Galley On Masons Cafe, Gosford Mural

 A design for the Galley On Masons Cafe and Restaurant Gosford, Central Coast, NSW was requested by the owners and after a few idea discussions this design was approved.

 A few intricate design elements made this mural a unique one. The client wanted a moroccan tile element and I also brought a few local elements of the Central Coast NSW in to make this an interesting artwork. I made up a palm tree stencil to reflect the beautiful palms around the Gosford waterfront, added local flannel flower design then added a snail to compliment and idea of slowing the pace down a little while you're in the cafe enjoying the fine food and coffee.

I brought a little more old worldly moroccan tile effect into the curving panels and some fish scales to finish the colourful movement of the mural.

A local NBN television crew just happened to be filming arts, cultural and interesting sites around Gosford and so wanted to capture me actually painting the mural on the cafe wall which was fun.

So happy with the finished mural. It's busy, fun, colourful and is certainly very interesting and striking from the outside of the cafe. Hope it brings the owners and patrons years of fantastic compliments.

If you happen to find yourself on the Central Coast needing some great food and coffee, drop in and say 'Hi' at Galley On Masons, Masons Parade, Gosford NSW Australia.

Catdezign 'Love Cats' Colouring Book

So excited to have launched my 'Love Cats' Colouring In Book in September 2015 based on my Digital Cat art. The response was truly amazing so I decided to produce a second addition, printed just before Christmas 2015, with an extra cat design included.

These designs are all hand drawn by me at a time where there are so many colouring books out there and very few related to cats in particular.

I have SOLD quite a few this time round and will look at setting up my Etsy shop in the near future. If you do want to buy a copy you can find me, catdezign, on facebook where you can contact me there.

I have been asked to support the 'SocialCatwork' and I have 2 of my cat art designs in their own digital download cat colouring in book with 21 pages to colour designed by artists all around the world.

Here's the link if you would like to support this great cause...

http://www.socialcatwork.com/perks/ 

#art #artwork #artist #cat #designs #colouringbook #colour #book #socialcatwork #meow

2015 - 5 Lands Walk, Central Coast NSW Australia

 I have exhibited my photography in the 5 Lands Walk photography exhibition at MacMasters Beach Surf Club for a few years now and am always intrigued by the amazing images many people capture of this beautiful area of the Central Coast from MacMasters Beach right up to Terrigal Beach.

 I also exhibited 2 paintings in the 5 Lands Walk art exhibition. My artwork was hanging in Avoca Surf Club and lucky for me my Wave painting (shown above) with the gold highlights SOLD which is always a great feeling for an artist.

#art #artwork #5LandsWalk #CentralCoastNSW #photography #wave #beach #exhibition #Australia

My entry in the Central Coast Art Society Winter Exhibition

The Central Coast Art Society holds a few members exhibitions throughout the year and this one, the Winter Exhibition at the Gosford Regional Art Gallery was one colourful one in particular. I exhibited this charcoal and gold ink artwork, 'Ole Yellow' which was an ode to the beautiful Yellowtail Black Cockatoos that gracefully fly past my house on almost a daily basis. They are a large, grand and regal bird and I always stop what I'm doing as they demand your attention with their calls letting you know they are nearby.

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.