Life Drawing

Drawing, requires self-motivation and discipline. At art school we have been challenged to find our own artistic vision and apply it to our art. We experiment with a variety of techniques and explore both traditional and nontraditional subjects. 
Our wonderful shapely model stood knitting, an unusual pose, however, it worked for us. I chose charcoal as my preferred medium on a lovely rough textured paper. This large-scale life drawing measures 1.5 mtrs. high x 1 mtr. wide.

Encounter - A response to another artwork

Keeping the same format and proportions to Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, my formal response to this brief was timely and topical. Using acrylic paints and in 4 weeks my intention was to reference the Marc Chagall abstract post-impressionist style with whimsical and childlike undertones. Calling this one Magnetic Central. SOLD

My Mural in Dural

My Friend Karen does wonderful sewing, so we decided on a contra deal. Karen did lots of sewing for me, and I painted the inside walls of her garden loo. Here it is completed with all her favourite flowers. There are also fairies flying above and clouds in the sky. Thanks KL for all the great gear I can wear. Love a contra deal !

Pope Joan

This art school postmodern painting project evolved into a passionate and powerful exercise for me. Using 2 canvases approx. 500x600mm, and with acrylic paints, I set out to create an image that would highlight an event in religious history. With this artwork, the brief was to combine various images, juxtaposing, layering and superimposing over each other, using fabric, text and advertising images to explore the possibility of a narrative. My source materials are from Diego Velázquez's painting of Pope Innocence X and Joan of Arc. I believe this story to be true.... do you?

http://www.biography.com/people/pope-joan-279083

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