Cardboard collage . 

Life can literally push you into a corner so, out of necessity and lack of space to create I've had to improvise and downsize. Still, I"m really enjoying this smaller format. 

 

Experimenting with animation on the trusty little ipad recently after a cruise around the south of Phillip Island on the Bass Strait two months ago. What a delightful experience it was. The swells 1 to 2 meters which according to the crew, were mild compared to the 4 to 5 meter they sometimes experienced. It took a bit of getting used to the rocking and heaving of the ship but thankfully no sea sickness amongst the family. I found myself preparing for each awe inspiring 'smash' against the oncoming easterly waves of the bass strait, but it was surprising how quickly we got used to the motion. Returning with the current was more restful however and it was then that we encountered the southern right whales in all their glory- witnessing them breaching on several occasions. It was wondrous to me to think that unbeknownst to us, they may have been sneakily swimming beneath our boat before appearing on the other side off in the distance. We also caught a glimpse of the fur seals bathing on the far off rocks, a gannet flew past and the dolphins were often frolicking alongside the boat. Three hours of delight that ended too soon. The video above is my playful take on the experience.

 

Continuing on with the penguin series.....A couple of chinstrap penguins. 

Can I keep up the momentum? Which penguin will I appear next? 

Whatever the outcome, the fact remains - I do have a soft spot for these birds.

 Today, the Emperor Penguin as depicted with my pen. The drawing took some research  as I wanted the anatomical  details particular to this species to be correct. For example, while the Emperor and King penguins look similar there are some differences that needed to be evident in the drawing. The emperor is taller than the king, is not as brightly coloured, the beak has a distinct downward curve and it lacks the distinct orange teardrop at the side of the neck.

A black and white drawing today of two Macaroni penguins - in black pen touched up with yellow pencil. Here they are nesting, female and male looking over at South Georgia Island.

 

Winter sun as it shines on my desk. Worth a capture I think.

 

Eyes closed, corner inlet pen sketch.

An afternoon in Warrandyte.

 

 

 Sketchbook entries from our time away at Yanakie.

 

Worked on a painting I had started earlier this year. 

Measures about 120 x 170 cm, so its quite large and being masonite,

its awkward and heavy. Painting large these days, requires all materials to be moved outdoors as we have not the luxury of an indoor space. Therein lies the irony. Devote your life to art, and the financial struggle is real!

covid times

Recent painting. Seascape abstract. My little boat is symbolic of freedom and escape. 

Visited the Big Drift today courtesy of moving footage stored on my Ipad.