Starting A Theme

I think I am starting to develop a new theme of recycled plastic artworks by the introduction of the boxed cat idea. A friend has asked me to create a homage portrait of her cat "21" yes its name was a number, a favorite age I seem to remember. This is the final artwork.

Revisiting Cats

Some time ago I designed some sleeping cat images. It has always been my intention to revisit theses designs and try them out as recycled plastic artworks. I tried these this weekend and I like the look of the final result. I am bound to do a few more if they prove popular, in fact my wife has already bagged the orange one.

Sick At Home And Sorting Old Images

I'm currently suffering from a stomach illness that's making it hard for me to leave the house. Despite feeling unwell, I've been spending my time going through some old photos on my computer. I came across some sketches and pictures that I had given to my family. These memories and beautiful images have only increased my desire to find a permanent home where I can collect and admire all my works of art, especially my recycled plastic pieces.

Some New Arrivals

I have several more bots in a box on the go but a slight segway to a new style of full body bot was a nice change. I had a few box frames sitting aside that needed something different to all the heads. So I have been tinkering with some new ideas and these two are the latest. Introducing Shock and Segway bot.

Delighted.

I forget what I have done over the years. from time to time I have visited my family home and found small artworks and sketches that I have done in a moment of creative inspiration. Its always a joy to uncover these old artworks. This little sketch/painting was done while visiting my daughter some years ago for Christmas. Its of Manly in Sydney, these baths were only a stones throw away from my daughter's front door. I am delighted she has it hanging pride of place in her new digs.

Bots In A Box New Build

Again this weekend I ventured out to find stuff for my bots. I have done a deal with a local thrift store who would normally throw out broken toys. I have offered to pay $5 for a bucket to be filled with broken bits of junk toys instead of them going to land fill. I'm sure that by next weekend this blog will get updated with more characters like this one.

Bots In A Box

The bots in a box series is definitely taking shape. I have run out of the shadow boxes and may have to switch to custom made boxes as the shapes of the bot images has started to vary, though I try to keep them as close to CD size as I can.

Domo Arigato Mr....

I have been enjoying going on long strolls with my wife to find.."garbage" well found objects if we want to use an artists jargon. I have taken to arranging them and other household plastic waste into personality filled robotic faces. They are a great creative vehicle for me at the moment while large studio space is not available. I have fallen in love with the process which has evolved into two types of robot. Complete heads to hang on the wall directly and bots in a box.

Birds In A Box And In The Bush

I have always loved having birds around me. I grew up with chickens and ducks. My father also used to keep birds in a huge aviary down the back of our house in N.S.W. But I never tried keeping them myself. I just never had the room. I delight in the sounds they make even the dull looking ones like crows and magpies. I started this work in honor of the magpies around Towoomba. Each evening we get the magpie telegraph sounding off as the sun goes down.

I am also experimenting with some cheap framing ideas. These box frames were a steal at a local sale. I am sealing the backs and filling them with pulp paper. Once the paper dries I will paint the surface in with my plastic gel. I started with this test piece of a correla a native parrot of Australia.

The Red Silos

I have had a small break from creating art. A couple of days ago I made a start back into it with this little colour piece. If you look in the distance you  can see two red silos making the bold statement of their presence in a man made landscape.

This painting is also using a new technique where I am cutting blocks of plastic out and laying it down directly into position onto the plastic gel I use to fill in the cardboard cut outs. 

Anzac Day Addition

I had a lovely Anzac day, Finishing artworks and starting new ones. This dimpled jug and flowers is getting some final touches and I'll soon be putting it in the pile of works for my exhibition.

I imagine the piece would look best
rough framed in recycled timber

Adding A Little Depth

Every artwork counts, so I am not going to let this one get away from me. In the past I have overworked paintings until they ended up as scrap. I was not happy with this work because I felt it was underworked. I am planning a recovery. So I have Photoshoped - or really "Gimped" the changes I am going to make and stuck it in a frame for good measure. I will start on these changes this coming weekend.

Dragon Fruit And Still Life.

I know an artist is always critical of their own work and 9 times out of 10 they are wrong. But I'm not as happy as my wife is with this piece. At least its finished and it may look better once its framed. That's always the case with my artwork. When I frame them they take on a new value. Some strange morphic process occurs and they look better than expected.

Dragon Fruit And Pears

I have just finished the layout of the cardboard dams that will hold in the plastic jell and pigment. I have a batch of plastic brewing and I hope to start the colour process on Easter morning after I've rung all the rellies and wished them a happy Easter.

Sketch For An Easter Artwork.

With a big break ahead, I'll be lolling around the apartment. So I decided to plan another artwork. I was shopping tonight and spied a dragon fruit. They are such an interesting shape and they echo shapes and textures similar to protea and their cousins the bottle brush. We'll see how this one goes, I'm starting it tomorrow.