ArtWork on ArtEdit

I have placed several artworks, 20 in all on a new website that promotes artists online.. Called ArtEdit, it is a recent addition to the booming, online artmarket that is probably competing on several levels with bricks and motar galleries. There is some level of trepidation though, does anyone ever visit one's site, look through the work with any real 'time' that the artwork often needs to fully appreciate the concept and work that went into creating them?  It is a Catch 22, we all get roped into when even a small part of one feels compelled to be part of the market. What if someone does swing by that actually gets inspired enough to pick up the phone and chat about the work they've just seen.. on the whole though, the phone stays strangely silent and no emails knock gently to bring a glimmer of hope that yet again, that decision to participate will pay off.

Too cynical??

www.artedit.com.au

Life Drawing on Sunday

The last few Sunday's I have been attending life drawing at the Abbotsford Convent. The casual, welcoming space and folks have been a welcome addition to my otherwise sparse life. It is challenging, getting back into the swing of things. I used to attend life drawing at ROAR above the BSG Gallery but that moved to a place that I found hard to get to. Drawing on a Sunday afternoon is much better, working with natural light, something to do when most Sunday afternoons feel strangely languid and misplaced.
I have been posting my preferred drawing on my facebook page but I'll put some here too, in case you're interested.

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

Great Exhibition if I may say so myself

Well first of all I'd like to say a very hearty thank you to all the wonderful folk who came to the opening and it such a really enjoyable evening. The turn out was fabulous and the buzz amazing. I was caught out on the back foot a bit as I was down the back in the office talking to people who were interested in buying artwork and it took a long time before I was able to make my way into the gallery space and join in.  My special piece A Gentle Reminder went to a new home as did BirdBoy so I was very pleased that they were so appreciated. I had several smaller works that also went to new owners and the raffle painting Waiting was eagerly sought after too. With a lovely opening speech by Margi Gibb, the show was an overall success. I had a few people drop by over the following weekend and despite the dreadful weather and my sharp decline due to the flu it ended well too. So another solo show, over 30 works and in the top floor of an office building in an obscure street with no frontage to speak of. But worth the effort. Some pics of the night.

Step up to the plate she said

Ah yes, step up. Message to self. Fortunately i translated the thought into action and in the process created my latest piece, called ironically, Step Up. A bold, colourful and dramatic but essentially very simple and clear. I love the juxtaposition of the yellow and blue that create a resonance, with the head balanced and the strong graphic of the eye looking up to the ladder. 
It felt like a fitting image for the conclusion of the show so I'm pleased it worked out as well as it did. Love to know what you think or better yet, come along to the show and see it in the flesh, coz it looks much better in the real.

Listening to the Dreaming in the making

The Process of UnMaking and Making a Painting

I sometimes paint over a painting over several times before I arrive at the image I was trying to achieve. Often the original work looks so different like its final incarnation and I find the journey on retrospect quite interesting. With the iphone on hand I am more likely to record the process so now have the unfolding of the work as a visual record. The work that became "Listening to the Dreaming" was created from my journey into learning about Aboriginal culture and the power of art in sharing and expressing their knowledge and spiritual connection to land.