Christmas Greetings

Hopefully [if you're not looking too closely] you won't notice that this is a December post but that somehow, mysteriously, the year changed from 2012 to 2013. Don't ask me how that happened - it just did.
There will be some paintings to show soon so you can see some of what has been happening in that mysterious time between then and now.
Meantime, as you prepare for Christmas, take a moment to rest from all the busyness and contemplete the reason for Christmas. May your musings reveal the joy, peace, hope and love that has carried people through this time for centuries past.
Oh, by the way here's a small painting to look at as well.

Balancing Act, 53cm hx35cm w, watercolour

This boy was so engrossed in walking along the groin at Torquay - a bit like life really - sometimes it takes all our energy and concentration to put one foot in front of the other. Hopefully, like the boy, you get to the end and can have a rest, or a swim, or just lounge in the sun.

Watercolour- Show Off

The last of 'The Lake Illawarra' series of paintings is Show Off.

Show Off
46x71cm
Watercolour
SOLD

There are seven paintings in this series. Each one is based on photos Yvonne took at Lake Illawarra in NSW during a two day stay at a lakeside camping ground. The weather was that wonderfully calm, misty, drizzley, grey sort that seemed to last all day.The water was very clam with virtually no ripples to disturb the surface. The birds went about their daily lives whilst we watched and absorbed the wonder of it all.

The painting series records their lives over those few days.

A few days ago "Show Off" was sold to a wonderful Melbourne couple.

The seven paintings now have new homes all over Victoria and i trust they bring the owners as much pleasure as they have to Yvonne and me.

Christmas Blessings

One of the huge benefits of taking up watercolour painting is that it changes the way I see things.
In fact, the study of any sort of visual art will change a persons perceptions and observations. Everything you look at is seen with different eyes.

• Colours are differentiated and subtle differences noted.
• Tones are more obvious.
• Shapes are defined and their Edges become important. 
• Perspective is more clearly noticed.

In fact my response to the world around me has changed!
Before taking up painting, the world looked fantastic to me - I enjoyed each and every view of it.
Now though, I see it more clearly, in more detail and with a much greater appreciation.
I wonder if that's partly what God had in mind for Christmas?

The birth of Jesus the Christ allows us to see God more clearly. For those with eyes to see and for those who want to see: there is a greater depth of colour and tone to life; connections between people and relationships are more important; and we can have better perspective on the issues that surround us.
Hopefully this ability to see more clearly will change the way we live.

May this Christmas bring you great joy, peace, love and hope for the future

Sold at Pt Lonsdale

It was a real surprise but also a great delight, to learn that some of my paintings sold at the Pt Lonsdale exhibition.
It is my wish that whoever bought these paintings enjoy them as much as I enjoyed painting them.

Wednesday Afternoon
Watercolour
SOLD

The Find
Watercolour
SOLD

Thrill of the Chase
Watercolour
SOLD

Catch of the Day
Watercolour
SOLD

Precious Memories
Watercolour
SOLD

'Catch of the Day'

It was a privilege to have a conversation with the buyer of 'Catch of the Day' at Tussocks Upstairs Gallery at the opening of the exhibition. I was able to share the origin of the painting and the story behind it. The buyer lives locally and is a regular visitor to the gallery - she is a collector and I learned a lot from speaking with her.

Catch of the Day

26x36cm

Watercolour

SOLD

 

The Pt Lonsdale Exhibition is on now.

It was a wonderful experience to share with the Tussocks crew, fellow painters and many friends at the opening of the exhibition at Pt Lonsdale on Saturday.
Gallery owners Bevan and Janet prepared a short youtube video to promote the show - you can watch it here: Tussocks Upstairs Gallery
The exhibition closes on Sunday 9th December.

Joyful Watercolour

Here's another image of one of the Pt Lonsdale paintings, called Joy.

Joy

28x22cm

Watercolour

Yvonne and I recently enjoyed walking on beaches like this one - long, flat, empty beaches at Sandy Point in Gippsland. A wonderful few days away enjoying the peace and quietness of the excellent region near Wilsons Promontory.

'Curiosity' sold at AGRA

One of the paintings prepared for Pt Lonsdale was exhibited at the AGRA gallery in Camberwell last week and it was one of two paintings sold. I am delighted to have sold it but a little saddened as well - it was one of those paintings that has a great story behind it. Still, there are more opportunities to paint similar images.

Curiosity

35x25cm SOLD

Watercolour

Watercolour Exhibition

It's a real delight to have been asked to exhibit some paintings with a group of others at Pt Lonsdale next month.

