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.