Progress

It has been a prolific painting period for me, prompted by the course at Art Est. Woke up early yesterday in an effort to paint these roses before they wilted.


And then I went with my new sky painting to class to take advantage of the fact that Carla's speciality is beautiful skies. Colour matching is the challenge. Clouds are pretty hard to depict. On Carla's advice I am posting this as a 'progress' shot. It's not finished yet although hubby thinks it time to hang already!

Inner West Art Group Exhibition

I was invited by my friend David Cole to participate in a group exhibition.  The Inner West Art Group was formerly known as Artists@Ashfield and is a loose group of artists.  Ashfield council used to support this group by providing a venue for their annual exhibition.  However,  the venue, Thirning Villa is located in the middle of a park and does not attract much street traffic.  In recent times, the group has exhibited at Gallery NTK in Croydon.  The recent death of the group's founder has made David the defacto leader - or at least the organiser of its annual exhibition.  David has enlarged the group membership to the Inner West.
Here is your invitation - I hope to meet blog readers this Saturday!

Hooray - I'm in the calendar

Tonight at the Art Est end of year show, Jennifer announced the winners of the calendar competition and I was one of the lucky winners. Haystacks is featured in the calendar as Miss November and besides the publicity, I also got 4 calendars and a $100 voucher towards my next art class/ workshop! Thanks to all who voted for me.

The Blue Mountains

Most Sydney-siders would have been up the Blue Mountains, and right around the mid mountains, stood on the edge of the cliff to peer at the stupendous vista unfolding; range upon range vanishing into the hazy distance. Truly the Blue Mountains is our own Grand Canyon - and it's so accessible, really.


Well this week I decided to try and capture the feel. I had purchased a heavy gel medium and thought to try palette knifing it on the canvas to create the texture of rock face. First painted both rock face with exactly the same colours. Then knocked back the one further away using glazes. Transparent white gives that effect of distance which is so lovely.

More Moreton bay figs

I've been invited to exhibit with the Inner West Art Group at Gallery NTK Croydon on the 8 Dec. As a consequence I've been busily painting.


This diptych was inspired by the impressionists who frequently painted figures with their backs to the light. The deep shadows are actually not conducive to the modern art of photography. But the eye does not suffer from the same problem!

Moreton Bay Figs are some of my favourite trees. Their trunks have this human limb like quality. And they are such magnificent trees, casting deep shade on hot summer days.

Art Est calendar competition

My artwork 'Haystacks' is finalist for the Art Est calendar competition!

To get into the calendar, I need votes in the form of Likes on this
Facebook page.
If you like my art, please vote for me by 12 Nov. The most popular 6 adult and 6 kid entries get featured in Art Est calendar. I suppose I'm in it for the promotional prospects although its gratifying to hear positive comments.

More glazing techniques

This week I thought I'd get a handle on glazing by painting a favourite scene of rocks at Bronte. I also wanted to complete the piece so did it in A3 size.


The glaze is of pthalo green as water and this wonderful ink in burnt sienna which is transparent on the rocks. There is also a transparent white which I used to knock back the background water. As a technique glazing takes time and being impatient I can't see myself embracing it 100%. I'd use it judiciously and have a hair dryer handy!