Exhibitions
Oil on board 38.5cm x 31cm, SOLD
Oil on board 38.5cm x 31cm, $540
Pastel on black paper 71cm x 46cm, $1,400
Oil on board 38.5cm x 31cm, SOLD
Penumbra; almost shadow, a space of partial illumination.
As a student of tonal painting relative values or the light and shade of any given subject have long been observed. But it is the transition between the values which presents the ultimate challenge and where the magic happens.
The ceramic pieces, coupled with the landscape, are my inspiration. Some of the paintings have a deceptive visual where both object and landscape merge. Others echo the sentiment of a ceramic piece, using the surface textures and patterns as a visual cue. Painting to convey something beyond the literal, to interpret nature’s majesty and to serve justice to Dani’s ceramics has pushed me into new territory. Enjoying the abstract nature of some paintings as much as the sheer pleasure of time out on the coast, taking in its beauty and power.
Our collaboration has given me the opportunity to see the coastline in a new light. Walking with Dani is to understand this backdrop where the sky, sea and land meet, also to feel it as much as to observe it. The essence of Dani’s creative process begins where all the senses are ignited by being in ‘place’. This sensibility transformed with clay into robust, tactile objects, raw, rugged and glistening have become the basis for this oeuvre.
The title allows for reflection on the painting process as much as the results. Immersing myself in subject and object to connect each with the other, absorbed by the nuances, the drama and combining these in order to illuminate and excite.
Pastel on paper 93cm x 75cm framed, SOLD
Pastel on paper 75cm x 93cm framed, $3200
Oil on cigar box 35cm x 29cm framed, $475
Pastel on paper 93cm x 75cm framed, SOLD
Eaglesnest Gallery
VESSEL
*Latin for vase
*boat or ship
*a container holding something
*made of glass, metal, wood, stone, clay
*empty vessel
*spiritual vessel
*vascular system
This new body of work initiated because of my love for ceramics, their form and texture. The thought behind the maker’s craft and intent peaked my curiosity with the idea of maker, artist and inspiration going full circle.
Some of the art works see vessels in the environment where they were directly inspired – others take a journey beyond this, reimagined in new locations. Some are painted purely in the traditional sense, in a traditional format, however I have extended the format of other works into multi-panels of interlocking images, broadening the scope, sense of space and place.
Metaphors are for the viewer; to pose a question, expand the concept, promoting the wondrous
notion of creating and creation. Filling the vessel.
Oil Framed 71cm x 131cm, $2800
Oil on canvas Framed 49x34cm, SOLD
Oil on canvas (framed) 49x34cm
Oil Framed 71cm x 131cm, $2800
Eaglesnest Gallery Dec 2021-Jan 2022
Painting, a life enhancing occupation, like breathing it keeps the senses alert and the grey matter
stimulated.
For this exhibition I have two distinct bodies of work; conscious of the gallery setting I have drawn from the local surrounds, firstly, ‘tide’ and ‘texture’ which has a deliberate focus on these elements. Included in several landscapes a surreal element of fabric – creating tension between the human presence and the natural world. Introducing the idea of ‘touch’ and considerations of how we touch the earth, the textural contrast of fabric within the environment further illustrates this tension. Part of my visual exploration is to better understand how we can coexist with our beautiful planet. The complex narrative of nature reflects our complex lives; vulnerable, sensitive, enduring and tenacious, wild and restless with moments of calm and stillness, all interwoven. ‘Touch’ reflects on the human element with active and passive hands, interpersonal touch and creative, vibrant, actioned touch. With deliberate focus on the texture of each skin’s surface to imbue a sense of intimacy this theme also eludes to our journey of coexistence and connection. My hope is you see the works firstly, at face value; a very literal translation of what I see articulated in paint and pastel, and ideally, with a deeper resonance. The meeting place a gallery provides is part of the evolution of this artistic process and one of the most exciting parts. Please enjoy my endeavours.
Oil on wood 40x80cm, SOLD
Oil on wood 40x80cm, Sold
Oil on wood 40x40xm, SOLD
Oil on wood 40x80cm, SOLD
GEELONG CITY OF DESIGN, ' The Journey of Extraordinary Encounters ' was displayed at A Natural Bunch Florist, in March 2021. This is the story of the abundant bounty and beauty of nature, harvested from neighbourhood suburban gardens and offered for your pleasure and enjoyment on baker’s trays. Transformed from their original purpose in the bake house each tray illustrates the urban environment’s productivity and the connection from plant to plate, celebrating the delicious sustenance and beauty gained from the simple act of eating. Beyond the visual to evoke the senses: taste, texture and aroma, transforming the utilitarian to art. The biophilic story is seen in the echoes of nature and persists from the grain in the timber of the trays to the patterns on the old utensils and china and observations of fruits and foliage. Completing the connected stories of function and design with nature at its heart.
Oil on canvas 102x152cm, SOLD
Oil on canvas 80x122cm, SOLD
Pastel wet and dry 60x71cm framed, SOLD
Oil on canvas 102x152cm, SOLD
‘Nature’s Affirmation’ a small exhibition of works created in direct response to Covid-19 and supported by City of Greater Geelong through it’s Covid-19 Arts, Culture and Heritage Recovery Grants Program.
The exhibition was held at GenU James Street Gallery, Geelong, November 2020.
I love seeing what friends have posted; during lockdown this has been especially relevant. A small way to stay connected and affirm one another's efforts to brighten our lives and improve our wellbeing. I started collating posts and responses with particular reference to nature, time spent absorbing the simplicity of nature's beauty. A small selection of 12 images have been transposed to paintings. So many posts have inspired me and selecting was an interesting process. Simply I wanted to create a broad uplifting reflection of time spent enduring Covid-19.
Oil on canvas 125X125cm framed, SOLD
Oil on canvas 125X95cm framed, SOLD
Oil on canvas 125X125cm framed, SOLD
This body of work reflects my observations of river and ocean. Daily walks and longer jaunts the starting point for my paintings. Choosing to focus predominantly on the more intimate visuals, the beautiful patterns, intricate and overlayed. Every day at different times, different weather the light and mood changes, the colours soft and muted to vivid and contrasting.
The paintings have been produced in the studio allowing for careful selection of subjects and pondering over the finer details which I delight in.
Given the critical summer we have experienced I am very aware of the privilege I have as an artist to record the fleeting and wondrous natural environment of our country.