Sunday, 26 April 2026

Exhibition: Remains to Be Seen

 

Exhibition flyer featuring exhibition details and an image of oranges beside a vacuum bottle

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.

Friday, 24 April 2026

Monday, 20 April 2026

Poplars on the Campaspe River, Kyneton

 

Landscape oil painting of a collection of poplars with autumn colour beside a reflective body of water
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

 

Landscape oil painting of a number of trees with autumn colour beside a road
A run of the mill painting

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"

Wednesday, 8 April 2026

Quinces with Stoneware Jar

 

Still life oil painting of three quinces with leaves beside a light-coloured stoneware jar with drapery in the foreground
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" 

Sunday, 5 April 2026

Forest Redgum, East Metcalfe

 

Landscape oil painting of a eucalyptus tree with distant rolling hills
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

 

Landscape oil painting of a farm building nestled amongst trees with stone fences in the foreground and hills in the distance
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"

Friday, 3 April 2026

Still Life with Small Green Apple

 

Still life oil painting of a small green apple beside a teapot, salt and pepper shakers and a stoneware bottle
Sometimes it's the little things in still life

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"