Tweet Tweet... Creating Christmas

I love the birdie buzz that's around right now, it's got my creative juices flowing. After drawing up a few shapes freehand I cut them out of plastic and punched a hole, also adding a sparkle with some silver glitter-glue. Merry Christmas !

Tibia Talk

Sculpture has been an exciting exploration for me at art school, and as the elective year 2 subject comes to an end for me, this self directed project was my final artwork presented. Constructed out of plywood, staples, PVA glue, a mesh fabric, and, influenced by Martin Puryear, it stands approximately one metre tall. 
Titled " Tibia Talk " it has been selected for the student Exhibition at the See Gallery, See Street Meadowbank.
Opening night is 5. 30 - 7. 30 pm Thursday 24th November 2011,  friends, family and students are invited. The final day of the exhibition will be Thursday December 1 2011.

Photoshop fun

In Dublin at the Waterford Crystal Factory, this stack of shiny suitcases caught my eye. Back in the class photography studio at art school, photoshop turned them into an even more interesting image for a project titled " Theatre Of The Mind ". Technology... amazing ! 

Venice Vista

Inspired by the view from our apartment when we were in Venice recently, this large scale oil painting on canvas was an art school project themed "Urban Landscape". Capturing the perspective was important, however, painting the buildings straight, not so vital, as it has been said Venice's buildings will always be undergoing work due to their great age and the environmental fragility of the city. 

Head Study - Portrait of Aprill

During the time I was away on holiday from art school, the class did a head study. To catch up  and having to have a live model to complete the project, darling daughter Aprill sat for me. I had begun with a photo and then worked from life in a loosely painted style while trying to capture Aprill's fine features. Thank you Aprill for being my model, and, the teacher liked it . 

Conversing In Blue - NFS

Painting interiors has a special appeal to me. After completing this little painting it was given to a friend as a birthday gift. My intention was, with my friend in mind, to depict a cosy conversation area in an elegant room. The blue Louis chairs facing each other could be seen as an intimate setting for a little conversation.

Drawing David with his clothes on

When drawing at art school, we often have David as our model. In our class this week David was asked to leave his clothes on so we could include fabric and folds in our drawing. Using charcoal and white chalk, our study became a tonal exercise where minor details were not encouraged. David is great to draw, with or without his clothes on!!

Paper Play

A photography studio is the perfect place to play with paper design, create shapes, search for shadows and make an image that could be seen as a piece of art. Experimenting with lighting.... magical !

On The Edge

Sydney Gallery School Students were all invited to enter The Chroma Miniature Art Prize which is the first   exhibition for Term 3, Semester 2, and this is my entry.

I had to fit my subject into a size limit of 20 x 20 x 20cms (including frames)

My inspiration for painting this subject matter was born when I was searching for something topical and where I could express my feelings for a global problem that touches most people's hearts. How can we not help but bring attention to those living on the edge? Image reference: Cameron Feast / Oxfam

Come along to the exhibition and 'vote' for On The Edge. I could win the People's Choice Award! ;)

Exhibiting at the Sydney Gallery School, Meadowbank College TAFE, See St Gallery, Meadowbank NSW.

Meet Oscar! Painted in oils on stretched canvas around 40 x 30 cm in size.  As I was painting Oscar from a dodgy photo I took, I was wondering how I would capture his true personality. When I met Oscar, who resides with my cousins, he was fearful of my intensions as I moved in for the camera shoot, his eyes expressing terror and trepidation. I'm sure a beautiful looking cat like Oscar doesn't want his portrait to scare people, so here is Oscar with his contented look for the viewer. Love painting animals.

Photography - Reflecting

Photography is both an art and a science according to my course instructors. It allows the expression of feeling and emotions. Whilst I have a long way to go to master the technical side of taking a professional photograph, I do love creating the images. This tiny Venetian mask, an ornate mirror and some fabric came together in an arrangement that visually and emotionally worked, could tell a story, and might just be a reflective moment for you. 

Theatre Of Objects

With two small items of personal value, ( our grandson's toy car & one of our border collie dog ornaments ) the highlighted composition creates shadows and drama in this still life painting. The shadows lead you into this image of the dog placed upside down on a coloured background. 

Then there's the blue car!

The question is... " Has the dog been hit by the car which is leaving the scene, the driver knowing or not knowing what's happened, OR, is the dog just happy to see the familiar vehicle ? " 

Engage the viewer was the directive !

I have decided to call this 75 cm square oil painting " Dog Dilemma. "

Art Up Cycling

Inspired by the sculptor Robert Klippel, this art school project was recently created from found objects. The chair legs were cut into cubes and then burnished on a sanding belt to form various planes which were laminated together with PVA glue. The tiny pieces of assorted wood were formed to provide bulk and piled either side of the circular shapes of flexible plywood. The brief was for a sculpture 50 x 50 x 50 cm in size. The interpretation is yours from this profile image.

Uphold

This ghost gums and grass trees composition titled " Uphold ",  relates strongly to standing tall while growing through life with its challenges. Preserving and respecting the many natural wonders of life in all its formations and cultures . Trees and life are to be respected and my aim was to show through my painting representation of beauty, nature and stature.

The painting 800 x1000 mm in mixed media was completed some years ago and is about to be submitted for selection in an exhibition themed " Tree of Life" at the RNS hospital in Sydney. Fingers crossed they select it !

Devils Marbles Abstract

 This abstract version of " Devils Marbles " grouped together measures approximately half a metre in width. It was created by cutting and carving with a variety of machinery and tools I had fun using in a well set up sculpture studio at art school. Pieces of pine wood were laminated together to form a block, that is how this piece started out. Consisting of one large, three smaller, and two even smaller pieces they were joined together by dowel. Oh how I now dream of a large studio space in the back yard with all those wonderful power tools! Pure linseed oil coats this sculpture " Devils Marbles 2 ".

Marine Magic

This little watercolour, Marine Magic, I painted not knowing what really goes on under the deep blue sea. I wonder if all those cute little fish are bored swimming around or does a sense of adventure keep them curious. The featured fish looks like it's found something interesting, or maybe it has already worked some magic and is now moving on. Love painting seascapes!

Sydney Scuttle

Sold! This little acrylic painting I did of sail boats on Sydney Harbour, was purchased by my friend who has had it beautifully framed. They look like waves in the frame ! I loved painting the little boats moving along racing each other on one of Sydney's stunning summer days. I'll have to paint another one, maybe on one of Sydney's stunning autumn days !

Devils Marbles - sculpture

This self-directed project in the first year of my Fine Arts course was selected for the student exhibition in the See Gallery at the Sydney Gallery School, Meadowbank. The sculpture, of 5 individual pieces, was inspired by the Devils Marbles in central Australia and constructed out of polystyrene foam, cardboard, PVA glue, paperbark and pins. This beautiful paperbark covering came from my own paperbark trees and reveal the magnificent colour of the natural environment. I've just finished working on an abstract wooden variation of this sculpture, which I might post about soon.

Leura - watercolour

This A4 size watercolour was inspired by a quaint little house in Leura, located in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Not far from the shopping centre, it attracted my eye and I felt compelled to capture its homely feel. 

Horses - watercolour

 These horses were painted in watercolour to show they are often gentle and soft creatures.

Horses are the dolphins of the plains, the spirits of the wind; yet we sit astride them for the sake of being well-groomed, whereas they could have all the desire in the world to bolt, but instead, they adjust their speed and grace, only to please us, never to displease.
~Lauren Salerno