Katie Roberts Darebin Artwork

Below is just a selection of the artwork made during my year-long residency at Darebin Parklands in Melbourne, Victoria between April 2014-April 2015.

Katie Roberts 'Beneath Darebin' Ink, pastel, pencil gesso. 2013-2014 (SOLD)

Katie Roberts 'Moon, Mountain, Egg' Ink, gesso, watercolour, pencil, leaf stains, 2015 (SOLD)

Katie Roberts 'Removed from Nature' Ink, pencil, gesso, incisions 2014 (SOLD)

Katie Roberts 'Removed from Nature' (Detail) Ink, pencil, gesso, incisions 2014 (SOLD)

Katie Roberts 'Removed from Nature' (Detail) Ink, pencil, gesso, incisions 2014 (SOLD)

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' mixed media on paper 2014

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' (detail) mixed media on paper 2014

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' (detail) mixed media on paper 2014

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' mixed media on paper 2014

Katie Roberts 'Layered Earth' Ink, pencil, pastel, gesso on paper 2015

This is just a selection of the finished works from the Darebin Series for more images from this body of work please have a look at The Darebin Artwork page here.

Katie Roberts 'Bush City Geometry' Mixed media on paper 2015

The making of 'Ground Cover' a large ground based artwork.

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' started on the ground at Darebin Parklands

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' started on the ground at Darebin Parklands

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' (Details) with gum leaves on the ground at Darebin Parklands

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' (In progress) in the studio at Darebin Parklands

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' (Detail)  2015

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' (Detail)  2015

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' (Detail)  2015

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' 2015

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' (Detail)  2015

Katie Roberts 'Ground Cover' on exhibition in the studio at Darebin Parklands 2015

Darebin Drawings – The Book!

Well it has been a few months since I last posted and you may have thought that the Artist in Residence adventure was over for me, but not quite. Over the few weeks following the residency I decided to produce a small book to document the year-long artist residency at Darebin Parklands. It took five weeks from inception to the proof printing, but I have now taken a little more time to perfect it and it is ready to release into the world... but it's a staggered release.

First you get the chance to get a signed copy :)

May I introduce you to my latest baby Darebin Drawings - The Darebin Creek Collection by me, Katie Roberts. It is a beautiful, small, hard-bound, self-published little (only 18x18cm) gem documenting some of the history of the area and almost all of the artworks created during my residency in 36 full colour pages. It is truly lovely to hold the whole residency in my hands.

If you would like a signed copy, please place and order directly with me using this form here.

It will soon be available on Amazon and other book sellers, but for now you will find it here.

The last day of the artist residency

It was a year ago today I started this residency at Darebin Parklands in beautiful, inner city, bushland park in Melbourne. Last Sunday was the last day of my exhibition Darebin Drawings that I held in the studio at the completion of this residency. After a year here it was both sad and joyous to be finishing.

I am really proud to have created the work I have and to have established the Artist in Residence which I hope will be ongoing, with another artist starting after me. It has been a big year. I have produced over sixty works including five very large drawings, smaller works on paper, several oil painting and artist books and hundreds of photographs and even a few video pieces. 

Finally, I have also produced a book, a small square record of the Darebin Creek collection that I hope will leave a legacy of this body of artwork about the creek for future generations. It should be available early May for anyone who is interested.

The Darebin Creek work is ongoing, even though the residency and exhibition is over. I have only made and completed a third of the work I want to make so I imagine I could easily spend another year or two on the creek making art. So if you see me and my bike making some art by the creek, stop and say 'Hi!' The best thing about doing this residency has been meeting all the community who care so much about the creek and park, the environment and history of the area. What a fantastic community.

So, thanks to the rangers especially head ranger Peter Wiltshire for being so supportive sharing all his vast knowledge and creating this space in the first place. To also to Katy, Therese, Adrian and Peter. Thanks to the Darebin Creek Management Committee for being so supportive and open to this idea. To the Friends of the Darebin Creek and the Darebin Parklands Association, all the visitors and volunteers.

It's been a great journey! :)

Darebin Drawings Exhibition Update

The exhibition Darebin Drawings is going really well, I am having fun meeting the lovely art and park goers and getting to make some art in these final weeks too. As always seems to happen there is a rush of inspiration and energy in the last few strides of a projects, just like there is a rush of people through the door at the end of the day! But, it's more then welcome. I am loving the feeling of everything coming together , and everyone coming together to celebrate this art and the amazing park.

So, I thought I would post some more photos up here of the work so far, for you to enjoy.

Katie Roberts 'Beneath Darebin' Ink, pencil, mixed media on paper 2013-14 (SOLD)

Katie Roberts 'Mountain, Egg' (from my journal) ink and pencil 2014

Katie Roberts 'Fairy Bridge - Darebin Creek' Pencil NFS

Katie Roberts 'Bush City Geometry' Pencil, ink, watercolour and mixed media on paper 2015

Katie Roberts 'Leaf Map' Mixed media on paper 2014

If you are interested please also check out my facebook artist page here. 

If you are interested in purchasing or perusing a selection of my artwork as cards or prints and various other things, please have a little look here at my Redbubble profile.

Completion of Artist Residency 2014-2015 Exhibition and Open Studio by Katie Roberts

Please come along tomorrow night or anytime in the next three weeks (Thursday - Saturday 11-4pm) to see the artwork produced as part of my year long residency at Darebin Parklands in Alphington, Melbourne. Exhibition and Open Studio 26th March till the 12th April 2015. Artist Talk Saturday 28th March 4pm. It would be great to see you there to celebrate.

