Welcome to the November 2017 issue of ❛PATNZ Create❜
Welcome to November's newsletter!
This month has been a time for me to reflect on the magic realm of positive vibration I am feeling from my fellow artists and friends of ArtOnPorcelainNZ. Your encouragement, inspiration and your faith in me has only grown stronger since we began life here in the digital world. Faith is empowering, and every day, the luxury of faith has been so overwhelming that it is truly hard to find words to describe how I feel. Thank you sincerely from my heart to your hearts to everyone who has supported and believed in me and the awesome community that ArtOnPorcelainNZ is growing into.
Our next newsletter will be our Christmas & New Year newsletter which will combine December and January. If you want to share some thoughts let's connect through Facebook. Stay positive and feel the grace of positive words. May we all stay connected with the love of all things porcelain.
On the October 28, 2017 PATNZ held our annual Unit Standard exams for Porcelain Painters around New Zealand to submit pieces for assessment. We had three categories this year: Unit 13L Lustres, Unit 15 Monochromatic and Unit 16 Bone.
As with every year it's a bit like having lots of parcels to open and the excitement of what is there makes the whole experience wonderful. I am always amazed at the efforts and ideas that come from everyone.
My Husband Jeff does the unpacking and labeling so I do not get to see any pieces until the day of judging. I feel that this is important for me as when the judges arrive we are all on the same footing. All the judges are given information as to what units pieces are being submitted so they can review the Unit Guidelines and be informed of what is required to pass the exam.
We are very happy to congratulate Glenys Muntz for not only passing three Unit Standards this time but also that she has completed all 17 Units and has achieved her Diploma In Porcelain Art. Well done Glenys, I know the challenge and the work involved to get there and you now have a very good and knowledgeable understanding of the lovely art of painting porcelain.
Also Christine Handley passed Unit 16 Bone. Certificates have been printed and are being posted to the recipients this week.
As with a lot of exams not everyone gets a pass, but I know with encouragement and some extra information that I will be sending out to them will help with mastering these and other Units in the future.
AGM
Our AGM was held after the Unit Standard assessments and a light lunch of cheese crackers and cold meats and refreshments.
This year we had a full complement of members and we were able to hold a full AGM. Thank you to Monica Martin, Leonie Dobbs, Lynette Smith, Glenys Muntz, Amelia Hrstich and of course myself. The meeting was very positive and many items on the agenda were passed. There was a very resounding positive support from all with regard to our website and Facebook efforts. A big thank you was given to Dixie and myself for our efforts.
Christmas Lunch
Christmas Lunch for members of the Hutt Valley Porcelain Art Association will be held on the 8th December at Te Marua Golf Club. Start time 11.30am. This is a very great time for all club members to catch up with each other and is always well attended.
If anyone from the club is requiring a lift to this event please get in touch with either myself or Monica so we can arrange to pick you up and drop you back home.
Events
Don't forget our newsletter is all about YOU! We would love you be involved with the creative input of producing our online newsletter and events calendar which is also printed for artists and friends who do not have regular access to a computer. So if you know anyone who would love to receive our newsletter by snail mail please get in touch here sandra@artonporcelain.co.nz or pop over and use our Contact Form here. We would like to extend an open invitation for anyone to send us details of any events you would like included in our events calendar page.
Painting with Monica!
Well ladies it's getting to that time of the year when Christmas takes over and painting porcelain can often go on the back burner. A perfect time to think about giving your equipment and brushes a good clean. Brushes especially need particular care.
Here are a few tips I have found worthwhile:
● Clean your brushes thoroughly with turps, blot dry, place a little of your open medium onto the brush, blot again, and store covered to keep them dust free.
● Use a paint brush holder or a good plastic container with dividers to keep brushes in good condition.
● When cleaning gold and platinum brushes a little rose oil helps them to stay soft and not become brittle.
After the holidays and you are ready to start painting you will reap the benefit of good brush care.
Experiment before starting that master piece!!
Happy painting and have a Merry Christmas!
Are you an artist with a passion for the art of painting on porcelain?
ArtOnPorcelainNZ along with Porcelain Art Teachers NZ (PATNZ) are working to compile a register of all porcelain artists New Zealand-wide. This register will give us up-to-date information of everyone involved in our art form in New Zealand. The information you provide us will be handled with an appropriate level of discretion and confidentiality. Your information will never be sold or given to any other organisation or club or group or association. That is guaranteed.
For artists and friends who subcribe to our newsletter by post we are including a "Registration Form" for you to complete and post back to us if you are interested in joining our community.
I am often asked by artists this question and the topic came up again during the judging recently so I have included this information again for the benefit of those artists who are interested in working towards the 2018 PATNZ annual Unit Standard exams for porcelain painters around New Zealand...
"When I submit a piece for unit standards judging, how does the judging process work?"
This is such a commonly asked question I thought now is good time to answer it and give clarity to a process which adheres to strict rules - rules which are underpinned with respect, honesty, and transparency of process.
At the top of the list, artist anonymity is crucial. The anonymous relationship between a "piece" and a "judge" guarantees a process where neither favour nor bias can detract from a fair judgement or influence a judgement. The process also puts aside personal friendships and personal opinions and most importantly of all, the spotlight is focussed fairly and squarely on the ❛piece of art❜ presented.
