Lethbridge 20,000 2013 to 2021

On Saturday evening the Lethbridge Gallery celebrated twelve years of hosting the Lethbridge 20,000. I love hearing Breet Lethbridge tell the charming story of how in Europe 20 years ago, he got his big break, and starting his artistic journey. For twelve years he has given back to artists, opening his gallery and holding the annual Lethbridge exhibition, originally The Lethbridge 10,000 , the big prize was increased to 20,000 a couple of years ago. 

The opening event was special since last year the event was confined to a video opening. Since the Lethbridge Gallery has expanded to include the adjoining premises, the Exhibition HD room to breathe making viewing the paintings such an enjoyable experience. 

My congratulations to all the most deserving winners - wonderful inspiring work. All the paintings can be viewed here.

I first entered the Exhibition in 2013 and have been extremely fortunate to have been selected as a gallery finalist six times, and as an online finalist three times. 

This year The Wind Scatters the Golden Leaves is a gallery finalist.

 The Wind Scatters the Golden Leaves - oil on canvas 610 mm x 610 mm

All the paintings can be viewed here

#30Faces30Days wrap up

A week into June and the 30Faces30Days challenge seems ages ago. It was such a busy, exciting and inspiring experience. There was a video tutorial each day, with some of the first tutors appearing again for a second session. 

Since each tutorial was almost an hour long, and each portrait could take anything from  an hour to a few hours to complete this entailed a considerable amount of time dedicated to the challenge. 

Sktchy Art School

The videos were posted at the Sktchy Art School website, available from 6.00 am (Brisbane time).. using]The Mighty Network is available for both IOS and Android users,  an advantage since the Sktchy app is only iOS. I would watch some of the video and if I had time do some work on the portrait. The reference photos grade been previously posted on the Art school site so we were able to do a preliminary sketch. 

Sometimes the tutor would start in a different way, such as using the reference photo selecting sections to use in the final work. We learned how work with multiple layers (trying not to get confused) and how to experiment with the many interesting facets of the Procreate app. 

Such a lot to learn and absorb - I know I will need to go back, take one tutor at a time and really master each particular approach and technique.

What is digital painting? How do you do this? 

These are questions put to me recently by a friend when talking about the challenge. She was complimenting me on the portraits I had been posting on Instagram and Facebook. When I said that these were all done digitally using the procreate drawing app, she couldn’t picture how this was done.  Then I realised that for the last few years I have been dabbling in an art form foreign to many. 

Essntially one is drawing or painting on digital device using a stylus or even one's finger.

There are any number of apps that allow one to draw and paint digitally. 

Procreate

Procreate is in a league of its own. The wonderful talent behind Procreate are based in Tasmania. Their business model is unique in this age of subscription based and in app purchases. It’s a ONE TIME PURCHASE - and that includes EVERY NEW UPDATE - FOREVER! 

Then as if this isn’t enough, the choice of brushes native to the app is vast. (All the tools are called ‘brushes’ even though you might be drawing with a charcoal or crayon ‘brush’)

As with Photoshop, layers are available so each section of the painting can be drawn on separately, and when combined make the finished work. 

Procreate records each stroke that you make to create a timelapse. This allows one to view the process of the painting. There of few of these portraits on my Instagram page which will give you an idea of how the painting evolves. Here is one of them.

 

Exhibition at Cafe Lagarto Samford

This week an exciting opportunity presented itself - an exhibition at Cafe Lagarto, Samford. The following day, I met with the lovely Cafe owner to view the space. The Cafe is part of the Lifestyle Centre on the Mount Glorious Road just outside Samford. A cottage across the pathway from the main area of the Cafe has become additional space for the cage patrons allowing good social distancing and as a wonderful bonus, a charming gallery space. 

A welcome bonus is that the 2021 Samford Arts Trail, with perfect timing, opens this weekend and runs for the month of June.

My paintings are hanging one of the three rooms, alongside two other artists, a painter and a photographer. 

I’ve kept to a floral theme, in keeping with the cottage atmosphere of the building. All paintings are for sale. 

During the course of the exhibition, I'll be adding more photos and videos to my Instagram page. In the meantime, here are a few of the paintings:

King Protea  - oil on canvas 700 mm x 700 mm

King Protea - above the fireplace 

Cilla’s Flowers - oil on canvas 460 mm x 610 mm

Proteas with a jug - oil and cold wax on panel 405 mm x 405 mm



Dragon Vase with Magnolias - oil on canvas 610 mm x 610 mm