A recent Oil on canvas done of the Currumbin Alley for my friends, Paul and Louisa. I have recently touched up the clouds but other than that this is the finished product.

below is some info on the Cite des Arts residency programme in Paris that I hope to be eligible for in a couple of years.

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/citedesarts/cite-internationale-des-arts-english-presentation.html

I am getting my passion back! I am dreaming about Paris every night (must be the books I am reading!) and my painting is going very well. Not only am I painting at work, but also painting at home. I am completing a few realist paintings (kombis etc) but I am about to embark on a new phase of landscapes and impressionist style work, keeping the super-real stuff for my boats. I am intending on entering the Brisbane Artists Academe scholarship show. I just have to get in and get stuff in shows...

My son is going very well with his cello, so I am sure when the time comes for me to head to Paris for my residency, he will be able to accompany me and attend some classes etc.

so much has happened...

Life certainly takes us in all sorts of interesting places, and it is with great excitement that I tell you about my new work with a great firm here on the Gold Coast. Well, I can't say too much, but I am very excited to be working for an Interior Design firm, creating artwork for their projects. I will still be doing my own work, but I am viewing this as an apprenticeship of sorts, so in a way I am being paid to learn. Jobs like this come around once in a blue moon, and I have to that the wonderful Colleen Sutton at Cutter's Art Supplies on Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin, for putting my name forward to my new bosses!

thanks Colleen!!

I have been doing a little bit of work. Terrible photo but it shows the gist of what I am doing here. Was thinking of entering the John Flynn Show with this one. I have to enter by Wednesday so better get moving on that!

Below is a widget for the Gold Coast group I am co-hosting on Redbubble. Check it out! You can buy prints, cards and t-shirts designed by amazing GC artists and photographers.

So there you have it! You are up to date. well, kinda...have a great week:)

http://www.redbubble.com/people/christinebetts/calendars/3285669-2-gold-coast-icons

I have created a number of calendars over at Redbubble.com (see the link above) They cost $26.40 plus postage from Redbubble, but orders of 4 or more calendars (same or different style, even different artists) attract free postage I believe!

Exciting news this week. I sold a t-shirt on Redbubble. My first sale! See the image at the top!! woohoo!!

My paintings hanging in Treasured Interiors at Currumbin

I am so excited by the lovely display of my artwork
at Treasured Interiors at Currumbin on the
Esplanade.

They are right above the desk and unmissable.
It is so great to have my work out there for people
to see and buy!

The ladies at Treasured Interiors have the most
wonderful taste (and not just because they have my
paintings hanging in there...). They have incredible
homewares and furniture but can renovate your whole house or apartment for you! Amazing I know.

I went to the Coolangatta markets on the beach front today to do a bit of 'recon' and I think it would be a goer to take some of the small paintings, cards, t-shirts, and the laminated prints would be great.

I have been working on a large oil and it is coming together beautifully. It is important to approach these things fearlessly...it's only a painting after all!!

Fingers Crossed that the other shop will have had the other 6 paintings hanging all weekend and they've all sold!
Have a great creative week, everyone!
;)

welcome to my new 'followers'

hey hey, how exciting. four people want to know about my art!! Thanks so much for your interest!
So, today I wandered in and met the amazing Pelita at a wonderful little place in Mermaid. Now the chop next door is The Mermaid Beach store of Sea-life, an amazing place (also at Palm Beach) that has sea-inspired home and gift wares and hopefully my paintings hanging there by the end of tomorrow! wish me luck!!
I am being choosy about where I put them as I think they will work in certain shops and I want 'work' with like minded people who won't rip me off. I am folowing my instincts every step of the way with this.
But having said that, I was having a minor panic today as the car service etc has cost me over $1000 in the past week. These things have to be done and the car has had no work other than services in the 2 and 1/2 years I've had it, so I can't complain too much, can i? But I have to get moving on this and will begin markets sooner rather than later. although I might be putting the cart before the horse on this one, as my goal was to commence in September. I don't like the markets on the coast and the early start times just don't agree with my delicate constitution and my love of all things doonah!! anyway, will pop down and see the market at Cooly on Sunday and see if it is for me???
Happy Art-ing Everyone!!!

One of my latest paintings. It is 30cm x 20cm and acrylic on canvas. It along with many others are available at Treasured Interiors at Currumbin Beach. The phone number is 5536 5233 and they are located on the esplanade at Currumbin, right next door to the Deck Cafe which has lovely coffee, awesome vegetarian turkish bread and a great view of the beach. Just pop in and see the lovely girls there and they will help you.

well people, I sold a painting today...very happy! Thanks to the gorgeous Deb down at Treasured Interiors at Currumbin. Deb is an amazing woman who doesn't take no for an answer and is blazing a successful trail even when others are closing their doors and crying in their beer. She is a role model for me.

I have also uploaded some great new works onto Redbubble so check them out:) http://www.redbubble.com/people/christinebetts