wattle sap

Late last week I went for a walk with my sister in-law Jill (break from Uni) and one of her children Elliot. We romped over hills mainly bare except for conservation areas, we were checking on the conservancy.

I noticed a wattle tree was bleeding and mentioned to Jill about acacia gum being used in paint and glues. Jill then mentioned that wattle trees are acacia plants - then off we sped collecting the sap. It was very gooey and sticky - by the time we were trekking back as the sun was setting the gum was setting too, on the outside.

A day later quarter of it was cooked in a pot with water to liquify and to strain the impurities out. The mixture was gently boiled down to conform to the binder /glue recipes 2:1 ratio, with a dash of honey and clove oil.

Now the mixture is ready to use and have as an example for students. There was enough sap left over for a gouache making class.

trying out wordpress

just started today we will see how it goes - i need to find a way to manage all the little sites floating around in the ethers - oh well next week may be

Winter Art Class Special

STUDIO ART CLASS SPECIALS
Print or tell me whats on my news page http://www.fernartz.com/regulars/News.htm and receive the winter art class special, offer closes 30 July 2011.
Specials include:

1. 1 to one for one hour art class in medium of your choice i.e. water colour, dry media, oil,  PhotoShop Elements, design essentials from normally $50 now $40 
2. 5 One to one for one hour art lessons normally $250 now $200
3. 10 one to one art lessons normally $400 now $300

NEW

1. Learn the art of making your own watercolour & gauche with a full take home your own paint kit $105
2. Art Party - make a gift enjoy time with your friends creating - a choice of - a booklet, a kingfisher mobile  print a T-shirt tag or if you come up with a creative idea that I can facilitate 

Materials  supplied

Call or 040 8979 747 between normal business hours 9am and 5pm 

Australian Election 2010

The Australian elections are on, its is strange as its all about money not people. We pay our elected members to consider our lives and yes they do that to the best of their limited ablity, however it appears to be a race to the bottom on civil liberties and enviroment. The Australian Electoral Commission broke down and people updating their contact details or trying to vote were, in alot of cases, unable to do so. Why cant it be brought up to the 21st century technology?

Here are some non partisan links to follow the elections and some of its activities

http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2010/
http://www.wel.org.au/
http://www.getup.org.au/

off to visit the women's library

have a peek at updated website

have a peek

Just uploaded news update and the index page of my FernArtz website . What do you think?