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"

Old Stable at Rosebery Hill, Pipers Creek

My parents' vegetable garden is depicted in front of this former stable.  It provides part of their stable diet.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Copper Kettle

In fine fettle I settled down to test my mettle painting a metal kettle.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Apple with Ginger Beer Bottle

The big apple is no small beer.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Nectarine with Vase

According to Wikipedia, the nectarine, a smooth-skinned variety of peach, originated and was first cultivated in China.  Likewise, this vase also appears to have originated in China, though I can only vouch for its origins in a Brunswick charity shop.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Carrot with Silver-Plated Jug

This is certainly not the first time I've painted this jug, nor is it rare for me to choose a carrot as subject matter.  In fact, a certain former Australian Government Minister and one-time Midnight Oil singer is named after a recurring root vegetable: Repeater Carrot.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Tomato with Copper Jug

Once upon a time we heard things on the vine (admittedly grape rather than tomato) or down the copper wire.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Still Life with Plastic Roses

If the past tense of arise is arose, why isn't the present tense of rose rise?

Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"

Pear with Cider Glass

Pre-fermented pear cider.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"