Author: KingSuzy

 

White Bay Power Station 76 x 228cm, oil (triptych).

One of inner Sydney’s most significant industrial sites and the longest serving
power station, it once marked the gateway to Balmain’s bustling industrial
waterfront. The power station was finally abandoned in 1983.

The brickwork facing Robert Street (the subject of this work and the most interesting
side of the building) is typical of the Federation Anglo-Dutch architectural style –
when lit by the sun at certain times, this face reveals a myriad of rich burnt ochre
and yellow colours. I have been painting various views of it since 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m very excited to be a part of this inaugural online exhibition
presented by The Moree Gallery!

A Timeless Moment

an experience wherein one’s typical knowledge of time fades away and one feels a
sense of holistic involvement with another individual or thing or with the universe as a whole”
Psychology Dictionary

Very deep! But this explains the variety of work by 9 stellar artists in this fabulous exhibition.
Apart from my facades and power poles, the exhibition includes contemporary landscape, still life, interiors
and some gorgeous flamboyant wirework.
And remember… the Gallery is generously offering free shipping on all paintings Australia wide!

For exhibition catalogue and purchasing: click here 
The exhibition runs until 31 May 2020
Email info@moreegallery.com.au for a PDF catalogue and more information
or phone 0427 529 116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m so happy to say that two of my maritime paintings have sold – in just one week!
One sold in Hobart at the ASMA National Exhibition at the Maritime Museum, and the other
directly from my Balmain (Sydney) studio.
Who said maritime paintings don’t sell? Some poor misguided soul… (or maybe I was just very lucky!!).
Either way, there is nothing more motivating for an artist than a sale.

The money is important of course, but much more than that, we artists generally
(well, I sure do) have rather delicate egos. You might laugh, but think about
Vincent van Gogh, Mark Rothko, George Ault… and so many others.

We artists work hard, often alone, no one responds. So we think, ‘they hate my work’
‘I’m wasting my time’, and precious materials,’what’s the point’ and so on.
A sale totally changes things. Even a tiny sale. Because someone has responded to a painting
you have created, enough to part with their money (commitment) and hang it on their wall (love).

Then there’s the subject of maritime art…
Sometimes it’s not so popular, but I think that’s because the name alone conjures up
images of dusty, stodgy and dark old paintings in heavy frames.

But it really isn’t that way today. Contemporary artists produce beautiful drawings,
watercolours and pastels, they paint sails in sunlight, details and close ups of reflections & ropes,
lighthouses, docklands, the crews or just the ocean and waves.
It’s worth taking some time to view a maritime exhibition –
there’s so much more to see than you might think!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, 2019 is almost done and dusted!
The close of 2019 has been so tragic for many, smoky and dusty for the rest of us.
Not a happy end. And sadly it looks like the holiday season will continue to be smoky, windy and dry.
But it will pass, and we are entering 2020 – the start of a brand spanking new decade!
Twenty twenty, it even sounds good. (Remember when it was two double oh one?
That sounded so awfully messy!). 
Here’s to 2020! A new beginning and the best year ever, for us all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019 has been an amazing year for me – because I have had so many commissions.
Mostly local, but a few interstate and even a couple from overseas!
The thing about a commission is that sometimes it’s not what I usually paint, the location
is often quite different and I have to work to a specific size. A combination that can be sometimes
quite challenging, but the flipside is that it can force me to look at things in a different way –
which is a great way to explore new ideas and continue to develop as an artist. Excellent!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am thrilled as an exhibiting member of the Australian Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) to be part
of this important exhibition – presented in the historic Carnegie Building, home to the Maritime Museum of Tasmania.
The exhibition coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. 

Many of the 59 artworks reflect the history of the famous yacht race from humble beginnings in 1945 to the highly
sophisticated technology of today’s boats. Of course there is other marine art as well, so this is an exceptional show
and well worth a trip to Tassie. And all paintings are for sale.
The exhibition opened on 15 November and continues until March, when Hobart may be a little bit quieter!

Tribal Warrior:
170 yachts are competing this year’s Sydney Hobart including entries from Australia, Europe USA and Asia.
But the entry of particular interest to me in this race – is the first ever Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crew
with Tribal Warrior, a Beneteau 47/7.
I have a painting in the ASMA exhibition called Blackwattle Bay, which features the ketch, Tribal Warrior.
My Tribal Warrior was originally a pearling lugger working the treacherous waters of Australia’s far north… and still working,
but today she is owned by The Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation and used to train Aboriginal youth to attain their
Master Class Maritime Certificates… so she’s gone ‘full circle’ as they say.
The Beneteau crew may well have started their sailing careers on my Tribal Warrior!
A very nice tribute to give the name to the Beneteau too. All the more reason to see this exhibition! Everyone is welcome.

