Sarah Dolby | the workbook | Blog

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The workbook is a companion blog to my website www.sarahdolby.co.nz. This is my online workbook where I document some of my processes.

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Why the workbook

Why the workbook

Currently I am working towards a solo show at Orexart Gallery in Auckland.

I don't have a date yet but it will towards the end of the year.

Another pic from my latest piece. I have a love/ hate relationship with hands. So many bones…. #contemporaryart #femaleartist #oilpainting #popsurrealism #realism

Another pic from my latest piece. I have a love/ hate relationship with hands. So many bones…. #contemporaryart #femaleartist #oilpainting #popsurrealism #realism

A quick snap of what is on my easel. Lots to do - this is a big piece!

A quick snap of what is on my easel. Lots to do - this is a big piece!

So excited to have this piece included in an all female group show in New York this month. ‘Natura’ is a collaboration between Astroläbe x Biodiversa Foundation. Inspired by
Biodiversa Foundation
and their contribution to the conservation and preservation of our biological legacy while seeking alternatives for sustainable development. #contemporaryart #femaleartist #newzealandartists #nature

So excited to have this piece included in an all female group show in New York this month. ‘Natura’ is a collaboration between Astroläbe x Biodiversa Foundation. Inspired by
Biodiversa Foundation
and their contribution to the conservation and preservation of our biological legacy while seeking alternatives for sustainable development. #contemporaryart #femaleartist #newzealandartists #nature

How cool are these frames. Thank you @gallerydenovo for taking my work to the next level. This body of work is still on show @beinartgallery . #contemporaryart #figurativeart #animalart

How cool are these frames. Thank you @gallerydenovo for taking my work to the next level. This body of work is still on show @beinartgallery . #contemporaryart #figurativeart #animalart

Detail of “Madame Melancholy’s Opera in the Garden” - oil on linen
Currently on show @beinartgallery she was inspired by the role marionettes and puppets play in story telling. #puppet #popsurrealism #contemporaryart

Detail of “Madame Melancholy’s Opera in the Garden” - oil on linen
Currently on show @beinartgallery she was inspired by the role marionettes and puppets play in story telling. #puppet #popsurrealism #contemporaryart

‘Cinderella’ oil on linen, 30 cm x 40 cm, this one always makes me smile. Hopefully it does the same for you. On show this weekend @beinartgallery

‘Cinderella’ oil on linen, 30 cm x 40 cm, this one always makes me smile. Hopefully it does the same for you. On show this weekend @beinartgallery

'Hush' 2023, oil on linen, 30 x 40 cm. Another painting that will be on show @beinartgallery starting this Saturday 25th of November. Link to preview here https://beinart.org/collections/sarah-dolby-lullabies-in-the-garden-of-calamity #womaninart #popsurrealism #contemporaryart

'Hush' 2023, oil on linen, 30 x 40 cm. Another painting that will be on show @beinartgallery starting this Saturday 25th of November. Link to preview here https://beinart.org/collections/sarah-dolby-lullabies-in-the-garden-of-calamity #womaninart #popsurrealism #contemporaryart

‘The Last Lullaby’ oil on linen, 2023, 30 x 40 cm. On show @beinartgallery on the 25th of November. #artgallery #oilpainting #popsurrealismart

‘The Last Lullaby’ oil on linen, 2023, 30 x 40 cm. On show @beinartgallery on the 25th of November. #artgallery #oilpainting #popsurrealismart

‘High Tea’ 25 x 25 cm oil on linen panel. This painting will be on show @beinartgallery on the 24th November. This is my first solo show ‘ overseas’ so I’m really excited. The title of the show is ‘Lullabies in the Garden of chaos’ and addresses my own desire to find the beauty and stillness in life amongst the chaos. #oilpainting #catlover #contemporaryart

‘High Tea’ 25 x 25 cm oil on linen panel. This painting will be on show @beinartgallery on the 24th November. This is my first solo show ‘ overseas’ so I’m really excited. The title of the show is ‘Lullabies in the Garden of chaos’ and addresses my own desire to find the beauty and stillness in life amongst the chaos. #oilpainting #catlover #contemporaryart

Finished this today ..detail of a new painting that will shortly be heading off to Melbourne for my solo show. More images to come . #beinartgallery #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womanartist

Finished this today ..detail of a new painting that will shortly be heading off to Melbourne for my solo show. More images to come . #beinartgallery #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womanartist

My most recent painting’Blood Candy’ will be up for auction tomorrow night at the annual Cancer Society Ball. It will be a fun and glamorous occasion and with all the great items up for auction they will hopefully raise a lot for this very important cause. #figurativeart #woman in art #oilpainting #artgallery #womenintheartworld

My most recent painting’Blood Candy’ will be up for auction tomorrow night at the annual Cancer Society Ball. It will be a fun and glamorous occasion and with all the great items up for auction they will hopefully raise a lot for this very important cause. #figurativeart #woman in art #oilpainting #artgallery #womenintheartworld

