Lethbridge 20,000 - exhibiting Still Life with Lilies

Still Life with Lilies - oil on canvas 600 mm x 600 mm 

While I was pet sitting for my daughter, I bought these beautiful lilies and had fun photographing them in various locations around her home. I was fascinated by the reflection of the decorative wallpaper in the ornate mirror. I enjoyed painting the details in the wallpaper and the frame - time consuming but the result was worth it.

I am so delighted that this painting has been selected as a finalist in the Lethbridge 20,000 Art Award. It will be exhibited at the Latrobe Terrace Gallery along with other paintings in Group A. Another group of selected paintings will be shown at the Bulimba Gallery. In addition, there are a number of paintings in the online exhibition. My first entry to this show was in 2013 and am so pleased to say that I have had a painting selected every year. 

The exhibition opens this Saturday evening at 6.00 pm when the winners will be announced. 

Address: 136 Latrobe Terrace,
                Paddington QLD 4064
Open 
Tues 12pm - 6pm
Thur Fri 9am - 6pm
Sat 10am-5pm
or by appointment


Address: 7/11 Wambool Street, 
                Bulimba QLD 4171
Open 
Wed - Sat 10am - 5pm
or by appointment

This award is in its tenth year and is a way for Brett Lethbridge to give back to the art community. Early in his career he had received much needed support in his career as an artist.

More sketches for Milk Bar Cafe, Ashgrove

Since my previous post about my sketch becoming a mural at Milk in Ashgrove, I have been very busy painting some watercolours of the delicious treats that are served in the Cafe. These sketches are part of the recent renovations and decorate the windows on the outside of the shopping centre. 

Who doesn’t love Burger and chips ? 

Panoramic view of Ashgrove Avenue windows. 

Harry Street Windows 

Windows near the centre lift 

Raspberry Milkshake

Delicious Mango and Watermelon Frappes 

Green Vegan Smoothie.

Crunchie Milkshake

Double Chocolate milkshakes

When I was at Milk to take these photos I was able to get a shot of the inside mural - this time with no patrons!

Hooray! You’ve got sales!

This is the very best kind of email to receive - one telling you that you have made some sales. In this case, I had sold some copies of my book Colour - A Practical Approach. I self-published the book through Blurb towards the end of last year. Sales that happen while you sleep, are the best kind of sales to make, having done all the hard work previously. Although to be honest, for the sales to happen “while sleeping” one needs to do a fair amount of marketing while you’re awake!

And now that’s exactly what I am doing here - a little shameless self promotion. 

The book is available in a couple of formats. The most cost effective is, of course, the eBook which doesn’t involve hefty postage. (Believe me, I know all too well how the impulse to buy something online is quickly quashed when one checks the shipping fee!) 

The downside of a digital copy is that it’s not as easy to make notes on, and I confess to be very fond of a proper printed book. We work with screens all day long so it is pleasant to hold a book. When reading at night in bed it helps when you fall asleep and the book falls on to the floor!

Colour - A Practical Approach 8" x 10" is available in both Hardcover with cover design printed on the cover and Softcover with a flexible High gloss laminated cover. Here are the links to Blurb where you are able to order a copy or download the eBook:

Hard and soft cover Preview
eBook 

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the printing. The book measures 8” x 10” which is a good size to read and work with. 

I chose the standard white uncoated 105 gsm paper which is of a high quality but still economical. The colour reproductions are very good indeed and true to the original colours in my paintings and illustrations. 

The Contents page of Colour - A Practical Approach 

If you already have a copy of my book, thank you very much for your support. I would love to have some feedback. A review would be most welcome.

I enjoyed writing the book so much and have already been mulling over some ideas for another one. 

Sketching at Milk Cafe Ashgrove

I love sketching in Cafe’s. It’s a way of recording where I’ve been, and a great way to connect with people. A couple of years ago I did this sketch at Milk Bar Cafe, Ashgrove. 

Recently, the owner contacted me asking for permission to use the sketch as a mural in the cafe. Moreover, they were happy to reimburse me for the use of the sketch. So often today an artist’s work is appropriated without acknowledgement or payment so it is really gratifying to come across someone who does the right thing. 

I had to search to find the original sketch, (there is an intention to catalogue my sketchbooks but that is a distant intention) however, trawling through my Instagram page turned out to be the best solution. 

Here is my post:

The spread in my sketchbook with later additions - Ink and watercolour  in Handbook Sketchbook 

 

A view of the mural from the counter. It’s so satisfying to see a quick sketch given pride of place on the wall.