Friday, August 28, 2009

Daffodils at the Window


Daffodils at the Window
Oil on gessoed board
Approx 235x260mm




It is difficult to be cynical in the presence of daffodils. I love them. I had just been thinking about wanting to paint some when a visiting friend arrived on the doorstep with these three. I put them in a large glass and placed them in the sunshine streaming in through my studio window. I often play music when I start a painting, and this day I instinctively reached for a CD by Eva Cassidy. Her beautiful soulful voice and emotional singing seemed just right for my mood, and as I painted, I realised it was all somehow appropriate; Eva Cassidy was an artist as well as a talented singer who tragically died of melanoma at the young age of just thirty three. It also happened to be the day before New Zealand's "Daffodil Day" , the annual fundraiser for the cancer society. It felt kind of like I was painting a tribute to the memory of Eva Cassidy, and it occurred to me that it would be nice to donate some of the proceeds from the sale of the painting to the NZ Cancer Society.

So, I would like to try something a bit different. I will auction the painting from this blog over the next week and whatever the final highest offer is, I will give fifty percent to the Cancer Society. I will end the auction on September 4th at 12 midnight NZ Standard Time and the last emailed highest offer I recieve will win the auction. The start will be set at $100, and I will update the progress on this blog.

Update: Final selling price $220

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Cadmium Orange Deep

Cadmium Orange Deep
Oil on linen on board
65x70mm
sold

Still life painters always seem to end up painting their paint tubes. The paradox here was how to paint it without using the paint...

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Broken Pencil


Broken Pencil
Oil on linen on MDF
66x79mm
$100
sold
In spite of the fact that it's broken, this seems to be quite a valiant little pencil.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Strawberry Half


Strawberry Half
Oil on linen on MDF
$80

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Double Six


Double Six
Oil on linen on MDF
90x90mm
Your turn...
sold

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Small Apple





Small Apple
Oil on linen on MDF
70x66mm
$80
sold
This absurdly undersized apple was the entire crop from my apple tree. "By their fruit shall ye know them"...?

Friday, August 21, 2009

Cut Strawberry on Blue


Cut Strawberry on Blue
Oil on linen on MDF
102x95mm

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Studio Window With View of The Mountain


Studio Window With View of The Mountain
Oil on linen on MDF
258x170mm
$200
sold
A film crew for Sticky Pictures are arriving tomorrow making a documentary for the TVNZ arts show, "The Gravy". It is to feature Mt Taranaki and it's influence on local artists. I've been asked to be involved and it seemed too good an opportunity to let slip by so I've said yes. Our mountain is often hidden behind cloud, but the last few days have been clear blue skies and so yesterday I took the opportunity to paint the view from my studio window. I found it a challenge trying to get the tonal contrasts between the inside and the outside views balanced. Also I was in a bit of a hurry what with fading light, so the perspective is decidedly wonky! But I like the way the mountain is bisected by the sashes of the window panes. One day I may do a larger more resolved version.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Study For Anne Sitting


Study For Anne Sitting
Oil on linen on MDF
195x135mm
$150
This was a quick study of Anne for a larger painting I plan to start soon. I'll chart it's progress on my Another Day blog.

Stacked Wine Gums


Stacked Wine GumsOil on linen on MDF
90x92mm
Sold
This is a bit of an odd one. I'm not sure how I feel about it really. The colours are almost as bad as the taste. Almost.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Cotton Bud


Cotton Bud
Oil on linen on MDF
66x98mm

Monday, August 03, 2009

Jonquils in Patterned Vase


Jonquils in Patterned Vase
200x150mm
Oil on gessoed board
$130
sold
Another one painted with a sense of urgency. I've had good value out of this particular jonquil. It's the third time I've painted it.

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Three Lemons in the Sun




Three Lemons in the Sun
Oil on gessoed board
145x170mm
sold
I painted this sketch quite quickly. I wanted to capture the fleeting sunlight glowing on the lemons. I always enjoy painting quickly, almost without thinking, retaining more of the spontaneity and freshness in the paint. It's also a bit larger than the miniatures I've done recently.