Jageurs Lane near Gatehouse Street, Parkville

This painting singularly fails to portray the extreme conditions under which it was created: the afternoon sun beat down as gale force winds tore at my pochade box (not to mention the fool lashed to it, doggedly trying to steer the brush) and all sensible folk sought refuge inside.  Relief from the sun was only occasioned by the arrival of storm clouds which destroyed all traces of reflected light and proceeded to dump their watery contents on the surrounding streets.  Alas, enthusiasm waned once the rain's domain extended to the lane.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Elm Avenue, Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne

A sunny Saturday afternoon in the Fitzroy Gardens afforded many an appealing vista for painting; this scene is just one particular avenue I might have explored.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Pear with Willow Pattern Bowl

Lawn bowls may be played in singles, triples, fours or pairs.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Yellow Box, Royal Park

From where I was standing, I had an unimpeded view of this tree; had I been sitting, you might have said I had the box seat.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Corner of Morrah and Wimble Streets, Parkville

After embarking on this subject, I realised it was slightly more difficult than I'd imagined.  In the end, however, I didn't so much paint myself into a corner as paint a corner myself.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Concrete Plant, Footscray

Whilst a concrete plant might sound like a contradiction in terms, this striking building certainly planted a concrete image in my mind.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Lighted Candle

This candle is known as Wayne, for when his flame is in the wind, he waxes and wanes.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Car in Munnering Lane, Princes Hill

Car puns are tyred.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Nectarine in Wine Glass

A dry wine with robust stone fruit characteristics.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Laneway off Fitzgibbon Street, Parkville

Usually I steer away from including cars in my paintings due to their propensity to move before the work is finished; however, in this case I was driven to include it.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

House on Gatehouse Street, Parkville

'Tis not the gatehouse from Gatehouse Street, for you would know it by its gate.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Maribyrnong from Steele Creek Reserve Essendon

After some Google Maps research, I've discovered that the building in the foreground belongs to the Department of Defence, and the tower in the background is a mobile phone base station.  In these days of high security, authorities often take a dim view of the photographing of such structures; however, I hope they're somewhat less defensive about simple artistic interpretations (standing on a hillside with an easel for two hours is hardly a clandestine activity).

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Vibration Study

Recently I've read a series of lectures given in the first decade of the twentieth century by L. Birge Harrison (whose wonderful tonal work I discovered through the Google Art Project), and in one particular section he mentioned the use of broken complimentary colours of equal value (tone) in order to render atmospheric vibrations.  This was a quick Friday morning experiment in said methods using an imaginary landscape (which is a thinly disguised version of the Royal Park native grassland circle) and is accompanied by an imaginary pun.

Oil on canvas board, 5" x 7"

Still Life with Lemons and Brass Teapot

Still life is hard, but even if you're brassed off, there's no reason to be sour.

Oil on canvas board, 20" x 16"

Apple in Small Copper Pot

A bad apple arrested by a copper.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Earthenware Jar with Banana

Bananas in pyjarmas.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Plaster Cast: Female Torso

Perhaps I used a few too many warm colours in trying to portray plaster in sunlight, but there's not much I can do about it now because the dye is cast.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Jageurs Lane, Parkville

As I was painting this scene (the laneway behind my flat), a little girl--who was passing by with her family--stopped to tell me how much she liked my painting.  I suppose this means I've got street cred.  Well, lane cred at least.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Jar of Chillies with Blue Castor Oil Bottle

A polite euphemism that springs to mind is Montezuma's revenge.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

View of Pipers Creek from Rosebery Hill

A lovely afternoon painting paddocks in the sunshine.  You could say I had a field day.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Old Stable with Tasmanian Blue Gum and Atlantic Cedar at Rosebery Hill, Pipers Creek

This was actually my second choice of scene for the day: the earlier spot was abandoned after I disturbed a particularly large fanged-reptile in the nearby grass.  It's a shame really, as the previous location offered a wonderful sense of scale.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Self Portrait

An obsession with self is one of many poor traits.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 8"