Connections #1: Eternal Sunshine!

This canvas has a little story behind it. My mum gave it to me, and my first plan was to turn it into a collaborative project with friends about a year ago. But at that time, it felt like too much, so it sat waiting for the right moment. I’d already given it a bright underpainting in fluorescent yellow, with other shades of yellow and a touch of glitter.

Fast forward to the Australian Breastfeeding Association Conference in Adelaide. When I saw “Group Activity: TBA” on the schedule, I put my hand up to run a collaborative painting session—walker and all! I’ve always loved what I do, and I have such admiration for these amazing women who volunteer their time to support new mums on their breastfeeding journeys.

After dinner and the quiz, a few of us got the artwork started. The following morning, it became a gentle side activity during the Q&A panel, with people popping in and out to add to it—including toddlers, mums, and grandmothers. It was lovely to see everyone joining in.

Since then, I’ve had three hospital stays, so there haven’t been many in-person projects this year. Instead, I’ve been focusing on sharing my ideas here on the blog and through these emails. But whenever the opportunity pops up at home, I set up three colours from my Lava colour scheme and add a few more layers.

I’ll share some photos so you can see how the artwork has evolved over many sessions of pattern layering. Around 20 people have contributed so far (I keep track by adding a little dash on the edge for each new person!). These girls and women range in age from toddlers to grandmothers—and that variety makes my heart sing.

Doing the 'Messy Playing' layer with a couple of ladies after the Quiz Night, WAY too late at night!

Yeah, my photos don't do the colours their justice!

We added a little pink to this layer, and some white.

On the last day of the school holidays, the artwork came out again for everyone to add a pattern, blend, or little cluster of marks while we relaxed and watched K-Pop Demon Hunters—a few too many times!

The colour scheme is Lava—a warm mix inspired by cooling lava, of course. When the time feels right (once there’s plenty of layered detail), I’ll start adding black and blue in some way. I’m not quite sure how yet, but I have a few ideas percolating...

For now, as I’m still in recovery mode and between hip replacements, my plan is to keep adding to this artwork with different people and groups as opportunities arise.

This is an example of us using the Lava colour scheme for this year’s Incognito Art Show. Each year, we take part as a family. My three kids and I all add a bit daily—one of my sons has SEN, so a five-minute session with one colour is a win (and honestly, perfectly fine).

For this piece—which I call a joint collaboration—we worked on 12 small panels taped together at the back with blue tape. We treated them as one large artwork while painting, and later we’ll separate them for the Bling stage, where each person adds their own finishing touches.

I offered all the Lava colours in paint pens, and the kids used them however they liked. In the photo, I’ve placed the panels back together so you can see the variations (you might need to zoom in to spot them!).

The artworks were then sent to Sydney, where they were each sold for $100 to raise funds for studios that support artists with special needs to create art.

Happy Painting,

Charndra

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