Cheska Paintings Blog

Alex Perry VIP Night @ Ganache Fashion Boutique

Sat, 26 May 2012 11:48:00 GMT

Alex Perry VIP Night @ Ganache Fashion Boutique

Now here is a night I can add to my Cheska Photography highlights J J

Up and coming Greek / Australian fashion designer ANTHEA SOLOPOTIAS,

also known as LADY GANACHE, owner of Ganache Fashion Boutique, held

her annual and much anticipated ALEX PERRY VIP NIGHT at her boutique in

Port Melbourne. 150 STUNNING women happily mingled and lined the walls

Of Ganache waiting to get a glimpse and a one on one fitting with the

Amazing ALEX PERRY.

I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph the man himself and the

Beautiful Anthea as they worked their magic on these ladies. With their mobile phones

turned cameras armed and ready in one hand, garments to fit draped on the

other, these ladies were relishing every moment, laughing and joking with

Anthea and Alex like they had just come home to a family reunion J

To view more photos of the night, make your way over to

GANACHE FASHION BOUTIQUE and while your there make sure you LOVE

her page J

Iconography & What it Means in Orthodox Churches

Mon, 07 May 2012 05:08:00 GMT

Iconography & What it Means in Orthodox Churches

So by now you should have all been inundated on your home wall with all my FB updates on the Iconography that has

taken place at Saint Anna Church On the Gold Coast, and if it has been, then I’m happy :) :)

It really is a type of art form that I hold close to my heart, my first experience of actually painting icons was when I was

about 14 years old and a well known Iconographer by the name of Nicholas was holding weekly classes while he was

completing a couple of churches in Melbourne. So to be asked to participate both initially photographically, to

document Andrew Georgekopoulos (the Iconographer) at the different stages of completion and now to artistically

contribute with the completion has been an honor. :)

To give you a true insight into how Iconography evolved and what it means, I found an article from known Iconographer

Betsy Porter.

“Icon” means simply “image.” The term here refers to sacred images, specifically those developed in the Orthodox

Christian tradition.These traditional images have historically been revered as equivalent in authority to Holy Scripture, as

a visual expression of the Word of God. Some are reputed to perform healing miracles. Each Orthodox church is

adorned by an altar screen (iconostasis) covered with icons, as well as portable icons on stands. An Orthodox home

will typically include a “beautiful corner,” where icons are displayed on a special shelf. Small icons may function as

meditation objects and prayer companions. More than just sacred art, icons are treated with great reverence, as part of

an active relationship with the holy.

Icons are strongly rooted in classical Greek and Roman art. They were developed during the long-lived Byzantine

Empire (330-1453) and its descendant cultures. In recent years, iconography has attracted increased interest and

many new practitioners. The discipline continues to evolve as a living art form.

There are numerous icon styles, most prominently Greek, Russian, Coptic, and Ethiopian. Most historic examples are

paintings in egg tempera on wood; others are mosaic, fresco, embroidery, tapestry, precious metals, and enamel. The

most familiar icons are half-figures of Jesus, Mary holding the Christ Child, angels, saints, apostles, and prophets.

Other types include faces, full-length figures, traditional group scenes representing special days in the church calendar,

and illustrations of Bible stories and legends of the saints.

In iconography, a number of artistic rules and conventions apply. The underlying drawing is geometrically structured

and proportioned. Color areas are clearly defined. Figures are elongated, eyes large and shadowed, eyebrows

arched, noses long and straight, mouths closed, hands gracefully stylized. The forehead (seat of the intellect) and the

collar bone (gateway to the heart) are emphasized. Both eyes and at least one ear must be visible to enable the holy

figure to see and hear the viewer. Out of respect for the commandment against graven images, Orthodox icons avoid

strongly three-dimensional effects; but the complex cubist-like highlights hint at spiritual dimensions. Perspective is

flattened or even inversed.

The image is diagrammatic as well as representational, floating on a sea of philosophy, theology, and mathematics.

Folds in the garments converge and spiral into power points; hair curls and waves with the saint’s energies; and

increasingly bright layers of highlights symbolize levels of consciousness. Light comes primarily from within the figure.

Icons have been described as “windows into heaven” and as “making the invisible visible.” Even though somber events

may be depicted, there is an underlying mood of confidence, joy, and sometimes a playful humor. The holy figures are

shown in a blessed state, suffused with golden light. They project an intense psychological presence, and may seem to

return your gaze, or even to initiate the scrutiny.

