Persimmons with Blue Enamelware Jug

 

The persimmons were not exactly cheap, and although I thought this painting could have worked with fewer pieces of fruit, I didn't want to be persimmonious.

Oil on canvas board, 20" x 24"

Portrait of Bearded Man with Brown Cloak

 

Our model Paul wore a long-flowing, brown garment which might be referred to as a cloak, or possibly a robe or a cape; I can't say for shawl.

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Quinces with Enamelware Coffee Pot

 

Some of the quinces depicted here are the same as appeared in my last painting of quinces; or for the potted version, one might simply say "quince and repeat".

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Exhibition: Remains to Be Seen

 

As part of the Victorian Artists' Society IMPRINT 2026 program, I'm exhibiting about 30 still life paintings that reflect this year's theme of "What Remains" (hence the very bad pun for the title).  The first half of the program kicked off this week with a number of excellent solo exhibitions, so get to VAS now for a squiz, but please return for the second half when my little daubings will be gracing a number of the walls (along with the art of a bunch of great artists).

Oh, and there's an opening on the evening of the 30 April if you're looking for a glass of something to help you forget the economic climate and spend recklessly on artworks.

When:

29 April – 10 May 2026

Where:

Victorian Artists Society

Opening:

Thursday 30 April, 6pm

I also wrote a bit of art self-gratification that I must confess to actually believing in (sort of) which might interest you if you're inclined to sport designer glasses and a turtleneck:

Nostalgic reflection has been described as a “peopling” of the mind through symbolic ties to loved ones. By depicting nostalgic subjects, this collection of works represents an unashamed attempt to pull at the heart-strings of viewers, though it is primarily a reflection of the yearning of the artist for the certainties of childhood.

These certainties existed, in a material sense, in the inanimate objects that adorned the kitchens of the artist’s grandparents – items that lasted generations and, prior to the pervasiveness of planned obsolescence, were expected to last generations more. Rather than dilapidated things to be discarded, these objects were imbued with character – perhaps even personality – shaped by familiarity and age.

By portraying scenes in a realistic manner, it is hoped that the viewer might share, if only for a moment, in the artist’s visual experience and be transported to another time and place. It is also hoped that once cherished objects are contemplated for their simple beauty and functionality – may it remain that there’s still life in the old dogs yet.

Portrait of Bearded Man in Hat with Still Life

 

A still life model and a modelled still life

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Poplars on the Campaspe River, Kyneton

 

Soon after starting this painting, I realised I'd disturbed a wasps' nest, so I made a fairly rapid decision to move -- it seems I was less than poplar with the local residents.

Oil on plywood, 9" x 5"

Mill Street, Kyneton

 

A run of the mill painting

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"

Quinces with Stoneware Jar

 

For more than a decade I've been painting quinces and making bad quince puns, and I'm struggling to come up with anything original.  I suppose I'll simply present you with this pot-boiler and stop stewing over it.

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20" 

Forest Redgum, East Metcalfe

 

I wrestled a bit with this painting, partly due to changing light conditions.  But I determined to stand there, by gum, and try to get a finished picture.

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Old Barn, East Metcalfe

 

The placement of the shed in the composition took some consideration: should I raise the barn or set the barn low?

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"

Still Life with Small Green Apple

 

Sometimes it's the little things in still life

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"

Croissants with Red Coffee Percolator

 

I must confess (spill the beans if you like) that this was a more difficult painting than anticipated and therefore took longer than normal -- it felt like I was working at a snail's pastry.

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Portrait of Bearded Man with Hat

 

Keep things under your hat and above beard

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Hyland Reservoir from Lancey's Lookout, Arawata

 

Hyland from even higher land

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"

Power Pole near Waratah Bay

 

This pole is essential to the painting's composition.  It provides the power balance.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 8"

Cows near Waratah Bay

 

Because this painting is relatively small, I thought that by selecting this subject I'd given myself a bum steer, but I decided that what heifer will be, will be.

Oil on plywood, 9" x 5"

McLeod Road, Waratah Bay

 

Parts of this painting were done from memory because the the scene was initially sunny, but then the McLeods rolled in.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"

Boulders at Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Promontory

 

After a couple of days spent tutoring plein air workshops, I had just enough time to squeak in a painting --  I was evidently ready to rock (or at least try to).

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"

Farm Sheds, East Metcalfe

 

This was a slightly complicated scene that I attempted to simplify.  The less shed the better.

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Milkshake Maker with Strawberries

 

This painting is no great shakes and should be berried.

Oil on canvas board, 20" x 24"

Off Parsell Road, Langley

 

A small Parsell of land

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"

Figure Study: Woman with Green Drapery

 

I've been trying to come up with a caption for this painting, but I'll have to leave it for now and figure it out later.

Thanks to winnie.wilde for sitting, and sitting so still.

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Fruit Spectrum with White Jugs

 

This painting took more effort than I think it should have, and I'm not sure if my labours have borne fruit.  I'll let you, dear reader, be the jug.

Oil on canvas board, 20" x 24"

Cast Study: Voltaire's Hand

 

My partner gave me this plaster cast for my birthday last year.  I can always use some practice when it comes to painting digits, so this is a handy thing to have.

I should also say that I felt an other-worldly presence as I was creating this painting -- I'm sure Voltaire himself had a hand in it.

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Woman in Orange Kimono

 

For this Japanese-themed portrait, our model was appropriately named Laura.

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Green Apples with Copper Lantern

 

Initially I wasn't sure if I should paint this scene, but in the end I gave it the green light.

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Still Life with Copper Jug and Eggplant

 

The coppers were accused of eggplanting evidence

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Still Life with Oranges and Vintage Vacuum Bottle

 

As a semi-professional painter, life can often operate in a vacuum.  This regularly results in bouts of navel gazing.

Oil on canvas board, 20" x 24"

Off McKnights Lane, Langley

 

I didn't quite finish this painting, but as my friends had gone home I decided to call it a McKnight.

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Off Shillidays Road, Langley

 

I wonder how many shillidays amount to a shilli season?

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"

Figure Study of Gabe as a Boxer

 

In the box seat

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Still Life with Bread and Enamelware Teapot

 

As painting is my bread and butter, I should eat this kind of thing for breakfast (though it's not always my cup of tea).

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Lemons with Ceramic Pitcher

 

When arranging this scene I originally considered a smaller jug to accompany the lemons, but I decided to squeeze a bit more in: I thought it best to look at the bigger pitcher.

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Pears with Stoneware Jar

 

This painting began as an incomplete class demo, but I decided to finish it by recreating the scene in my studio.  It went from being a stone's throwaway to having a pear of wings.

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Todd's Bridge, Near Taradale

 

This bridge painting took a fair degree of concentration -- a certain attention span, if you will.

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Pears with Enamelware Teapot

 

Old teapot and the three pears

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Green Apples with Ceramic Jug

 

This painting is quite similar to one I did about six months ago (featuring lemons), so you could say I've taken a second bite of the apple.

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"