Composition Workshop Pics

Well done to everyone who attended the Composition Workshop at the South Pacific Resort on the 10th & 11th November. The album of workshop pics can be found here.

Published November 12th, 2007

Colour Mixing and Painting Workshop

South Pacific Resort was colourful place to be on Sept 29th and 30th, as Cindy presented a weekend colour mixing and painting workshop. Well done to everyone who attended, you all did a fantastic job and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

All the pictures can be found here.

Published October 1st, 2007

Learn to Draw Workshop

Well done to the Paint In Your Pyjamas Women who took part in the Learn to Draw workshop on the 12th of August, learning all the basics of drawing and finishing up by combining all those lovely pencil strokes to create an Australian Outback Scene.

Published August 13th, 2007

Weekend Soul Colours workshop

Well done to our fantastic Paint In Your Pyjamas women who took part in the soul colours workshop last weekend at the lovely South Pacific resort, where Cindy revealed the secrets of how she creates her wonderfully colourful artworks.

Published July 17th, 2007

Sunshine Coast Weekender

Press appearances
Today Cindy appears in the Noosa Weekender, Sunshine Coast Weekender (online version here) and in the Noosa Notables column in the Noosa news.

PJtime

Published July 13th, 2007

Kids on the Coast Magazine

Hi All,

There’s a lovely article about Cindy and “Paint In Your Pyjamas!” in this months edition of ‘Kids on the Coast’.

20,000 copies are distributed from Caloundra through to Noosa and the Hinterland areas. There’s also a digital edition on the Kids on the Coast web site. Download it from here (15Mb download).

Enjoy,
Stuart

Published July 11th, 2007

Thoughts about Hastings Street, Noosa

No matter how busy my life is, I still make time to paint most days. Having the choice to do so is my interpretation of freedom. I am now represented by The Cooper Gallery (formerly known as The Beachside Gallery) smack bang in the very middle of Hastings street - set right in the middle of a street full of little boutique shops, surrounded by the gorgeous vibrant colours of nature; luscious green tropical plants line the streets, soft white sand and the cool blue ocean sits directly in front. There is an abundance of wildlife fossicking and frollicking around. There are even sleepy Koalas in the national park at the end of the strip of shops. This all combines in intersting synergy along with many little boutiques sporting the latest up-to-date fashion labels all at matching glamorous prices. The best dining experience can also be had, with artistic-chefs who take great pride in the presentation and content of the foods they serve. Only the freshest ingredients are used and cooked to perfection. The whole feeling of the big city consumerism with all the glamerous shops and oppulence nestles inside a wonderful Nature Womb of greenery.

There is something for everyone in Hastings Street…..and that gives the whole experience a kind of surrealistic feel, as though you are stepping into another world. This is the mysterious world of the vacation, holiday or otherwise known as ‘the great escape’. The oppulence, the frivolity with our purse strings as we swing our bags on our fingertips and dance amidst the aloofness of ‘no worries in the world’ removes any thoughts of guilt about the excessive purchases we are making.

All of this activity provides a massive platform of intrigue to me as an artist. I have been fascinated with the mainstay industry (tourism) in Noosa ever since I arrived here four and a half years ago. I have been painting about Noosa and the Hastings street lifestyle for about the entire time, because I have many questions to ask about this behaviour many of us choose to perform (including me at times.) Do we have the right to flaunt our money or should we be donating huge sums to charity and living like paupers to help others? Are we right in buying not one but ten hats, shoes and bags - one for every occasion. Take a look at the painting I created titled “Shop Till You Drop”

It’s in The Cooper Gallery in Hastings street, or go to www.thecoopergallery.com.au. this picture sums up my curiosity. I am not commenting, I am just asking questions like why do we shop till we drop on holidays and anyway where do all these things fit in our suitcases to travel home? I love the feel of Hastings street and often become engrosed in that breath-taking experience that ‘high’ at the thought of dining in the fabulous restaurants along the beach (and often do so). But that feeling is sometimes counter-balanced by emotions filled with pain as I am reminded of the greed and pride that is also there as well.

