Closer to the exhibition

I've made all sorts of frantic efforts since my last blog post to complete my paintings and to prepare them for the looming exhibition.  Fortunately, since it is not my first exhibition (veteran that I am), I know what I've to do - and over the weekend, I completed my preparations in time for the ardous hanging on Wednesday.  Perhaps experience will count there too, plus a stable step-ladder and a handy bloke (thanks hubby!) 
This painting is the last that I've completed and will be included in the show.  It depicts a sunbather at Clovelly.  She lounges on the rocks above a shallow pool of water.  Originally she had a companion who was chatting to her, but I couldn't get her posture right and just painted her over. 
Here is an invitation to the show.  If you would like to attend, just turn up - I'd love to meet you!

FROM THE DESERT TO THE SEA
An exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Meng Woo

 

Opening night on
Fri 7 Sept 2012
from 6:00pm

 

Yuga Gallery
172 St Johns Rd
Glebe NSW 2037
9692 8604

Exhibition from 7 to 30 Sept 2012

Mangrove at Patonga

Sometime in Oct I thought I should organise our Jan vacations : I know it's extremely late and I had no chance of grabbing a good place for a reasonable price.... But only the super organised think of summer vacations a year ahead, right? I found this converted fisherman shack online located across the creek at Patonga. It had a great view and I guess it was still available because it was boat access only. In the spirit of adventure most unlike me, I decided if I couldn't get 5 star comfort, I'd settle for rustic.


Above: sketch of husband relaxing The instructions to get here were fairly detailed and involved locating a row boat on the banks of Patonga, ensuring the plug was on (handy reminder thanks Anthony!) before taking off. It didn't help that we've so much stuff. To launch the boat, wade through and hop on, all the time mindful that sudden moves may tip the boat.


The view at the house made up for the inconvenience. It was also quiet and whilst the composting loo and outdoor shower with spiders took a little getting used to, we had a great time. I did some sketches which then encouraged me to paint.


This painting was done in the lounge room, looking out at the big rock near the jetty.


I also wish to point out the trials we had to get my painting stuff over and back. The boat was ankle deep with water, it having rained two nights in a row and just imagine holding toolbox, shopping bag and an a2 canvas pad so that they don't get wet. Plus avoiding oar splash and swatting marsh flies... you get the picture.

Location:Bay St,Patonga,Australia

Reflections 2

I took my unsatisfactory water painting to Norma who said I was to apply the palette knife on the water as well and brighten it. After which she said to apply a thin glaze over to give the water a voluminous feel. Here is the result: it definitely is an improvement.

Reflections on water

This painting is a study of reflection on water. Water is one of the hardest subject to do well, it ripples, it reflects but only partially, it is both translucent and opaque in parts. I have always loved the challenge of depicting it and this study is based very loosely on a painting for sale at Norma's gallery.



The water here is very still and reflects the sandstone partially. There is more I can do but as I started on a oil sketch paper, I'm not sure it will tolerate any further rubbing: it might all disintegrate in a heap!

Coledale rockpools

A couple of months ago, we spent a weekend at Coledale, down the south coast. I was really impressed with the Illawarra coast, it is truly where the sandstone cliffs meet the sea. This painting is of the rockpools on the beach. This place is truly magical, full of rockpools that can be explored and reflections on the water... It is one of the special places in my heart.


As Art Est did not have an acrylic class this term, I found myself a class at Gallery NTK in Croydon. The proprietor and art teacher Norma has revolving exhibitions. It is a nice group. The fellow artists and the exhibits provide the artistic touchstone I needed.

Happiness is jumping the waves

Inspired by John Hammond's book on impressionist acrylic painting, I decided to paint children jumping waves at the beach. An joyous past time : I've indulged with my own child in the past. Of course she is now a fabby doo swimmer who freestyles past old mum and is now more likely to dive into the waves than to jump them.


Tim says I've to apply paint on the figures using a palette knife. I'm saying what? How? This technique definitely blends colous on the canvas. I now realise that this is how Nicholas Harding does his paintings. The strokes are more three dimensional and it's a great way to paint. I shall be doing more palette knife painting from now on.

Sandstone cliffs

Another aspect distinguishing Sydney is our magnificent sandstone. Walks along our coast is along cliffs where we glimpse the exposed sandstone face. This painting is of the cliff at Gordon's Bay between Coogee and Clovelly.


This is a cropped view as it is incomplete. There are a number of dark brick Art Deco apartments perched precariously on the cliff I wanted to include but made the mistake of painting them in that purply colour which contrasted badly with the rest of the picture. To harmonise with the hues of the sandstone, they need to be shades of ochre and brown. Of course if all fails I can do a vast sky and cover everything up. Artists do not have to paint reality!