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Ah well, another year another celebration. It picked up a rhythm and then slowed down. But it has been fun and meaning is only garnered from the stories one searches for in the debris of passing time. I finally relented and painted over 'Be calmed'.
I'm calmer now. I'll post the finished painting when its well, finished.
Take care and if anyone is reading this, a very special hello and good wishes to you.

To 2012 and beyond...

xx

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Well it's all happening at 898. Hoping that you will all be able to drop by and have a look at the new work. Some smaller works which are a little poignant, evocative and loose. I quite like them which is nice. There will also be some newer larger works which are a mixed collection as I range form my conceptual explorations of being and states of mind, such as 'Endless Possibilities' and 'The Anonymous Astrologer' to my current preoccupation with boats, oceans and fish. What can this all mean...
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I am pleased to say that I have a work on show at the upcoming Collector's Exhibition 2011. The venue is Gallery 314,
314 Church St Richmond. I think there will be around 100 artists so it will be an interesting show to say the least. I had a solo retrospective at this Gallery a few years ago now, but I do remember it is a lovely space so pleased to be able to revisit.
I decided to enter The Triumphant Gardener because it is a fine, strong piece of work so hopefully it will hold its ground am...
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This work was made after a trip I took up north, to be by the sea and the sunshine. When one sits on the shore and gazes out to sea, one thinks of all that could have been, what might be. The love that could be dreaming of you over the horizon and whose heart is open. The contrast of being alone on the shore when most of the time we are constantly connected to everyone but no one in particular. For someone that cares that much to make the effort of writing a letter and entrusting the seabird ...
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I will be exhibiting one of my pieces, "Clearing the Mind' at the upcoming show Rob McNamara There is a crack in everything, Thats how the Light gets in' which opens this Friday 5 August. It will be showing at the Collingwood Gallery, 292 Smith St Collingwood. Opens at 5pm. I look forward to seeing you there. Rob McNamara has an annual show where artists both with and without a disability are invited to show work in response to a theme.

I chose 'Clearing the Mind' because I painted this work t...
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Acknowledging Country Exhibition

Well the exhibition "Acknowledging Country"which was part of Reconciliation Week has come to an close.

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Well folks, it's another chilly day in Wintery Melbourne. I have a migraine and so am to be found resting in my bed. But there is just next to me 'The Anonymous Astrologer', recently painted and so fresh, one is in danger of having red paint leap onto any decent piece of clothing. It has a quiet contemplative feel about it. I believe the source of this imagery is two fold. I recently saw a magnificent, dark and brooding painting by Molly Pwerle and I was struck by her colours in this work. It...
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Earlier this year my country up north was swamped by a torrential downpour. It was quite devastating. I painted this work to continue the  conversation I started with 'A Single LIfe' and then 'Journey To'. The story is about moving forward, from the past to a new future, possibility and potential. In this work, 'Flood Journey' i was inspired by the way people, strangers and neighbours can to the assistance of those who were suffering from the effects of the flooding around them. Another metap...
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It's almost done. I have so many images showing the progression of the painting, I think it would make an interesting "movie", but probably only to me. But my call to the outside world to join in my art conversation is falling on deaf ears. Is this a diary or a blog.. I went to an opening on Tuesday, to Dacou to see work by a fabulous painter Molly Pwerle. I particularly liked one, a dark brooding picture. Not what I expected as I usually respond to brighter colours.  Anyway, I have been look...
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It's a rainy day on Melbourne today... looks like I woke up in some northern winter outpost in Scandinavia. But on the bright side, I feel that the painting, 'Clearing the Mind' is complete. It is still quite confronting by its starkness but the colours are very warm and the head is serene. The ladder which comprises of green marks is to suggest the intransigent nature of the character that serves you when you are letting go. If it had been solid the concept of imagination would have been can...
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Work in Progress. Clearing the Mind has taken a long time to work on. It's because I am not really resonating with the piece so far. It seems to be too tight and forced and although I really like how the colours are working on this piece, it isn't really conveying the meaning as much as I'd like it to do. So this is where it's at so far but today I will modify it. The idea behind it is that the person is stuck and needs to clear their thoughts and mind patterns to move forward. Hence the litt...
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It was with much anticipation that I joined my friend Diane on a road trip back to Alice Springs. I had lived there and gone to High School there, but had left without a backward glance in 1980. I had always wanted to drive through the outback to the Red Centre so this was a wonderful opportunity. The trip took three days and we stayed  first night at Burra, a sweet little town, then Coober Pedy the second night. This was a confronting place for me, the desolateness, the dust and isolation an...
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This rather expansive piece of canvas will have to be painted on the ground which will pose some challenges, the main one being maintaining a correct perspective that will look right when it is hung vertically, and viewed from a distance. I have put down the beginnings of an idea which is following through the idea I had after watching the strife and desperation of people who are mostly concerned with rescuing their loved ones from the deluge. The search for personal possessions and memories ...
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It's really late but I seem to have more energy at night. There are over 30 works on show wow! it is quite an enterprise. This is partly why I like having a studio show, I can show what I want to show. There will be some drawings, nudes, old and new works and unfortunately the one I was working on will not be in this show. I had a change of mind, so am not so happy with it enough to hang. Best be hitting the sack..loads more to do tomorrow..


