Latest Artwork June 2015

Sometimes creative thoughts take you along different art paths and processes to achieve a desired finish artwork. With Winter settling in here on the Central Coast NSW, I look at all the amazing summer photos on Twitter and Instagram of friends and followers in the northern hemisphere and long for that warm weather to return.

The #5LandsWalk, a wonderful day of surf, music and art here on the Central Coast includes an art exhibition that I just had to enter this year.

The festival celebrated its 10th year this year on June 20 and the art exhibition was held in two surf clubs..Copacabana and Avoca Beach. 

I had a 30"x30" canvas ready to get to work on and so first layer was a textured gesso wave effect which would give my artwork a sculptural look.

Next few days it was all about flicking and splattering enormous amounts of paint to achieve a feeling of the randomness of the wild ocean. I used only a few colours but wanted to bring a sense of afternoon shimmer to my artwork so hence I used gold and pearl white in areas to bring out the light effects.

I love this technique but seriously had to clean the floor so many times as the paint went flying. Think I'll need a paint booth next time!! :)

Sydney Royal Easter Show Art & Craft 2015

 I was very excited to enter artworks again for the fifth year in the Sydney Royal Easter Show Art Show. I entered in 4 categories this year which proved a great success. I entered this artwork above, titled 'Popi', in the Digital Art Vector Section and was so excited on opening night to find out I received a ribbon for 3rd Prize!!!! The Opening night was on my birthday and that's when I saw this amazing Sydney Royal Easter Show ribbon on my artwork. I was happy to find out it SOLD as well. I've loved entering this exhibition and this year was definitely extra special.

 I entered a framed photograph in the Photography section, above, titled 'Rust' of a rusty windmill at my house.

 I was very happy this SOLD as well.

The two paintings above were entered in different categories. The painting on top is painted with watercolour paint and gold leaf. It's titled 'Rainforest Treasures' and was entered in the Australian Native Flowers section. 

The painting on the bottom was painted with acrylic paint on pine board and was entered in the Rural section. I live near properties that have cattle and this cow in particular caught my eye on many mornings as I drove past. It is a breed that is crossed between an Australian Friesan and a Pakistani Sahiwal. It intrigued me how the colourings look like the cow was either dip dyed or had been under a rain cloud and the colour ran. They are always surrounded by beautiful birds called Egrets. I have these paintings back home with me and will find their way to another exhibition no doubt.

Chinese New Year 2015 Exhibition

My painting...WARDING OFF THE 'YEAR' in the Chinese New Year Exhibition...According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the "Year". The "Year" looks like an ox with a lion head and inhabits in the sea. At the night of New Year's Eve, the "Year" will come out to harm people, animals, and properties. Later, people found that the "Year" fears the colour red, fire, and loud sounds. Therefore, for self-protection, people formed the habit of posting red Dui Lian in front of their house as well as launching fireworks, and hanging lanterns at year end.

I was very privileged to be accepted into the Art Studios Gallery 'Chinese New Year Interpretations' Exhibition earlier in the year which was curated by Catherine Croll. It was such a wonderful exhibition with many artists creating extraordinary artworks on display for nearly 4 weeks. The opening evening was very special with Chinese traditional dancers and music.

Small Works Art Prize 2014

It was a great and fun experience to take part in this Small Works Art Prize recently at Art Studios Gallery in North Gosford,

which by the way is a wonderful gallery run by some amazing people.

The challenge was to paint the theme 'Spirit of the Central Coast' and all works had to be anonymous until sold. All 20"x20" works were signed on the back which created an interesting experience for the viewer to see all artworks as they were presented.

I am very privileged to have been chosen 

 1ST PRIZE WINNER 

of this art prize which was and still is a shock to me.

Left is my winning painting depicting what the 'Spirit of the Central Coast' means to me.

It is a painting based on childhood memories of my grandfather's caravan at Umina. I can still recall the smell of the plywood and lino when the door opened after being locked up for weeks at a time.The local fish and chip shop was a short walk around the corner and as usual if you're eating chips, the seagulls will find you.

I entered 3 paintings into this Small Works Art Prize which 

ALL

SOLD.

This acrylic painting to the left is called 'Spirit'.

 I'm lucky to live in the rainforest which is just a short drive to the beautiful beaches on the Central Coast, so I envisaged the flow of the land merging into the water kind of like a mandala, and a fern frond helps to bring together the idea of the constant flow of re-birthing and ever evolving new life.

This acrylic painting on the left is called 'The Last Paradise'.

SOLD

I have seen an interest lately of the resurgence of terrariums. Once a great 70's hobby where many homes would have one of these glass containers planted with indoor plants and rocks as part of their home décor. So I thought if all land was lost, just saving a piece of the Central Coast with it's beautiful flora and fauna, oh and my grandfather's caravan, in a terrarium would be extra special. Even if it was just a 20"x20" canvas painting.

The following photos are just some I took of the exhibition which ran from

 December 3-21, 2014 and was a great success with most artworks selling.

Can't wait until next year's exhibition too.