classical geese

a fun, mid-winter commission piece. wish i could have spent longer developing the idea. this is sort of a fifties feel. but i like some of the color. it is sort of retro in a fun way.

18th avenue crystallized (blue)

i have not shown this piece on my blog before. and since i have been crazy busy the last few months with lots of things i thought i would put it here. this is large for a watercolor (unless you are nick simmons).

i will be painting again soon. it is winter. the winter muse is calling...

streeton roberts mccubbin awards exhibition 2010

the sherbrooke art society will be holding its 2010 awards exhibition from 22 may 2010 through 6 june 2010 at the gallery. 62 monbulk road, belgrave, victoria,

this is a great gallery to visit, not only because of the generally excellent quality of the artwork but also for the magnificent "rainforest" setting in the dandenong ranges. the trees are autumnal and full of color. the chestnut man is roasting fresh local chestnuts. there is a nip in the air as we head toward our winter. across the road from the gallery is a terrific tavern that sells guinness and other beers and ales on tap.

definitely a worthwhile outing. here is a "phone" snap of me getting ready to deliver my entries. the art society is fairly "traditional" in its approach. so, my entries are unlikely to win an award. but, i will be happy to put these pieces on show.

north end

this is just a study. i thought it was too dark. but i like the composition and several other elements. this is the sort of thing i do not always share. but, afdter all, that is kinda what a "blog" is for......

burns and braes...

hmmmm. tired from so much color etc...

melbourne autumn - 2010

hmmmmmmmmm............

sketches post-Alvaro

you say "al-VAR-o". he says "AL-var-o". one thing we all say is that he can sure paint a mean watercolor.

for three torrid days in the company of this master painter i found myself challenged. i soon realized that no one painter can copy another painter's techniques successfully. but, by golly, one can learn a heap of stuff.
for weeks after the class i tried to incorporate what Alvaro taught into my paintings. what i have learned is and will be very valuable to me going forward. here are a coule of sketches that lean heavily on some of Alvaro's favorite subjects. they are really quite abstract and atmospheric. but i am pleased with how they have taken me in a new direction and expandeed my horizons...