting artist.
Richard Klekociuk ~ Caran D Ache Pencil Demonstrator
Rose Bourke ~ Glass Artist
Creative Family ~ Shaz, Suz, Cherie, Fiona ~ Being all round legends in creativity and open authentic learning.
Scott Rayner ~ Framer, Printer and original collectable movie poster specialist.
Grandma Crew ~ Theresia, Margaret, Deborah, Fay, Gail and Julie
Cherie Morton ~ Photo restoration specialist and landscape photographer
If you want out find the finer details on all that is happening this fortnight click on the link below.
This is short and sweet like any good trailer should be, for the full blockbuster come on in.
You have just seen another Sunset Framing and Gallery Production
Co Produced By Scott Rayner and Cherie Morton
Filmed by Cherie Morton with phoneography
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Hi all,
We have been having so much fun with our vintage movie nights ... what was that, you dont know about or vintage movie nights!
Well let me tell you a little about it then.
Once a month, normally the first Friday of the month we put on a movie for friends and family of the gallery. The movies we show are all vintage or retro, ranging from the 1940's through to the 1980's. So far we have seen Jerry Lewis in the Bellboy, Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany's , Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot, Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin and Jessica Lange in King Kong and so many more.
Our next movie night will be on the 4th of May and the sensational Burt Reynolds will be staring in The Mean Machine also know as The Longest Yard.
These are small intimate nights with only about 10 people catered for with seating, we just want to offer a pleasant night with a little nostalgia.
Its a way we can say thank you to our framing community for supporting us while we are supporting the arts community.
Movies do have a bit of a “thing” within the business family, Scott the gallery owner and his father Stewart the previous owner both worked as projectionist in their previous careers.
So its very fitting that we show movies as a way of saying thank you.
Add in our amazing original movie poster collection and its movie lovers paradise in here, oh and I must mention the collection of books that are all based on movie history and facts that are available to read and or purchase.
Check out this little live video we did before the last movie night with gallery owner and framer Scott.
We have also been helping to collate a second movie poster collection that dates back to the 1940's and they are in amazing condition, it gives me goosebumps just thinking about them. Take yourself on a little imagination journey, put yourself into the 1940s and you are going to the movies, your all dressed up and walking into the theatre and you catch sight of the poster that’s telling you about the movie you are going to see. Now come back to Port Macquarie 2018 and that same poster is now part of a collection that you will be able to purchase from in the near future ..how amazing is that!
We will let everyone know when they are available but in the mean time you can see the current collect that dates back to the 1960s
If you want to be notified when the Vintage and Retro movie nights are on just click on the link below and send us an email saying you want in on our movie night fun.
Click here to let us know you want to be a part of the movie nights
We have an exciting giveaway that will take place at the next movie night, to find out the details check out the event on Facebook here for news over the next week or two.
Well thats a wrap as they say in movie land and we shall see you all next time.
Scott and Cherie
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We are very happy to be bringing you this exhibition, Kim is a wonderful soul with creativity that just oozes from her.
All works will be for sale.
Kim is a Port Macquarie based artist, she has been painting all her life, painting is a passion of hers. Kim works in the mediums of watercolour and gouache in all her pieces, for a number of years Kim has incorporated collage in her paintings, but now she solely paints.
Kim likes to challenge nature; to distort & stylize what she sees, Kim is aware that there is so much natural beauty surrounding us, she feels like she have to rival nature, pushing it to the limit. Size & perspective don’t really interest her, colour & detail does. The structure of plants, insects, birds and fish is a key factor in all Kims works, the patterns that naturally occur are amazing, Kim tries to replicate these lines & shapes.
Symbolism is a key factor in Kims work, the relation to certain flowers to the mood she is trying to portray. Black is the key neutral used in all her paintings, she feels it glues the painting together, also creating a 3D effect, popping the key players in her final work. Kim has been asked a number of times why circles are always in her work, and why she paints so many of them, she honestly has no answer for that, it's just what she does.
Keep an eye on our social media for meet the artist dates
Instagram Instagram
We hope to see all our wonderful gallery friends and followers over the next week, it would be fantastic for Kim to feel a full Sunset Gallery welcome.
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To clean the glass in your frame don't spray directly onto the glass or frame area, rather spray onto a micro fibre cloth and then clean the glass, you should also wipe down the timber frame area to remove any dust and grime build up. This should be done about once every 4-6 weeks.
Meet some of New frame stock ..