Opening night

Our much anticipated opening night was on a rainy Wed- not a good combo for attendance. In the end probably 40 people turned up - mostly my friends. Francesco's mum's rissoles were a hit but way over catered with the result we had leftovers. Nevertheless it was lovely to see friends and I sold 8 paintings that night. Some record!


We were very busy. My sister says that I need to charge more but I think I just want to get these works off my walls so that I can paint more! Todd said that he had never had a more successful exhibition in his time here.

Hanging Day

Finally the time has rolled round to hang the paintings at Bondi Pavilion. Packed the car with paintings and begun what I knew would be an arduous day. Luckily Francesco and David are tall and strong. As I am no use except to give an opinion as to where something should hang and how. Eventually after 5 hours, it was done and Frank proceeded to ring his contact Robyn at the Wentworth Courier.



Prior experience in getting free publicity has not been successful. My experience is persistence is key. Frank has done marvellously to get a journalist to print a small notice and then to attend. So here we were, hot sweaty and dusty and Robyn wants to photograph us. After which Frank managed to sell her a painting so well done team, got a red dot before opening night!

Last painting for the exhibition

The exhibition date looms large and I thought I was done but a friend bought an artwork so decided to paint a replacement. My sister thought I was mad to even contemplate sales this close and has said I need an agent but alas she lives in Scotland which makes it impossible.

Anyway I got busy and here is the result - Wylies bath again but from
a different angle. I love the effect of the water - so inviting on a lovely day.

Watercolour boot camp

After failing to get into Susie Murphie's daytime watercolour class, I enrolled in her one day workshop - titled watercolour boot camp. This was most appropriate as the normally sweet tempered Susie was barking out orders left and right.

It turned out that I needed reminding of what she had already told me previously.

1. Joseph Zbukvic had defined watercolour consistency ranging from 'cream' to 'tea'. Joseph was tutoring at the Bathurst camp - indeed he is a fab artist but really arrogant. The key is to mix the darks in cream consistency. Application should be immediately followed with a second wet brush to spread it and reduce the hardness of the edge.

2. Never mix colours thoroughly, the beauty is in the varied spectrum.

3. Work quickly while paint is wet, introduce highlights.

4. Link the shapes so that it looks consistent. Let colours mix while wet on paper if possible.

5. Most importantly, do not apply paint using point of brush. Instead load the brush and apply using its side. Looks terribly fiddly otherwise.

6. Confidence is key - confident brushstrokes are more important than being perfect.

7. Lastly mix lots of the right colours in cream consistency as the worst thing that can happen is to run out before you are done. This last point explains why my previous attempts at larger formats flopped - my tiny travelling palette was to blame. I needed a large plate to ensure I did not run out and then had to work over dried paint.

I figured that what I need to do now is to get lots of practise. Using photos I should get my watercolour hours up as otherwise I will forget - resulting in bewilderment (what happened???) and disappointment (should have stuck with acrylics!). When I'm perched at a gorgeous view in Italy, I want to be able to produce some approximation of the beauty.

Boats again

Inspired by the boat painting I did under Helen's tutorage I embarked on another. This one was of Rose Bay at sunrise.


I am on a roll at the moment. Think I will do a series on boats - maybe another one or two....

Reflections from the dam

This is the last painting started last week at the residential art school. This one I took at the CSU campus itself on one of my early morning walks (that was the only time of day the temperature was cool enough for a walk).



It's of the reflection of eucalyptus trees on the dam. Painted on canvas for portability. Of course it means I have to frame but I guess if it doesn't sell I can pop other paintings in at a later stage.

Final day and recap

While many at the art school will stay till Sat morn I have to go Fri because of S's birthday dinner. Anyway I miss my bed!

The class has been chummy and they are nice people with the exception of the odd whinger. We have developed a nice collegial relationship. I haven't learnt an awful lot but I did learn how to mix black and burnt sienna. The best part is that I managed to complete one diptych and produce 4 other works. No way I could achieve this with a week at home!

Asked if I would do another Bathurst, I would say unlikely. The trains are inconvenient, the rooms are student quarters and the heat pretty draining. Having said that, if Helen were to run a watercolour workshop, I might be tempted to see my way around these obstacles.