The birds featured in this work are called Bush-Stone Curlews. They are a native Australian bird which you will see regularly where I live, sneaking through the streets at night.
They are truly fascinating animals, silent statues one moment, running the next, long legs gently carrying their bodies along as if it were floating 30cm above the ground.
The Curlew’s call is quite eery, like a woman crying out, but for me that adds to their already make-believe quality. Once a sound so foreign to me, it has now become a comfort, floating through my bedroom window each night.
Sold
This work has been sold, however there are now canvas giclée reproductions available through UnderArt Gallery. See the Available Works page for contact details
Details, details, details…
This last close up is a little confusing, but this is actually the feet of the figure.
I was recently asked to talk about this work and this is what came out! -
The Stillness Followed, for me, is about the subsequent change that happens to us following a big event or a “storm” in our lives. I think that everything has a positive, and the branch in this painting is just that. It symbolises the regrowth in that silent time after a “storm” has passed… Growing in a different direction to that which you were previously intending as a result of reflection.
I put the White-breasted Wood Swallows on the branch not only because they are regular visitors to the trees around my house, but also to demonstrate that change and growth are a natural part of being a person. To demonstrate that the natural side of the world won’t judge us for that.
I wouldn’t want this interpretation to cloud over your original one. I think that’s the best thing about art, that it can be looked at differently each time, and take on multiple meanings to whoever is looking at it.
This original work has been sold, however there are canvas Giclée Reproductions available See Available Works page for details.
SOLD
I started wondering about where I belong in the scheme of things. I was wondering what would become of us, and the things and ideas we’ve created, when our time comes to an end. I’m not scared of the the prospect of an “end” I never have been, I guess that would explain the peaceful or amused expression on the figure’s face.
This painting is a little different to my usual set up, I’m not sure if you have noticed, but the majority of my works end up with a straight horizontal line right through them forming the ground. This one has that ground line, but unlike the ones before, I have placed the character and objects beneath the ground.
SOLD
I recently had to create a body of work with a time limit. Its not something I’m very used to!
With the deadline date looming and growing ever closer, I found myself “loitering” at cafes more than often, drinking more than my usual quota of coffee and getting far less done than I usually would. I sat there agonising over how much time I had left and how little work I had produced. Good plan right?
In this painting I wanted to capture this kind of stasis I’d found myself in. It was the first painting I created for the body of work, since the ideas didn’t seem to be flowing, this seemed like a good place to start.
It was a nice way to make light of the situation and after I finished this one, the others followed quite smoothly
SOLD
Here is one of my newest works “Threads”. It is 1.5 metres high by 1 metre wide.
This painting has underlying meanings that are cryptic, however the influence of my current surroundings are very much evident. I live in Cairns which is a smallish town in Northern Queensland. We have two seasons here, the Dry Season (our Winter months), is the most lovely and people-friendly weather of the year. The other is the Wet Season (our Summer months), which is where this painting was spawned.
The Big Wet is uncomfortably warm and humidity is at a high. The sky is constantly clouded over and at its extremes it is either raining warm and heavy for days on end, or there will be a break in rain and the clouded sky will become a blazing glare of white, where the recently fallen rain will then rise off the roads around you in wisps of steam.
During this weather, I found myself this year somewhat unwittingly immersed in the world of fishing and cast-netting at the waterfront. I have never been a water person, having grown up inland and only recently having learned to swim, I had never until now found myself in the position to become familiar with an aquatic environment.
I was surprised by how much this experience affected me. I found myself mesmerized by the shifting colours of the water and light, by the meeting of two grey worlds at an almost indefinable horizon. Low tide would bring runs of prawn, whipping up fine clouds of mud in the shallow water. Then schools of silver flashing Herring, who are so fast in the water but when brought up in the cast-net are soft and fragile, dying quickly if you are not fast enough to return them.
By night the peer lights would cast an eery orange glow down onto the water, lighting up schools of small fish, and crabs kicking their way through the water. Jelly fish glow white at the surface and disappear slowly, growing ever more blue as they descend away from the light deeper and deeper.
The humidity gets in and curls up you hair, the salt sticks to your skin, and the mud gets into your clothing. Its a world that you truly become immersed in!
So here it is. An example of a new experience.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE Click HERE for details.
“In a region that explodes with creative talent, Cairns Emerging Contemporaries focuses on the current practice of eight local artists.
Cairns Emerging Contemporaries explores themes of identity, relationships and stories about country, the role of the artist in society and human spirituality and mortality among others. These universal themes are delivered with fresh eyes through a range of mediums.Traditional disciplines such as painting and printmaking are displayed alongside an interactive installation and new media art forms, showcasing the various tools, processes and techniques that define the eight artists’ works.
The fundamental criterion for the inclusion of each of the artists in the exhibition is that they live and work within Cairns and the Far North Queensland region. These emerging artists represent some of the future professional artists of our region who draw their inspiration from the area.
Included in the exhibition are students from James Cook University’s Bachelor of Creative
Industries. Rachael Wake, Kyle Wilson, Adrienne Shaw and Rick Beresford who are producing work outside of their studies, in addition to Hopevale painter Shane Gibson, Torres Strait printmaker Justin Majid and practicing artists Sarah Pratt and Alex Platt.”
-Curators talk 6:00pm
-Launch 6:30pm Friday 27th May 2011
at Cairns Regional Gallery, Cnr Abbott & Shields Sts, Cairns.
Exhibition on display until 24th July.
PS- When it rains it pours! Due to everything seeming to fall on the same date for me, I won’t be attending the opening launch. Although I would LOVE to be there, I’m instead attending the wedding of my closest friend.
LUCKILY the “Artists Talks” will be held at a later date in the up coming weeks of the exhibition. I will be sure to let you know when my turn will be, so you can come along. I plan to provide you with some interesting insights into my work……but we will see about that!
