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Kuba dropped in to lend a hand. (photo: Timea Tallian)

Since December last year I have had my artwork hanging in Dancing Shiva on Neubaugasse in the Vienna 7th district. With exhibition season having begun, it was time to take my artwork down in preparation for sending them off to far flung destinations once again. But more about those exhibitions in future articles.

Since the Dancing Shiva space and team are to be treasured, I did not want to see the space on the wall fall idle, and suggested to the owner of Dancing Shiva, Riki Hinteregger, that she have fellow Australian artist, Kuba Ambrose hang his artwork there. Both Kuba and Riki liked the idea very much, and so it was agreed.

Kuba came in to lend me a pair of extra helping hands to take down my artwork, and a few days later his went up. This all worked out very well, as there was extra influx of people into Dancing Shiva that following weekend because of the street festival.

It was a great chance for me to finally see Kuba’s oirginal artwork after enjoying and following his creativity on the internet all of these years. I first saw Kuba’s artwork when we were both published in the “Angle Circus” magazine that our mutual friend Jon Beinart was working on. Now, years later after many adventures, and many paintings later, we both have ended up in the same city, Vienna. It has been pleasure to finally meet and to get know him.

I would like to thank Riki and her team for giving me this opportunity and being ever so friendly and helpful. I would also like to thank Celene Venosa for introducing me.

If you are in Vienna, take the time to drop in to see Kuba’s artwork and grab something delicious and healthy from Riki’s cafe kitchen at the back for the store and do something for your mind, body and soul.

Kuba with visitors come to see his artwork. (photo: Timea Tallian)

Dancing Shiva
Neubaugasse 58
1070 Vienna
Austria

+43 1524 7843

www.dancingshiva.at

The magic of juxtaposition. Do you see it?

It has happened before. Those moments of empty minded clarity, when not much is happening, lounging on the obligatory comfy studio sofa, looking at the artwork. While to some, it may not look like much is being done, sometimes this meditative space is absolutely required for the successful completion of an artwork.

And then it happens. As you gaze on the work in progress, your eye wanders and suddenly where once it was never apparent before, the painting behind or near that in focus, also comes into focus, and a synergy springs into life.

It maybe the forms, sometimes one painting literally flows into the other. Other times, it is colour combination sets one off on a new crescendo of colour.

And so it was recently here in my Vienna studio. Two unrelated paintings suddenly took on a new meaning together. I won’t say how or what the outcome will be. I know what that is in my mind’s eye.

It never ceases to amaze me from what unexpected corners inspiration is waiting to be found. Only if you look. And look with an open uncritical mind. Then the Muse speaks, and you follow her command.

I recently did a version of an earlier painting of mine in pen. It was interesting revisiting such an early work, because when reworking it as graphic, I am paying attention to the details. I am therefore thinking about how I would do the painting differently if I had painted it today.

I think the ink drawing comes up nicely in comparison to the original painting, which I still have. Upon reflection I find it surprising that I still have such an early work in my possession as I eventually sell everything that I paint. I’d say that is a fairly good success rate.

What was also surprising was when I posted the graphic to my Facebook page, that some one who had bought a print of the painting from me, when I used to sell on the street corners of Brisbane many years ago, commented that he still had the print. I was pleased to learn that he still had the print. It also made me wonder, how many other people out there still have my prints.

So now, some one has the chance to own the original drawing I made, as I am selling it on eBay.

eBay: Leo Plaw – Originale Zeichnung – Original Drawing

One of my favourite artists and master draftswoman, Laurie Lipton, has just released a limited giclee of her most infamous image, LOVE BITE. There is more information on Fantastic Visions.

Tim Roosen and Isabelle Hackars

This past Easter weekend artist and gallery owner Tim Roosen paid me a visit in my studio while he was here on business in Berlin. It was very fortuitous as it meant that I could give Tim at least one of my paintings for the forthcoming “Light Fantastic” exhibition at his NovaBelgica Gallery in Belgium.

The second painting that I intend to send is still in production and the clock is ticking. There are a few more layers to add yet.

I will be exhibiting alongside the following artists.

Christine Morren, Claus Brusen, Jacek Lipowczan, Krzysztof Izdebski-Cruz, Magda Francot,Marcin Kolpanowicz, Olga Gouskova, Peter van Oostzanen, Raoul Chanet, Sigrid Nepelius, Tommas Jorgensen, Jef Bertels, Christien Dutoit, Dirk Bosschaert, Els Wenselaers, Roland Menten, Steve Kirkham, Jo Pirard and Tim Roosen.

The details for the exhibition are as follows.

The Light Fantastic

Opening: 13th May 2011
Closes: 19th June 2011

NovaBelgica Gallery
Wildebamp 19
B-3800 Sint-Truiden
Belgium

Tel: +32 (0)495 689485

www.novabelgica.com