Storm Over Curse 2020

This year hasn't started off great, with Australia's devastating fires, rising conflicts, and viruses linked to overpopulation and modern living. It's got me thinking about the state of the world, so I started a painting called "Storm Over Curse."

I used to live in the Riverina region of Australia, in the lovely city of Wagga Wagga. The stunning landscapes there always inspired me. But, despite the beauty, not everything was good for the land. Since white settlers arrived, Australia has dealt with the negative effects of introduced plants. One of these is Salvation Jane, or Patterson's Curse. It was brought over to feed sheep and did well during droughts, making it a valuable food source for sheep and goats. Sadly, it turned out to be toxic for horses and dairy cows, and now it's become a big problem.

My painting, "Storm Over Curse," reflects on these issues by combining two curses: the invasive weed and waste plastic.

The Worldwide Problem With Collecting And Recycling Plastic

The Collection Still Grows

I started the year finalising a collection for a small exhibition. The theme is likely to be more about urban landscapes, some abstract expressionist and colourful, and impressionist artworks created with recycled plastics and papers. I've been trying to gather works of a similar size that will hang together with some shared style rather than ones that make statements. Here are several new additions...

A Start On 2020 Art Pieces

The New year sure is shaping up to be dismal for some. I am keeping an eye on the fires in Australia and praying that this is a one off event. My spirits are high as I am feeling very creative and have started doing more art. I have 3 new bowl pieces that I will post here soon, and I am waiting on confirmation of being chosen for the Adams portrait prize which I had entered a self portrait. This is a start to "getting myself out there" as I have been told to do by friends. Here though is two new artworks.

I'm Really Stoked I Got Mentioned

I have been following Ten Hundred, a graffiti artist for some time now. I love the styles of characters he uses and his whole attitude to creating art. He put out a call to review art from his subscribers with the theme "Masks and Mischief". So I sent him some images of my bots in a box. To my surprise, I got a mention in this video.

Memories From A Ditch

I recently returned to New Plymouth in the Taranaki, one of my favourite New Zealand destinations. While there, I stayed at the Fitzroy beach park with some friends from Australia. I had anticipated their trip "across the ditch" as the journey from Australia to New Zealand is known, and I painted a scene of New Plymouth for them to remember their stay. I am happy that the painting made the journey without any fuss from customs. It now sits pride of place in their home within view of their TV.

I also gave them this sketch from Fitzroy beach I did while there.

I'm Calling This My "White" Period

I have taken to using a new technique that uses a textured base of white. This white is made by laying down a negative that has lines drawn in it with a point. Then a layer of coloured recycled plastic is spread over the top to slowly fill out the negative spaces, in this case "white". This is then peeled back and laid flat to take the coloured layers. When dry I go back over the shapes to highlight the outlines. 

The results are stunning.

It Took Seven Years

Back in 2012 I finished a painting of a leafy canopy. It was both abstract and impressionist, and one of the pieces that formed the groundwork for my recycled plastic style of painting. Recently, I've had to reinforce it with plasterers tape and a second layer of plastic to strengthen it as it was some what brittle. I have also found the perfect frame, one of the antique Art Nouveau frames I picked up a couple of years back. It's exactly the type of frame it needed. After seven years I feel this artwork has been completed by its frame.

I'm Amazed How The Brain Does It.

To paint a portrait is one thing. To create something in ones mind from the assemblage of mixed found Items is totally another. A portrait is the attempt to capture the existing personality of the sitter. It is often referred to as a technical and drafting skill. But if you assemble items together, you can often see a face with its own personality and character. Something other than technical portraiture must be going on. Seeing recognizable objects or patterns in otherwise random or unrelated objects or patterns is called pareidolia.

Another DigiBot Blue Lips

Again I am uploading new digital versions of my bots in a box created with recycled plastic stuff and then digitally enhanced and uploaded to my online store ready for other people to enjoy.

New Digital WodeBot

I've created this digital image from the pictures I took of the WodeBot I made for a friend. I love how it looks in the frame. A collection of these is building and I'll order these as gifts for friends in the future.

New Bots In A Box

It's been some time since I made one of the bots in a box artworks. But a conversation about the old ones with a friend recently has renewed my interest in them and I decided to start making these on a more regular basis. So here is two I made this weekend. They will be fine additions to the bot family.

Abstract Urban Landscape

Another abstract urban landscape finished yesterday. I've started two others in the same style this morning.

And Now For Something Completely Different

Once a month, I enjoy taking a trip to the market via train and coming back with an abundant haul of fresh produce. As I don't own a car and solely rely on public transportation, having a sturdy grocery trolley is a must. In the past, we used to use a standard-sized trolley we affectionately named "Aunty Vi" after its vivid violet colour. However, the wheels of Vi deteriorated due to the heat of the concrete and the strain of lifting it over curbs and navigating trains and buses.

After some contemplation, I decided to upgrade and looked to the robust, durable cross-country prams used by families jogging with their kids. I was envious of their wheels and wanted to enhance my trolley. I found a second-hand pram at a thrift shop for $40 and got to work on my design. After a few weekends of sawing, sewing, and riveting, I proudly present "Pramula Anderson." Now, I'm the one turning heads with my wheels as I navigate the market.

Urban Views - Landscape

The area I live has some great abstract qualities. Various layered textures from rooftops to the flat sidings of buildings. All cascading upwards toward thick pine forests, and dotted about by garden plants and shrubs. It has inspired a style I often use that works well with my recycled plastic paintings.