En Plein Air, Outdoor Oil Painting Workshop

Tomorrow and the next day I hold a two day workshop on en plein air oil painting, (that would be outdoors for the non-French speaking of us) in the tradition of the Heidelberg School artists, such as Tom Roberts who painted of the Darebin Creek too. It's going to be really wonderful. Will post more soon.

Darebin Parklands in the Alphington Open Studios Weekend

This year I am very pleased to be participating in the Alphington Open Studios event, held over the weekend of the 22-23 November. It has been going for some years and is a fantastic chance to see a range of artists work in their homes and studios in the close knit community of leafy Alphington in Melbourne. As the Darebin Parklands sits in pride of place in the heart of the suburb, this year I am delighted to be a new addition to their program as Darebin Parklands Artist in Residence.

Alphington Open Studios Weekend held 11-6pm Saturday and Sunday 22-23 November 2014.

The Studio in the Ranger's Hut Darebin Parklands

A map and details of all the artists can be found here: http://alphingtonstudios.com/

The artwork coming along...

It's been a little while since I posted purely about my art and I must say I am finding it harder to update here then I had hoped. Leading up to and after my little show at Library I did not get into the studio at Darebin Parklands as much as I would have liked. I was making work at home or outdoors.

Katie Roberts 'Egg Moon Mountain' (detail) 2014

But over the last few weeks I have really got back into it, the inspiration is flowing and although I have found it difficult to have a straight run of four-six hours (my optimal for making artwork) I have the next few days to myself at the park as it is a long weekend. I am so delighted by what I am making at the moment and I cant wait to get back in there and work on this. Here is the studio and several works in progress at the moment.

Katie Roberts' Studio at Darebin Parklands with recent work laid out October 2014

Katie Roberts 'Egg Moon Mountain' (in progress) pencil, ink, watercolour, mixed media 2014

Katie Roberts 'Old Industry' (in progress) pencil, ink, oils. 2014

Katie Roberts 'Wurundjeri Spur and Amphitheatre' (in progress) pencil, oils. 2013- 2014

Artist Books and journals on the journey

Katie Roberts Drawing the Darebin exhibition at Fairfield Library Sept 2014

Katie Roberts - The Yarra and Darebin Journey Book -  Sept 2014

Outdoor Drawing Workshop

Katie Roberts 'The Fairy Bridge Darebin Creek' a lovely spot to draw.

As part of the Darebin Parklands Artist Residency I began in May, I am running Drawing and Watercolour Workshops through October. They will be fun and relaxed and a lovely way to enjoy your Sunday afternoon in nature and immerse yourself in some art.

I would love you would like to join me if you would like.

Drawing Workshop
Sunday 12th Oct 1.30-4.30
At Darebin Parklands $50/$40 concession.

During this afternoon long workshop we will explore the park and find a lovely spot to draw, there are ponds and bridges, trees and the creek. We will then sketch (bring a stool if you need one) using pencils in our art journals. I will teach you about drawing and judging structure with a quick sketch. Followed by the more intensive but brilliant technique of working using tonal realism, which allows you to start to 'see' the world as it is and draw much, much more realistically. BYO journal or sketch book, pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B and 6B) rubber and sharpener. (Some materials may be available if required) All levels welcome. Small group. Adult class (16 and above). Please inquire if you have any special needs or questions.

Katie Roberts 'The Fairy Bridge Darebin Creek'

The Fairy Bridge and Sundi the dog :)

Sundi loves to come along.

 Book or inquire by emailing katierobertsart@gmail.com or calling me on 0435 481 202.

Following this there will be a watercolour workshop, more details bellow.
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Watercolour Workshop

Sunday 26th Oct 1-4.30

At Darebin Parklands

$60/$50 concession

In this slightly longer workshop I will guide students in the exploration of Watercolour, perhaps for the first time. Firstly we will start at the Studio and I will give a demonstration, we will be exploring watercolour in a very free and relaxing way, getting a feel for the medium. The in the second half I will teach and demonstrate some fundamentals of traditional watercolour techniques, though not necessarily for making traditional work. Following which, students may like to go into the landscape and paint, or continue working in a more free and abstract way at the studio, joining together at the end. Afternoon tea will be provided, (some GF and all vegetarian) please let me know of any other restrictions. BYO watercolour set, brushes and water colour pad, (some materials will be available).

All levels welcome, from beginner to advanced, some experience beneficial. Adult class.

Katie Roberts 'Watercolour in situ'

Book by emailing katierobertsart@gmail.com or calling me on 0435 481 202.

Drawing on the Darein - Fairfield library exhibition - little books and stories

It came upon me very suddenly but these last couple of weeks I have had an exhibition at Fairfield Library, in the glass display cabinets inset into the walls of their lovely architecture. I have wanted to show there for many years and it is a lovely way to start the ball rolling with a new series of exhibitions.

Katie Roberts - The Egg and the Mountain - Journal drawing in pencil and ink

So, if you want to get down these are the last few days, I take it down Tuesday.

Its a show of my works on paper, journals and handmade artist books. An eclectic mix, there are works from the Yarra Series and current works in progress for the Darebin Parklands Series.

Katie Roberts - The Little Yarra Bend Book - Pen and ink wash

Katie Roberts - The Fairy Bridge Dareib Creek - Pencil.