Getting Involved at Hazelhurst in the Sutherland Shire.

Recently I was invited to have 6 of my artworks hung on the Wall of Art, Sutherland Library for all of June. It does the soul good to have my work acknowledged in this way. I was then invited to speak about my art journey to a small group at the Cottage, Hazelhurst in Gymea.…

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Art Purchases from My Gallery

I had a lovely time yesterday when a family visiting my gallery purchased 3 artworks. They are going to a lovely home. It might sound a tad cliched but it feels so good when your art is wanted so much by other people. Encouragement to paint more.

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The Challenges of Private Commissions

  I have been fortunate to have been commissioned to paint a number of quite challenging paintings over the years and do not tire of the experience.  The people I have met have been an absolute blessing.  I have had to push my boundaries and paint other people’s thoughts.  To measure up is so rewarding.…

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Airbrush and Bird paintings

I have really enjoyed teaching myself the art of airbrushing.  I thought using an airbrush would be easy but it takes a great deal of control and considerable skill.  As the old saying goes ‘Practice makes perfect”.   So far I mask the drawn characters and airbrush the background.  Then I spend the time painting the birds.…

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Retina Association Fundraiser 2014

 The Retina Association held its annual fundraising dinner at the Crystal Palace, Luna Park in Sydney.  What a beautiful venue.  The evening was so much fun.  This is the only fundraising event for research into retinal degeneration.  It is proudly sponsored by Yates and Burke’s Backyard. This is the second year I have donated a…

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Tawny Frogmouth

I really enjoyed painting this commission. This young Tawny Frogmouth belongs to a family of 4 which roost in a gum tree in the backyard of a friend of mine. It is in Camden near Sydney. The Frogmouth parents have been returning to the same tree every year for a number of years.  Each year they…

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What to do with dried out tubes of Gouache

Given the cost of good quality paints I have found the following prevents some waste. When tubes of gouache dry out (usually colours I do not use as frequently) I remove the dried paint from the tubes, crush it and put the powder into small jars which have lids.   Then I add a small amount of water and a drop of Gum Arabic…

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Portrait of a Beautiful Silver Poodle

I was commissioned to paint this beautiful, sweet natured poodle as a Christmas gift.   It never ceases to amaze me how special family pets are.  This little lady is not only a very pretty dog, she is highly intelligent.   On the day we met Abby she was initially very curious, then pretended to be a little coy until she…

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Australian Flowering Gums – commission of the West Australian Bush Rose.

Yesterday I delivered the latest floral painting to new clients.  They were thrilled with the result. This is all gouache and has a few layers of paint dry brushed on to achieve the rough texture of branches and pods and the multicolours of the blossoms. This particularly subject is proving to be very popular with my…

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Gouache Workshop for Oatley 101 Society of Artists

Sunday 25th March turned out to be a magic Autumn day.  The artists arrived to set up for the workshop.  They had all wanted to learn how to paint a possum in gouache.  I selected a photograph of a glorious female possum from the Atherton Tablelands.  These beautiful animals have a rich almost red orange…

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