Paper trip!

I am in desperate need for new paper – so we shuffled things about and came into Melbourne town so I could get paper:

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The people at Melbourne Etching Supplies were so helpful, I’ve come away with a new packet of paper that I cannot wait to get home and begin work on. I’ve been doing a lot of drawing practice and sketching over this last week and have a few solid ideas that need to be realised and soon.. before I explode!

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Emerging – new drawing

emerging_lily_mae_martin

Emerging
Lily Mae Martin
Ink on paper
2015
112 x 76cm

For any sales and enquiries, please contact Scott Livesey Galleries
SCOTT LIVESEY GALLERIES

909A HIGH STREET, ARMADALE

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, 3143 T: +61 3 9824 7770

F: +61 3 9824 7771

E: INFO@SCOTTLIVESEYGALLERIES.COM

Have a wonderful weekend

xox

Painting lesson

pl1_lily_mae_martin

This weekend just passed I had a young woman come to visit who I used to teach art to back in Melbourne. It was really lovely to see her again and we did a self portrait lesson in oil paints as we didn’t really get around to painting in oils before I moved.

My daughter saw all of this and but continued happily playing with this young woman’s sister and when they left she said, “Mumma, can I have a painting lesson?” – which is pretty much the best thing.

So this afternoon I set up my easel for her and we gathered up our small, but growing, succulent collection. Instead of oils though, I cracked out my watercolours for her as I am also in the middle of making dinner and not sure if we should be playing about with solvent right now! She used to use my watercolours about two years ago before I managed to buy her kids paints. This is before I realised that I could probably make them myself, but back then I didn’t have the focus or energy to do it.

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We talked about drawing and swirls and colours and listened to a panel talk about feminism. I showed her to dry off her brushes on a rag to not muddy her colours and she made purple. then we debated about what colour was what.. It was glorious.

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There’s a saying “Those who can’t do, teach” which I think is pretty ugly. I mean, I really don’t think I am much of teacher – but it is such a joy to share and inspire and encourage young minds and hearts. I feel so lucky that kidlet is interested and keen in so many things.

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She said the finished piece is for her friend at kinder…. I really want to keep it!!!!

I think it is also important to let kids have a go with the real paints and papers as well. I mean, not all the time as it costs a lot – but I think when you just give people the cheap stuff that really says something. Of course, the cheap stuff is great for play and learning and just making but the real stuff is quite affirming, I think.

Anyway, back to making dinner and bath and bed and then I will get to draw for a few hours before sleep.

xx

New drawing

asyetuntitled_lilymaemartin
Ink on paper
57 x 77cm
2015
By Lily Mae Martin

Not yet titled, this drawing is part of my new series. I finished this a couple of weeks ago, but haven’t had the chance to make it into a digital image until now.

If you are interested in purchasing my works, or anything else, contact my art gallery – Scott Livesey Galleries.

Detail:
detail

More soon.
x

The NGV – so much fun

My better half landed a last minute job interview, so kid and I took a ride with him into Melbourne to go to the National Gallery of Victoria.
I haven’t been for a while, the NGV is a place I will just drop into because, because. Because art, because space, because the coffee is good, because I used to work there for so many years, because I was forced to go to drawing lessons every weekend when I was a kid (seriously, I have memories of copying Charles Blackman’s works, I vividly remember the chairs.)

When we did arrive, the sun was already hot and the gallery was just opening. There was a queue of people that wrapped around the moat. Everyone was there to catch the last of the big exhibition and I felt relieved that we were not there for that!

We took a ride on Carsten Höller’s Golden Mirror Carousel while waiting for our friends. The crowds formed thick and fast around us, but we got away to let the kids play outdoors in the garden. All that clean, nice space!

luckyduck

We then went into the kids area, which I had worked in during the Melbourne Now exhibition, and during that time I was told that they were opening up that part of the gallery to be a kids space, permanently.
I remember stalking in there many years ago looking at Dürer and Goya’s line works, part of a prints and drawing exhibition of which I cannot remember the title. I had worked on the kids programs for that exhibition also. The gallery had commissioned me to draw a set of angel and a set of devil wings that children could cut out and create their own creatures with. A beautiful little blonde girl drew this amazing beast, with many sagging breasts and a vuvla with fat lips that was leaking something. It took my breath away.. At first I was like, that is weird and then I was like nooo, actually that is pretty cool and creative and oh my god she is amazing and oh my god, I want one!
(A kid, not a several breasted big lipped creature..)

Anyway, in this space they have Express Yourself: Romance was Born for Kids which is just amazing. If you haven’t been, you really must go. I could not believe how beautiful and rich the space is. And so generous. There are so many things for children to do: drawing on ipads, jumping on lillie pads in front of a Del Kathryn Barton painting, decorating mask beards..

cool (My pal Steph took this shot)

We then went to visit the David Shrigley because I had seen on various cool people’s instagrams that you could do drawing in there. We were stopped by a security guard who told us about an exhibit on level three that may be of interest; you could climb on it! So, being in the company of two four year olds, we had to go there first.

cocoon
The Island Bird by Ernesto Neto – was so so so much fun to explore together, we all had a go at climbing through the structure.

Then finally, we made it down to the David Shrigley exhibition. There were so many awesome things to look and and giggle with the kids about.

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My daughter was a little frightened of the sculpture, who blinks and wees intermittently. I think she was also overwhelmed by everything and the ginormous space. But after cuddles and encouragement she sat down and drew with the rest of us. Her friend said to me “Lily is doing a Great Job!” and said to my daughter “oohhh, you’re an Artist!”

At one point when the sculpture peed a group of adults looking at us said that perhaps this exhibition wasn’t suitable for children – I had a quite giggle. The exhibition is perfect for children!

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It is at this point that we were all very tired and quickly did the obligatory visit to the Great Hall (AKA Smashed Rainbow Room) and put our hands in the water running down the entrance wall. We all left extremely tired but happy – thank you NGV, Steph and Z for one of the best days ever!

threeartists

xx

Talking art, living overseas and parenting on a podcast!

Not too long ago I went to visit Emma and Tess to chat on their podcast – The New Normals. I had just recently been introduced to them through my friend Dave Lim, and had listened to all the episodes while working. So I was busting for some new episodes to listen too and here it is, with me – Episode Seventeen.

I hope that makes sense, I am not feeling too well, so I’ve been trying to lay low. Not do too much, you know. Just things like this:

yukibath_lilymaemartin

xx