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.

the essence of you

First studio painting, 'essence of you', largely created after my Grandfather Timothy Hamilton Pascoe died. How such a strong character, who was fiercely independent and survived The Depression and an Anzac in Papua New Guinea, one of the most brutal theaters for an Australian to fight in, you do our country and family proud. We will miss your dirty war ditties and inappropriate jokes.

To a great man, who will not be forgotten. You left a true legacy for us. We say goodbye for now.
Lest We Forget.
Rest in Peace.

Keys to the new studio, Room No.8.

There is something to be said for new environments and spaces effecting creativity. The old building of Bayview, with it's lived in rooms, secrets and stories, a skeleton key to open the slightly jammed door, a window view of a steep hill of pine trees, sparkling moody ever changing water as far as the eye can see. Having a space to create is such a treat. A door has opened to a new adventure and evolution. From an early age art has always been there, in the form of sculpture with my Nana, at the keys of the piano with my Mother, or drawing, pencil in hand. Always longing for the brush, for the oil paint.

Finally the door has been unlocked, I'm not waiting any longer.

Miramar Peninsula Artists Trail 2014

The main inspiration for this body of work, revolves around
my fascination with light and water, it’s reflections and
refraction's.  Using water as a metaphor for memory,
what it reflects about our own life.

Exploring it’s patterns, depths and light through texture and color.
Energy and memories moving as if in the flow with a musical score.
Using the traditional medium of oil and the contemporary
formed wooden rounds.

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

Nine Wellington artists are having a special pop-up Christmas art sale at the Sea Star Gallery in Seatoun, where I will be part of the working studio in the new year with the wonderful talent Stephanie Sinclaire Lightsmith. Really  looking forward to being a part of the local community and fabulous artists from around the area.

http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/pop-up-christmas-art-sale/wellington

Artists:
Nicola Dench
Inga Fillary
Belinda Griffiths
Stephanie Lightsmith
Mandi Lynn
Jolanda Norris
Liz Ritchie
Fraser Wyeth
Katherine Wyeth

Contact Information
seastarstudioseatoun@gmail.com
facebook Sea Star Studio
Tel: (04) 891 0726

A portrait of Hugh, a commission and a great excuse to try a new technique, glazing. Not sure I've mastered this technique by any means, the beauty of glazing is it's gorgeous quality to build layers of color, in thin washes, so light bounces around the canvas, creating a realistic like quality. My teacher has been incredibly helpful in developing this technique, any excuse for creativity a midst the cleaning and the dishes is a welcome one, a diversion from the monotony of the house. Here is the first attempt, starting with burnt sienna, a rich golden color. Then adding french ultramarine. alizarin crimson (who can't be inspired by a name like that), Indian pale yellow and finally re touching the flesh tones, pulling down the brightness of the hair and balancing the colors. There seems to be so much to learn in painting, maybe even a lifetime does not suffice, but it's wonderful trying.