3 months of backpacking!

Hello there, thanks for stopping by. As you see, my blogspotting has come to a hault whilst I pack up my things and move back to Australia. With of course 3 months of travelling along the way home. I have packed my mini watercolours and a big stack of 300gsm postcards! So all is not lost :) See you soon!

Ship to shore! (40cm x40cm oil on canvas panel)

 

Well here it is.... my aqua delight, a lonely boat in a moody bay. Painted for my boyfriend's mum, it looks great with a silver frame. Not quite my usual style, but I'm liking the colour scheme! Not so mish mash.

watercolour in practice 1

So I have this wonderful full set of windsor newton water colours BUT I just can't seem to manage them. I see some beautiful work done in watercolour (see Jacqueline Gnott's page! she does some AMAZING STUFF!), and I am sure that if I just practice alot more, I might just get some results I'll be happy with. Meanwhile, I should stop being so stubborn and read the guide books I bought on watercolours......its a bit like not reading a manual for a new phone or camera for me!

Driving Home (5"x7" oil on canvas board)

Drving home one afternoon from work (Queensland 2008) I stopped at a set of traffic lights and noticed the gorgeous sunset lighting up the horizon, as if on fire. And yet the storm clouds still lingered. It was getting darker, and cars had their headlights on. I took a quick photo on my phone out the window! Fortunately the lights are red for aaaaggggesss at this intersection.

Virtual Paintout - Manhattan

Ahh, finally I made a submission to the Virtual Paintout although I concede me and painting horses is a no-go zone but this was such a lovely scene. I think I'll have to go back to it and clear it up a bit when it dries, I like the shading from all the trees. Would love to go to Central Park one day!!!! URL on googlemap

PAWS (5.5"x7" oil on canvas board)

Climate Change...I'm sure if polar bears would, they would put their big paws up and say 'STOP climate change!'. A submission for the Climate Change theme at The Green Palette  The canvas is actually 24" x 20" and I have separated it up into 7 individual frames, to be auctioned (hopefully!) when completed and all proceeds will go to Ric O'Barry's Save Japan Dolphin Mission.

Harbouring in progress (40cm x 40cm oil on canvas board)

Oh man! I just can't get this picture finished and I have spent 3 days on it now!!!!! I'm struggling with the join between the two main boats, I added the second one in to the reference picture....but ahhhhhhhhhh....will it ever get easier? This is a painting for my boyfriend's mum, so it needs to be perfect! :) will re-post when I am finished....meanwhile, back to some more challenges!

Finished! Well it was tweaked and tweaked...and here now the finished product! Not sure   about painting out the second boat but I quite like it.

Sally in ROYGBV (24mmx30mm oil on canvas)

Another submission to the Calypso Moon Artist Movement a self portrait using all the colours of the rainbow. You can see the look of concentration in my eyes as I focus on myself in the mirror. Haha, I don't think I've ever spent so long in front of the mirror! I should of brushed hair and perhaps I need to wear more moisturiser! I really enjoyed this challenge, as I avoid painting portraits at all costs! I'm awaiting to see whether people think this looks like me.....? For one my eyes are much smaller than they are here...Oh my just going to leave it ;)

I'm the one on the right

Thanks for the comments everyone! For some reason I am having issues with commenting myself, so apologies if I don't get to respond. I just realised this is my usual pose when I'm online, ha just caught myself! Can't wait to see everyone else's!!! :)

Cheery Blossom (12"x12"on canvas board)

Another little flower study on cherry blossums...I seem to get quicker with these, the underpainting wasn't very accuarte, making it a bit confusing for the detail. Nonetheless, it seemed to come out okay. the sky was very blue on the day I took the photo, not a cloud in sight! Still tossing up whether to add a little bumble bee in :)

Thanks to Paula, I added in some clouds!

If I only had a heart...(10"x10" oil on canvas board)

Take II

So here is a tin man robot, a can of tuna and opener. Inspired by a friend of mine who loves both tuna and tin robots. Why can't they go hand in hand? Do the machines that are our hands have emotions? Also inspired by Inspiration All Around Us 'falling in love' this week. I think I may have to paint in some more additions to this scene, your suggestions are welcome! Thank you :)

A bit more on Tin Toy Blue Aerial Robot. He, or should I say her? Is a red footed, clockwork robot which shuffles along with a nice side to side motion. Arms hang at the sides and are freely jointed so they swing a little as he (she?) moves. What a fine looking robot. Come to think of it, perhaps it is me that loves tin robots and not my friend!

