Australian "Country Boys" - My Latest 24 x 18 Painting

I said I would post more regularly, rather than adding a great stream of pictures in one blog, and this painting is my latest.

A lot of my work is related to the number of years I spent in Canada, but out of the blue I realized that I hadn't - ever - attempted one reflecting Australian skies and land.



What do you think? It's up for sale, but I almost hope it won't sell, because I'd like to keep these goodlooking guys around. Time will tell. (But I really have to stop collecting my own paintings...ridiculous.)



Post-Script...I kept this painting. Do you blame me? 

Newest Paintings and Why I will Never Be Rich

I've been busy painting and, finally, selling on a regular basis. Of course, I price my pictures "competitively", as they say - another term for saying I do it mostly for love. A lot of people aren't even able to do that. Doing what you love is meant to be priceless, yes? And I would do it (almost) for nothing anyway, but I can still dream. And so I begin a new painting, believing this is the one that will prove I'm worth just a little bit more.

Below are some of my favorites done over the last few weeks. Funny how the ones I love the most turn out to be the hardest to sell. I paint for myself (as I write my fiction for myself) and what makes me smile or giggle I assume will do the same for others. Not so. But when someone does get me, it fills me with satisfaction.

The Captain's Family

Love Adrift

Window Seat II

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Le Bistro d'Art

Pretty Filly

 

I also sold a couple of paintings finished ages ago. This was a delightful surprise because the buyer found me by surfing online. I love that kind of sale.

I apologize for waiting so long to blog, but I really have been busy.

Hope you all had a delightful New Year. By now it's all a distant memory. Back to work.

Mary Sue the Beekeeper Doll

As this is the last week of 2011, I thought I'd wish you all a wonderful holiday season with a picture of my latest  acquisition. I should say, adoption, although I think this little lady adopted me. The moment I saw her, I knew I wanted her living in my house.

Rachel, of My Country Kind on eBay.com, is the doll maker. Exceptional dolls. The link to her site is here for you to save for the future, as she has no dolls for sale right now, but wait until after the holidays.

Her black dolls are wonderful, too, very large and beautifully dressed. As Rachel is in the States, ordering one that size would have been a bit prohibitive postage-wise for me. In any case, I love my more diminutive Mary Sue, and she likes being in Australia.

Here's a few others I found on her site. Hope she doesn't mind.

Oh, and don't be afraid to contact Rachel. Along with being so talented, she's super friendly. She might even consider a custom order or two.

Enjoy your holidays. I'll talk to you in the New Year.

New Art - My Take On Equiano - Colonial-style Portrait

This is my latest Colonial portrait. Change of  pace for me because I've based it loosely on a real man - Equiano, who was enslaved as a child in Virginia (or was it South Carolina? - some dispute over that) in the 18th Century.  He went on to travel the world with a later master,  educated himself, finally purchased his own freedom, and took up residence in England, where he became a member of the abolitionist movement. He made his fortune by writing his autobiography, which had considerable influence on public thinking in 1789 England, and remains for sale today.

I've seen only two pictures of Equiano and they don't appear to be of the same man, but this is how I imagine him. Artistic licence. He would have been a magnetic and imposing figure, I'm sure. Certainly he would have turned heads when he delivered his anti-slavery petition at the British Parliament.

"Gentleman of the World - Equiano"
12 x 18

Toronto Maple Leafs Vs Montreal Canadiens

I know it's an odd title for an art blog, but I just watched a great hockey game.  (I am a dedicated Leafs supporter.) It reminded me of three paintings I did as an homage to these two teams a couple of years back. Those paintings were sold, but prints are available. Click on the titles for more information.

The Buds Were Winning

but Malcolm suppressed his joy.

regretting his decision to attend an away-game alone.

Brother Alfonso was New to the Order

and having some difficulty adjusting.



 Brother Alfonso was Perturbed

to discover that Brother Domenic, a sturdy fellow,

was from Montreal

Okay, so this is blatant self-promotion, but if I don't do it, who will? And I so love my Leafs...

More of my Work - a little bit of Americana...or is it Australiana?

I'm on something of a roll. I decided to paint something a little different. Although I've done Colonial pictures before, these are my first in many years, and I thoroughly enjoyed doing them. The fashions were such fun researching!

And, just as I was getting a little frustrated (what else is new?), I sold my "Private Pool" painting, which delights me. When I finished it, I considered keeping it for myself, but I have a number of pictures I've never offered for sale and it's just silly to keep adding to the collection. I will never have enough wall space for all of them, let alone other artists' work that I've collected over the years. So she's sold. Perhaps I'll do a similar one some time.

Anyway, here are my Colonial pictures. I love the woman, but men back then tended to have rather foppish (old, old word, but fitting) hair-dos. It was the era of the male peacock. How times change.



I think I'll do a couple more of these. Stay close by.

More Personal Offerings

Here are two more of my paintings. Nothing has sold on eBay, which is a pity. It's either because the pictures are complete rubbish or because of the economic climate. This is how I feel about my novels too. It's a sad indictment on my claim to creative confidence when I think this way. But the truth is, all of  us who produce art - in whatever form - require positive feedback, preferably in the form of sales.

"Window Seat"

"Gran in New Orleans"

I don't need to sell, but I need the love. Sally Field would understand this.

Latest Painting - A Little Naive Australiana

Had a problem finding the right light to photograph this one. So many different greens, and not one of them emerald! I've added enlargements so you can see the detail.

I have always loved this kind of folk art. There are one or two famous artists out there that make me drool with their detail. Alas, my work is not as refined, but the essence of a simpler time comes through, I think.

"Village Life"

And guess what took the longest time to paint? Those darned chooks! (Forget the ducks. From here they could be geese.) Those chickens were a challenge. And no, they weren't just a blob of white paint, and a touch of orange for the beaks. I really thought it out as I applied the paint in the direction of the feathers. Not that you'll believe me. Only I know how long they took.

See you soon.  I'm on a roll now.