Art by Tanya Dann

The joys of art swaps - giving and receiving art

After a very successful exhibition (Pocket Rockets - held here in Dunedin, which I organised and curated) I was lucky enough that 3 very talented artists agreed to do an art swap with me. I love art swaps! As a student I have very little money for anything other than the bare essentials of life - these swaps feel like little treats/rewards to myself. I give one of my pieces and get something new and exciting in return.

I am so totally in love with my newly aquired art that I just had to share with everyone!!!

The first piece is by a very talented artist/friend Cath Sheard - I've known Cath through the NZ Art Guild for probably 5+ years and we've shared many an email and discussion and I have watched her art grow from strength to strength. Earlier this year we were both exhibiting in a show in Invercargill. I was lucky enough to travel down for the opening and there hanging upstairs was one of Cath's pear series - I fell in love with it!!! It was a bit larger than the one below but just as exciting - I've been secretly hoping for one of these beauties since then and now I am fortunate enough to have my own :)

"Bleu poire" by Cath Sheard

Isla Osborne is a talented glass artist. For the exhibition she produced a series of small (180 x 180mm) framed fused glass and copper pieces. They were a definate talking point for all that came into the exhibition - everyone (including me) loved the way she had pushed the boundaries of what people have come to associate as glass art. There is an innocence and child-like quality with these pieces which I find endearing yet you can see the time and effort that was spent hand crafting each individual piece.

"On the road again" by Isla Osborne

I'm not a big jewellery wearer and it's not often I find a piece that I just have to have - let alone a whole collection! But that is what happened when the box of Holly Budge's jewellery turned up on my doorstep. If I'd been able to afford it I would have purchased 1/2 of the peices she sent for the exhibition!!! 4 of those pieces that I loved sold (I would have been surprised if they hadn't!) fortunately one of the slinky bracelets she sent didn't and I have been wearing it ever since she agreed to the swap!

"Full moon slinky bracelet" of the Spirit Midas collection by Holly Budge

I'm just hoping that all these talented ladies enjoy my pieces as much as I enjoy theirs. The NZ Art Guild has an annual art swap which I look foward to organising again - this years one is coming up at the end of next month - I will certainly be entering something again this year and I can't wait for my next artistic treat!!!

SNEAK PEAK - preliminary photos for "Pocket Rockets" exhibition

Here are some sneak peak pics from the exhibition I have been hanging today - there is still some work to do (paintings need to be straightened, price tags lined up correctly and lighting swivelled into position as well as hang the 10 pieces arriving by courier first thing in the morning!!!!) but this is the bulk of it done.

I promise to take better pics of everyones peices once I've got everything finished tomorrow which will then be loaded to the NZ Art Guild newsblog, facebook page and members only forum!!!

Very dedicated helper Ron Esplin, who stayed with me until almost 5pm getting the last things hung and sorted out. Thanks heaps to Ron and my other helpers Ginny O'Dea, Dianne Schnarr, Sue McPhee (all of whom are exhibiting their amazing work) and my poor flatmate who got roped in to help - thanks Carina :)

Off the main room is a little room where I've been lucky enough to hang some of my larger paintings (I'm considering it payment for organising 41 artists and around 250 pieces of art ;p) - the next few are of "the stripey room" :)

Ron Esplin helping out hanging his own wonderful works :)

For the love of stripes....

Latest painting hot off the easel....

"Life through the trees"

1015 x 760mm

Acrylic on canvas

comes ready to hang

$1050 NZD (excluding postage)

More tie bags - one off original wearable art pieces

Here are the last of the bunch of Tie Bags I had sitting round 1/2 done. Now I can start on some more of the smaller kids bags range, which will hopefully be done in the next couple of weeks. I also have 1 large stripey painting that will be finished by the end of the weekend - keep an eye out for my post early next week!

Tie Bag - Multi Red Shades
Burgundy lining, hand stitched
Approx 290 x 260 x 100 mm (not including handles)
$150

Tie Bag - Multi Patterns
Olive green lining, hand stitched
Approx 350 x 280 x 90 mm (not including handles)
$150

Tie Bag - Red and Blue
Burgundy lining, hand stitched
Approx 270 x 270 x 80 mm (not including handles)
$150

Tie Bag - Burgundy
Burgundy lining, hand stitched
Approx 265 x 270 x 70 mm (not including handles)
$150

My full supply of bags are available to view on my website
www.nzartguild.co.nz/tanyadann

If you are interested in purchasing one please email me
tanya@nzartguild.co.nz
Prices are in NZD and exclude postage.

I make to order so if you have something in mind but don't see what you want on the website I'm happy to make something up (subject to availability of ties, costs may vary depending on style, size plus number and cost of ties required) - email me to discuss.

Latest tie bags - one off original wearable art pieces

These have been sitting round for months waiting for me to cut out and sew in the lining, I've managed to finish off quite a few bags in the last couple of days. Still a few more to come... just need to find some more time!

As always...
My full supply of bags is available to view on my website
www.nzartguild.co.nz/tanyadann

If you are interested in purchasing one please email me
tanya@nzartguild.co.nz
Prices are in NZD and exclude postage.

I make to order so if you have something in mind but don't see what you want on the website I'm happy to make something up (subject to availability of ties, costs may vary depending on style, size plus number and cost of ties required) - email me to discuss.

Tie Bag - Gold and Brown
Dark brown lining, hand stitched
Approx 28 x 26 x 10cm (not including handles)
$150

Tie Bag - Oriental
Dark grey lining, hand stitched
Approx 29.5 x 28 x 9cm (not including handles)
$150

Tie Bag - Red and Black
Shiny silver lining, hand stitched
Approx 27 x 30 x 8.5cm (not including handles)
$150

Tie Bag - Yellow and Blue
Light grey lining, hand stitched
Approx 30 x 28 x 9cm (not including handles)
$150

Tie Bag - Blue
Light blue lining, hand stitched
Approx 28 x 24 x 9cm (not including handles)
$150

Tie Bag - Cartoon
Lime green lining, hand stitched
Approx 24.5 x 26.5 x 9.5cm (not including handles)
$150

Evening Bag - Cartoon
Red lining, hand stitched
Approx 185 x 140 x 55 mm (not including handle)
$90

Evening Bag - Gold
Gold lining, hand stitched
Approx 170 x 130 x 55 mm (not including handle)
$90

Evening Bag - Green and Purple
Dark brown lining, hand stitched
Approx 180 x 140 x 65 mm (not including handle)
$90

Kids range - Animals
Fully lined, hand stitched
Approx 100 x 80 x 55 mm (not including handle)
$60

Latest bearish things

I've been working on finishing off some of the 1/2 completed artworks sitting around my house. This weekend I've been working on Tie Bags and Bearish Things (some will be included in the Pocket Rocket exhibition I've been working on - see earlier posts for details). These are the Bearish Things. They are all for sale (prices are in NZD and exclude postage) email tanya@nzartguild.co.nz to enquire, remember to quote the number of the Bearish Thing you are interested it.