Painting (Traditionally Known as “Writing”) an Icon: Iconography is both a spiritual practice and a non-competitive

artistic discipline. This work is undertaken with prayer, in a contemplative atmosphere. Icons are left unsigned or

signed only on the back, as “by the hand of” the artist.

These sacred images have been lovingly refined over the centuries, so the iconographer does not attempt to re-invent

them, but to copy them faithfully, clearly, and expressively. Originality and “self-expression” are rarely required or

appropriate. If a modern saint or unfamiliar theme is to be depicted, one relies on precedent insofar as possible,

allowing several hours to prepare a satisfactory drawing. But every iconographer develops a unique style and

approach. The individual touch is readily visible in minor variations and in nuances of line quality, detail, highlight, and

color. With concentration and persistence, almost anyone can learn to paint a beautiful icon

I ASKED FATHER ROMAN FROM ST ANNAS ORTHODOX CHURCH ON THE GOLD COAST WHAT ROLE DO THE

SAINTS PLAY AS THEY ARE PREDOMINANT IN OUR ICONS?

" Heroes of the church, that’s how we present it to the children so that they can understand that we had people that we

look up to of who are Christian and are an example of living a life in Christ. We don’t worship the saints we venerate the

saints. We don’t ask the saints to save us, we ask for their intercessory prayer so they speak / pray on our behalf, so

putting them up on our walls is like any teenager that puts up posters on their walls of who their heroes are. eg.

rockstars, actors, family members ect. For the Church it’s the saints that adorn the walls as heroes of the church" ........

Psychology Of Color

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:05:00 GMT

Psychology Of Color

Have you ever wondered why you like the colors you like?? What they represent

and WHY they make you feel how you feel?? Studies say that colors can alter our

perceptions….. perhaps that’s why I wanted to paint my room blue and white

when I got home from my first trip to Greece many moons ago.

Whatever your reason for liking the colors you do here is a little INSIGHT into

Psychology OF Color.

RED_____________

Is a strong emotional color, which has long been associated with vitality and ambition, love,

warmth and SEXUALITY. Although it can help overcome negative thoughts, too much can be

associated with anger and therefore may irritate.

PINK____________

Is an emotionally soothing and calming color, giving a feeling of warmth and NURTURING.

It is associated with love and protection.

ORANGE________

Stimulates the mind, is CHEERFUL and warm, and reminds us of the sun.

Variants such as apricot and peach can be good for alleviating nervous exhaustion

YELLOW________

Is also happy, and associated with bright days. It is associated with the intellectual side

of the mind, stimulating memory and new IDEAS. It is important to avoid dull yellows,

however, as these are associated with fear.

GREEN__________

A Is most strongly associated with nature. It creates a feeling of comfort, laziness, relaxation,

CALMNESS and space. While green can be a color of optimism and well being, variants such

as lime and olive green can have a detrimental effect on both physical and mental emotional

health, since these are associated with emotions of envy, resentment and possessiveness

BLUE____________

A cool, calming color, is associated with a higher part of the mind than yellow.

It’s attributed to inspiring mental control, clarity, and creativity. As well as RELAXING,

variants of blue, such as midnight, can have a sedating effect. This is to be moderated,

however as too much dark blue can be depressing.

PURPLE_________

Is said to have a deep effect on the PSYCHE and can be used to calm and pacify nerves.

Variants of purple are also associated with stimulating the artistic side of the brain.

BROWN_________

The Color of mother earth, is natural, confident and casual, and is associated with stability.

However, it can signify REPRESSED emotion.

WHITE__________

Has long been the color of purity. It is the color of PEACE, comfort and inner emotional cleaning.

However, too much white can be cold and isolating.

GREY____________

Is associated with tradition, independence and self-control, a shield against the outside world.

It is often considered non-committal as it sits between the STRONGER colours of white and black.

BLACK___________

Denotes sophistication, elegance and formality. It is protective and MYSTERIOUS, yet can be morbid and depressive.

6 years later ... and i thank YOU

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:56:00 GMT

6 years later ……… and I thank you ;)

It’s been 6 years since I moved from Melbourne to live in the Gold Coast.

4 of those years were spent being majorly challenged in many ways!!

When I did my big travelling gig in 2002 (can you believe its been 9 years), I, like most people,

came back a different more inspired person. Living in Melbourne….. a more shall I say culturally diverse

place than the Gold Coast, it was easy for me to go out and associate myself with people, groups,

activities and hobbies that gave me a sense of connection to the places I had been and

experienced whilst travelling. It was there that I started to paint pieces from my travels and began to

make a name for myself as an artist.

