Samantha Beau in the paper for her Christmas Street Chalk

Having painted over my very popular street chalk and community board, I felt an urge to give one more to the street and my community.

Boldly I decided to go straight onto the fence.

One of my children sprung me mid -drawing and gave me a “mum, do you have to do that? It’s so embarrassing!”

So with much love, I thought I would ask the local newspaper for their take on it. That thought it would make a wonderful Christmas Day Article.

So that is how it ended up, front page of the Gold Coast Bulletin.

The FULL ARTICLE IS here.

The image was inspired by a post made by the Dartmouth pub on face book.

Samantha Beau and Street Chalks

My front was converted to a community chalk board in 2015.

Whilst painting the fence in a very traditional coat to match the homes in my street, my friend suggested putting up a chalk board space.

At first I was ambivalent and concerned about unwanted graffiti (you know the sort I mean) but the excitement and potential fun aspect took over.

The chalk board became a suburb icon with many people stopping to draw, or have their photos taken, or even just to talk while I drew.

I decided to have 2 separate boards – one for art and prompting conversations around art, and the other for animals and causes.

The results were amazing.

The concept a massive success and was featured in the newspaper. The full article is here.

These are some of the images over that time

Becoming an artist

Art has been my passion, my heart felt calling since I was born.

It is with me when I wake and when I go to bed. However I hadn’t made a career of it, until this year, as my other calling was in the nutrition space and being able to support my children as they grew up.

Now with six published books, 2 best sellers, and an established reputation and following as a nutritionist and naturopath it is time to explore my art calling.

This is an article in the newspaper about my journey.

The Petite Pieces Art Exhibition- Aspire Gallery Brisbane

The Aspire Gallery in Brisbane holds an annual competition of small art pieces.

It is a fun concept – all the pieces have to be less than 40cm x 40 cm x 40cm.

I have entered two pieces – both little water colours painted in Monte Carlo.

The opening is fun, lots of different artists at different stages of their careers, their hobbies and life.

I have really enjoyed being involved with the gallery, the curators and the exhibition.

It is open Wednesday to Sunday 1030 – 430pm.

The gallery is cute and attractive. Check it out here. 

The Petite Pieces is on display until the end of February 2018.

Why I Enjoy Art

This year is the year I throw myself into art and part of that is getting my art out in front of people.

Competitions, exhibitions, social media are all necessary in making a splash.

I guess it also sculpts one’s determination, to improve, to do better, to produce more.

Just like when I wanted to get better at swimming, I was instructed by my coach to SWIM more.

I imagine the same applies for art.

Not expecting every piece to be a prize winning piece means accepting rejections. This is hard.

Really hard!

Art is different to any other form of expression.

It’s like one is interpreting a mirage of feelings, energies and trying to relay that imprint in colour, form, shades. It fascinates me.

I really want to be a famous artist.

I want the world to see momentarily the world through my eyes.

I want to shift energy states in people.

I want people to smile and as a child I believed that one smile would ripple around the world and create more smiles.

That’s what I want to see, feel, hear, and do!

I deep down want to live in a happy world where we all contribute to making it better with the arts, with music, with smiles, with care.

Petite Pieces Competition 2018

A local art gallery hosts a petite pieces competition every year. I love the concept.

The submissions all must be under 40 x 40 x 40 cm.

I have lots of little water colours that I have done from all around the world that fit this brief.

These are my two selections for this years prize.

Two little water colours. Both painted with water colours when I was in Monaco for the Yacht Show.

Both framed and for sale, directly or through art gallery.

Gallery details:

Aspire Art Gallery

The Alice Prize

Alice Springs – nestled in the middle of Australia is the palpable heart beat of the nation.

I had to enter the prestigious art prize, The Alice Prize.

This is my entry, Green Turtle.

It is a mix of pastels and varnish.

Height 40.5 cm x 51 cm.

Available for purchase at $650 AUD.

The art prize will be on show in Alice Springs at the Araluen Gallery from 28th April – 17th June 2018.

 

The Morris Art Prize 2018

The Morris Art Prize is being held on the Gold Coast Sat 3rd – Sunday 4th March and Sat 10th – Sunday 11th March 2018.

The theme for the inaugural Prize is Brisbane to Byron.

A Gold Coast centric celebration of nature, culture, people and character of the region stretching from Brisbane in the North to Byron Bay in the South and the hinterland in the West. Relevance to theme with factor in the judging criteria.

This is my entry for 2018.

The title is Snapper Rocks.

Using a mixture of pastels, gouache, paints and laquer, I like the randomness and colours.

This part of coast is beautiful, panning back to Surfers Paradise.

The Gold Coast is a clean, friendly part of Australia where the hinterland meets the ocean. From whales in winter, to world class surfers in summer, the waters offer a magic play ground for animals and people.

I wanted to capture some of it’s beauty in my painting.

 

Creating turtle street art

This was my latest turtle street chalk as he came to life…

Fetish for Turtles

I have always loved turtles and more so recently.

 

One of my birthdays was spent in Borneo releasing baby turtles…

Last year we visited Vanuatu and experienced grown rescue turtles.

I am keen to get involved with turtle rescue – getting the plastic out of their snouts, cleaning up our waters, making out oceans safe for our ancient sea life.

It is their territory and we have tainted it.

I’m not sure where it will all lead to but I love drawing turtles and have started drawing them overseas on chalk boards.