This is what art is all about, artists busy in the studio, developing ideas into finished artworks. The creative buzz on Wednesdays for this exciting class is remarkable. They keep me busy, but all around the results are inspiring. I am Tony Johansen, that's me in the photo. It is my priviledge to teach this class. Welcome to East Sydney Academy of Art, Sydney's smallest art school and perhaps it's most loved.
Wednesday is my favourite day of the week. The studio becomes a hive of inspiration as these wonderful artists develop their latest project. Today is a special day because Iain has finished his large landscape. As I write he is relaxing on the lounge after signing the work. It was a major effort, the excellence of the finished picture a just reward for all the frustrations over the weeks.
At the other end of the scale Jacqui is starting a new painting, and Sara is getting the first tones onto her canvas. Meanwhile Marcela's smile lights up the whole studio.
Two more passionate artists are difficult to imagine. Denise and Barbara both have a unique vision and sense of purpose that leads to beautifully poetic works coming from their hands and hearts. At the moment their respective families are their inspiration. Denise is painting her grandchild with the fruits of Costa Rica where her daughter is currently living, while Barbara is painting her mother as she was when she was younger, blending the beautful face from an old photograph with her knowledge of 
her mother and her mothers memories now.
The studio sees many subjects for paintings over time but there is no subject more meaningful than these. Perhaps the special nature of the subjects is the reason for the special qualities of the pictures.
Sara finished her painting today. It started as a mixture of the things found in the studio and the window in her room overlooking Darlinghurst Road. Her special Kings Cross memories to take with her. Next monday she flies away with Thai Airways, Bon Voyage from your class mates.
A special Bon Voyage / Student profile can be found at the East Sydney Academy of Art notice-board website.
Denise's painting is now finished. It depicts her grandson Thomas, who lives in Costa Rica. Her
daughter has lived there for several years, her husband is an agronomist and travels frequently throughout Central and South America. They are returning to Australia soon and Denise is looking forward to enjoying more of Thomas. This painting reflects the colour of Costa Rica with its rich culture and beautiful warm people.
Marcela is also remembering her American connection. She comes from Buenos 
Aires in Argentina. The picture started as just a window, and then she looked at and photographed numerous interesting doors and windows around Kings Cross on the older buildings. Gradually the picture transformed into a french window with her mum. She says her mum is always waiting to see her, and this feeling is what has evolved in paint. Her painting is at the early stages, today she has been experimenting with reflections on glass and texture on the walls. You can see that the picture is just being worked out, but it promises to develope into a very beautiful work.
Iain has started a new picture, the original idea being a bohemian fantasy like something one might
find in Norman Lindsay or a Donald Friend bachanal. This morning he was down at Elizabeth Bay House photographing the Verge staircase, and dealing with the inevitable problems arising from using a new and unfamiliar digital camera.
He is discovering however the usefulness of digital cameras as an artists tool. The digital camera gives the artist the benefits of instant photography at a cost and quality undreamed of in the days of Polaroid. He is now at the big table drawing and knitting the images together in the old fashioned way. Technology is great for collecting resource material but in the end it all comes down to basic drawing. Like old masters using the camera obscura, they still in the end had to fall back on their drawing ability to make an idea work.
Barbara was born in the wrong century she thinks, maybe 150 years too late. Certainly her work reveals a love for a romantic sensual feminine world of lucious bodies and sumptuous clothes. Today her efforts are directed at the lights on jewelry and light in hair. Her joyous laugh often mixes with the music in the studio.
When she arrives at the studio she always has the feeling of someone who thinks ahe is in the best place in Sydney. Since coming to East Sydney Academy of Art she has become an essential part of school life. We are always glad to see her.
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