THEN I MOVED!!!!!!!

It wasn’t a bad move… but it wasn’t exactly the “surroundings” that would support my future artistic endeavours either.

To be honest... I was artistically DEAD! I went from my cultural little hub in Melbourne,

to my “fantastic outdoor sporting activity haven” Gold Coast. NO it wasn’t a bad move, it was different.

I love the fact Gold Coast weather and surroundings are stunning and you can be outside living

and breathing every day basking in the sun!! But creatively I was uninspired, I didn’t have cultural diversity to

immerse myself in, to create the balance I needed between my art (and what motivated me to paint what I did)

and my new lifestyle of “surfing, riding, climbing, hiking, bbqs, early dinners and sleeping by 8pm “ …

(I know sounds miserable doesn’t it ;p)…..

MY POINT! It was one lifestyle or another. So I became sad and kinda lost (you have a talent, you want to use it,

throw in a few other bits and tads life throws at you) …… which kinda turned into depression…..

which kinda turned into all sorts of other hurdles!! No creative / cultural support network was bad news for me!!

The answer to my artistic despondency was obvious but not for me at the time!! I’m a firm believer now that

no matter where you are in the world, whether you like where you are or not, you need to go out of your way to

create the situation you want to be in. Trust me it was hard but so easy!! ……

This is where I want to take a sec to THANK YOU!!

Please explain Cheska … hehe… well… so, I was majorly uninspired, we started to make short trips OS here

and there, obviously you all know that Japan was a big hit on my list of cultural inspiration…

it was like a coffee in the morning for me, a good boost but not enough to last me till the next holiday…

it was also obvious that not much was to change on the culture/ lifestyle front for me on the Gold Coast either…

so I decided enough is enough, I’m going to create it!!

I shut down my personal page of FB 2 years ago and decided to start my “Cheska Paintings “ page.

My “inspiration” odometer begun to move, I started to connect with artists near and far, all over the world,

as well as lovely non art people that like and comment on what I do.

Then a really special lovely person gave me the opportunity/ boost to start my Cheska paintings store online

(whilst sulking at home with a broken foot ;) .

I also had to change my working environment…. Where to work , where to work since Gold Coast definitely is

NOT a place of choices!!! …. Lucky me found a top source of fun cultural exchange... yep… a youth hostel!!

Could not get better than that in a culturally challenged place like GC. Now 6 years on things are great!!... so …

THANK YOU to all of you who stuck by me with words of encouragement when I was down.

THANK YOU to all of you who are connected through FB and encourage me and partake on my page!

THANK YOU to all of you whom I have met/know from near and far on my travels and are now reconnected via the web!

THANK YOU to all of you who I have met through a pretty cool job!

THANK YOU man upstairs for making it all come together!

Now I’m re-inspired to pick up a brush and start painting again about cultures and travelling as I travel
everyday with you and through you all!!!!!

No matter where you are, opportunities exist, even if you have to create them !

LOTS OF KISSES PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!
(ps. was in a feel good mood with all the response i got from my Comp #2 on Facebook... check it out xx)

Turning JAPAneZA

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:43:00 GMT

Turning JAPAneZA

1. You must make the peace sign every time you take a PHOTO with a bunch

of cute little Japanese girls.

2. You must BOW…..and continue bowing as you retreat from the store you

bought your morning coffee from.

3. You must meet “Sumo Tei’s” (a restaurant) chef, an ex SUMO and tackle his

sumo size food servings.

4. You must high five every Japanese SKI lift personal who are excited that your

there….. (yes..this DID happen!)

5. You must take your husbands word for it when he says he saw a BILLY

GOAT CROSS BEAR when hiking the back country …(also known as kamoshika)

6. You must experience an ONSEN naked… with 3 other little Japanese 70 year

old ladies that speak more English than you do Japanese and are demon skiers

on the slopes next to you snowboarding.

7. You must take a sashimi cooking class with the SAMURAI master chef, that

works at your hotel and INSISTS on showing you, how to sashimi it with his

enormous knives.

8. You must take photos when going to see a pseudo 60’s AUSTIN POWER

Japanese music band at the bar across from your hotel…. Gold entertainment!

9. You must make it a priority to consume all the BEER from the hotels beer

vending machine… one of a hundred different vending machines in the front

entrance alone.

