love to explore mixed media
and watercolours more.
I am attracted to the sense
of movement in paintings,
and the use of colours.
I work mainly from reference
photographs and perhaps what
I most love about paintings
(compared to photographs) is that
you always leave a bit of yourself –
an imprint if you like – in a painting.
Something about the way you see
the world, and its colours, shapes
and objects. It’s almost as if that
which is in a painting is more real
than the actual subject itself.
I have experienced artistic
disasters aplenty. They’re the
ones I paint over and start again!
Usually they are a result of a lack
of planning in terms of focal points,
subject matter, and colour use. I find
that if I’m not clear in my mind about
what I’m trying to achieve right from
the start, then chances are I will end
up with worse-than-mediocre work.
Often I get a sense of excitement
or enthusiasm in the planning
stages of a ‘successful’ piece
of art, so I know if that feeling is
missing, then something’s not quite
right. In such instances it is wise
to abandon what I am attemptingand start on something else.
Selling your paintings is like
selling one of your children, I
think. While you are thrilled that
someone thinks enough of your art
to pay money for it, it’s still a little
gut wrenching. I have kept some
of my favourite paintings (about
half a dozen), but must confess I
have sold some of my favourites
too – often for not enough money.
In Mount Isa there are only a
limited number of outlets at which
to display art, which makes selling
work difficult. The local art materials
shop and the Italian restaurant are
a couple of places. And I suppose
art exhibitions and the local show
provide some opportunities.
Some contemporary artists I
admire are Rolf Harris, Nancy
Tichborne and Elizabeth Blackadder.
And of course I can’t ignore the ‘Old
Favourites’ like Turner, Constable,
Monet, Renoir and Klimt.
I believe there are some very
useful habits for developing
artists to cultivate.
It is valuable to have breaks
between intensive art sessions. I
don’t force myself to paint if I’ve
just come off a ‘wave’ of artistic
inspiration. Having said that,Profile