Jet James: 2008

Sun

Artist: Jet James

Title: Sun

Technique: Collography

Image size: 37.5cm x 31cm

Original Edition print 3/15

Signed and Numbered in pencil

2008 Charles Ware Award for Young Artists.

The 2008 Charles Ware Award for Young Artists was won by Jet James for ‘Tides of Change’

'Jet James is a promising young artist whose winning print has a distinctive style, commanding scale and attractive surface treatment. Jet’s commitment to his work and attention to the craftsmanship of printmaking is evident and he obviously has a bright future in the art world'

Mr Glenn Cooke,

Research Curator,

Queensland Heritage at the Queensland Art Gallery

The Rockhampton Art Gallery biennial Ergon Energy Central Queensland Art Awards has become a significant event for Australian artists since 2002, offering opportunities for recognition and purchase in a prestigious competition. The winning works become part of the Rockhampton Art Gallery collection and additional purchases may be made by local sponsors, collectors and the Rockhampton Art Gallery from the finalists’ exhibition. At the opening of the exhibition Jet's artwork also caught the eye of Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Brad Carter, and a special unveiling will be made at the Mayors office in the month of Febuary 2009.

The Charles Ware Award for Young Artists is an acquisitive award of $5,000 (perpetually for a work on paper) for artists between 18-26 years.

Artists Win with Tafe Studies

ARTY SUCCESS: Jet Blurton, Yvonne Moloney, Della Stokes and Karen Jones celebrate their recognition at the 2008 Capricorn Coast Rotary Art Festival in May.

FOUR CQ TAFE art students and graduates were recognised at this year’s Capricorn Coast Rotary Art Festival. Karen Jones won first prize in the Print section, Jet Blurton was named Emerging Artist and won a Commended, Yvonne Moloney received a Highly Commended in the Drawing section and Della Stokes received a Commended in the Print section.

Karen and Jet have almost completed their Diplomas in Visual Arts at CQ TAFE. Della and Yvonne have already graduated with their Diplomas.

Karen’s first prize was for her triptych screenprint called Latitude 23, featuring aerial landscapes of Australia – a reef, an estuary and a desert. She has enjoyed her two years at TAFE. “Although I waited until I was in my 40s it’s something I always wanted to do,” she said. “There are some advantages to studying after you have been working for a while because you know what you want to do and you are focused.”

Jet, who runs his own studio Jet James, specialises in printmaking. “The knowledge and skills that I have gained at TAFE I have been able to use in my work. It gives it a sense of professionalism as well as opening up directions in the creative industry,” he said. “I enjoy the atmosphere at TAFE; I love experimenting and learning new things.” Jet is building his name through networking, by entering competitions and generating sales by exhibiting. “It’s just a matter of getting your work out there and having a go.” Jet’s father was an artist, and he attributes his life as a teenager on an isolated cattle station with setting him on the pathway to a life of art.

Yvonne enjoyed the flexibility TAFE offered to complete her Diploma of Visual Arts, with a double major in Printmaking and Painting. “I took a bit longer because I had small children so I stretched it out. I wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise,” she said. Although Yvonne has finished her assessment, she still comes back to TAFE to access the studio and get advice from teachers. “The teachers are brilliant. They provide great support and push you out of your comfort zone. Without that support you can become a bit stagnant.”

Della also did a double major in Printmaking and Painting. “I loved it … it really brought me out of my shell and gave me confidence because I had none before I started,” she said. “It showed me how to go out and not be afraid of what other people think and to do my own thing.” Della is studying Major Studio Practice at TAFE to give her the skills to set up her own studio. To find out more about CQ TAFE’s visual arts programs, call 1300 CQ TAFE (1300 27 8233).

2008 Ergon Energy Central Queensland Art Awards

12 DECEMBER 2008- 8February 2008

Rockhampton Gallery, Rockhampton Queensland.

'Tides of Change' was selected as a finalist for the $5000 Charles Ware Award for Young Artists for works on paper. I am among 11 entries submitted from around Australia.

The artist statement is as follows,

‘Tides of change’ is about mirroring a sense spirituality through the use of experimental printmaking techniques. The spiritual connection for me as the artist is a result of the intuitive, spontaneous and uninhibited manner of working I undertake throughout the creative journey. I hope to invoke this same ‘higher sense’ for the viewer through easy identification with the human form and the images within the piece itself. It is poignant that the spiritual nature of the piece was created through the use of modern materials that reflect the disposable quality of our world.

Image size : 100cm by 70cm

Sale price: $1400 framed*

My piece will be judged by Gleen Cooke, Research Curator, Queensland Heritage, Queensland Art Gallery.

The awards will be announced at the exhibition launch at the Rockhampton Art Gallery 6.00pm on Friday 12 December 2008.

You and your friends are cordially invited to join the Awards launch .

Inking a collography plate

This is a collograph plate. It is made from hard plastic foam and I have changed the surface of it by both adding materials to it and also taking away some of the surface with a variety of utensils. These different techniques of adding (relief) and cutting away (intaglio) result in lighter and darker areas on the finished product.

Oil based ink (offset inks mixed with gel solvent) is then applied to the surface through rubbing on with plastic cards. I make sure that the entire surface is completely inked and that I can no longer see the image.

My next step is to clear some of the thick ink that is on the surface. When I have deep incisions, I stipple that area to ensure that no large pockets of ink are visible. Then I begin to gently polish the surface with telephone book paper which removes excess ink. When I have completed wiping the surface I should have a thin film of ink on the surface with ink embedded into the textures of the materials.

Above is the printing press that I use for my printing. I lay the inked plate face-up on the bed of the press with a sheet of protective paper underneath. The paper which the image is to be transferred is put on top of the inked plate and then covered by a ‘blanket’ and the whole thing is put through the press. NB The paper which the image is transferred onto is acid-resistant and has been pre-soaked in water for absorbency. Dry paper will stick to the plate and rip.