Carnegie Gallery
Maritime Museum of Tasmania
16 Argyle Street Hobart
Exhibition dates: 15 November 2019 – 22 March 2020
9am-5pm daily (ex Christmas Day)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m so pleased to be selected as a finalist this year with my tiny painting The Pilot’s Seat!

This is the 3rd time I have been selected (I have submitted 4 times) – but this is special for me
as I am now an exhibiting member of the Australian Marine Artists Society (ASMA).
The ANL Marine Art Prize is an international competition promoting maritime and seafaring subjects in art,
hosted at the beautiful Mission to Seafarers Building in Melbourne’s Docklands (a wonderful opportunity
to see or purchase traditional and contemporary works from artists that have submitted from all around
the world). Entries this year have come from Spain, NZ, USA, Germany and every state in Australia.

MtSF is one of Australia’s oldest charities dating back to 1857 – its roots are steeped in a tradition
of care for the wellbeing of the seafaring community. About 1.4 million seafarers around the world
are responsible for 95% of world trade and they rely on the Mission to Seafarers services and facilities
when their ships are in port. The Mission provides community and support for seafarers who live
and work in often dangerous and isolated conditions at sea, sometimes for months at a time.

Winners will be announced on the opening night of the exhibition
on Thursday 3 October at 6pm. 

Tickets for opening night can be purchased from the Mission
(the exhibition is by gold coin donation to Seafarers).

Mission to Seafarers (Victoria)
717 Flinders Street Docklands Melbourne
Exhibition dates: 4-20 October 2019
10am-8pm daily

I love busy Newcastle Harbour. It’s Australia’s oldest export port and one of the country’s
largest tonnage throughput ports. Freighters carry bulk cargoes of coal, grains, vegetable oils,
alumina, fertiliser and ore concentrates.
Newcastle, shared by ships freighters and recreational vessels, is a compulsory pilotage port
(about 80% of pilots embark and disembark by helicopter here). The ship pilots navigate marine vessels
into or out of harbours, sounds, straits, bays, rivers, or lakes, setting the ship’s course to avoid
hazardous conditions and boat traffic.
A huge responsibility – but looking at amazing sunrises and sunsets from high on the bridge,
interacting with the supporting tugboats, and swinging a huge structure smoothly into
a berth would be a very satisfying experience!

Navigating the Port 2019. Oil on birch panel, 15 x 27cm. Private commission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May was a very busy month for me! Thank you to all the people who like my work enough
to commission a painting! It’s really an honour to be invited to create a work for someone’s home.
So now it’s June, and the commissions continue… as well as a new range of facade paintings.
And later in the year I will be getting back to the ocean/sailing (paintings that is!).
Stay tuned, details coming soon…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A highlight, and major annual event in Mansfield is the Easter Art Show
hosted by Richard A Watson Fine Art.  My work will be hanging along side a diverse collection
of more than 30 incredible well respected artists (including Kristine Ballard, Joanna Burgler,
Ji Chen, Kathy Ellem, David Frazer, Steve Harris, Craig Penny, and watercolorists Malcolm Beattie,
Herman Pekel, Joseph Zbukvic – and more) – in the picturesque country town at the foot of Mt Buller.
And it’s a great time for an Easter break in Victoria’s beautiful High Country!

Mansfield Easter Art Show
19-22 April,
9am-6pm
Masonic Hall, Highett St Mansfield, Victoria.
Preview: 18 April 6-8pm

There’s so much to see in & around the town – so stay for Easter!


About Mansfield – Mansfield is a gracious town of wide streets and historic buildings situated
on Fords Creekin a valley at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, surrounded by grazing land
and mountain forests, well-known for its stunning scenery.
The town centre has several historical buildings, dating back to its days as a stock route camp
in the 1940s and a gold mining service centre beginning in the 1850s. High Street and Highett Street
form tree-lined boulevards with gardens along their wide central strip as they meet in the town centre.
At their junction is a marble monument which was erected in 1880 as a tribute to a group
of constables killed by bushranger Ned Kelly.
Mansfield features a vibrant commercial centre which absolutely buzzes with fun and
entertainment for everyone over Easter. The Goulburn Valley wine region is also nearby, stretching
from Seymour in central Victoria right up to Echuca on the Murray River.

So come on down for Easter and stay a while for a great break, and some wonderful art!