Thursday, May 31, 2007

Compass With Red Pencil


Compass With Red Pencil
Oil on gessoed board
148x152mm
$300

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Lost Button


The Lost Button

Oil on Ivory Piano Key
$100
sold


When I decided to paint this subject I remembered some old ivory piano keys I'd been given. I had been meaning to try them as a painting support for a while and thought this would be an ideal opportunity. Miniatures have long been traditionally painted on ivory. I must admit feeling a bit guilty about the long deceased elephant, but it is a wonderful material to work with. I painted directly onto the ivory after sanding and cleaning it, and left the ivory showing through within the actual button. It was quite a test for my aging eyesight this one..! The photo is larger than life size.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Two Courgettes on Small Enamelled Dish


Two Courgettes on Small Enamelled Dish
Oil on gessoed board

172x180mm
$350

For purchase info click here



The label on the underside of the enamelled dish reads "Kockums Sweden". I googled this and apparently Kockums now make submarines. Strange but true. I considered titling the painting "Kockums" , however, descretion proved the better part of valour...

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Crossed Matches


Crossed Matches
Oil on gessoed board
Approx 60x60mm
Sold

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Lemon and Mandarin


Lemon and Mandarin
Oil on gessoed board
125x150mm

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Lemon


Lemon
Oil on linen mounted on foamboard
94x96mm
$150
Click here for purchase details
sold
It was a nice feeling painting on linen again for a change.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

A Piece of Sky


A Piece of Sky
Oil on gessoed board
$100
sold
As a kid doing jigsaws I always used to hate doing " the sky bits", and left them till last.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Friday, May 18, 2007

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Caput Mortuum


Caput Mortuum
Oil on gessoed board
55x80mm
Sold

This painting was done by candlelight. Or rather, the subject was lit by candlelight, which gave a lovely warm glow to the prominent background and cast an interesting blueish shadow under the match. The title, "Caput Mortuum", which translates literally as "death's head" is the name of an artist's pigment. A kind of dark earthy violet that I'm particularly fond of using. I used a tiny touch mixed with white for the ashy colour on the dead match head. I am happy with this particular painting. The match may be dead, but it is being observed by the light of the flame it ignited. I'm sure there must be something deeply spiritual or cosmic about this concept..... Or something...

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Karo Seed


Karo Seed
Oil on circular gessoed board
85mm diameter
To purchase for $180 click here



Another Karo seed capsule. I wanted to try painting on a circular panel for some reason.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Happy Birthday Candle


Happy Birthday Candle
Oil on gessoed board
NFS

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Karo Seed Capsule


Karo Seed Capsule
Oil on gessoed board
50x80mm
$100


For purchase info click here



This is a seed capsule from the tree just outside my studio. They open out into a kind of trifoil arrangement with shiny black seeds stuck in a sticky substance. I believe that it's a New Zealand native Karo, or Pittosporum Crassifolium.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

A Couple of Charlies


A Couple of Charlies
Oil on gessoed board
115x155mm
$250


For purchase info click here


I love to hate the fact that every piece of fruit or vegatable we buy from a shop nowadays has a label plastered over it. There must be hundreds of thousands of people being employed all over the world sticking little labels on things. See below for more labels...

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Three Leaved Clover


Three Leaved Clover
Oil on linen
Approx 50x50mm
$80
Sold
And it's not even St Patrick's day...

Monday, May 07, 2007

Minimal Match


Minimal Match
Oil on gessoed board
55x100mm
$100

Click here for purchase info
Sold

I guess this little composition is a gentle parody of all those big abstract minimalist paintings. Looking at it here I find the initials in the corner distracting. I'm tempted to paint them out. Signing very small work is always a nuisance really!

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Bridge


Bridge
Oil on gessoed board
sold

Another in the match mini-series. This time reflected in a black saucer. I thought it looked a bit like a bridge and with the connotation of "burning your bridges", felt it would be an appropriate title.

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Stillife With Mug and Marble


Stillife With Mug and Marble
Oil on gessoed board
155x145



Another of my Morandi inspired arrangements. I enjoyed painting this one.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Small Black Cup and Saucer With Spoon


Small Black Cup and Saucer With Spoon
Oil on gessoed board
135x150mm
$300


Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Another Match


Another Match
Oil on gessoed board
53x61mm
sold