'Blood Candy' oil on cotton, 2022.
This is my latest piece and it is part of a new body of work exploring the stages of womanhood, Labels we give ourselves..and that others give us, the power we hold and that which is taken away. This painting has also given me the opportunity to explore the juxtaposition of clarity and abstract - something I look forward to working with in the future.
#womaninart #contemporaryart #figurativepainting #surrealism

'Blood Candy' oil on cotton, 2022.
This is my latest piece and it is part of a new body of work exploring the stages of womanhood, Labels we give ourselves..and that others give us, the power we hold and that which is taken away. This painting has also given me the opportunity to explore the juxtaposition of clarity and abstract - something I look forward to working with in the future.
#womaninart #contemporaryart #figurativepainting #surrealism

A crop of my latest painting’ Blood Candy’. #figurativepainting #contemporaryart #newzealandart #popsurrealism #femaleartist

A crop of my latest painting’ Blood Candy’. #figurativepainting #contemporaryart #newzealandart #popsurrealism #femaleartist

Detail of new painting ‘ Home School Minnie’. This piece and a small selection of new paintings and drawings will be on show at the gallery and online at @theartistsroomgallery 13 th of November. More info to come. #contemporaryart #oilpainting #homeschool #sarahsworkbook #femaleartist

Detail of new painting ‘ Home School Minnie’. This piece and a small selection of new paintings and drawings will be on show at the gallery and online at @theartistsroomgallery 13 th of November. More info to come. #contemporaryart #oilpainting #homeschool #sarahsworkbook #femaleartist

I am very happy that this special painting has found a home. She will be in the walls at the new Orexart gallery space until Friday morning if you want to pop over an see it. #flourwatersalt #baking #lockdownart

I am very happy that this special painting has found a home. She will be in the walls at the new Orexart gallery space until Friday morning if you want to pop over an see it. #flourwatersalt #baking #lockdownart

‘Flour’ from concept to finished. #oilpainting #creativeprocess #sarahsworkbook

‘Flour’ from concept to finished. #oilpainting #creativeprocess #sarahsworkbook

Detail of ‘Flour’

Detail of ‘Flour’

'Flour', 2020, oil on cotton, 75 x 100cm.
On show Today at Orexart's new gallery space on Ponsonby Road 28th Nov - Feb sometime. Below is a bit of a long read sorry but I wanted to talk about this painting 😊
One day last year while making pizza dough, I began to wonder ... how could I create a painting that embodied what flour means to me, what are my personal associations, how does it look, feel, smell and what memories and imagery does in conjure. The more I thought about this the more I realised just how much I wanted to pull as many of these ideas I could onto the surface of a canvas. So I began the process of putting all these ideas together.
Then lockdown happened and the painting suddenly became relevant to me in a way that I never expected.
Being at home and turning that lens onto the day to day, the domestic, became everything.
Flour was one of the first items that vanished. It was surreal to walk into a supermarket and see empty shelves covered in only a thin dusting of flour.
As a result my painting also took a turn to reflect this temporary but new version of life. If your have got this far down and want to read even more 😂 you can go to @sarahsworkbook where there is a link to my companion site. #figurativeart #surrealist #dunedingothic #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womaninart #flour #sourdough #lockdown #apples #linenaprons #kitchen #domesticpainting #littleandfriday #dough #lockdownart

'Flour', 2020, oil on cotton, 75 x 100cm.
On show Today at Orexart's new gallery space on Ponsonby Road 28th Nov - Feb sometime. Below is a bit of a long read sorry but I wanted to talk about this painting 😊
One day last year while making pizza dough, I began to wonder ... how could I create a painting that embodied what flour means to me, what are my personal associations, how does it look, feel, smell and what memories and imagery does in conjure. The more I thought about this the more I realised just how much I wanted to pull as many of these ideas I could onto the surface of a canvas. So I began the process of putting all these ideas together.
Then lockdown happened and the painting suddenly became relevant to me in a way that I never expected.
Being at home and turning that lens onto the day to day, the domestic, became everything.
Flour was one of the first items that vanished. It was surreal to walk into a supermarket and see empty shelves covered in only a thin dusting of flour.
As a result my painting also took a turn to reflect this temporary but new version of life. If your have got this far down and want to read even more 😂 you can go to @sarahsworkbook where there is a link to my companion site. #figurativeart #surrealist #dunedingothic #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womaninart #flour #sourdough #lockdown #apples #linenaprons #kitchen #domesticpainting #littleandfriday #dough #lockdownart

Love this frame by Cath @theframersroom . This one sold but I am having one made up for me. #limitededitionprints #yellow #sarahsworkbook #contemporaryart

Love this frame by Cath @theframersroom . This one sold but I am having one made up for me. #limitededitionprints #yellow #sarahsworkbook #contemporaryart