In summary, I think it is great to enjoy the best in life, and yes we are entitled to nice things - we do have the right to feel smooth soft textures on our skin in the clothes we wear. We do deserve to enjoy soft succulent oysters slithering down our throats and swirling portions of soft juicy crabmeat in our mouths, but once again, it’s all about balance. There is a place for indulgence, just not all the time. There is time to give back too. A time to contribute (in the form of work or time) as well as tithing. To give a portion of our income is so important - even if we all gave just ten percent of everything we earn, to a good cause, we could make a difference. Thankyou Hastings street, for being an intriguing place to investigate human behaviour and well done on accomplishing such a fascinating integration of nature and man-made lifestyle. It’s fun to walk the Hastings street strip, have an icecream and admire all the beautiful objects of human design as well as the natural beauty.

Published July 10th, 2007

Goondiwindi adventure

The trip to Goondiwindi was another great adventure, but the one thing
that really stood out for me during this special time was the
wonderful people we met. The 28 girls who came along to the workshops
at the Goondiwindi Cultural Centre were so full of enthusiasm and
ready to have a go!

I love your attitude girls and I am very much looking forward to
returning in September. Thankyou to all of you who have emailed me, it
would be wonderful if you could also hop onto this forum so that
everyone can read your lovely stories. I was so fortunate to meet you
all, you have such beautiful souls. There was so much peace and
happiness in the room the whole time! It was lovely to have Leoni and
her precious pup Scruffy Murffy Smith in attendance.

It was an honour to be showing you all how to paint, especially since
most of you hadn’t painted since a child. You all produced fabulous
artworks and I am sure that when Stuart finally gets a minute he will
pop the photos up on our site. (yes they are here now. Stuart)

Thankyou to all of you, for making it
an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all of us! A very special
thanks to Carolyn and Shawn of Fairway Studios for arranging the event
and also to the Nook and Cranny bookstore for their involvment in the
book launch, and sales support of ‘Paint In Your Pyjamas!’

Published June 30th, 2007

Previous events

Here are the images from “Paint In Your Pyjamas!” Book Signings and Paint In Your Pyjamas related events.
(images stored on Picasa Web Albums)

23rd & 24th Jun - Goondiwindi Cultural Centre
arranged in association with Fairway Studios and
the Nook and Cranny Bookshop, Goondiwindi

13th May - Maryborough Library - Author Talk

5th May - Annual 2007 StuartCindy Art Student Awards

30th March - Noosa Library
Book Launch, Author Talk and Book Signing.
The event was opened by bestselling Author Kristin Williamson

See video highlights from the
Noosa Book Launch

Requires
Windows Media Player
& Broadband connection
150 kbps

4th April - Beerwah Library
Author Talk and Book Signing

Published June 25th, 2007

Maryborough Library Launch

The Maryborough library had a cosy turnout for the launch of
Paint In Your Pyjamas, we had a wonderful time. One of my previous
students who had moved to Maryborough about three years ago arrived at
the event and was delighted to see that it was ‘her’ Cindy launching
the book ‘Paint In Your Pyjamas!’  She had received a flier from the
Library promoting the event and wasn’t sure if it was the ‘Cindy’ that
had taught her art in Noosa, because she previously knew me as Cindy
White - the newly married surname ‘Wider’ threw her off course a bit.
It was a moving moment to be reunited with Rosanne, I often wondered
how she was getting on in life, because she also had Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome and sometimes struggled to get to classes. It brought a happy
tear to my eye to see her again especially as she was so excited to
see me too! She gave me a copy of her wedding invitation which had a
photograph of the painting on it that she had produced during my art
course.

Isn’t it wonderful to catch up with old friends or aquaintances and
see how they are after a period of time has lapsed. It sometimes feels
as though no time has even passed at all. The experience left me with
a deep gratitude for the joy and satisfaction that I gain by sharing
my love of art with others. It also served as a powerful reminder for
the reason why I continue to teach art in the live tuition programs.
This experience has prompted me to offer my weekend courses again!
Many people along our journey in both Maryborough and Bundaberg have
asked for workshops and seminars so they will begin soon!

Thankyou Robyn Dowling from the Bundaberg Library, your effort was
greatly appreciated and thankyou to all of you who attended.

Published May 23rd, 2007