R.I.P. Charlie

This oil painting of Charlie the border collie I completed some time ago when Charlie was very much alive but in his senior years. Charlie was 16 years old when he left this world recently, and his owners think this painting that has been proudly hanging in their dining room means more to them now than ever before. Family pets are so special and Charlie was one of my favourites in our local doggie community.

Holiday sketching

Kurt William Dal Santo is my great nephew, and at 18 months old he is very cute. Here is a quick pencil sketch of him I did when we made a recent family visit to Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour during art school holidays.

On The Street Where I Live

What I love about this final year of the fine arts course is the opportunity we are given to do our own thing. This drawing project inspired by the varied architecture of the houses in our street provided the challenge I needed to give each home its individuality. Joined together, these 16 x A5 size pen and ink sketches on watercolour paper create a row of images that reflect the character of our immediate neighbourhood. Also, check out my teacher Margaret Ackland's beautiful drawings on my friend Leigh's blog at...    http://brabournefarm.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/love-margaret-ackland.html

Seeing double...tripple..or...

This unusual drawing project came together over three weeks. It was a little weird when trying to find the negative and positive spaces to highlight. Another abbreviated way to create an image and practice artistic observation.

An exhibition of work by second year painting students has opened at Sydney Gallery School.
The exhibition on until June 22, Tuesday - Fridays 11am - 4 pm. See Street Gallery, Meadowbank TAFE.
 Check out the great work from some emerging artists. We always have fun on opening nights!

Abstract in configuration project

Abstraction indicates a departure from reality in depiction of imagery in art. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstract_art
This arrangement of the previous 6 drawings was carefully considered before piecing together 12 pieces to form a large scale work measuring approximately 2 metres x 1 metre. More coloured pencil drawing over the joins connect these Westie dogs to the old suitcases. Maybe the title of this artwork should be "Going Somewhere ?"

Drawing - straight from the heart

After rescuing two 7 year old West Highland Terriers, made redundant from a puppy farm recently, I was inspired to include them in a current art school drawing project. Harry, Jenna and the old suitcases have been drawn with coloured pencils on a finely textured paper. In our next class these 6 drawings ( the brief being 3 from the natural world & 3 from the man made world ) will merge together to make one drawing. I'm hoping to create an image with multiple messages for a viewer.