May 25, 2011
Well yes this is a good question. Usually a bird appears in my work but this time a very bold and prominent fish has taken center stage. The idea came to me quite suddenly as they do when I am trying to express a very direct feeling. In this case, I suspect it was a feeling of disappointment. I had wanted something very much, and it didn't come to pass. So I translated this desire into a magnificent fish that expressed the beauty of this 'thing' but it is from another element, (water) and is not from my world. I rest my head on its fin, how close to my grasp it was and allow the acceptance to stream past me towards the light. What I need to accept and be grateful for is what I have already 'earned' or caught that waits patiently for me in the cage. The process of painting a feeling is useful in letting stuff go. Is it a sad painting? I know everyone experiences such ups and downs, the experience of living is a much a solid world that I transcribe as any 'still life' or landscape. The colours are strong but clear. It probably isn't a sophisticated work, but if I have managed to capture that point in time when a 'realisation' occurs, then I'm happy.
Posted by Saren Dobkins.
May 5, 2011
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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Posted by Saren Dobkins. Posted In : Studio News
April 13, 2011
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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Posted by Saren Dobkins. Posted In : Studio News
March 28, 2011
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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Posted by Saren Dobkins. Posted In : Studio News
March 11, 2011
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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Posted by Saren Dobkins. Posted In : Studio News
March 11, 2011
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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Posted by Saren Dobkins. Posted In : Studio News
February 16, 2011
Well this is a new chapter. I am painting the largest canvas I have ever had the opportunity to work on. I have chosen to work on a theme based on the recent floods that befell the city of Brisbane, Queensland. The story behind it is one of survival and sacrifice and the searching for memories. Such a mammoth natural disaster that pulled thousands of people into its wake was so moving for me. I did a sketch when I was up in Rainbow Beach at the time the floods were unfolding. I don't know if ...
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Posted by Saren Dobkins.
December 21, 2010
Thanks you for coming on Saturday! It was a great day and I was delighted with the way it all went. A good vibe throughout the day and a wonderful confirmation too. I hope to do more in the new year. Now onto the Xmas crazy time so no artwork for a wee while.
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Posted by Saren Dobkins.
December 16, 2010
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..
The Defeated Knight
Posted by Saren Dobkins. Posted In : Studio News
December 13, 2010
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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Posted by Saren Dobkins. Posted In : Studio News
