looking back over 2015

2015 has been an eventful and amazing year.

I moved in September 2014 to Melbourne after 10 years of living in Sydney. The move provided so many new opportunities.

Lo Res_Alissa_07

I started listing my achievements and was astounded at how much I have accomplished. Some of the things I have done were on my ‘to do’ list and others were on my ‘wouldn’t it be wonderful one day if… ‘ (medium and long term goal) list. Through the year opportunities presented themselves and I think I grasped most of them.

In this blogpost I have listed my achievements, links to the relevant website and then links to my blog post about the event (if you missed it and want to read up and follow my artistic adventures).

  • Website   www.alissaduke.com I previously used to have a blog on Blogger but realized I needed more. I completely amazed myself by creating my own website.  I expected trauma and tears , but it all went smoothly thanks to well written instructions. It still needs a little work, but has the look and style I was hoping for . I used this book http://www.alannahmoore.com/ Create Your Own Website Using WordPress in a Weekend

Read about it at http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/01/welcome-to-2015.html

 

  • I have a weekly blog . You can sign up to receive email notifications when I post a blog (like this one) . The blog is all about my art – what I am up to, hints and tips and sketching adventures.  www.alissaduke.com/blog

 

 

  • Greeting cards – I now have some of my drawings printed on 24 cards and 5 envelopes. I located a Melbourne commercial printer www.printtogether.com.au (from local recommendations).  They scan my drawings capturing the subtleties of watercolour pencil and are very patient with my technical ignorance.  The cards have the high quality look I wanted  and I am very proud of them .  I then sourced envelopes and cello bags and all the associated resources.

all cards for logDSCF0644

 

 

 

Read about it

http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/03/my-etsy-shop-is-open-2.html
http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/10/new-greeting-cards-for-sale.html
http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/11/my-christmas-cards-are-available.html

  • Linden Postcard show. I entered three drawings in this local non-juried art exhibition. I was proud to see them on the walls

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Read about it http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/09/linden-postcard-show-2015.html

  • I have held three Exhibitions. Two were held at my local library thanks to the local community East Melbourne library who provide free display cabinets. They were my first solo exhibitions and had the joy of an exhibition without the stress of framing, pricing, opening night. etc. I learnt a lot along the way about display and how much work is involved .

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http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/10/new-exhibition-of-my-sketchbooks.html

L1100087

http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/07/my-first-solo-art-exhibition.html

I have an exhibition at the Supreme Court Library http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/11/my-supreme-court-library-exhibition.html . It is still on til 22 January 2016 if you are in Melbourne

    • Uppercase – two drawing projects  (snail mail and airmail parcel) published in this prestigious magazine

uppercase26a

Read about it http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/06/my-snail-mail-in-uppercase-on-etsy.html

 

    • Commission x 2 nest and car. They are both Christmas presents so I cannot show you !

 

    • Market stall – Holy Trinity church. I shared a market stall selling my cards. (which led to a commission) market3

Read about it http://www.alissaduke.com/2015/10/my-first-markets.html. I may have a stall in an artisan market next year and this was a good introduction to how it works, the reality and set up .

 

    • Local general store – outlet for cards – East Melbourne General Store – the lovely new owner Lisette is very supportive and promoted and stocked my cards

 

    • Simone Ridyard’s book Archisketcher: a guide to spotting and sketching urban landscapes , has my drawing of the Sydney Opera House Available from North Light Books and Amazon (click on for links).IMG_0896a
    • as well as filling seven Moleskine watercolour sketchbooks . see ALL my drawings on flickr

People

Another very important part of my year were the PEOPLE . I have met and sketched with Melbourne Urban Sketchers, Erin’s travel sketch class, as well as local and online friends. They are  all part of the   wonderful and supportive art community locally and online.

Thanks to everyone who supported my art by  liking or following on facebook., flickr, instagram or this blog  or providing guidance and advice along the way. Drawing is great fun but the associated activities  involved in sharing my art are another world. It is  sometimes a steep learning curve and an adventure . I am still learning. (As you tell by the formatting of this page as things don’t go where I want them to on the page)

Looking forward to  2016

I am not sure what will be included along side of Cathy and 23 other awe-inspiring artists . I find it hard to come to term that I am included in this group.

  • Two more commissions a house and a car
  • Potential for more cars as this year s commission is advertised in the car club magazine
  • A stall at artisan Markets
  • An exhibition in July
  • being the In-house sketcher at a series of events.

I am looking forward to the New Years artistic adventures and to see the wonderful places they will take and people I will meet. See you along the way !

5 thoughts on “looking back over 2015

  1. Liz Steel

    Congrats!!! there are no words to express how happy I am at everything you have achieved this year! truly wonderful to read them all at the one time-wow!
    We miss you very much here in Sydney but Melbourne has certainly been the place for you and your art goals.
    On to bigger and better things in 2016!!!

  2. alissa Post author

    Thanks Liz! You have been there from the start of this art journey. One day soon we will sit down in the same city (before Manchester ???) and have a BIG catch up . You have also achieved SO MUCH

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