So I have

I have been experimenting with mark and pattern making. Literally starting with one line, one dot or one stroke and do it again and again. The drawing somehow will take on a life of its own - to sometimes it looks good and sometimes not so good - it is all about experimenting and judging it instinctively. I find it a very liberating process as it is instinctive and playful and fun - it doesn't have to look like anything or be anything, but the end result somehow is intrinsically interesting to look at. Also different people seem to interpret them differently - for me that is very intriguing and I really like it.

Recently I went to the fascinating Japanese house exhibition at Barbican, and at the same time there are a few excellent documentaries on BBC4 about the art of Japan. These have inspired me to do a series of Japanese artefacts to celebrate them.
I have long been a big fan of the beautifully designed everyday objects from Japan. They revere beauty and produce exquisite items whether they are for everyday use or special ceremony, they are a pleasure to use or just to look at. As was mentioned on the BBC4 programme,' Aesthetic pervades everything they do', I can't agree more. 

Australia has a unique and diverse range of Flora and Fauna, Their unique beauty and shapes never ceased to amaze me. Being here in Australia, these plants are more accessible when it comes to examining and drawing them. I chanced upon these red bottlebrush when I went for a morning walk today and did a drawing of one of them, as shown in the illustration section.

I have been extremely busy with work in the last few years and have tried to make time for making art but have had very little time to post on my web site and blog. Finally I get a month long holiday in the Great Southern Land, and am using this opportunity to reinvigorate my digital presence, as well as drawing up a series of flora and fauna based on the unique and magnificent plants and animals of this continent.

I entered my prints for the Clerkenwell Design Week's art competion at Ahrend and was please to win the thrid prize ( Chosen by the visitors from the voting process during Clerkenwell design week) Incidentally they have used my photos for promo and invite and the pictures are still currently hanging in their showroom at Clerkenwell.

The prints could be physically seen at the E17 Art House at Walthanstow. Here is a link with an introduction.
http://www.e17arthouse.com/london-prints-by-janet-brooke-and-caroline-koo

I entered this facade competition held by AJ and I chose to do part of the ''Gherkin'', reflecting the facade of a much older bulding on its opposite side. I thought it was interesting to see an old facade reflected in the glass of a much newer facade.

Out of the 588 entries I was one of the 50 odd that got selected as recommended. Link to the article below;

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/home/sketch-a-facade/sketch-a-facade-entries-jkl/8632251.article?blocktitle=All-entrants&contentID=5308

Subsequent to that I got invited to lunch where I met the winners and other architects whose drawings were recommended. It was great to meet them and to talk to them about what they did and why they chose to do the drawing the way they did. Overall a very informative and enjoyable experience.

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/in-pictures-sketch-a-facade-victors-celebrated/8632984.article

I have joined the East London Printmakers based at London Fields, East London for their annual exhibition in July.
The details could be found on the following web address;
http://www.eastlondonprintmakers.co.uk/