Productive Day

In the studio today. One of the most difficult disciplines to adhere to, is to stay on track, when you have a vision to meet. Once the brush is in paint and for that second between the palette and the canvas, a million ideas and impulses excitedly pulse through your cells. Resisting the temptation a little, but not stifling it to stop the process, I look to my reference image to stay on track. Today was a highly productive day. Having an event to work towards certainly helps with this frenzied motivation. 

Random Memory Glitch

Oil on canvas

760 mm x 760 mm

By the light of the moon 1.

Oil on wooden round

300 mm diameter $195

By the light of the moon 2.

Oil on wooden round

270 mm diameter $150

Waves in resin being tested for development! This is idea has been hovering around for a year now, very exciting to see it come to fruition. Next stop, lighting.

Collector of Daydreams

Finishing touches before of to her new home.

Collector of Daydreams

Oil on canvas

1500mm x 500mm

It's almost that time again! The Miramar Peninsula Artists in Action weekend is fast approaching, exciting times are just around the corner. Please pop by and say hello, Studio 8, Bayview Studios, Shelly Bay. You can purchase your ticket through me or the website, link below.  You also go into the running for a original artwork. Staying on the theme of the Ocean Looks Longingly to the Sky, is my piece.

http://www.mpat.co.nz/

In my last year of study, my thesis covered the relevance of the digital medium and the question of whether it could eventually take over the mediums of the past. It seems fitting that I explore these themes and ideas currently, merging the traditional oil painting with digital elements.

Memory is a theme that keeps recurring in my work. Every moment is gone in the blink of an eye, creating a memory. Most of our thinking presides in our memories of the past. Given all the imagery and experiences of others we interpret from screens, it also plays into the question of what truly are our own memories and what are fabricated artifacts of computational images. This series seeks to juxtapose those two paradigms, one our direct experience and the other our virtual experience. One could argue our own subjective reality is a complete fabrication in of itself.

Memories are always changing, coalescing like clouds only to dissipate and re-emerge.

Reverie Of Memories
Oil Painting and Digital Paint, printed with archival inks on canvas.
400 mm x 600 mm

A Symphony of Raindrops

Oil on paper

450mm x 500mm

Packing this one up for Mum and Dad.

"It was the dazzling sun in my eyes, reflected in the water that day, that stole my heart". (Memory glitch) 

Oil on canvas

500mm x 1500mm

The Friends of Te Papa Museum visit. A treat to meet some art loving new people at the studios.

Cloud Eye

Oil on Canvas

1500mm x 500mm

Experiment with a new medium for clouds.

420mm x 297mm

Oil on Paper

Caught a Fleeting Glimpse

Oil on Canvas

1500mm x 500mm

Collector of day dreams

First layer in oils 600mm x 200mm.

The Ocean Looks Longingly to the Sky.

The Ocean Looks Longingly to the Sky.

Part of a new series, here is the final piece, that tells the story of the sea longing for the sky and the return of the sky to the sea. Something about having the image broken into two separate canvases, felt like the right emotion to convey. The distance being one of a physical nature and an emotional one. The interesting aspect of painting for me is what occurs during the physical making process, many ideas start to coalesce and future paintings emerge, as if the narrative is coming into view during the moment of creating. These paintings will be part of the Life Education Trust gala evening at the Academy of Fine Arts at the end of the month. As a charity event, this is truly one worth participating in, the future health of our kids.

http://www.harold.co.nz/index.php?action=comp_section&function=view&sectionid=1&itemid=586

The Ocean Looks Longingly to the Sky

First layer in oils. Trying to get an idea of when to push on painting and when to stop. There seems to be a real art in its self of knowing just the right balance. Some paintings I feel, look beautiful with pencil lines and canvas poking through, a homage to the very process and act of making. While others require a more finessed approach. Once the initial drawing is correct it's a matter of feverish laying down of the palette then the canvas. 

Maybe a few more subtle tweaks and then leave it alone for a few days, to look upon with fresh eyes. There is only so much that can be done in one sitting and at 1 metre x 1 metre, only so many hours in the day between children and such to work. At this first stage of the painting I find it really important to get the whole image down, to blend colours and shift the paint. The second layer will best suit any refining or glazing elements. 

To be longing for belonging

A new series, To Be Longing For Belonging. 3D sculptural oil painting, tieing into the theme of previous cloud painting.

To be Longing and Belonging

Oil on Canvas. The Clouds are raining, longing to return to the sea,  belonging together in unison. A cyclic love affair worthy of a symphony. Colossal Wellington clouds are the stuff  stories and legend are made of.

"The Ocean Longingly Looks to the Sky"

Clouds in the sea

The Clouds Have Burst Ella.

"The Clouds Have Burst Ella"

Second automatism painting. After describing to my daughter, Ella, how clouds fill with water and burst with rain, it became apparent that a cloud is filled with memory. If water is a metaphor for memory then it stands to the imagination (not reason) that a cloud is a sparkling giant puff of a citadel and shrine to our memories.

These past two weeks have been quite productive, the significant reason being a space to create in, what a world of change that has brought to my focus and frenzy to finally make works, years of pent up artist frustration unleashed!

Here are some snaps of the last couple of weeks. I thank in large part for this the enabling and encouraging established artist and mentor, Lynne Sandri.

 Also the words of Agnes Martin on the Freedom of Mind. Reading her words has really opened the door. You can read some of her amazing insights here:

http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/03/31/agnes-martin-john-gruen-interview/

A painting in the technique of Automatism, a tool used by surrealists and writers alike, used to tap into the subcoinscious mind. Cy Twombly was a big advocate of it. It is truly a spiritual revelation to work in this paradigm.

The Essence of You, a monochromatic work, soon to be glazed.

In the studio with Liora today.

Some Precious Things around the studio.