December 2024

31 Dec That was 2024

I was very busy, at least I thought so!  But (oh no!) I don’t seem to have much to show for it this year. I WILL make a point of fixing that in the New Year. There were some bigger commissions I needed to catch up on (still going with a couple of them, but they will be out the door very soon!). Here are some (randomly chosen) paintings of 2024…..

Very Small Paintings

Some of these (and there haven’t been too many in 2024, sorry!) are more detailed because I’m using them as ‘studies’ for possible larger paintings.
Here you see a few of my favourites.

Other Paintings

It’s been a big year of marine art for me – topped off by winning Best in Show Maritime with Resting Ketch at Sunset in the Marine Artists Australia (ASMA) annual National exhibition in Melbourne! Very exciting and a thrilling surprise, especially as there was some truly great work in the exhibition.

I delivered a large painting of the maxi yacht Whisper, placed fourth on Line Honours in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race through some ‘horrendous’ conditions. It was nerve wracking (for me) following the boats on the Rolex Live Tracker! I can’t imagine how nervous the friends, colleagues & families of the sailors felt. One skipper described the conditions as like being in a washing machine.  ⚓️ So many yachts (about 20 of the fleet) retired with major damage plus 2, almost 3 with shocking tragic loss of life. Today a memorial service was held in Hobart for those lost, condolences were sent from all over the world. 💐💐⚓️

The ocean is beautiful yet terrifying in many ways, and so powerful, yet it draws us to it time after time.

Very Small Paintings

Marine and Other larger Paintings

01 Dec Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

This began with Stepping Stone House* in 2023.
A certificate was auctioned at the RSYS to its members, for a painting of the winner’s boat, as fundraising
contribution to Stepping Stone House in 2023.

The winner, owner and skipper of maxi yacht Whisper, wanted a larger work than was won at the auction so
it grew (considerably) and became a commission. It was very exciting for me because the images I was able
to use as reference were taken by an official Rolex photographer, Craig Greenhill – so I knew the reference material
would be a great selection. It was. Nice close up images on the water, choppy sea and plenty of action!
Thank you Craig Greenhill of Salty Dingo for supplying the stunning images.

⚓️ Whisper is a highly competitive maxi yacht (JV 62), currently holding the race record for the CYCA Montague
Island Race. She will be competing in this years’ Rolex Sydney Hobart 2024, so you know who to follow!

⚓️ The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has built a global reputation to become one of the most famous
fixtures on the international sporting calendar.

⚓️ The Organ Pipes are a collection of dolerite cliffs and sea stacks at Cape Raoul in Tasmania that were formed
around 180 million years ago. These cliffs are known for their distinctive organ-like shape. Cape Raoul is the
brooding cape that greets sailors once they have rounded Tasman and they imagine they are on the homeward
run to Hobart. Theoretically it is about six hours’ sailing time from Tasman to Hobart, but clearing the Raoul has
been the bane of many a soul in the teeth of a south-west gale in Storm Bay in the middle of the night.
When your electrics have gone, when you are showing no navigation lights to other yachts and the cape is lost
against a moonless sky, you begin to imagine the sound of the surf on its shore is just a boat length away.

*Created by Max and Joan Connery in 1989, Stepping Stone House is a dedicated community providing
long-term accommodation & support for children and young people (12-24 years) at risk or facing difficult
situations so they can begin to heal,build resilience, create connections and become the very best they can be.
A great cause started by a very generous couple. 

“Rounding the Organ Pipes” 76 x 101cm 2024. Maxi yacht “Whisper” rounds the bend at Cape Raoul into the mouth of the River Derwent and heads Hobart way, finishing the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 2022. The seas here are breathtaking, but more often dominated by large waves and swirling unpredictable, dangerous seas, but on this day the conditions were perfect!