To be fair, it's true for some artists at times, the judging of a piece of their work can be confusing and overwhelming. Judging is in no way a reflection on the artist her/himself. Neither is it a reflection on the actual choice of image to paint. Nor should it be viewed as maybe casting a shadow on the talent of the artist. It is quite simply a logical way to determine the ❛key indicator❜ level of a skill or a technique a Unit Standard requires of an artist in the piece of work they have submitted. Nothing more and nothing less.
The information below outlines the ❝Unit Standards Judging Rules❞ which apply to all teachers and all artists alike who submit pieces for the judging panel to mark. It is essential for all concerned that the judging process is an enjoyable process - rather than being overwhelming and filled with dread. It needs to be of the highest standard, strong, balanced, and passionate, and the key (if applicable to the artist) to ongoing training and learning.
Porcelain Art Teachers NZ
UNIT STANDARDS JUDGING RULES
Version Final 1.3 Date April 2013
Adjudicator, Judges and Judging
The reason for the Unit Standards is not only to improve the standard of teaching but also to train judges.
The Adjudicator and Judges for each examination will be chosen by the PATNZ COMMITTEE.
● The judges should hold the National Teachers Diploma wherever possible or be a senior and well established teacher.
● If neither of the above are available then members who have passed 50% of the Unit Standards may judge following some tuition on the finer points of porcelain decoration and kiln firing.
● It is considered important not to use the same examiners every year.
● The task of judging Unit Standards should be taken seriously and pieces should be fairly marked at all times.
● The Adjudicator will be an independent person with impartial views.
Before entering the judging room the judges will be given the guidelines to read for each subject being presented.
On entering the judging room each judge will be given a folder which will have in it
1. a judge's number which is assigned at random
2. the guidelines for each subject
3. judging slips for each US entry
4. note paper and pen.
The judges may then start, each at a different piece and work their way through the pieces - individually.
Judges are not permitted to confer or speak to each other in the judging room.
(This rule has been adopted to stop a judge with strong opinions from influencing any other judge.)
● When the Judge has examined each piece and completed the judging slip they hand them in and leave the room.
● The judging slips are checked to ensure a judge did not miss a piece.
● The results will then be compiled and recorded to see the candidate's results-either accepted or present again.
● The Adjudicator will check the written comments to make sure they were helpful not just negative and any unhelpful remarks as, "I don't like your colours etc." will be removed.
● No-one will know which judge has given pass or fail marks.
Only the Adjudicator knows which judge had which number.
The Adjudicator is the only person in the room a judge may speak to if they have a query and most queries can be answered by reading the guidelines.
The Adjudicator is not allowed to give her opinion of a piece.
The final decision on judging any piece should be
"Does the painter show enough skill to teach this subject to my best friend."
Any piece marked present again must be re-done on another plate/tile and presented at the following years' presentation.
The judge's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into and no discussion will be held.
The work may be exhibited for viewing by members attending the AGM or an exhibition the following morning before they are returned to the artists.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to download a PDF of the
To finish this month's newsletter I want to share with you this beautiful quote penned by Barbara de Angelis - "Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver."
The magical heart of ArtOnPorcelainNZ beats with Encouragement, Love of our Art, Respect, and Kindness to All! Please keep that in the forefront of your thinking.
Embrace it! Enjoy it!
Your Partner in Success
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Inspire, Inform, Educate!
Hello Fellow Artists
❝Painting with Monica❞ was so well received in last month's newsletter that Monica has agreed to become a regular feature in our newsletter. Many of you will know Monica in her capacity as President of the Hutt Valley Porcelain Art Association. Her significant experience, skill, and brilliant work is the perfect backdrop for an artist looking to grow and evolve as a china painter; an artist looking for some best practices and practical guides too. ❝Painting With Monica❞ promises to be revealing and relevant [today] in the age old art of painting on porcelain.
Unit Standards Report
Monica Martin
President Hutt Valley Porcelain Art Association
Don't have regular access to a computer? Do you know an artist who doesn't have access to a computer? Check out your local library. These days, many libraries operate in the digital world and the staff are highly trained and technology aware. Libraries have become the place of choice for many people who do not own a computer to communicate with each other through emails and social media. Computers in libraries has allowed users to step into the online digital world that is now a permanent fixture in all our lives. In the interests of sharing in the World Wide Web and all the GOOD things it offers, I advise anyone to contact your local library and enquire if public computer access is available. You will need to check with the library the procedure for signing up as a member of the library. Library staff are always helpful, so check out your local library.
We have added a "Registration Form" to our website. You will find the link to the online Registration Form on our Contact menu above or you can click the green register online button (right) and pop over to the registration page. We invite all artists and all teachers to register with us. It doesn't matter if you not still painting or teaching as we encourage all artists "past and present" to joing our group of friends. We are a community of like-minded artists and even if you are not currently painting there will always be something of interest in our newsletters and upcoming events. Sign up now!!
Once again I'd like to give a little shout out for something to watch out for in future newsletters... I plan to introduce a "Regional Round Up" section in the newsletters where I will be inviting contributions from artists, groups, and associations out in the regions to keep us all up to date with news, views and generally what's happening in the porcelain art community in YOUR region! Keep a lookout and get your typing fingers ready (or your pens)!!
PROCESS
OPTIONAL
❝Unit Standards Judging Rules❞
Sandra Austin
(President PATNZ)
Unit Standards Judging Rules
