series of cloud studies 

30 x 40 cm

Dec 31, 2o1o

First day of the year , and I must say, the weather a bit kinder than it 

was yesterday, with the temperature soaring to 38 degrees yesterday.

Being so hot, I sat under the shade of  our large old gum tree in the backyard,

and commenced a series of watercolor studies of the beautiful cloud formations 

rolling in. I noted that the clouds had changed from cumulus in the morning,

to cumulonimbus in the afternoon, and , being a sight to behold, 

I couldn't resist painting them.

A difficult task, as the clouds keep changing shape rapidly, so too, I have to paint

swiftly to capture them.

The vast blue skies as inspiration......

'white clouds drift'

diptych

synthetic polymer paint on canvas 100 x 150cm 

 Faced with two blank canvases, is a confrontation. As a new canvas in itself, is beautiful, clean and un-udulterated. I hope I can only do it justice .

Small notebook in hand , I set about doing a few very rough sketches, primitive as they are, and select one that grabs my attention, making adjustments on the final painting where I feel necessary. Immediacy is called for here, as I strive for the fresh and spontaneous . The final blue brush marks are the most important and my hand needs to be confident and sure ......

             

             

               white clouds drift

                      on winds that carry time,

                               blue sky dreaming

                                         alto-stratus, cumulus and nimbus

                                               drift by, I

                                                     hear distant bird call -

                                                                 towering above where winds soar,

                                                                        knowing I am

                                                                                 but a second away from eternity

                                                                                                       majestic but  fragile,

                                                                                                                     here and gone,

                                                                                                                                    white clouds drift

   

Drawing from within.....

.....is having the freedom to draw without relying on pre-conceived

ideas. To let the hand go where it will in total abandon.

Outdoors, barefoot and under the shade of my old plum tree,

I close my eyes and with brush and black paint in hand,

 I let my hand go where it will.

As a result, some very interesting images emerge.

I look  at positive and negative spaces

and how these shapes converse with each other on the page.

I prefer the most spontaneous and fleeting of brushmarks.

They are fresh and un-self conscious 

and provide me with ideas for paintings.

Fine , sunny weather here in Melbourne. 

Conditions good to paint outside in the shack

as it's not too cold now that spring is here.

Continuing the bushdance series, this time experimenting with

simple and bold white lines on a black ground, with some spattering

of the paint over the surface to help unify the composition.

A glaze tinted with yellow ochre was brushed over the surface to 

add some depth. I aim for overall simplicity always,

in these abstractions, searching for calm and space.

After all, this is what we feel in the bush, and zen is always at the core.

   at night, in the bush

   deep slumber some

      awake, as the stars brighten  -

                      

     crickets buzz some -

     are asleep, others just waking to the

  bush hum

'night humming'

150 x 100 cm

A recent commission

 A recent painting, just finished today.

A commission requested as a birthday present for one 

Mr Demmert. A few photos from the client were needed,

showing different viewpoints of the subject from different angles

make the job so much easier. I also make a point of finding out

a little of the person's character, as this is important in decided on what

setting / clothing would be most appropriate.

I find gift portraits  such as these, given as a surprise to the unaware

recipient, very worthwhile.

Surrey Hills Art Show 2010

What better way to begin my blog than to post a few pics

from my recent show......

 

Good friend  Mr. Greg Napper and my sister Joanne at the Surrey Hills Art Show.

 

b

Edwin 's beautiful guitar music wafted through the gallery
providing just the right ambience to set the scene.
The night surely benefited from his presence
and would have suffered without it.

 The artist responsible for it all....

 A fun night, the feedback on my work was terrific,

and it was interesting to see my art displayed in a gallery setting for a change.

I was able to converse with a few other notable artists,

all with some experience in the sometimes fickle world of art dealing.

No matter, an artist keeps on going because she is unable to stop.