Greenway Art Prize 2014

As it happened, I managed to get the Cooks River Reflection painting finished and sent in an application on time.  Whew! And guess what folks? I was told that the painting was chosen as a finalist! Yay!  Here is the invitation to the Opening Night if you can come.  Should be fun!

Venice

Artists who have visited Venice cannot resist the temptation to paint it. From Monet to Australia's Joseph Zbukvic they have all been moved to capture its watery luminescence.


I am challenged by Venice not because of reflections or water but because I have to paint convincing buildings! Venetian architecture can be very ornate and that makes it even harder. Anyway I'm having a go. It appears that rulers and precise perspectives are out - these are after all not architectural paintings. It's easier and looks better to just sketch - the imperfections are part of the charm.

Cook river reflections

I've always loved the reflections on water. One day I was at the Cook river and took a photo which is the reference for this painting. It's not completely finished but I'm hoping to enter it for the Greenway prize.

Abstraction

Decided to attend Paul M's Abstract workshop last Sunday. Abstracts are not really my thing but I thought I could take a few lessons away from it. Poor old Paul has broken his left arm lifting compost. He wasn't his usually cheery and cheeky self. However the class was fully subscribed so Paul had to get through it regardless of any pain and suffering.


The first work I attempted was a cellist whom I drew from a YouTube video. I wanted the movement to be represented. It's really hard to capture motion. Todd Fuller agrees and he's having an exhibition soon of drawings of dancers in full flight.


This next attempt was a painting of trees that I tore into strips and glued on brown craft paper. The outlines were then painted directly over everything. I'm not sure it's an effective representation.



The last painting was a still life with colours inspired by Paul. Orange and turquoise blue. It's not 100% complete but I do like the composition and the complementary scheme.

Loch Lomond

After a long absence from acrylic painting in favour of watercolours I returned to this media. The subject is boats in Loch Lomond, about an hours drive from Glasgow. One glorious day last month, we went for a day trip and the kids went swimming in the Loch. Brrrr!


The light on the water was simply unreal at the end of the day. This painting is only A3 in size - just to warm up, working to larger sizes.

Galway and Glasgow

Had a lovely time in Galway, we stayed right downtown and our view was like this painting. Galway City is next to the ocean and the Irish were swimming in it! Water must be 15 degrees.


Next stop Glasgow where we stay with my sister and attend the Commonwealth Games. The weather has been magnificent for Glasgow with mostly dry days. Today I decided to paint the birch trees in her garden which dappled shade onto her garden wall.


Because the weather was so benevolent, we go to Loch Lomond today for a swim (the kids did go in) and a walk up the hill. This is the view of the loch. Had to stop once the midges started biting.

Ireland and Venice (again)

After a warm few weeks in Italy, we arrive in Dublin to 16d and drizzles. Hmmmm. Somebody forgot to tell them it's high summer. We drove to Galway City yesterday and are staying at a comfortable 2 bedroom apartment. But the strangest thing happened- we bumped into Andrew M and Catherine at the hotel. It turns out that they were checking in after some time in Cork.


Anyway on the apartment's walls were photos of Venice. It being wet, I declined to join the others for a swim at an indoor pool and decided to practice painting Venice instead. This is the depiction of Santa Maria Salute and gondolas.