10. You must, at least once, try and run to catch the train with high heel boots

and a mini skirt, while there is black ice and SNOW on the road. These Japanese

girls have endless talents!

Hmmm Japan its good to be back

"Culture In History 3"

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:44:00 GMT

“Culture In History”… Part 3

It’s called Mezcla in SPANISH – مخلوط (mahlut) in PERSIAN – Imlwau in PUNJABI -
תִמזוֹגֶת (dimzoget) in HEBREW - Khlyt in ARABIC and Mixture for those of us who only understand it in English.

FLAMENCO singing is like one big melting pot of the above cultures coming together. Musically, visually and artistically, they were documenting their integration and JOURNEY through the Middle East, the Mediterranean and their settlement in Andalucía.

Catholic monarchs tried to convert them all to Christianity which would result in them giving up their nomadic partying way of LIFE, so instead these cultures took refuge in the rugged mountainous terrain where it was too dangerous for authorities to visit. This is where Flamenco DANCING was born. Gypsy dance was mixed with Arab and traditional Spanish dancing which complimented the “CANTE”. With the mixture of musical backgrounds and time passing, the authorities eventually eased up and from the 19^th century onwards, Flamenco became Spain’s and one of the worlds most PASSIONATE captivating, heart burning and soulful forms of dancing and singing performed today.

So next time you go to a tapas bar, Spanish restaurant or even to Spain. Take a moment every time you see the singer singing with pain, or the dancer dancing with passion and FEROCITY, to remember we are witnessing CULTURE IN HISTORY. (part 3 of my collection)

"Culture In History 2"

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:44:00 GMT

“Culture In History”… Part 2

SAMURAI: To “serve”, a service which literally meant to give up one’s life for

one’s lord. The core Samurais ideals included GAMAN (endurance), ISSHIN

(whole-hearted commitment) and MAKOTO (sincerity). Samurais were

supposed to be men of Zen-like austerity who endured hardship without

complaint.

GEISHAS: Women of exquisite grace and refinement. They are
professional hostesses who entertain customers through various

performing arts as GEI means arts or performances, and SHA means people in

Japanese. It's believed that the women who danced for the warriors in the 11th

century are the predecessors of geishas.

I find it hard enough to “Gaman” doing housework, “isshin” to my spiritual life,

and “makoto” when playing monopoly, let alone go through hardship without

complaining!!!...and GRACE and REFINMENT I have issues with them too.

I’m not the most elegant person in this world and I certainly don’t GEI – SHA

visitors in my humble abode that much anymore either.

That’s why in this historical world of discipline, dedication and obedience…… 3

words that create a FORMULA of success if I were to compare it to today’s

society and lifestyle, I dedicate the second part of my collection “CULTURE IN

HISTORY” to the people of Japan who have inspired me by their humbleness,

SIMPLICITY, honesty and their intriguing belief in HONOUR.

"Culture In History"

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:45:00 GMT

“Culture In History”… Part 1

Spartan warriors, Trojan wars, Olympic Legends, Gods and Mythology.

The perfect mix of EMPOWERMENT! Ancient Greece comes to life in one Part of my future collection.

I often find myself wishing I could live in those days just to experience the STRENGTH, honor and intensity

these historical figures lived.

One of my major focuses on my art will be on SPARTA. Inspired by a commissioned Piece for the

BEAUTIFUL GANACHE as a gift for the ever talented ALEX PERRY, it was this piece that has become my

connection to a new Form of expressing Culture… “CULTURE IN HISTORY”.

"Sparta was recognized as the overall LEADER of the combined Greek forces during the Greco-Persian Wars.

“In 480 BC a small force of Spartans, Thespians, and Thebans led by King Leonidas, made a legendary last stand
at the Battle of Thermopylae against the massive Persian army, inflicting a very high casualty rate on the Persian forcesbefore finally being encircled.

The SUPERIOR weaponry, strategy, and bronze armour of the Greek hoplites and their phalanx again proved their worth one year later when Sparta assembled at full strength and led a Greek alliance against the Persians at the battle of Plataea. The decisive Greek VICTORY at Plataea put an end to the Greco-Persian War along with Persian ambition of expanding into Europe. Even though this war was won by a pan-Greek army, CREDIT was given to Sparta, who besides being the protagonist at Thermopylae and Plataea, had been the de facto leader of the entire Greek expedition.” (Green 1998 pg 10, Britannica 2006 “Sparta”)

Mr Miyagi Champ

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:46:00 GMT

Mr Miyagi Champ

I’m still BEAMING from last night’s art class. YES PEOPLE I have gone back

to school and scored myself the best of the best art mentor! TONY CHAMP!….

