The Fisherman's Prize

It has been rather quiet on the western front to say the least. Well the painting is finished and is hanging in Chris' Bar so looking forward to some feedback. The locals just tell it as it is. I have been given some canvas and paints by a very fine person so I am poised to try some new approaches. I feel the work needs to be edgier and darker and this sweet picture of sharing and trusting could be unaccompanied for some time. It's not that I'm feeling particulaity darket or edgier but I need to want to go behind, into the underworld for a while and see what resides.

The Fisherman's Prize evolves

So I gave it some thought and I felt the green monster who in fact is really kind was too obscure and the image looked like something from a children's story, so I felt like trying another idea. So The Fisherman's Prize was started and here is a few process images.. so far I'm liking whats happening here but the end will tell.

The Kindness of Strangers

I was working on a painting, 'The Kindness of Strangers." How often have I been 'saved' by the kind and unexpected actions of strangers, who by their actions lift one out of a difficult situation and carry you to the safety of the shore so one can continue the journey. But is a big green sea monster too scary??

Swan Hill Art Show

It's a beautiful day here in Swan Hill, around four and a half hours drive from Melbourne which I managed a couple of days ago. On the banks of the Murray River and on the other side of the river bank lies New South Wales. I cross the border each day to return to my lovely temporary abode.  Under the wonderfully generously spirited offer of Leonie with whom I am staying, whilst I hold a small exhibition of 10 works at the vibrant Cafe/Gallery Jilarty. A lot of positive interest so far so if you happen to be in the vicinity please drop by, enjoy a great coffee, a superb gelato and see the artwork.

I was interviewed by the local paper, The Guardian, not quite the UK version but small steps and the article was very positive. Here's an excerpt..

Out of Reach

A quick preview of the latest painting Im working on called "Out of Reach". This was in response to wanting very much to stay living up in the tropics, hence the dog straining at the leash trying to get hold of a juicy mango. She lies in the shade, dreaming of the ocean and the heat.

Tethered

The time spent walking in solitary meander on the beach, alongside an everchanging and all encompassing environment was both calming and inspirational. I always kept my ears open for the cry of the hawk and upon sighting it was reminded yet again of my being bound to ground yet yearn for flight in all its reality and metaphor. I was surrounded by nature and it entered me and changed me and I relished it. I drew on a whim on the sand, so freeing and fun. And I painted this to show how I felt about the push and pull of it all. At once grounded, drawn to the earth and yet the tug of seeing the freedom that is just out of reach.

Rising Tide

I have spent the last few weeks by the ocean and have been kept constant company by the ebb and flow of the tides and it has comforted me. I am writing and reading and unfortunately not painting as much as I would like, but maybe it is the time to just write. This painting "Rising Tide' was completed before I left for Queensland. A luminous work that suggests the gilded cage, living as we do but feeling trapped just the same. This time the bird looks on at the man inside the cage and if he had wings he could fly out. A ladder awaits, there is a way out but the test is how to do this. We see his struggle, the wall is transparent but he does not see us. I haven't had much or any actually response on this work and welcome a comment if anyone so chooses to venture their opinion.

Rising Tide

oil on canvas 2012