Thought I would share with you a commission I am working on at the moment. The owner who is interstate has sent me some great photos to go by, plenty of angle with good light. This is the first time I have posted a 'work in progress' on my blog, quite a different experience, thought I would push the boundaries a little for a change. Will post next stage tomorrow etc until complete. I love getting the ground work done and then comes the building process until it comes to life. Her name is Layla, the size is 700cm x 480cm. Thanks for checking her out.

Just hanging around

I have the delight in having these beautiful Rainbow Lorikeets visit my verandah most mornings. For a medium size bird they sure are feisty, afraid of no one, quite the character. Original Pastel framed under glass FOR SALE, also available in Canvas Prints, Block Mounted A3 Ripple Prints and Greeting Cards.

My Dusty

This is a portrait of my dear and very much loved friend 'Dusty' also known as 'The Dustman' who sadly passed away 8 weeks ago aged 15 yrs. It is times like these that I am so grateful for having the ability to paint, to portray his essence, his life, his soul...my friend you are so sadly missed.

Sunset on Fire

Finished this painting last week before I started on the Pelicans at Hervey Bay. I feel I am so lucky to have the most amazing sunsets in my backyard. I took about 30 photos of the constantly changing colours, it was absolutley amazing and I hope I did it justice. Original FOR SALE, Canvas Prints also available.

Hervey Bay Pelicans

Just thought I would post this painting that I finished the other day. I love Hervey Bay, the bay is beautiful and the whales aren't bad either. Original FOR SALE plus Canvas Prints also available.

Together 4 Ever

This is the pastel painting that I use as my logo on my business cards with the caption above their heads 'the eyes are the window to the soul'. I could almost feel the hair on their coats as the painting was coming to completion, they came to life! Lot's of long hours into the night and seeing the sun come up went into this one. I love these guys! You know when some paintings get you in the zone (that's what I call it) and you find it so hard to move away from it, the painting takes over, I just love that feeling....anyone else out there knows what I mean or am I a bit weird...love to hear your thoughts. Available in Ltd Edition Canvas Print, A3 Linen/Ripple Block Mounted prints and Greeting Cards.

Darcy

I feel like I have been missing in action from my blog for the last two weeks. I have been doing a couple of paintings, one of a sunset that set the sky on fire and the other of some pelicans that I took a photo of when I was up in beautiful Harvey Bay, Queensland last year whale watching. I don't have my camera at present, a friend of mine went to Darwin for a week or so and took my camera with her to get some great photos for me to paint. Isn't it always the way, the photo opportunties that have come my way, even around my farm and no camera to capture the moment has been like a giant tease. So to fill in the space above I thought I would share with you one of my commissions that I did last year of Darcy, the most beautiful rich bay horse with the biggest brown eyes and an attitude to match. Darcy has the longest shiniest mane, it always looked liked it had just been brushed...must use a great conditioner! The owners have since sold him, he now lives in Victoria. The previous owners are so glad that they commissioned me to immortalise Darcy in a painting for now he will always be with them. I do love painting horses...

Recent Stall Holders event

Last Sunday night I had my first stall at a local Wine and food night held at a local Restaurant by the ocean. The purpose behind the night was for Students at a local college to demonstrate their newly learned skills in the hospitality areana. To add atmosphere to the nights event, local artists, potters, craft art etc were asked to hold a stall so that people enjoying the wine tasting and food tasting could stroll around and enjoy. Space was very limited but overall the night was a success for all. It was my first 'stepping out' I guess you could say, which I saw as a good opportunity to network, hand out lots of business cards, chat to the public etc. I have recently started putting my originals as Ltd Edition Canvas Prints, Gift Cards, A4 Laminated Prints and A3 Linen Prints, so this was also a good exercise for public response. I sold the Canvas Print (on the back wall with my other canvas prints) of my Original Tiger (in the foreground). Painting is one thing but having to sell your own work is another. I love to talk to people, that's easy but, the self promotion part is another....Just thought I would share with you all....any comments would be greatly appreciated...

Dingo

This is one of my commissioned work. The customer loves Dingo's and took a photo of one at a zoo and asked me to paint him. He didn't want any background, just the statement of the Dingo. I did him on Earth Red background to represent the Australian outback. Loved doing his tongue, that's when he came alive to me, you could almost hear him panting. Hope you like him too?

Tiger Tiger

Just finished this boy yesterday. He took me awhile to finish, another one that I had to put the eyes in quiet early on.When the bridge on his nose started to feel quite furry and like velvet under my touch, that's when I knew he was coming alive. He is now at the framer's and hopefully the colours for matting and frame we have chosen will do him justice. My framer's Lou and Natalie (husband and wife) are wonderful people, they have looked after me from the start, back in 1993. Whenever I have to get something framed really fast, they always come good, never fail me...it makes a lot of difference when you have that support. Hope you like him? SOLD