It is nerve wracking putting your work out into the world and it is nerve wracking talking publicly.  I have often thought that I don’t represent myself very well.  But who else is there! My emotional side of the brain takes sway and I go into flight, fight, freeze mode. It’s not very conducive to any kind of insightful musings.  And it feels like such an ungenerous state to be in.  I’m not really thinking clearly at all. I wish it weren’t the case and have tried a myriad of ways from public speaking courses to some good prepping to patting the pooch as I talk.  Anyway, at half a century in I’ve decided to try and get some one-on-one help and go the drugs too and try some beta blockers to add to my forces. Happy camper here giving these a crack - figuratively speaking … and literally too.  Heading soon to the Easter holiday annual camping spot with my kids and my long-friended school buddies with their kids too.  Yum.

It's good to have a break too, as Julian Woods, the Audience Participation Officer at Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) has been firing away at his job.  He just checked in on a date for me to be interviewed on 2MCE Radio.  I have recently been interviewed by Sam Bolt of the Western Advocate, Dom Ingersole on 2BS and just today Alex James from ABC Central West.  Scheduled in is also a talk to the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Society members. As part of the BRAG public program: “In Conversation: Nicola Mason”, I will be in chatting with Jac Underwood from 2BS at Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, Saturday 28 May at 11 am.  It’s a free event but bookings are required via Eventbrite. 

My Cycle project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

If you head in to see the current exhibitions at Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) do have a look at the catalogues too.  The images of my works photographed by Clare Lewis and the essay by Tracy Sorensen are in the Cycle catalogue.  Tracy Sorensen writes:
 
“ … A tiny toy koala rides a duck measuring cup like a horse. A cheese grater and a banksia cone stand side by side, strangers but also strangely familial, like guests assembled for a wedding photograph. Three banksia cones pose with a 1970s kitchen mincer. They’re not in fear of being minced - it seems to me - but behaving more like children posing on the bonnet of a car, enjoying the exhilarating strangeness and power of it. The cones in the mixmaster’s mustard yellow bowl do look a little threatened by the electricity that might at any moment pulse through that yellow electric cord. 
 
There are almost-but-not-quite stories here, shades of nursery rhyme and nostalgia, of things endowed with personalities, of the lively relationships that children have with their toys and familiar household things …”
 
I am into her insightful thoughts and writing.  Being a recipient of a Create NSW Small Project Grant was terrific.  It funded a writer to be contracted to write for this project.  Woohoo! Thanks too to BRAG staff.  When BRAG staff, Jo Dickson first showed me the draft of the catalogue, I felt really overwhelmed - in a good way.  Thanks to all who pulled this together. 
 
This program is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

​It is now officially open.  Along with Sidney Nolan: Drought, Robert Hirschmann: Past Night and Hui Sellwood: Cubi and other passages is my exhibition Nicola Mason: Cycle open now and on until 5 June 2022.
 
Last night Bathurst Councillor Margaret Hogan had the official honours of opening the exhibitions.  Her words were heartfelt with her clear passion and support for the arts, artists and community.  Thank you, Marg and thank you too to Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) Director Sarah Gurich who with her words, weaved in her late-night tawny frogmouth sorrowful encounter viscerally linking the artists exhibitions.  
 
To all the staff at BRAG and the volunteers at BRAGS, you have been a delight to work with.  Big thanks to everyone involved, up front and behind the scenes.  And of course, Tracy Sorensen, Novelist and Craftivist your insightful catalogue essay is a ripper.
 
To all those who came to the opening and celebrated – thank you.  There is a wonderful feeling of being held by community at such events.  And the hugest thanks to my family.  Rocks you are.
 
This whole thing has felt like a rich gift, and it continues …
 
This program is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

The install is happening.  Thank you to all the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery staff in the lead up and behind the scenes of these exhibitions in the making. Along with my paintings and drawings there is a little installation of some of my studio muses. Some of the creature things that appear in my work, like the Mixmaster and the cloud on a stick are on the shelf. I’ve had a play. I am happy.
 
So exciting to be in the Gallery and see the Sidney Nolan Drought works packing a punch as they find their places on the walls.   The Robert Hirschmann Past Night works are shining bright and the Hui Selwood Cubi and other passages works in the foyer speak to me with their character filled presence.  Go check it all out.  
 
To book for the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery opening night fundraiser on Friday 8 April at 6pm and other events happening at the Gallery head to eventbrite.
 
This program is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.