These new prints have been in the works for sometime now and I am really excited to share them. Black and White/ Mixed Media prints. Each one from this small edition [ approx 5 per image] is unique with the application of watercolours, graphite and ink. #contemporaryart #figurativepainting #prints #sarahsworkbook #portrait #dunedin

These new prints have been in the works for sometime now and I am really excited to share them. Black and White/ Mixed Media prints. Each one from this small edition [ approx 5 per image] is unique with the application of watercolours, graphite and ink. #contemporaryart #figurativepainting #prints #sarahsworkbook #portrait #dunedin

A detail of my Lockdown painting 'Flour'. I actually started this painting at the end of last year. Due to its size and subject matter it has been a real labour of love. Flour became scarce during lockdown so this painting became even more relevant to me. You can check out the progress of this piece on my companion site the-workbook.com. #sarahsworkbook #flour #lockdownart #figurativeart #surrealist #dunedingothic #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womaninart

A detail of my Lockdown painting 'Flour'. I actually started this painting at the end of last year. Due to its size and subject matter it has been a real labour of love. Flour became scarce during lockdown so this painting became even more relevant to me. You can check out the progress of this piece on my companion site the-workbook.com. #sarahsworkbook #flour #lockdownart #figurativeart #surrealist #dunedingothic #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womaninart

‘Into This Wilde Abyss’ has finally arrived in LA after about a month of hanging out in airports. Sadly it didn’t make it in time for the show @coreyhelfordgallery but is still able to be viewed at the gallery. #fantasticbeasts #womanartists #sarahsworkbook

‘Into This Wilde Abyss’ has finally arrived in LA after about a month of hanging out in airports. Sadly it didn’t make it in time for the show @coreyhelfordgallery but is still able to be viewed at the gallery. #fantasticbeasts #womanartists #sarahsworkbook

My latest painting 'Into This Wilde Abyss' is part of the group show 'Fantastical Beasts' opening on the 18th of April @coreyhelfordgallery in Los Angeles. Join them for the Virtual Opening on Instagram Live @coreyhelfordgallery - Saturday April 18th, 5-6PM PST! #figurativeart #surrealist #dunedingothic #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womaninart
#fantasticalbeasts#coreyhelfordgallery#hisdarkmaterials#paradiselost#lyra

My latest painting 'Into This Wilde Abyss' is part of the group show 'Fantastical Beasts' opening on the 18th of April @coreyhelfordgallery in Los Angeles. Join them for the Virtual Opening on Instagram Live @coreyhelfordgallery - Saturday April 18th, 5-6PM PST! #figurativeart #surrealist #dunedingothic #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womaninart
#fantasticalbeasts#coreyhelfordgallery#hisdarkmaterials#paradiselost#lyra

‘Yellow’, oil on aluminium. This painting will be part of a group show @orexart from this Tuesday til the 29th if Feb. #yellow #oilpainting #figurativepainting #sarahdolbypaintings #sarahsworkbook

‘Yellow’, oil on aluminium. This painting will be part of a group show @orexart from this Tuesday til the 29th if Feb. #yellow #oilpainting #figurativepainting #sarahdolbypaintings #sarahsworkbook

A detail of my latest painting‘ Yellow’ Which is heading up to Auckland for a group show opening next Tuesday at @orexart . #orexart #orexartgallery #yellow#portraiture #oilpainting #figurativepainting #sarahdolbypaintings

A detail of my latest painting‘ Yellow’ Which is heading up to Auckland for a group show opening next Tuesday at @orexart . #orexart #orexartgallery #yellow#portraiture #oilpainting #figurativepainting #sarahdolbypaintings

'When I Was A DJ' ,2019, oil on cotton. This wee painting was part of my 'When I Was' show last month. She is now residing at her new home in LA . #figurativeart #surrealist #oilpainting #contemporaryart #sarahsworkbook

'When I Was A DJ' ,2019, oil on cotton. This wee painting was part of my 'When I Was' show last month. She is now residing at her new home in LA . #figurativeart #surrealist #oilpainting #contemporaryart #sarahsworkbook

'Wanaka' 100 x 75 cm, oil on canvas #figurativeart #surrealist #dunedingothic #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womaninart #wanaka

'Wanaka' 100 x 75 cm, oil on canvas #figurativeart #surrealist #dunedingothic #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womaninart #wanaka

'When I Watched The Sound Of Music' 2019
Show starts tomorrow @theartistsroom #figurativeart #surrealist #dunedingothic #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womaninart #theartistsroom #soundofmusic

'When I Watched The Sound Of Music' 2019
Show starts tomorrow @theartistsroom #figurativeart #surrealist #dunedingothic #oilpainting #contemporaryart #womaninart #theartistsroom #soundofmusic

Close up of ‘Wanaka’ 2019 #sarahsworkbook

Close up of ‘Wanaka’ 2019 #sarahsworkbook

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Follow me on Instagram

@sarahdolbypaintings

Melbourne Show work in Progress

Mixed Media Works

Flour part 2.

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