available as printed Christmas cards
I have an artwork in... the Illustrators Australia Annual 9x5 Exhibition
The exhibition is at St Helliers Gallery, Abbotsford ConventFrom October the 19th to November the 3rd
The theme is 'FLOURISH'
Each artwork has been done on a 9x5 inch piece of plywood
If you happen to be in the vicinity of the Abbotsford Convent over the next couple of weeks this exhibition is worth popping in to have a look at. I promise most of the works are more tasteful than mine.
For further details and to see previews of the artworks
see the Illustrators Australia page about the exhibition
Responding to the theme 'Flourish'
Illustrators Australia like to give us a tough theme each year for this group show. Flourish was no exception to this rule. I struggled for weeks with what to do.I decided if I was to spend hours doing an artwork it may as well have some sort of practical application. A Christmas design I can sell as cards fits the bill pretty well. Great idea but I still didn't know exactly what I should be painting.
Three days before the deadline, exasperated, I commented flippantly to my partner "Why don't I just paint some kid peeing a flourishing Christmas message into the snow".
A concept of questionable taste.
Painting process
I tried a painting technique I have seen others use to great effect - starting with a dark background and painting light shapes over this to create form, leaving gaps to make outlines. Sounds easy, but nothing is ever easy. Especially painting.
And snow, what made me think painting snow would be a good idea? Snow is a bugger to paint, especially in acrylics which dry substantially darker then when you apply them. I now hate snow.
And snow, what made me think painting snow would be a good idea? Snow is a bugger to paint, especially in acrylics which dry substantially darker then when you apply them. I now hate snow.
Any painters out there, what say you? Painting always tricky, or does it get easier with practice?