The Jester - 'Rain Dance'

Many years ago I created this weird little character called The Jester, and he stayed hidden away in the shadows because he was just too... well, strange! Recently when trying to find something amongst all my old drawings, I found sketches of him and a book I had half written and completely forgotten about!
Sooo, this year I'm reintroducing him to the world to spread his message about the importance of perception and acceptance of people's differences. We are all the same on the inside, no matter how we appear on the outside... It's our perception that that makes the difference in how we see the world and others.
I love this little fella and it gave me such joy to sit and draw him, again, after all these years. Playing with watercolour pencils was so much FUN and so freeing... I had forgotten just how much I loved it!

Hope you enjoy his antics (and purple velvet pants!).

The Jester ‘Rain Dance’ by Kaz Clarke (watercolour pencils on watercolour paper)

Rain Dance
The Jester jumped around with glee,
“There isn’t a finer place to be!”
As the rain came down
And the sun shone ‘round,
He’d never felt so fiddle-de-dee!

Written by Kaz Clarke

Labotomy of a Nail

Absolutely fascinated (and obsessed) with the tiny insignificant things that go unnoticed in our world, like old rusty nails and screws. And, the tinier they are, the more fascinating they become up close!

This sketch is of a miniscule nail head I spotted in the old weathered floorboards of the schoolhouse verandah where I often sit to contemplate life. The sunlight hitting it made it shine and pop into my vision so I took a close up photo to see why it stood out (scroll sideways to see the photo which shows its actual size). The colours and patterns completely blew my mind so I had to create an artwork in its honour.

Sketched using pastels and charcoal, it almost felt as if I was actually seeing into the brain of the head of the nail! I love the thought of this!!!

So this year is about slowing down and taking time to draw (on life), noticing all the little things again... and being who I was meant to be. Xo

Actual photo of the tiny nail showing size comparison to my work boots!

Phoebe 'Soap Box'

Lately I have entered a few art exhibitions which have involved filling out entry forms, on which I had to declare myself as either a ‘hobbyist’ (used to describe an artist without an ABN who isn’t registered for GST and doesn’t make a living from their art) or ‘an artist’ who has an ABN and is registered for GST. It’s legal smegal stuff for tax purposes of course but it really annoys me that there isn’t a third box to choose from for those artists who are in fact ‘artists’ without an ABN because it is not always possible to make a living just from your art! Most artists have another form of income to pay the bills so that they can be who they are meant to be – artists. It’s crazy! I was born an artist, it is my identity. It is not a hobby, it is WHO I AM. Van Gogh, one of the most well known artists in the world, never sold a painting in his lifetime, so does that mean he was a hobbyist? I really, really despise that word! I am an ARTIST by heart and soul… x

Phoebe ‘Soap Box’ by Kaz Clarke

PHOEBE ‘SOAP BOX’
Phoebe was having a soap box moment – she refused to be forced to fit into a non-applicable box any more! With her newly found voice, she now much preferred to be standing on a box, declaring her passion to the world. And after facing so many unfaceable fears lately, Phoebe was on fire… like a Phoenix rising!

Loose Screw

Loose Screw by Kaz Clarke
Stuck. Bent.
Hanging on…
Just.
Tired of trying
To hold it together.
Falling apart,
Almost broken.
It’s just human nature
To have a few screws loose.

Excited to be entering this 10 x10in artwork into the ’Small’s! 2023’ Art Exhibition at River Bank Gallery at Eddy’s Guest House in Canowindra. Exhibition is open throughout March so please check it out. There are some amazing local artists exhibiting their artwork here.

@Eddysofcanowindra