Malmsbury Viaduct

Once upon a time the residents of Malmsbury crossed the Coliban River via boat, but once they'd built the bluestone train bridge, they crossed the river via viaduct.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 14"

Fountain at Malmsbury Botanic Gardens

Being slightly overwhelmed by the sheer number of greens in this fountain scene, I couldn't help but go to water.

Oil on canvas board, 7" x 5"

Former Stable at Rosebery Hill, Pipers Creek

Whilst I was painting this shed (a former stable) the wind got up a little, thus causing my pochade box to become unstable (sorry to saddle you with such a bad pun).

Oil on canvas board, 5" x 7"

Kitchen Window Sill

Sill life.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Still Life

Still life painted over two weeks in class.  Despite the term still life, nothing in this painting is true to life: the fruit is plastic and the liquid in the wine glass is tea.

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Small Vase with Pear

To remove the fruit from this painting would be to make it disappear, while removal of the vessel would require a vasectomy.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Glencairn Whisky Glass with Nectarine

A nectarine beside a vessel for holding the nectar of the gods.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Plastic Rose Detail

My first attempt at painting was such a monumental failure that I was compelled to grab a rag and rub it off.  For my second attempt, I purposely went very small so that I could nip it in the bud.

Oil on canvas board, 2" x 2"

Lemon with Silver-Plated Jug

A jugged lemon left to stew in its own juice.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Sandal Buckle

I had limited time to paint (hence the very small painting) and I had difficulty with this finicky subject, but I think I managed to avoid buckling under the pressure.

Oil on canvas board, 2" x 2"

Moreton Bay Fig, Royal Park, Melbourne

A Moreton Bay figure study.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Willow Pattern Teacup with Zucchini

Alas, I'm not particularly pleased with this painting--the teacup is a bit of a far cup, and I'm not too keen(y) on the zucchini.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Glass Vase and Ginger Beer Bottle

This was a difficult subject for me: I approached the bottle gingerly, and the paintbrush marks representing the vase show evidence of glass struggle.  Perhaps I should have tried it from a few different Engels.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Miniature Vase with Onion

My brand new second-hand Chinese-style vase from Savers beside a brand new international-style onion from Victoria Market.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Plastic Nose Pencil Sharpener

This plastic nose has a pencil sharpener hidden in one of the nostrils.  It gives new meaning to (being) led by the nose.

Oil on canvas board, 2" x 2"

Dual Plaster-Cast Study

This is the first time I've attempted two plaster casts at once--one day I might try as many as four.  In fact, I forecast that such an activity will take place. (Painted in three sessions.)

Oil on canvas board, 20" x 16"

Portrait: Man in a Waistcoat

When I was younger I supposed a waistcoat was so named because the arms had gone to waste. (Class exercise painted over two weeks.)

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Wooden Elephant

Usually I'd be disappointed if someone described one of my figure studies as wooden, but not in this case.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Teacup with Banana

There's some debate as to whether a banana is a fruit or a herb (or indeed both or neither).  Thankfully a china teacup is free of such existential crises.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Small Copper Pot with Lemon

Two-thirds of a battery (just add zinc).

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Art Deco Salt Shaker with Chilli Jar

Too much chilli can be an assault to the senses.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Pepper Grinder Detail

This is such a corny pepper pun that I ought to go to ground.

Oil on canvas board, 2" x 2"

Antique Bottles

You could say I've taken to the bottle.  (Painted over two days.)

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Enamel Tin Mug and Mustard Pot

"Have a go, ya mug!" is a common Australian invitation to engage a would-be opponent in physical combat.  This painting is a variation on that theme (painted over two days), but instead I've had a go at a mug.  Less well known is the Australian incitement to "have a go, ya mustard!"

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Art Studio

The habit of more than twenty months was broken on Saturday when I failed to put brush to canvas; instead, I spent the day setting up a painting studio at my folks' place.  The room was once used as my great-grandfather's art studio, but for most of the last 40 years it has been affectionately known as the junk room, and I should say that it was aptly named--to turn it into a studio required studious cleaning and hard work.

Pixels on liquid crystal display, 500px x 375px