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"