Below are the works created through curious exploration in 2012, led in studio by mixed media master, Joannah Underhill. The images speak for themselves and we are immensely proud of the achievements of our bingers. The pieces have been derived from inspiration drawn from sites around Brisbane, spontaneous studio play, and from deep within the imagination. We believe that each and every person has a wealth of creative resources within, layered with experience and memory. Listen to that, when you're ready. Enjoy the feast! 

Emily.

At the UAB Exhibition in December 2012, we held a Paper Plate Portrait competition. The idea was to choose a subject and attempt a blind drawing. Blind drawing is a technique used to enhance hand-eye coordination and to let go of pre-conceived notions of an end product. AKA Loosey-goosey! We would like to congratulate Travis on his winning entry titled "The Guitarist." Special mentions go to Lisa De Re, Col Busby and Unknown. Remember to always put your details on competition entries! We'll hopefully be seeing Travis amongst our ranks this summer! 

IT'S NOT TOO LATE to join our Super Duper Amazing Competition. Tell us in 50 words or less how UAB can ignite your passion for creativity in 2013! Competition closes the 2nd February!!  

Continuing the success of 2012's on-site sketching sessions, participants will soon be joining Emily Fong for weekly sketching sessions at various locations around Brisbane. The sites have been choosen to expand observational drawing skills and introduce concepts and ideas whilst exploring our city and exposing budding and experienced creatives to an abundance of inspiration. For more info or to enrol click here.

As many of you are aware, The Art Shed is a fantastic supporter of arts in our community. We are proud to welcome Manny and the team on board as our Major Materials Sponsor for 2013. The Art Shed will be providing us with contents for our Binge Bags as well as a home for demos throughout the year and much more. 

The first Free Demo will be held at the Circle Gallery, 274 Montague Road, West End on Saturday the 2nd of February. Save this date and we'll remind you closer to then. We'd love to see all your bright faces there.  

Do you want to learn to sketch and draw this year? Join us for a 7 week summer workshop series exploring drawing with other like minded creatives. This workshop is suitable to all skill levels and persons over the age of 18 years. For more details visit our enrollments page, here. 

Sitting on the 'big gecko' outside the Rumpus Room on Boundary Street, some friends and I met a charming colonial aboriginal man who went by the name of Charles. He told us that he used to live in the apartments above New York Slice. I found it quite interesting that I'd never looked up there before. It was one rare moment it that I didn't have my sketchbook so we made a date the following sundown for a portrait drawing session. Perhaps our versions of sundown didn't line up.. so I sat and sketched the facade of his old house and the pizza place instead. You've gotta love a spontaneous conversation with a stranger.. a frequent occurrence in West End, Brisbane. 

Jo is currently travelling in Europe visiting friends, taking time for herself and sketching her beautiful surrounds. She asked me a very honest question before she left Brisbane about how I approach making time for drawing? Especially when travelling or in the company of family and friends. I said to her, "Jo remember that you are an artist and that your friends and family know and accept this. Take time to be an artist. Take time to be you." 

I'm sure that some of you reading this will be familiar with that feeling of anxiety when all you feel like doing is drawing/painting or making but you don't know how to just take a moment to do so. It is not selfish or rude and one great way to approach this is to include those who are in your company in your sketching. This way they can feel a part it. Start with some blind drawing which will manage the expectations of both parties and perhaps reveal some surprising observations. 

Below I began with my mum's hands. This allowed her to forget that I was drawing her and before she knew it it was sketching her face.. a much more relaxed and natural pose than what we began with. 

I have been sketching and drawing for so long now that those in my company take little notice any more. Though all those butterflies and feelings of excitement and surprise never go away. I have learnt to love them not fear them.. harnessing the nervous energy for good. Each sketch is a gift to myself and when I share them they become a gift to others.

Happy new year to all and happy sketching. Jo, if you're reading this whilst you're away, I miss you and hope you are travelling well. 

See you all very soon,
Emily