Art matters: Moreton Bay Art awards

Monday, 11 May 2015

Deep Ripple at the Moreton Bay Art Award 2015

Deep Ripple was inspired by a visit to the Mt Coot-Tha Botanic Gardens, Brisbane. I did a number of sketches and took numerous photographs. (I do so love digital photography because I can over-indulge in taking loads of photos)

In this painting, the water is dark and mysterious but interspersed with bright reflections of the sky.There is a moment when something has broken the smooth surface of the pond. Then the surface flattened and the moment was gone.
Who knows what was there?

I am delighted that Deep Ripple has been selected as a Finalist for the Moreton Bay Regional Art Awards Exhibition which will be held in the Strathpine Community Centre, 199 Gympie Road, Strathpine. (Entry and parking via Mecklem Street.)

This prestigious exhibition showcases excellent work from Queensland and beyond, with a number of artistic disciplines being presented. There is a section for 2D artwork incorporating paintings and drawing; a section for photography and then another for 3D works.

No theme is set which makes it so interesting to see the wide range of artworks all with varying sources of inspiration and using a wide range of techniques and media.

The opening of the exhibition is the Friday evening at 6.00pm and will run until 24th May 2015.

Thursday, 19 September 2013

Bunya Riverside

Walks along the beach are the one thing that I really miss about living here. Now before you say - but there are great beaches here - absolutely - but they aren't on my doorstep. I need to drive for a couple of hours rather than fifteen minutes down the road.

However, I have found Bunya Riverside. It is an idyllic spot close to my home. It is very tranquil with a path along the river bank, meandering between trees. Reflections fascinate me - there is the magical quality of doubling a beautiful vista.

My usual process is to work from plein air sketches and photographs. My aim is never a completely representational painting, but rather an image that has been edited, altered and transformed. Completing the painting away from the inspiration allows my inner sense of place to be foremost, rather than a slavish rendering of the scene before me.

The use of photographs originates from my years of living in South Africa where painting in the countryside was fraught with danger. Even stopping along the road to take photographs could often be extremely risky. Consequently, I am used to absorbing the essence quickly and then using the photographic images as a backup.

When an artist takes pictures it's hard to not to edit and compose to such an extent that when back in the studio one often wishes the zoom had not been so enthusiastic and that extra details just beyond the image were included.

This painting started with a bright under painting of Permanent Rose and a mixture of Cadmium Yellow and Indian Yellow. There are two benefits: the under-painting gives the painting a warm tone and helps banish the fear of the white canvas.

I was so sure that I had some work in progress photographs bit either they are hidden in my vast store of photo files or I got so carried away that I forgot to take any. I do have some of the plein air sketches. These will give an idea of the origins of the composition.

When I start a painting I refer to my sketches and photographs so I have a framework for the composition. Later in the process the photographs are abandoned as the painting takes on a life of its own. Occasionally, when I lose my way, I go back to the sketches and re-discover elements that I feel need to be included in the painting.

Knowing when to stop is an art in itself - and I'm afraid I don't really have an easy solution. I get to a stage when I feel there is nothing more to add - or remove.

This painting has been accepted for the Moreton Bay Regional Art Awards. The exhibition opens on Friday 11th October at the Strathpine Community Centre. You can view all the finalists here.