Happy New Year!

Bookplate in time for Christmas

A last minute Christmas commission which I enjoyed carving very much.

 - Always love a print with a bird in it!

Field of Remembrance

One of the last paintings for the year (apart from the commissions I have going).

Acrylic on Canvas, measuring 76cm x 76cm (30"sq).

 

 

 

 

Pick your Favourites

Every year I post most of my work created from November - October onto a page where people can vote for their favourites. I invite you to come and have a look and if you would, pick 3 -10 of the works you like best.

http://www.readdevine.com/cardspoll.html


Just a bit of fun to celebrate the end of a productive year.

"Gertrude & Jekyll" Acrylic on Canvas 76cm x 76cm

Checking out the Block Printing Ink from Derivan

I finally was able to trial the new block printing ink from Derivan. Thought I would try a simple multiblock/reduction print.

First, print an uncut square in yellow.

Clean, then cut away everything that will stay yellow.

Pink will be next - I mixed my own colour using Acrylic Paint and Derivan's Block Printing Medium

 

Here is a picture of pink prints that I left with background texture, and some that I have masked.

Cut away the pink from the lino and print the green (mixed with white)

This is what happen when you print upside down!

With another block I had cut the full outline of the design. I printed it with purple mixed with a little black.

Being so used to oil based inks, I was a little dubious about using these. But the very fact you can wash up with water is so much more convenient than I first thought. Also, as I paint in acrylics, I have many colours, so the medium is very handy to use when I want a 'certain colour'. Will definitely use these inks again,

Events in October

Next week is action packed with arty goodness.

 On Friday night Macquarie Towns Art Society is opening its 50th anniversary Spring Fair Art Exhibition - I have donated the raffle painting, as seen on the poster below.

Saturday is the Open Day at Derivan 10am - 2pm, where the vivid hued acrylics I use come from. I also will be demonstrating there along with lots of other artists, and there'll be lots of activities for artists of all ages to participate in. See this link  http://www.derivan.com.au/resources/open-day-program2012.html

And on Saturday evening will be the "Mutts & Moggies" exhibition at the Ferry Artists Gallery, Wisemans Ferry. Celebrating our furry family members, I'm looking forward to seeing what the members have come up with (including me!).

Shows this Week

My paintings are busy exhibiting themselves this week.

"Trees" Group ShowStop by and come see all the wonderful ART!!Join us for our Saturday Evening Reception:September 22nd, 2012 from 6 to 9 pm

Creative Framing & Gallery,

5015 Woodminster Lane, Oakland, CA 94602 (510) 482-1200

Reception:

September 22, 2012 from 6 - 9 pm

Exhibition all of September

Northbridge Art Prize

Gallery 307, 307 Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge

Opening: Friday 14 September, 6pm-8pm

Tue-Fri 10.30am-5pm, Saturday 11am-4pm

(closes 26 September)

 

 

Orange Blossom Festival

Annual Art Awards

HILLS SHIRE COUNCIL,

CARRINGTON ROAD, CASTLE HILL

Opening night Wednesday 19th September 7pm for 7.30pm presentation

Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd September, open daily 9am to 4pm

Entry free

 

And most importantly, this month's blood sweat & tears are invested in

Sydney Art Expo

 

Art Expo

 

 

 

 

Opening next week will by Vertical Canvas at Spaceat565 Gallery and Cocktail Bar

– City of Sydney RSL, Level 2, 565 George St, Sydney, NSW, 2000

 

25/09/2012 - 29/10/2012

 

 

 

 

Busy getting ready for the next show - have visited but haven't exhibited at this venue before. The Watch House is the oldest surviving police lockup in Sydney (1854). Looking forward to my very own cell ;-)

International Exhibition

I think I have recovered from the week that was Art Melbourne, still got lots coming up for the year. One exciting venture is the "International Art Show" held in Oakland, California, where I am one of 3 artists invited for this exhibition.

(That picture of me is from the Melbourne show I was just at), here are a couple of the paintings that have arrived in the USA.

"Treescape" 20"x24"

"Forest with Galahs" 20"x24"

Current finances do not permit me to be there at the show, which is a terrible shame, but its nice to know some part of me will be there in the form of 12 paintings.