I have five small paintings [300x400mm] and five medium size paintings [500x600mm] plus one half sheet watercolour painting [800x600mm] - all framed sizes.
Pt Lonsdale is a lovely seaside town on the Bellarine Peninsula, an easy drive from Melbourne. Alternatively - a round trip from Melbourne: Mornington Peninsula then ferry to Queenscliff, short drive to Pt Lonsdale, return to Melbourne via Geelong.
It will be a good time sharing with others, family and friends.

Exhibition in Pt Lonsdale

You may have noticed that there is an exhibition in Pt Lonsdale in November - I have mentioned it a bit. I'll post the advertising when it arrives. Meanwhile, here are the details:

Tusocks Upstairs Gallery,

from Monday 12 November to Wednesday 9 December 2012

open Daily 10am - 5pm

The Opening is Saturday 17 November 3-5pm

www.tussockupstairs.com.au

Watercolour - Wednesday Afternoon

Sometimes we walk at nearby Surry Park, an old disused clay pit and brickworks. The pit now contains water and makes a lovely little lake. Not only do ducks and other waterbirds enjoy the space, so too do model boat enthusiasts. We came across this elderly gentleman testing out his creation - he has a wonderful story and now spends many happy hours with his boat and the ducks before packing the boat away in the purpose built timber carry box.

Wednesday Afternoon

36x26cm [14x10in]

Watercolour

This is a painting that will be exhibited at Pt Lonsdale in November

Watercolour - Curiosity

Remember the fascination of water? Does the chance to stretch out and gaze into the depths still draw you? It was a thrill to share this little guy's enthusiasm as he spotted small fish and tadpoles in the freshwater lake.

Curiosity

36x26cm [14x10in]

Watercolour

Thgis is another painting for the November exhibition in Pt Lonsdale in November.

Watercolour Exhibition at AGRA

I have just delivered five of the paintings scheduled for Pt Lonsdale to the Australian Guild of Realist Artists Gallery in Camberwell for a short exhibition by the Watercolour Special Interest Group. The exhibition starts on 10th October and ends on 21st October. Here's an opportunity to see some fabulous watercolours by a number of great watercolourists.

The paintings I have submitted are:

Thrill of the Chase

Catch of the Day

Precious Memories

Curiosity

Wednesday Afternoon

Watercolour - Pt Lonsdale Light

I guess that I need to paint a painting of the iconic Pt Lonsdale Lighthouse for the exhibition to be held in Pt Lonsdale in November. I suppose it's a bit predictable but - there you go.

Pt Lonsdale Light

36x26cm [14x10in]

Watercolour

Watercolour - The Find

There is something about exploring along the tide line that excites us with anticipation at any age. Sharing the discovery of interesting items, makes it even more special.

 The Find

36x25cm [14x10in]

Watercolour

 This is another painting that you'll see at Pt Lonsdale in November

Watercolour - At Rest

The Lake Illawarra series was a great delight to paint. "At Rest" is a new painting for the November exhibition. The richness of bird life at Lake Illawarra was really unexpected but has proven to be a great delight as we review the photos and memories of a wonderful couple of days.

At Rest

21x29cm [7.5x11.5in]

Watercolour

Watercolour - The Sentinel

On a calm evening the sky does some amazing things. We came across this guy as he was retsing and enjoying the sunset just as we were. I can imagine that if he was on the lookout as he prepared for an evening of rest.
This is another painting for the exhibition at Pt Lonsdale in November.

The Sentinel

21x29cm [7.5x11.5in]

Watercolour

Watercolour - The Board Rider 3

At last - built up the courage to get on the board.

The Board Rider 3

17x26cm [7x10.5in]

Watercolour

Watercolour - Board Rider 2

Here's the second of the three paintings of our intrepid board rider.

The Board Rider 2

17x26cm [7x10.5in]

Watercolour

Watercolour - The Board Rider 1

I'm preparing a series of new paintings for a shared exhibition to be held in Pt Lonsdale in November. As space is limited, these are smaller paintings.  At the moment most of the finished paintings are figurative. I'm enjoying painting people and of course, at the beach, there has to be children totally engaged in their activities.
The first in this set of three is an adventurous board rider ready to face the waves [not that there were many and certainly not of any size]. Still, imagination is a wonderful thing - to be cherished and not lost with age.

 

The Board Rider 1

17x26cm [7x10.5in]

Watercolour