Gilly Huber | Artist

Isn’t the art world a fabulous place? I have met so many wonderful artists over the years who have enriched my life and offered so much generous advice and knowledge, not only here in Australia but also overseas. I am indebted to their generosity and friendship.

Ten years ago I was able to become a full-time artist. Five years later I was been browsing through an American art magazine and came across an article which captured my attention three-fold. Firstly, the beautiful watercolour paintings so full of light and sparkle, and exactly the style that I love, realistic and detailed. Secondly, the artist’s subject matter was wine glasses and bottles of wine sporting the label ‘Huber Wines”! Well, I know of Huber wines in the US. However,  unfortunately, they aren’t related to myself or my husband! Thirdly, the artist lives in Indiana, which is the state where my husband was born. So I had to email her on three counts, and she replied, and we have been firm and regular E-Mates ever since. We found an instant rapport through our correspondence and our paintings and I now regard her as one of my closest friends, even ‘though we have never actually met! Her name is Cindy Agan - check out her website - cindyaganart.com. You’ll be blown away by her beautiful watercolours.

And now a similar thing has happened to me! My article was published this month in Australian Artist - looks great. The painting images have reproduced brilliantly. And now three lovely artists have contacted me having seen the article and then checking out the website - so hi to Penne from Queensland, Ainslie from Sydney, NSW, and Bev from WA!! We are now also emailing regularly and exchanging ideas and advice and I feel so humble that they have taken the time to contact me, and so enriched by the new friendships. Ainslie is a photographer and artist and also has a website - ainsliegartistry.webs.com.

At the end of last month I conducted a watercolour workshop - we painted brass and velvet, with a bit of lace and a couple of oranges on a silver platter thrown in! I’d like to reproduce the image here but will have to wait ‘til I can sweet talk my lovely daughter into helping as I have no idea how to add a photograph to this blog!! We were all exhausted by the end of the session as we’d all been concentrating so hard! But I think everyone felt they’d had their money’s worth! Next week I’m taking a pastel workshop - Fur and Feathers is the title and this time I’ve asked everyone attending to draw up their own animals rather than give them a set piece to do. (I actually always give everyone the opportunity to work on their own images, but so far everyone has always decided to follow the one I’ve provided!!) Insisting on coming along with their own drawings will make for a very interesting and entertaining day, I think.

I also did a pastel demonstration at Wanneroo Art Society (I may have written about this previously) and I think that went pretty well. They were happy to accept the demonstration piece (very rough, of course!) and were planning to raffle it at the next meeting. That was nice.

Iv’e been very brave, as well, and finally contacted a gentleman at Perth Racing to ask about having a display at ‘the track’ some time in the future. I wonder if I’ll get any response and whether it will be yay or nay. But I’m still continuing with the race-track-related series and have just completed the 6th painting, a pastel - a horse being hosed down after the race. I really enjoyed working on the brickwork in the wash-stall! I’ve also completed a lovely black cockatoo on a branch and am pleased with the sense of light and space I’ve managed to achieve. I had to paint her as a substitute entry for a forthcoming exhibition as the painting I had entered - ‘On Alert’, the kookaburra, got sold!!!

Our Artisans on Swan exhibition is currently on display at Ellenbrook Gallery - it has been a tough road, that one. It took myself and two other ladies eleven hours over two days to hang the exhibition to the gallery’s exacting standards, and all the lifting, hanging, climbing up and down on chairs to reach wires and hooks, and carrying trestle tables around when setting up for the opening took it’s toll and my back went into spasm! Couldn’t move for 24 hours and it’s still not absolutely right. However, the official Opening was well attended and one of my paintings was sold, which was great kudos. But, other than that, attendance hasn’t been great. I think three weeks for an exhibition is too long. Most paintings are sold in the first weekend and then the rest is just decoration for the gallery.

I’m looking forward to the middle of May - my life should start to slow down a little and I’ll be able to concentrate more on painting than organising workshops, demos, exhibitions and fetes!!! The first part of this year has been almost bedlamic, and I’m supposed to be retired!!!!!