New Chapter

It is a little sad, but I shall be finishing the blogs now ..... due to a change in circumstances. A move from the present home address is imminent, and I really don't know where I will be living. Also, a visit to the other side of Australia is in the pipeline for next month.

During the time of blogging - one year now, all the readers and those who have communicated via comments, have given me much enjoyment. Thankyou all, very much for your kind support and generosity of sharing..... ciao Alice :)

Winter Lilacs

The winter light throws strong contrasts on to nature, when the sun comes out after rain. I've tried to capture the mood of early winter, when the grasses are still dried out from summer, and not yet green from the rain. Oil on canvas 18" x 30".

Sunflowers and Fruit

Oil on canvas over board 11" x 16".

Boutique Jewellery 2

A Paris inspired necklace with a 4cm machined crystal drop, Eifell tower charm, tiny key and a gold crystal bead with chain, collected together on an antique gold art nouveau connector, hanging by what I call "dungeon chain". It's a brass textured chain that has become aged.

A total diversion - to play around with balance.

Guildford Cottage

A quaint sandstone cottage, still in use, in one of the oldest streets of guildford ..... the first settlement of Perth, by the river. Oil on canvas over board 16" x 20".

Canterbury Bells

Oil on canvas over board 6.5" x 9".

'Edenside' in Spring

The title is the name on the gate of this semi rural, property. Set in the hills among other orchards, the wild almond trees across the fence line of this place, caught my eye, and very quickly, it became a favourite spot.

This is a very early piece, painted in the first year of the working art life. Oil on canvas over board 19.5" x 33".

Corsage - Floral Art

For mothers' of the bride and groom, corsages of roses and alstromerias worked well, because of their long lasting, (without water) qualities, and also the range of beautiful colours available. These are traditional styles, quite small compared to the enormous shoulder flowers worn in the 60's.

Orchids also last well, and are the most popular.

These are Singapore orchids - in green and mauve.

Meadow Street

A winter street scene in the oldest suburb of the city - guildford. The house with two chimneys is one of the first pioneer brick homes. At the end, next to it, stands an old hotel. The tall trees are cape lilacs, showing orange berries, and ivy has grown almost to the top of one.

Ability with perspective has never been a strong point, but with this short distance, I could manage it well enough. Oil on canvas over board 24" x 36"- 61cm x 92cm.

Sunny Days

Very minimal style abstract ...... fun to do, due to the limited colour scheme and size of canvas.

Acrylic 8" x 9.5"

Spring Poppies and Lemons

Poppies of all varieties are so inspiring. Their lightness and delicacy, coupled with intense colour are absolutely joy giving.

A favourite colour for the backgrounds of spring arrangements - " spring green " with yellow in it - then to tone down the brightness,..... a touch of pink. Oil on canvas over board 6" x 8".

High Wycombe Wetlands

This serene winter pond, bordered by huge pine trees, attracts heron, spoonbills and other water birds during the rainy season. In summer, it is totally dried up. Sometimes the glow of late afternoon sun, actually throws a pinkish light on the landscape, but I have exagerated it here. Oil on canvas over board 24" x 36".

Boutique Jewellery

The latest in a collection of brooches - or pins as they are also called, using floral cameos. Some are vintage - old unused stock, and others new, with an antique look. The settings are new, made from old stampings. They can be oxidised or treated to give an aged appearance.

Sunflowers on Black

Another from the 'black background' period. Oil on canvas 6" x 8".

Pink Lady

This figurative painting is about the illusion and fantasy of our lives. Oil on board 7" x 8".

Acrylic Abstract

Sometimes a painting just comes together. I felt that this was one of those pieces, and it has always remained a favourite. Acrylic on cotton over board 27" x 33" 68cm x 84cm.

August Landscape

This large landscape was inspired by a trip into the country ..... not far out of the city, about a 2 hour drive. It was the land first inhabited and cleared by early settlers. Many old houses have a feeling of poineer times. What used to be lovely gardens, now growing wild among oats and grasses. Oil on canvas 24" x 46.5" 61cm x 118cm.

Still Life on Black

An all black background makes a very contrasting painting. White as a counterpoint, balances it's intensity. Oil on canvas over board 7" x 7".

Light Green Vase

Experiments with black in the backgrounds, gave a fresh look to the subject matter that was popular among patrons. With black, colours could become very intense, adding a dramatic feeling to the painting. Oil on canvas over board 6" x 8".

Wedding Bouquets

For anyone interested in floral art, today's post is two styles of formal wedding bouquet, featuring Cymbidium orchids. This avenue of creativity, I enjoyed very much - working with the beautiful flowers and their perfumes. Like all creative ventures, there is the hidden side of achieving a beautiful finished piece ..... the discipline, in this industry - getting up very early in cold weather to go to the market so as to acquire the best flowers. I have so much respect now for the growers, who rise even earlier to present their produce.