Take II - I had another dabble. After seeing a few other inspired paintings I thought I needed to add more atmosphere. Perhaps it is now love triangle? :) I like this painting a story business! I've also finally decided to start signing my paintings! SEE, my initials. All have dates scribbled on the dates, along with the title. I've bought some lovely nautral coloured linen vancas boards, can't wait to start on them!

Moroccan Lemons (12"x12" oil on canvas board)

This was my dash attempt of the online art forum Inspiration All Around Us
I need to fix the top of the carafe as its not quite right, but I'll get around to it once it dries. Next challenge is HUGE and I'm hoping to start on it soon.

My ticket to freedom (10"x12" oil on canvas board)

I have submitted a painting for the 'Freedom' challenge at the Calypso Artist Movement
The Art challenge for July is depicting what freedom is? For this I chose to paint myself with headphones on, sunglasses and a good book, oh and my backpack slumped on a chair, in a sleeper train travelling from Bangkok to Malaysia. I remember the glossy green metal interior and navy vinal seats (which folded into beds to my surprise!). I had been caring for my termially ill mother for a year and I was in need of a break a few months after she passed away. Freedom for me was rejoicing in my my own health, celebrating my mother's life, and getting back out into the world. I had orginal plans to fly to Kuala Lumpur from Bangkok, taking another flight to start a trip in Borneo. However, the demonstrators from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which is dedicated to bringing down the prime minister, caused mayhem across Bangkok as they fired on government supporters....and as they set up camp at the international airport, it made my travels a little bit frustrating! But where theres a will theres a way. I'm sure the demonstrators had their own agenda for freedom. For me, the 26 hour journey was freedom, despite the lack of food and water, the cat scratching in the cage next to men, and the cockroaches crawling around my feet. It was a moment where time was my own, I could do whatever I wanted as I had complete freedom of choice. I do miss my mum, and she is the one who always encouraged my painting.

Tall Poppy Syndrome (20" x 16" oil on canvas panel)

Here goes my attempt at a field of poppies for my friend Gill. I can easily say that I won't be attempting poppies again, mind you, whats a painting without a challenge? Such delicate big bright flowers! I didn't have a reference photo, so my head is full of poppies at the moment :) maybe thats how 'tall poppy syndrome'starts :)

Ginger beer books

Ginger beer and my AZ London map guide....two of my favorite things that help me get through the hustle and bustle of London. This was just a play around with my new little display lamp....more still lifes here I come! I think the kettle is next! I need to get a clearer photo....when the sun comes back out tomorrow.

War on Warratah...(12" x 12" oil on canvas)

It is finally finished! Tricky but fun! I am getting to like this blurry background business. I think I need to start on something not so flowery. Any ideas?

Sally Lightfoot...... Galapagos Islands

This is from a photo taken of a crab known as 'Sally Lightfoot' at the Galapagos Islands....somewhere I'm desperate to go to.

.... in progress

This is a warratah going to my friend in ACT, Australia. She likes Warratahs and I've always promised her a painting for her house. I think this is a good size to work on, and a bit easier to post! A few hours in and I got most of the detail down which was pleasing. The reference photo is very clear and bright which is a bonus.

Flower power boxes (12" x 12" oil on canvas board)

This is my painting for the April monthly challenge a brick wall! I added in my own little touches. Certainly a challenge, I've never tried painting a brick wall before! Back to my bigger project of the poppies now, should be ready in a few weeks :)

Echinacea and daisies blurred in the background. taken from a photo I took at Regents Park in Spring 09 (lower image).

(12" x 12") To force me to paint 'quicker' I've taken on the monthly challenge at http://paintingchallenge.wordpress.com this month the challenge was to paint a creek and reflections from a photo. I had an hour this morning to do it so here it is! I will most likely be painting over this one, but all good practice!

Fishing boats in Looe

This is by far the biggest painting I've done (20" x 30") and I'm pleased with the result. I think I should stick to boats and avoid cars....

Lets start the ball rolling....

So here we are, my first oil painting. Well, the first I'm willing to publish. I started this at the Gold Coast Art School where I learned my basics. The copper pot is a wee bit wonky and the lemon is super shiny, but it is a nice still life to start on.