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I am really looking forward to Saturday. So far there are over 30 works hung and the house has been transformed into a gallery. I have framed four nudes and three ink drawings and they look very comfortable in their new surroundings. What a difference from being under the bed all this time. I am thinking I'd like to create a video to showcase the works and give a short explanation of the works. Just a matter of making the time and doing it so it doesn't look too amateurish. The most recent wo...
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I am preparing for a studio show which will be open on Sat 18th Dec from 11.00 - 8.30pm. It will require quite a bit of organizing but I am really excited about finally getting this together. It will be a modest show just because there isn't a huge area to hang the work but if I can just place the works in the right way, it will be a good demonstration of the new direction in which I have been moving with my work these past few months. More minimalist, strong play of colour, the dominance of ...
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In painting "Bruised Ego" I wanted to explore being in a vulnerable place. Part of the difficulty of actually placing ones work in the public domain where criticism is rife and actively encouraged, is that one's self  is laid bare. It is a double edged sword. Be seen and be vulnerable or if all goes well, appreciated, but let's be frank here.. mostly its criticism. I know, I do it too. If one keeps the work and self tucked away in the security of the shadowy studio, well one can kid oneself t...
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Well folks, this is a good time to be reading this. I have totally revamped my website, hopefully making it much more accessible. I was in the United States for a couple of weeks and it was very stimulating and motivated me to return and get right back into work. I had a few comments about the website so decided to act on their advice. Let me know.
So where did I go? I landed in Los Angeles and visited a wonderful collection of galleries at a place called Bergamot Station Arts Center in Santa...
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Well there all my unseen friends. I know you're out there so Howdy. Today it's cold so I am using the time to consolidate. A few different projects on the go, a new painting which as per usual is me painting over another painting. I am adding some work to my Sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project, very exciting to be involved in an international project. It's so honest and soulful, all these people from all over the world sending a small part of their imaginations to share and show others. I h...
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Well, having finally shook off that sleepy oddball jetlag, I am back in the saddle. Well, seated on the sofa is more like the truth, guiding my next venture from my trusty apple. I lurch from the depths of pointlessness to the heights of " it's worth scaling that next mountain", thoughts and so I put on my desert boots and head on up. I had a great adventure travelling around Europe, three countries in 10 days ain't recommended but someone had to do it. I caught up with old good friends which...
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This is my latest work, entitled "Between the Lines" . A work I initially struggled with as I wanted to create a resonant background which would exist as an extension of the main idea and character. The image travels through three layers, from the bird which acts as a sentinal and expression of self belief and centered self, through the eye which is positioned at the place the head in shadow behind it would be "seeing" through, and then to the space that surrounds the head which is in a "soup...
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A new year and with it new hope. Painting requires an alignment of the mind and heart, at least for me it does. I need to be able to step away from the pressures of expectation, self analysis and mind numbing chatter from the realm of criticism, and just remember that the source of the joy of painting only dares to come out of the shadow and into the light of being, when the voice of my critic is silenced. When the painting is in process, a different kind of critic can be welcomed into the st...
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I had the great privilege to have worked at Dacou Gallery for the duration of the exhibition of Emily K Kngwarreye retrospective.

Here is a painting I did many years ago as a tribute and response to Emily Kngwarreye. Her work opened my heart and painters eye to a way of seeing that still to this day resonates with my approach to painting. More and more I find myself drawn to expressing my story and connection through the flattening of the plane and the placement of colour to create a resonanc...

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It is with some delight that i can add an entry to my blog and this time with an accompanying artwork. This work, "A Gentle Reminder" is interesting for me because I am integrating a couple of different or evolving techniques into a single work. The idea of ones heart and mind being separate at times of stress or anger or disappointment and to protect oneself, the walls go up and soon one loses that essential connection we need to function truly. When the head and heart are in sync or at leas...
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I just thought, why not??  A few of my images I would love to wear and with the hot weather finally here, wera your Art on your Sleeve.. So i have this one called "Leaving the Cave" and "Bored Bunny" and more on the way..


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A new work which explores separation from the landscape and the risk we take in connecting with another soul to address that feeling of displacement. I have used a technique across the canvas that is definitely influenced by some of the most brilliant Aboriginal artists I have come across but the meaning and application of the technique is entirely my own. I have been utilizing aspects of this technique for a few years now and there are pieces such as Creative Thought and even Proud Friends w...
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CUSP exhibition at Geelong Grammar was a great opportunity to experience the bringing together of an Idea across a range of ages, mediums and venues with the concept of positive thinking as its underlying platform.
Below is the work "A glass half full".



Working on "Red Moon" which I have developed from a painting entitled "Big Moon Little Moon". It used to be another work called "Keeper of the Golden Eggs".


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