Parts of rooftops are creeping into my small power pole paintings
of late, but it’s perhaps more interesting this way.
Walking around on a fine day to see the locations of the paintings, is a great
weekend pastime. While I’m working on these little paintings, I’m also devoting time
to a larger series of paintings with a harbour theme. A mix of the sea and industry.
Stay tuned…
Summer is over so I decided to dip a toe in (as they say) and re-work this website.
(A brave move as web coding is really not my thing)
Not much has changed except that a selection of sold paintings are now archived.
The small paintings are divided by subject. And everything else is a larger painting.
Oh, and there is a little story link in Small White Bay and Small Rooftops, if you are interested
in what I have to say. There is no blog anymore, just this site, and FaceBook.
All created in one place for easy navigation, and of course, your enjoyment!
Most of my current small White Bay paintings are now sold!
The last ones can be seen on my wall at 95 Beattie Street Balmain.
I am, however, working on some more, and will continue to paint the power station
until work begins on it’s… redevelopment. I have noticed a few more broken
windows lately, and some cleaning up has occurred around the grounds.
Aside from that, all seems quiet for now. Meanwhile, there is a new small series
of local power poles to see, as mentioned in my last post. There are a few other
things are happening as well, so visit this space regularly to stay informed.
Power poles are everywhere but most people don’t pay much attention to them.
These remnants of the industrial revolution seem outdated and dinosaur-like
in this digital age. Some say they are ugly and just clutter the landscape.
But power poles are interesting, because like fingerprints, no two are the same.
Each has it’s own unique character, some are new and smooth, others are gnarled and battered
by the ravages of time and weather. Some wires create strong geometric patterns, some are
a mess of tangled lace that look frighteningly chaotic while some appear somewhat spartan,
but they all have a common functionality that works, even today. These paintings are of local
power poles around Balmain and Rozelle. This series can be seen at in my window at
95 Beattie Street from 16 December and can be purchased here
Eco-Annandale – October 6–November 3.
I have a couple of Power Station paintings on show at Leichhardt Library Full details
Balmain Art Show – 2-4 November.
Now in its 17th year, this exhibition is firmly established as the
premier inner-west artistic and community event. More info
I’m excited to announce that my painting ‘Sea Dogs’ has been selected
for inclusion in the $20,000 ANL Maritime Art Prize!
Recognised as Australia’s leading maritime art award highlighting excellence
in maritime and seafaring subjects in art. The exhibition represents traditional and
contemporary works focusing on “the relationship between humanity and the sea”
and assists in raising the profile of the 1.5 million merchant seafarers responsible
for transporting more than 90 per cent of world trade. For their safe and
efficient operations, ships depend on seafarers working far from home and family
for many months, sometimes years, often in harsh and dangerous conditions.
The winner will be announced on the opening night, 4 October.
Exhibition dates: 5-31 October 2012 at Mission to Seafarers
717 Flinders Street Docklands Melbourne 3008.
My painting sold on opening night!
My viewing wall (not an art gallery) but a street front window
where a selection of my very small paintings can be seen live at
95 Beattie Street in Balmain. see map
These little oil paintings on canvas, are all for sale and are only available directly
via this website (click here to enquire or call me on 0414 552 077).
The exhibition features paintings from the Very Small Paintings collection:
White Bay Power Station and the rooftops of Balmain, rotating every 2-3 months (or so).
Larger paintings can be purchased either from relevant art galleries or via
this website (each image is captioned with the details). Meanwhile…. I’m working
on larger White Bay paintings and a new harbourside and waterfront series.
For me, summer means the beach. Sparkling mornings, crystal clear water, a gentle salty breeze
and warm rock pools. Then there are those bright blues and greens of the water that you
only see in summer, just perfect. For January I have an exhibition of slightly larger beach paintings
in the window at 95 Beattie Street, Balmain. These little paintings are (20 x 20 cm) and are for sale.
Also worth a look: I have a few larger beach paintings hanging in the Milk Factory Gallery
summer exhibition during January.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year, safe and happy holidays,
and a bright beginning for a prosperous 2012
Balmain Art & Craft Show I’m exhibiting two new White Bay Power Station paintings
in this year’s show. Now in its 16th year, the show has become a premier inner west
artistic and community event and brings together Australian and International artists
showcasing an extensive range of affordable and quality art from contemporary to traditional,
indigenous works to emerging artists to investment pieces. My paintings are entitled
Resignation and Patterns & Shadows (both pictured).
The Balmain Art & Craft Show, 5-6 November 2011
2 Eaton Street Balmain. Opening night: 4th November from 7.30pm
Exhibition times: Saturday 9am-5pm & Sunday 10am-4pm
BAS Annual Art Exhibition
On the same weekend, and opening on the same night, is the BAS Annual Art Exhibition
at the Balmain Watch House nearby. I have included three coastal paintings for sale
in this exhibition, Walkabout (focusing on the spiritual connection between land and its people)
plus two seascapes.
The BAS Annual Art Exhibition, 5–6 November 2011
Balmain Watch House, 179 Darling Street Balmain. Opening night: 4th November from 6pm
Exhibition times: Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm
Sometimes images of urban abandonment appeal to us for reasons we can’t explain.
I’m creating a series of larger paintings based on my observations of a crumbling
structure I like, and that marks one of our last connections with Sydney’s
industrial harbourscape.
Its original purpose has long expired but White Bay power station once marked the gateway
to Balmain’s bustling industrial waterfront. It’s physical presence ensured it became a landmark,
a quality it still retains. White Bay is one of inner Sydney’s oldest and most significant
industrial sites, often wrongly referred to as Balmain Power Station (which was located at Iron Cove)
now replaced by apartments. Bordered by traffic-choked Victoria Road to the West, and the defunct
Rozelle rail yards, and the ports of White Bay shore to the East, this power station remains the last
of five that once serviced the energy needs of Sydney. Abandoned since 1983, White Bay power station
stands silent in decay, wearing rusting corrugated iron and red brick, broken windows and
tufts of grass, while it waits to see what the future will bring.