Grassy Riverbank

The semi rural banks of the Swan River have survived suburbia in some areas, due to frequent flooding in years past. This doesn't seem to happen anymore and areas are being reclaimed for housing. Horses often graze on these grasslands. Oil on canvas over board 24" x 38". (61 x 86.5cm)

Dinner with the Secretary

Frank (Frank's Watercolour Revival), has inspired me to show a collage experiment ..... part of a romance series of figurative paintings. It was fun making them, although only a couple were ever exhibited. A young patron purchased three pieces while visiting, as she wanted them to decorate her large 70's style house.

Oil and paper on board 8" x 9".

Flowers and Figs

Oil on canvas 8" x 8".

Still Life - Blue Pots

Yellow or white flowers in blue containers ..... I just couldn't get enough of. Variations of all sorts were conjured up and the decorative aspect of pattern on porcelain, intrigued me. The background in this painting is actually a greeny blue, that I haven't been able to achieve with the camera today. Oil on canvas 7.5" x 9.5".

Footpath to the River

This vacant land is surprisingly close to the city .... just a couple of miles from the centre. Flatland, which used to flood most years during winter, when the river burst it's banks. Due to ongoing dry winters, this hasn't been seen for about fifteen years now - and this land is gradually being reclaimed for housing. Oil on canvas over board 24" x 36".

Pink Gems

An increasing number of gemstones are being colour enhanced. Shown here, are pieces in their natural beauty. On the left, Thulite, originally from Norway, next on top - Rose Quartz, below - Pink Calcite, below that - Strawberry Quartz. On the right - Rhodocrosite, and below Rhodonite.

The Girl with Red Hair

Oil on board 11" x 14.5".

Country Call'in

Icon of country life .... what would we do without them. Their personalities are always a delight. Oil on canvas 6" x 8".

Abstract - Yellow Field

An abstract version of an energy field.

Acrylic on cotton over board. 17.5" x 33" (44cm x 83cm)

Green Plate with Apple

Often, when painting these small 'still lifes', I would mix together some colours leftover from the previous painting - coming up with some odd but interesting colours. If the mix became too muddy, the addition of some pure bright colour came to the rescue. Oil on canvas over board 7" x 7".

Quiet River - Guildford

A commission request for a very large, scenic landscape painting posed a new challenge as it was the biggest ever attempted. The scene, a familiar place, was chosen, having been painted several times before...... immediately eliminating the need to re-design a new composition. To the existing features, I added some points of interest such as the boat and bridge in the background - which helped to fill the enormous space. Oil on canvas 33" x 57" (83 x 144 cm)

Little Boxes

Beautiful, handcrafted trinket boxes from India. Two small oval containers are made of silver with mother of pearl tops painted with tiny birds. 3 cm wide. The rectangular box is carved from stone - a type of granite or feldspar, with a lid, intricately inlaid with pearl shell, on different angles, so as it shines in different colours, while under the same light. 1.1/2" wide.

I've treasured these tiny artifacts since returning from India in 1985.

Cottage Garden Arrangement

If this painting were to be done over, the symetrical pears would be placed in a different way. Perhaps the pear on the left, could be horizontal, peeping out from behind the vase. It's relationship with the pink foxglove is too dominating - I see now in hindsight.

Oil on canvas 8" x 10"

Abstract - Primary Statement

First in a series of minimal abstract paintings, with colour and form as the basics.

Acrylic on canvas 11" x 15".

Beneath the Jacarandas

When Jacaranda trees are flowering in December, the grasses are already turning to straw, making a natural complimentary colour scheme - a feast for the eyes.

Oil on canvas 24" x 36" (60 x 91cm).

Portrait of a Salesman

As all artists know, sometimes it's not exactly clear as to the desired direction of a painting. This was one of those. I spent around half an hour one day, 15 minutes, the next ....left it for a week, then returned and did it all over again. So it sort of evolved over time to the point of satisfaction, where I felt it described adequately what I felt was the nature of this man - according to my experience. Then he needed a name ......

Oil on board 16" x 18"

Anenomes and Snapdragons 2

Oil on canvas over board 8" x 8" (19 x 20cm).

Jacarandas

Beautiful summer flowering Jacaranda trees are used extensively to line suburban streets. Their neat shape and intense lilac coloured flowers make them ideal for the purpose.

In this roadside painting, the verge is terracotta coloured gravel stones, making the perfect compliment for the purple carpet of flowers.

Oil on canvas over board 6" x 10.5".