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March 2024

PERCIVALS PORTRAIT PRIZE

My self portrait has just been chosen as a finalist in the
Percival Portrait Painting Prize 2024
held in Townsville Regional Gallery, Queensland.

Happy days!

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March 2024

DEMONSTRATION

i was invited to do a demonstration for the Watercolour Society of Victoria,
as one of three artists on the night, during their "Permission To Play" event.
We had limited supplies and had to paint a full sheet
in one hour. A great night, a lot of fun.

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February 2024

LATEST CLOUD STUDY

I've done quite a few cloud studies recently, and as usual,
the latest one is my favourite ...

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January 2024

UPDATED PORTRAIT

I did this portrait in 2023 but was never completely happy with it.

Anyway, I have reworked it a bit for a portrait prize this year.

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December 2023

STUDIO PLANTS

The latest editions to my studio -
two low maintenance indoor plants -
it's the first time in 30+ years that I've had a living
thing other than myself in my studio.

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November 2023

STILL LIFE WITH PUMPKIN

My latest offering to the world of oil
- and the first still life I've done in about 20 years
oil on board 12x16in

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November 2023

LATEST COLOURS ON MY PALETTE 

I change the colours on my palette depending
on what I'm working on - today I have:

Titanium White
Buff Titanium
Cadmium Yellow Pale
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Cadmium Orange
Quinacridone Red
Alizarin Crimson
Raw Sienna
Transparent Brown Oxide
Vandyke Brown
Cerulean Blue
Cobalt Blue
French Ultramarine
Viridian
Cold Grey
Blue Black

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November 2023

NEW BRUSHES

Like most artists I have more brushes than I will ever need or use
but have just bought some more ...
I have been using more synthetics lately instead of hog bristle
and really enjoying these from Jackson's Art in the UK.

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October 2023

RANDOM PIC OF MY PALETTE

I keep trying new colours of background, light grey,
dark grey and now on a dark wood.

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October 2023

NEW SHELVING

I built some new shelves for the small works I have been doing lately.

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September 2023

LATEST COLOURS ON MY PALETTE 

I change the colours on my palette depending
on what I'm working on - today I have:

Titanium White
Buff Titanium
Cadmium Yellow Pale
Yellow Ochre Pale
Cadmium Red
Alizarin Crimson
Burnt Sienna
Vandyke Brown
Cobalt Blue
French Ultramarine
Viridian
Cold Grey
Warm Grey

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August 2023

NEW STUDIO

I moved into a bigger studio at River Studios, West Melbourne.
It's quite a bit bigger with more light and higher ceiling/roof rafters.

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August 2023

LATEST EXHIBITION

Was at Gasworks Arts Park
August 7-27, 2023

My latest body of work began from what I call the Point of Departure. Every artist needs a starting point, an armature or motif if you like, and mine is the Melbourne Skyline, I fell in love with it the first time I saw it over thirty years ago.Monet had his haystacks, the London series, Rouen Cathedral, and of course his waterlilies and garden, all of which he painted in different ways, at different times of the day, during different seasons using different palettes. Picasso had his Blue period, Rose period, African mask period, Cubism and many more.

I have an uninterrupted view of the city skyline from my apartment and am continually mesmerized by it. Some days I can hardly see it for the fog or rain, but most days it is visible in varying degrees depending on the famously unpredictable Melbourne weather. From clear blue skies to ominous overcast dark clouds, the city constantly changes colour and definition with the help of Mother Nature. And, of course, there are the ubiquitous cranes adding another element of interest to the skyline.

As I pushed, pulled, and stretched the Melbourne skyline it took me on a journey of size, colour and angles. Along this journey I also raised my point of view to an aerial perspective, giving everything a fresh and wondrous panorama.
 

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July 2023

OPEN HOUSE MELBOURNE

River Studios, West Melbourne
July 29, 2023

Some of the general public in my studio asking questions
about my practice - a great day!

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July 2023

SELF PORTRAIT

Oil on canvas 36x48in

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June 2023

LANDSCAPE

Oil on canvas 18x36in.

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains of NSW
has been chosen as a finalist in the
 Mount Eyre Art Prize 2023

It didn't win - I know - bummer - but I had tons of
positive feedback on it - which is awesome - thank you -
I might keep it for myself unless someone
buys it ...

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