Remembered Landscapes Opening Night

Clair Bremner art

On Thursday the 6th of September I headed down from the hills and into the big smoke to officially open Remembered Landscapes at Established For Design. Despite the weather being a little unfriendly, I was joined by a bunch of lovely fans and followers (both old and new). The girls at EFD set up an epic grazing table (seriously....people came for the art but stayed for the cheese!) and the bubbly flowed freely. It was fantastic to meet a few of my collectors that have been following me via EFD for the past few years. 

Here are a few snaps from the night

Several pieces have already found new homes, however there are still plenty available. The show will run until the 22nd of September. If you are not in Melbourne, you can view and purchase all available work via the Established for Design website until the 22nd.

Open Studio 11th-12th November

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This year I'll be taking part in the Yarra Valley Open Studio Tour which is held over three areas and three weekends between September and November. The Warburton area will be on the 11th and 12th of November from 10am-4pm.  

You can come and visit me in my studio at 21 Woods Point Rd in Warburton (in the YREC Business Village opposite the caravan park). I will have original artworks for sale, including paintings on canvas, paper and a exclusive collection of hand painted original ceramics.  

 

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To find out more about the Open Studios, including the other participating artists, you can visit the official website at  https://www.yarravalleyarts.org.au/yvaopenstudios

Yarra

Yarra is now open at Cambridge Studio Gallery in Collingwood until the 26th of March. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12-5pm. 

Here is an excerpt from the curator Susan: 

 

Not everything is always as it seems

Contemplative and reflective, Clair Brenner’s images are inspired by nature, bringing the outside in. She captures the essence of a landscape, stylizing it and making it her own. She employs colour, pattern and repetition to portray the layers of foliage and vegetation that can be seen within the landscape.

Her inspiration comes from the Upper Yarra river catchment area. The Yarra River is an icon of Melbourne, it winds its way through the city and is often described as disgusting, dirty and poisoned. However, Clair’s images tell us a different story. Travelling just over an hour out of Melbourne and into the Yarra Valley we find an entirely different picture. Here the river is clean, picturesque and beautiful.

This is the Yarra that I see every day, a river that I want people to experience. It has a pristine, untouched beauty to it that is a total contrast to the polluted murky Yarra that we see closer to Melbourne.

Clair’s work is a celebration of this unlikely aspect of the Yarra. She shines a light on a vibrant, verdant Yarra. Her images are surprising and beguiling. They remind us that not everything is always as it seems.

 

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Inspiration vs Painting

Here is a quick little peak into my process. The paintings for my upcoming exhibition were all directly inspired by the Yarra River. Some were sketched interpretations and others, such as this one below, were inspired by photographs.  

I never try to copy a landscape exactly, I always like to use my own interpretation which gives my paintings their imaginative and dreamlike quality. As you can see, although I was directly inspired by the photo, the finished painting has taken on a whole new feeling of its own. I tried to emphasis the feeling of the sun going down and the last warmth from the day hitting the riverbank to the right.   

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Last Light (152cmx101cm Acrylic on Canvas) will be in display during my exhibition Yarra, which is being held at Cambridge Studio Gallery in Collingwood from the 8th to 26th of March. There will be opening drinks on the 12th of March from 2pm, it would be lovely to see you there. 

 

New Year. New Studio

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I mentioned on here a few weeks ago that I was planing on moving out into a new studio space. Well the time has arrived. I picked up the keys to the new studio last Thursday and I've been slowly moving in over the last few days.  

 

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I have been a full time professional artist for about three years now, however now that I have a "real studio" I actually feel like a real professional now. So silly but that's how my brain works. 

 

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I'm really excited to see where this next year takes me and to see how having a studio outside of my home for the first time ever changes the way I work. I'm hoping that I will be a bit more productive during the week. I find it hard to not procrastinate doing other things when I'm at home, it's always much more tempting to just sit on the couch with my knitting and Netflix. Hopefully having official working hours and a place to go every day will make me more accountable and productive when I need to be.  

It will also be awesome to be able to welcome clients into my studio without having to lead them through my lounge room and messy kitchen first. I am happy for anyone to pop in and see me whenever I'm there (which will be quite often during the week and by appointment on weekends).  

 

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After the Christmas and New Years break and once I have settled in I am planing on holding an official opening/open studio day. I'll let you know when that's happening via Facebook early in the year.  

Internal Worlds Exhibition Opening

It's show time! My new exhibition opens at St Michaels gallery today (the 16th of October) and will run until mid November. The Exhibition consists of eight paintings and all are available to purchase via the gallery.

Internal Worlds is a collection of paintings inspired by nature and the cycle of time. The small worlds of overlapping foliage show depth and details that are not noticed fully until you approach the works closely. This is a reflection of my own inner struggle, the constant tug of war between being an introvert and wanting to be left alone – while simultaneously wanting to reach out and connect with people and maintain meaningful relationships.

All sales and inquiries need to take place through the gallery. You can speak to Erin on PH (03) 9654 5120 or via email at communications@stmichaels.org.au

St Michaels Gallery is located at 120 Collins Street, Melbourne. You gain access to the gallery via St Michaels Walk which is just off Collins street. The opening will begin at 11:30 am today until around 1pm, i will be there and i would love to have a chat to you.

As mentioned earlier,  all sales and inquiries need to take place through the gallery. You can speak to Erin on PH (03) 9654 5120 or via email at communications@stmichaels.org.au

I am happy to arrange free shipping Australia wide on any painting purchased interstate, just let Erin know over the phone where you would like it shipped to.

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Internal Worlds Exhibition Preparation

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I have a new show opening on the 16th of October until the 20th of November. The show is in the unique little St Michaels Gallery on Collins street in Melbourne which is in the entrance way of the St Michaels building behind the old church.

There will be a brief opening event from 11am on Sunday the 16th, I will be there and I'd love to have a chat to anyone that pops in. There I'll be 9 pieces available to buy, including three framed works on paper. I will not be holding a pre-sale for this show, however once the show opens I will show photos and details of the available pieces and any interstate collectors will be able to contact the gallery and purchase works over the phone.

 

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This series is very abstract and monochromatic and all pieces are similar in colour and would work well together as pairs.

If you happen to be in the city on Sunday feel free to pop in for some champagne and a chat.