Melbourne USK exhibition at Town Hall Gallery

First a video

And a nice write-up byTown Hall Gallery

82 pieces of work all lined up on the floor – during installation

Work in progress

Looking great.

The launch – packed!

The show goes on till Dec 6 at Town Hall Gallery.

Art Town 2014

Melbourne Urban Sketchers participated in Art Town on 29 March 2014. It was a fun experience to draw and capture the precinct. Besides Melbourne USKers, there were artists working in various media, including photography, oils, installation and sculpture. We had various sketching sessions – along the footpath, at coffee/lunch and at a railway station.

We had an awesome collection of work at the end of the day, which the artists could submit to an exhibition.

Melbourne USkers are modest - only 10 works were submitted, and they all looked amazing on the walls of Chapel Off Chapel Gallery.

A few of us went to the opening of the exhibition. It was an enjoyable evening – a celebration of our efforts and times spent drawing. Congratulations on work well done.

Archibald2012 & Be What I Am Fully

Hi, Friends, how have you been? I sketched Archibald 2012, the most prestigious portrait competition in Australia. Here, NSW Gallery entrance.

None of watercolour work was in. Most finalists' paintings were oil or acrylics. "John Yu With Artist" (Jun Chen) caught my eyes, as the colour "green" used in the face and the strong brush strokes fascinated me.  

You can guess how huge paintings were. It was the main stream. But I'll keep my own style.

The other day, I sketched a psychologist and popular writer, Hugh McKay at his book launch. Although the work size is A4, I'm happy with it. That's the point! "Be what I am most." 

OK, I'm loosening up landscape with washes. We saw the huge rainbow over City after a heavy shower. Beautiful and full of hope! 
I've begun to get how to loosen up. Only the problem is landscape does not move around that bores me so much. No joke. I love capturing movements.

To learn new techniques and master them takes time. I always want to take in new skills and enrich myself.


Although this post seems to have too many topics, what I tell myself is "Be what I am most." I do not need to be someone else, but myself fully. Even without a signature, my work should tell who made it -- Sadami. So, I explore skills, pursue originality and will be what I am fully. 
Friends, Happy Painting!! 

Hot, hot, hot, cold!

Spent the day with my family while my nephews are still on school holiday. We first went to see The Art of the Brick Lego exhibition at Sydney Town Hall. I managed to fit in some quick sketches while we were there, but its always hard when you're with others who aren't sketching too.We later headed back to my brother's place, and popped over to Maroubra Beach to throw a little frisbee. The ENTIRE week was sooo hot, but the day we went – it was so cold, and so freakin windy. People were flying kites and paragliding! But I was determined to do some sketching as I vary rarely visit the beach.

Archibald, BaldArchy, Doug Moran Exhibitions

Hi, Friends, are you enjoying a long weekend? (*Queen's Birthday.)
Now, I'll take you to the interesting and famous portrait exhibitions in Australia.

First, Archibold Prize 2011. Archibold prize is the oldest and most prestigious portrait prize in Australia. Any portraitist dreams to be a winner and a finalist. This year, 41 participants are selected out of 900 paintings. You can imagine how competitive it is. The winner is Ben Quilty, "Margaret Olley" (oil on canvas). Margaret Olley is the famous lady in art. She did a model for Archibold 50 years ago as well. It has become a hot topic and public attention. Below is the NSW Art Gallery.
Second, BaldArchy that parodies the title of Archbald, yes, an upside-down word. It exhibits "caricatures." I sketched BaldArchy 2010 that was quite fun. This year, at BaldArchy 2011, I came across an interesting lady drawing an abstract painting in front of the first prize work at Tap Gallery. She puzzled me and happily teased at me. Friends, please get surprised, she was "Madam Lash"!! Madam Lash is a very big name in under-culture and famous portraitist on controversial subjects. Hahh...., a world is small. I often come acorss famous people while sketching outside. I might be a very lucky artist?!

Third, Doug Moran Pize is the world richest portrait and photographic prizes. $150,000 for the best work.
Free Exhibition 2011 at NSW State Library(21st April - 26th June).

The portrait winner is Vincent Fantauzzo, "Baz Lurhmann 'off screen.'" Vincent often becomes a finalist at Archibald, too.Did you enjoy these exhibitions? If you'd enjoy my skeches, come over Sadami's Graffiti and have a cuppa with me.

Finally, Salon des Refuses. "Salon des Refuses" is another venue for unsuccessful Archibald applicants. It displays interesting and unique portaits from Archibald participants.

This weekend, Sunday, 19th June, 11:00 AM,
Sydney Sketch club will visit Salon des Refuses at National Trust, Sydney Observatory Observatory Hill, The Rocks.

So, Friends, come and join our sketching.
Happy painting!!