Moved to Instagram

Hi readers,
I've now moved my blog to Instagram, which appears to be the best way to share my paintings and art adventures. See https://www.instagram.com/mengwoo.artist/ See you there!

Woolwich wharf

Enrolled in Nichole Kelly’s landscape painting class this term to force myself to paint more often. Her approach is more gestural and expressive than Carla’s. It’s more about mark making and colours that need not reflect life.


Last week I reproduced a Matisse as a study and really liked the colours and the airy feel the painting had. So this week I decided to paint another subject Woolwich Wharf but using the same palette.

Turmoil on the rocks

Having done nothing creative for the last few months due to various commitments including running a large carnival, an exhibition and a short trip overseas, I’m glad to be back painting.


This scene is from Port Macquarie- truly a paradise for coastal painters. I am also painting this because of the inner turmoil I feel - one of my best friends has cancer and I just cannot imagine life without her. However painting is therapeutic and with time and news from the doctors, we are now calmer and more importantly have hope. There’s a fight ahead but fingers crossed we will get there.

Greenwich from Parramatta River

The jacarandas are lovely this year and I’ve even heard stories that Sydney is now a destination for jacarandas! Imagine - cherry blossoms in Kyoto and jacarandas in Sydney!


I’ve always wanted to paint the magnificent purple against our red tiled roofs. Every year I set out to do it and every year I am delayed and miss the season altogether. Until now... this is my second jacaranda painting (on a roll heh heh) and this one taken from a ferry from Cockatoo Island.

Sea acres national park Port Macquarie

Recent holiday with family at Port Macquarie was fun and fruitful with seascapes to paint.


We went for a walk at sunset to the Sea Acre national park- such a gorgeous place. Spotted hundreds of humpback whales- no wonder they beach themselves. Pandanus palms line the shores. Paradise ...

Northland in Lord Howe

After a month off painting, term 4 begins. I’m thrilled to be back. This is a painting of the northern end of Lord Howe, populated by forests and volcanic rock. The surf is pounding here - so different from the idyllic lagoon where the beach is sandy and the water calm.

Venice urbanscape

As an antidote to all those Lord Howe aerials I decided to paint Venice. All those buildings in glorious warm colours against the brilliant green canals.


Sadly this is last lesson for Carla's class this term. Over the break I hope to produce more for our Lord Howe exhibition.