The Stubborn Scorpio – Article in The Herald!

This is where I have my paintings for sale right now! Read the article in this week’s Newcastle Herald for The Stubborn Scorpio!

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4929519/a-little-cafe-with-heart/?cs=2373

Heather Scott is living her dream.

For the past 12 years the coffee lover, artist and mother-of-two has had an idea brewing away in the back of her mind. Why not combine all her passions in the one business?

And so The Stubborn Scorpio Cafe and Art House was born. The funky little cafe opened in July at what was formerly known as The Mosh Pit on Cardiff’s Main Road.

“It was a matter of opportunity and timing,” Scott told Food & Wine.

“I had been working at The Mosh Pit for three years as a barista when my boss decided to sell the cafe part of her business. I couldn’t stand the idea of a stranger coming in and possibly destroying the heart and soul of the place.

“I also didn’t like my chances of finding another job I loved as much as this one.”

She has “spent her entire working life” in hospitality.

“Straight out of school I started at the Newcastle University Union where for the next 10 years I did every kind of food and beverage job there was,” she explained.

“I had a seven-year break when I had my children and The Mosh Pit came along when I was desperate to find myself again after being a single parent for so many years. It saved me. I hope I can create something just as special and important for someone else.”

The food offering is a collaboration with a friend and talented cook.

“We brainstorm ideas constantly. We are very much on the same wavelength and love food made from scratch that is healthy and delicious.”

The Stubborn Scorpio has a set breakfast and lunch menu but all sorts of specials can pop up on the cafe’s Facebook page without warning. The takeaway hummus and vegetable sticks, for example, have been popular at $5 a tub.

“We are certainly not a vegan-only cafe however the demand is growing and we love to provide a variety of options,” Scott said.

The cafe is as much about supporting the local arts community as it is about good coffee and food. Artists can exhibit their works in the in-house gallery and many are offered for sale.

“We display and sell artworks of all types from exclusively local artists,” she said.

“These people are our customers, friends of friends or people who live down the road. I wanted to provide an outlet for artists, for people who are trying to turn a hobby into a career. To give someone a start.”

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Splash of colour easis the daily grind – The Herald 18/12/15

View The Herald article online here

MARGO Humphries is the guest artist at Belmont’s Gallery & Grind during January and February.

Gallery & Grind is a family-run business that incorporates both a cafe and an art gallery in the one space.

Born and raised in Taree, at the age of 12 she entered the Walkom-Manning Art Prize and won the Children of the Manning Youth Award with Wingham Brush. Her hobby became a profession in 2009 when she started her business, Kasarn Designs.

In 2011 Margo was one of 10 artists selected for the Mattara Festival’s inaugural Outdoor Art Exhibition, and her Look up in the Sky Tonight was draped over Newcastle Panthers.

She has had solo exhibitions at Suspension Espresso, Islington; Finite Gallery, Caves Beach; Tartuca Espresso Bar Bistro, Denman; and Goodness Me Organics, Adamstown.

Margo paints with acrylics and has only recently discovered ink. She paints recognisable objects and scenes with an abstract twist, and finds joy in painting subjects with great colours. Visit Margo’s website: http://www.kasarndesigns.com

Gallery & Grind is located at 600 Pacific Highway, Belmont. It is is open Monday to Friday, 5.30am to 3pm; Saturday and Sunday, 7am to 3pm.

New Arts Zine – I am the Featured Artist for my Denman Exhibition

Eric & Robyn Werkhoven proudly launched their email ARTS ZINE on 1 October 2013. For the first monthly issue of STUDIO LA PRIMITIVE ARTS ZINE please email werkhovenr@bigpond.com

I appear in the first edition as the featured artist for my current exhibition at Denman!

Artists and writers are welcome to make submissions related to the Arts & subscribers are welcome to forward the Arts Zine on to other arts lovers Visit their website http://studiolaprimitive.com/

Social Life Magazine interview for Denman exhibition

Social/Life Magazine Newcastle interviewed me yesterday for my current exhibition at Chocolate Hills – Tartuca Espresso Bar Bistro !!
http://www.sociallifemagazine.com.au/#!margo-october-exhibition/c13wr

Is there a particular theme for your paintings displayed at the exhibition? and if so why?
A strong point for my first exhibition in the Upper Hunter is it’s diverse subject & style. The exhibition has a loose theme if any but this has helped in unifying the space in creating an unexpected and total environment in which to view the paintings, the exhibition & venue are in concert!

While not sticking to any one categorization – oscillating between surrealism, realism, abstract & expressionism, the works address topics that are genuinely specific to painting, such as light and composition, & colour which relies on precise calibration and subtle shifts in hue and tone to achieve its impact. I think this makes the exhibition unavoidably take up the space in a fabulous way and be in conversation with one another. I’m sure if they could talk I’d like to think my paintings could sing from the walls!