The link to the gallery is here http://www.creativeframingoakland.com/gallery.html

May the 4th be with you

A busy weekend for my paintings, I have 3 openings tonight.

Tara School for Girls has their "In the Spotlight" Art exhibition, there is a lovely catalogue to download from their site. Cocktail Party tonight and all day tomorrow.

The Parramatta Art Society is opening their new Floral themed exhibition at their Pop Up Gallery , The show will run until 2 June

Camden Art Prize are having their award ceremony tonight, their show will run until 11th May. News article http://www.camdenadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/artists-bring-out-best/2541372.aspx

Since I have been very blessed and won a prize, I will attending the Camden Exhibition.

Cheers!

Joy All Creatures Drink

"Joy all Creatures Drink" is one of the latest works destined for the Affordable Art Fair in Melbourne. Acrylic on canvas, 1.4m high

The view is from my father in law's property overlooking the Hawkesbury River, lots of trees and rocks - just right for me!

Macdonald Valley Public School had visited the Ferry Artists Gallery and were asked to create works after what they were inspired by.
7 year old Coen Watt did this beautiful piece after my "Flight of Crimson"

Coen's work

My work

Yet another generation of brilliant artists to look out for....

A painting completed a few weeks ago

"Splash"

Acrylic on canvas 46cm x 61m

Currently at Purple Noon Gallery for "Equine"

Late last year I posted a link to my POLL PAGE asking you to vote for your favourites. Well the results are in and here is the page again http://www.readdevine.com/cardspoll.html

Top Painting "Corellas" (Try and imagine them together - this page is bugging me tonight)

Top Print "Flannel Flowers"

Thanks to all who participated. (You can still vote - if things change I will edit results)

Heres a bit of fun,

 "Girls Day Out". Mixed media on Canvas, 40"x30" (101cm x 76cm).

It will be at the coming Castle Hill Agricultural Show 16,17,18 March at the Arts Pavillion.

My latest linocut "Back to the Ark" was originally inspired by a print exchange theme "water". I also like the imagery as a recent sermon at church reminded me that God/our church home is our "ark", a place of safety and refuge during life's 'deluges'. Also the symbolism of hope that the olive branch is. Its so easy isnt it, once the work is created, to wax lyrical over its meaning meanings. Art critics & writers must have so much fun.

Anyway, here 'tis. It is printed on a cotton rag paper, using oil based ink.


and a little bit hand colouring with watercolours

Image size is approximately 8" h x 5.5" w [20.5 cm x 14 cm].

I have one of the edition available on Ebay

Repeating a painting is something I am loathe to do. It never holds the excitement of the potential of a brand new work - and the way I work is very intuitive, inviting 'happy accidents'. Colour also is different for me day to day - sometimes blues find their dominance in a painting, sometimes i dont feel like touching much 'yellow'.

So, when I have repeated a painting ( I think 4 times in 15 years) i will never promise the same work - just as similar as I can make it. And I dont copy the painting itself - if its a still life, I have to set up the table as before (hoping I can find all the props), landscapes are from my store of photos. Interestingly enough, when the chore has been started, I find myself falling in love with the subject matter all over again, and I believe, I end up with a better painting than before.

Not to say that I will make a habit of it. Unless you are a relative, or a very close friend, ....... or offer me enough money ......





"Wrap"
30"x30" Acrylic on Canvas




"Wrap II"
30" x 40" Acrylic on Canvas
Client wanted a landscape format with 2 birds instead of one.



The first 3 paintings for the year!

Thought I'd start out small to get back into the swing of things.

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"Cockatoo" Acrylic on Canvas 9"x5"

These should be arriving in the US very soon.

They are taking part in a group show at Creative Framing & Gallery, Oakland, CA. Opens 21st January





Happy New Year 2012!

I have finally updated my website. Most of the works from 2011 are there and I would love it if you woul vote for your favourites. The link is HERE

So far I have 3 exhibitions planned - May in Melbourne Australia, July in Oakland, CA USA and August in Sydney Australia. That should keep me busy....