Hay Shed at Pipers Creek

This was painted under a tree in the rain; it was a matter of making hay shed while the sun refused to shine.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 6"

Hydrangea Flower in Antique Poison Bottle

Viewed and painted at close hydrange.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Tomato on Miniature Vase

Nothing says "I love you" quite like a red tomato.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Copper Jug with Onion

An onion and jug so positioned is far from a juxtaposition.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Old Quadrangle at University of Melbourne, Parkville

A fitness instructor told me I should work on my quads.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Housing Commission Flats from Princes Park, Carlton

Painting on commission.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Pear with Banana

This scene does not represent impairment, but rather imbananament.

Oil on canvas board, 7" x 5"

Glencairn Whisky Glass with Zucchini

Glencourgette is Scotland's most famous fruit-masquerading-as-vegetable whisky.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Red Pepper with Torpedo Bottle

The torpedo launch set bells ringing.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Garlic Bulbs

Two bulbs of garlic playing strip poker; one in the act of removing its cloves.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Conifers at Rosebery Hill, Pipers Creek

Con(ifer) artist.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 10"

Apple with Earthenware Jar

Apple with a jar on its cider.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Nectarine with Sauce Jug

Nectarines are apparently a good source of dietary fibre, though I'm not sure if dietary fibre makes a good sauce.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Royal Park Train Station

A pleasant Monday afternoon stationed at the station.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Potato on Linen-Bound Book

Chipping away at a book.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Onion with Garlic Bulb

Onions are brown, garlic is not;
They're tasty together in wok, pan or pot.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Pear on Copper Pot

Eva Perón a pot and paint it.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Bolte Bridge from Melbourne Docklands

Bolte uprights and spans.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

North Melbourne Town Hall from Royal Park

Out painting the town (hall).

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Building on Degraves Street, Parkville

Although this building is located in Degraves Street, the viewpoint is from Fitzgibbon Street; therefore, it was necessary to have both feet in Fitzgibbon and not one foot in Degraves.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Carrot in Glass Vase

A glass of claret, er carrot.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Storage Yard on Macaulay Road, North Melbourne

Plans to paint en plein air were almost thwarted when rain forced me to seek shelter under an elevated freeway beside some train tracks--I was forced to reign in my desire for a picturesque scene and simply do the hard yards.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Teacup and Saucer

Absentee:  A teacup and saucer devoid of tea.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Still Life with Plastic Peony

A still life is something lived by a distiller.

Oil on canvas board, 20" x 16"

Clouds over Ormond College from Royal Park

Far from the madding cloud.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Rail Bridge with Tram Tracks near Melbourne Zoo

An abridged bridge.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Light Bulb with Zucchini

A light shedding some dark onto a zucchini.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

River Red Gum Beside Tram Tracks, Royal Park

I made tracks, by gum.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Self Portrait

Portraiture is a mug's game.

Oil on canvas board, 5" x 7"

Apple with Porcelain Jug

Today's jug pun is a pour effort, and thankfully apple jokes are not the core purpose of this website.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Furphy Water Cart at Rosebery Hill, Pipers Creek

A furphy that does in fact hold water.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Sunshine Through New Oak Leaves, Rosebery Hill, Pipers Creek

Little brush strokes portray new oaks.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Exhibition: A Muse on Small Things

During October I'll be holding a small exhibition of paintings in the members' gallery of the Victorian Artists' Society in East Melbourne.  There'll be around 60 to 70 works on show, all painted within the last twelve months.

The title of the exhibition--A Muse on Small Things--reflects that the majority of works are small and depict small things painted in the small kitchen of my small flat during the small time available before work, and not least because small things keep me amused.

You may of course be less than enthusiastic about pictures of fruit and porcelain jugs, but that's no reason not to drop in: the Victorian Artists' Society comprises many galleries where you'll doubtless find something to your taste.

When: Tuesday 4th October - Sunday 30th October 2016

10am - 4pm weekdays, 1pm - 4pm weekends

Where: Victorian Artists' Society

430 Albert Street

East Melbourne 3002

Egg in Wine Glass

A glass of wine (or two) can be a wonderful device to bring one out of one's shell.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

House on Gatehouse Street, Parkvillle

Gate on housegate street, or maybe the other way around.

Oil on canvas boaard, 8" x 10"

House on the Corner of Park Drive and Morrah Street, Parkville

For the first time in recent memory the sun was out and the wind wasn't: I'm looking forward to Morrah that kind of weather.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Asparagus Bunch with Milk Jug

There's a rubber band holding the asparagus stalks together to stop them spearing off in all directions.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Silver-Plated Jug with Tomato

Tomatoes are red, silver plate isn't,
I'm afraid that this couplet is far from sufficient.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Plastic Irises with Porcelain Vases

A three week class exercise in painting through observation; in other words, a painting of iris by pupil.

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Lemon in Tea Towel

Dry gin and lemon (minus gin, unfortunately).

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Red Pepper with Cider Glass

This painting represents two popular children's nursery rhymes: a pickled pepper from Peter Piper's peck, and the spider from little Miss Muffet who sat down be cider.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Pear with Antique Whisky Bottle

The pear is forward in this painting, whilst it's probably sensible to pare back on the whisky.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Potato with Copper Jug

Juggle a hot potato.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Plastic Skull with Apple in Mouth

Suckling long pig.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Tomato on Saucer

Tomato saucer.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Garlic Bulb with Chilli Jar

There once was a bulb and a jar,
And each wished to play the guitar.
But as neither had fingers
A certain doubt seemed to linger
Of finding the right repertoire.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Onion with Sauce Jug

The pickled onion had been on the sauce.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Old Books

Triple booked.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Manna Gums beside Pipers Creek Tributary

This scene appears tranquil despite the blustery conditions under which it was executed.  My father suggested the difficult circumstances might potentially lead to a blow par painting; if this is true, I'll simply declare it a draft.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Old Stables at Rosebery Hill, Pipers Creek

Following heavy spring rains, the main dam at my parents' farm has been steadily filling almost to the point of overflowing.  However, as the water has approached the shed in the picture, it seems to have stablised.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"