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Seeing other artistic or creative content is inspiring & leads me to paint more, whether it is a real subject or a vision that has flashed into my head. Nature also inspires me, as well as anything that can result in a happy, joyful or cheerful composition.

What kind of materials did you use to create the paintings?
I will use almost anything to achieve the desired finishes, including trimming paint brushes to pretty much only one bristle, skewers, sponges, toothbrushes, shaving brushes, & even eyebrow brushes! I have created a mixture of works on both canvas & paper. I’ve used watercolour & oil but mostly paint with acrylic. More recently I’ve found ink to be a great medium so stay tuned for the unveiling of these works!

Do you have a favourite object, view or theme you enjoy painting?
My work varies a lot from traditional to bringing forth experimental artistic approaches. I paint to my own taste & while not having one classification I draw more attention to the bright, colourful, vibrant, & mostly graphic elements. Topics vary from landscapes, nature, still lifes to abstract.

What do you love about art the most?
I enjoy the journey painting takes me on & the satisfaction when complete. What painting can be is about exploring, escaping, expanding & expressing. I’ve presented a generous body of work locally & having an ambition to produce so much more creativity can only broaden the audience & it’s a great feeling knowing that it is being appreciated.

Art Bazaar is a Star – The Singleton Argus

Check out today’s “Art Bazaar is a star” article in The Singleton Argus!!

http://www.singletonargus.com.au/story/1772109/arts-bazaar-is-a-star/?cs=12

PERFECT spring weather provided the ideal setting for Singleton’s first Art Bazaar.

The event organised by the Hunter Arts Network HAN) was held last Sunday on the

It attracted 50 stallholders offering a variety of arts and crafts and food supplied by members of Hunter Valley Slow Food.

Locals enjoyed the chance to stroll around chatting to the various artists.

One of the main attractions of the event is the fact visitors are able to talk to the artists directly about their work and buy directly from the people that produce the works.

Art Bazaar has been in existence for more than a decade and travels around the region to different centres.

Given the success of the Singleton event its is hoped it will be a regular feature on Singleton’s arts calendar.

The Summer Art Bazaar will be held at Civic Park in Newcastle on Saturday December 7.

It is being promoted as provided the ideal venue for Christmas gifts.

Free art scattered around Newcastle yesterday – The Herald 8/3/13

I had an exciting day yesterday after I participating in Free Art Friday – Newcastle. We encouraged Hunter Arts Network artists to leave their artworks around the streets for anyone to find & keep for FREE! I dropped four drawings, at Charlestown square, Merewether Pedestrian Underpass, Obelisk & Civic Park Fountain & I heard from this finder soon after, they sent me a lovely email! I haven’t heard from the other finders yet. I was stoked that Charlestown square shared my photo of the drawing I left in their carpark & appearing in this article in The Herald! http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1350835/free-art-scattered-around-newcastle/?cs=303

Margo Humphries Church drawing at Newcastle Obelisk yesterday

Editorial in Australian Women’s Art Register Bulletin – Mattara Festival Art Trail 2011

The latest edition of Australian Women’s Art Register’s Bulletin was sent out last week & I have been featured in one of the editorials!

In October 2011 I was selected as one of the 10 artists in the Mattara Festival’s Inaugural Outdoor Art Exhibition & my work “Look up in the Sky Tonight”, was draped over Newcastle Panthers.  My painting was reproduced by Insane Signs on a canvas that was 4.8metres high by 8metres wide!

The 10 buildings selected throughout Newcastle formed an artist trail, guiding you through the city, as Newcastle becomes an outdoor art gallery

The artworks in artist trail were selected as they embody the lifestyle, spirit and community of Newcastle & paid homage to local artists and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mattara.

The art trail ran from 1 – 9 October 2011

Explanation of my Artwork & How it sits within Mattara’s theme: My slightly surreal artwork loosely explores the relationships that we have with each other, where we belong and what we do. This is represented by mystical characters floating and coming together. They are surrounded by a built environment. The result is a painting that is both intriguing and otherworldly. My artwork is abstract enough to allow the viewer to perceive these are urban beings that are connecting. These beings also take on the form of large hands that are reaching out to each other, which links to Mattara, meaning hand.  Also like Mattara, these denote the hand of friendship.  There is a sense of convivia and automation in the painting which can relate to both the warm and welcoming community and industry found in Newcastle. The artwork leaves you with the feeling that the built environment surrounding the beings has come to life with them.

The Australian Women’s Art Register was established by artists in 1975 to record and promote the work of Australian based women artists. The Register now holds a collection of national significance with images dating back to 1840. Our documentation of the cultural heritage of Australian women artists and women’s art practices is being used world wide by public organisations, universities, teachers, students, curators, artists and the general public.

I am in the current Bulletin of Womens Art Register for my painting selected for the Mattara Festival
This is me standing in front of my painting after it was installed on Newcastle Panthers for the Mattara Festival