He’s like the Mr Miyagi of the art world. He could paint you the Mona Lisa

with chopsticks, blind fold you and make you wax on and wax off with a paint

brush on a canvas until you get your brush strokes blocking fistfights……

“When building the layers on a painting it doesn’t matter how much detail you

loose going over it, everything is going to have an EFFECT on it, watching

accidentals, watching a painting as it develops and dries and builds depth,

nothing is ever wrong”….

Ooh my goodness I’m feeling like the Ralph Macchio of the art world!!

I have been and WILL BE attempting to torture Sir Champ with my presence in

his class so that I can further develop my skills. Seriously people, I’m going to

USE and abuse this mans brain to the point of exhaustion.

I tell you this because SOON….. you will be seeing a far more mature collection

of artwork hitting my website! He has already pushed my limits to the point of

me having no nails left… (hhhmmmmm I think that’s been a habit of mine since I

was 5….. but I did grow them…. and now they ‘re gone again! )…. I am

completely out of my creative comfort zone and I love it. I feel new and excited at

allowing myself to grow dynamically….….cant wait until you see it too!

( checkout the GOLD COAST ART SCHOOL here: www.artschool.com.au/index.php )

Food Art CheSKa Stylin

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:46:00 GMT

Food Art CheSKa Stylin

Step 1: FANTASTIC food styling :P preparing the base and cream..

Step 2: Not quite FANTASTIC end result!

And that’s as FAR as my stepping goes…….

I’d be LYING if I said I didn’t give 100% to my “funky CheSKa stylin pavlova

nests”…. I’m thinking my artistic talents really SHOULD be limited to painting

and drawing. So I wont pain you any further with my attempts of impressing you

with my bright Idea of creating pirate faces with pavlova nests and fruits, so im

going to show You some REAL food art.

the Bright Side

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:48:00 GMT

Life is what NEEDS to happen in order to motivate us TO make plans.

How do we appreciate the good things without experiencing the bad?

Every individual and family on the earth suffers from some sort of adversity or

struggle in their LIFE, struggles and events that are out of our control, but at

the end of the day, how we react is up to us!

I say CHEERS to life, the good and the bad, its taught me to be a better person

And as for MY plans….. I’m still going to make them!

New York city here I come, I’m COMING to get that scholarship! Africa….. your

Nature is going to have my footprints all over it! Japan …… I’ll be speaking to you

In Japanese in no time! Surfing……I’m going to stand up even IF IT KILLS ME,

and I’ll do it on a reef break so I’ll have no choice!

And if it takes from now till forever so be it, it’s the in betweens that’s gonna get

Me there! There is a REASON for everything that we encounter in life. If we can

then accept it, learn from it and look at the BRIGHT SIDE, then we won’t care

when “life” happens.

This is HOMAGE to my mum and all others that have endured life threatening

or experienced devastating situations and still seem to find beauty in life. YOU

inspire me to be creative in all aspects of my life!

A Japanese Love Affair

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:48:00 GMT

"The real essence of art turned out to be not something high up and far off –

It was right inside my ordinary daily self - If a musician wants to become a finer

Artist, he must first become a finer person".

(Shinichi Suzuki)

And so my journey begins.......

This time last year I was attempting my first real snowboarding experience in Furano, Japan. Apart from the fact it was

PHENOMENAL, it was also the first time in a long time I applied myself. I went from scrapping down the hill

front side and landing on my a*% HARD, to flowing and linking turns barely falling once (ok maybe twice....and a

few whiplashing neck snaps) and Ooh My Gosh I had a BALL. And then it HIT me. Do the same thing regarding

every aspect of my life and I’ll be cruising the whole mountain of “my life” and not just the bottom run!

EVERYTHING about Japan was INSIGHTFUL. I fell in love with everything, the art, the culture, the

people, the land and the history (take note of my future homage to this wonderful place with my art). It was a trip that put

my life into perspective, I realised I needed to live the things I love, so once again I applied myself…… and

finally gave birth to this FUNKY CheSKa Paintings website (thanks to my

DARLINGTREE too). Thanks JAPAN .. It was a trip I vowed to do again this year, to continue my

JAPANESE LOVE AFFAIR.........

i DIDN’T MAKE IT ….. and hubby did! (Damn you, hubby, for having fun without me!)