The Quiet Bend

This little painting I've done today called the quiet bend, almost perfectly fit into one of my antique frames. It had a small overhang of plastic which I heated and cut away from the edge. The fit was so snug and the decorative look was so perfect for the subject matter. It's like they were meant to be together. I used a new technique yet again for this painting of a quite bend in a stream, overlooked by a small blue roofed cottage, in amongst pines and autumn colours. I'll probably do another before long and fill the last 2 remaining frames that I have like this.

A Character I'm Building

I am an ex-Disney animator, I like animation and have played and worked in that industry since the 90's. Yesterday I had a great idea for a character I could develop over time into some short animated pieces. I call her Goth Mum. I can imagine lots of little scenarios for her and her chums / kids / pets. I am tweeting about her and have a few Goth mothers who follow me and help with ideas about makeup, jewelry and clothing. This is going to be an after hours hobby in the winter .

New Digi Bot

Another image that I have put online as a print for sale. This guy is called Green Squeeze Bot.

You can buy this print at this Website

New Contemporary Styles

I've been looking at my 'Bots in a box' series of work with a new eye. I've decided to run some digital filters over a bunch of them to start creating some print designs to sell online. The results so far have got me a little excited and wanting to return to the original series and start creating more of them. I'll post more in the future and provide links to where they can be purchased.

A Little Like Australia

I have finished a little painting that unintentionally ended up with more Australian landscape colours. You do get some parts of New Zealand looking like Australia especially in dry conditions. There are also gum trees here dotted about the country. This view is one from my imagination, the trees can be any type. I have also started using a little square signature block on my finished pieces.

Quick Product Creation

Digital art can sometimes be so quick. I spend days even weeks sometimes making my recycled plastic artworks. On rainy and blustery days like today I like locking myself away in my digital world to find new ways to create, purely for the fun of it. Today I played a bit and created this little artwork. I reckon it will sit well on a phone case or even a card.  I even think it works in monochrome.

Light Through Leaves

I love the way light through translucent leaf canopies looks. I know of several magical places in Wellington that this happens with spectacular effect. I have tried to capture this in this little painting finished today using the technique I talked about previously. The painting started as a yellow ground onto which I layered many different plastic colours, building up the image and lightening here and there with acrylic paint. The recycled plastic medium I use, while still wet, seems to allow the paint to adhere to it. This painting is now one of my favourites. I am hoping to get a nice chunky antique gold frame to compliment its colours and textures.

Tawa Ridge

This is a new approach I am trying. This painting started as a ground colour of red and I built the image up in layers, which is different to the pools technique I use for most of my paintings. I have been inspired by the work of John Russell of the impressionist art movement. The rough daubs of colour he used were very expressive and carried a lot of depth and meaning. This painting simply called Tawa Ridge will be followed by several others I have on the go. I hope you like.

New Plymouth Inspiration

Paritutu rock is easily one of the most picture worthy monoliths. I have enjoyed painting it in many mediums. This is one recently done from a photo I found I had taken from its southern side. I have a box of these shadow frames and I thought the textured plastic painting would look best in one.

Over the Christmas Break I Painted

I have been traveling about New Zealand and have taken many photos. Over the break I went through my photos looking for some suitable subjects for a painting or two. I found a few of Castle Rock Lighthouse. So as inspiration demanded, I created a small artwork of the lighthouse and found a suitable little frame.

Large Blue Pot With Bamboo

Of the two sketches I created before I decided the pot and green jug would be nice to experiment with. The final image didn't suit the old frame so  I've opted to put the finished plastic work in another reclaimed frame I put a patina to. The final image is OK but it may need a little work here and there as it came out a bit dull.

At Home I Have Two Other Nouveau Frames

I am currently relaxing and indulging in digital art. I am in the process of deciding on the next two images to create for my French frames. My aim is to incorporate the style and influence of Matisse, particularly during his transition phase when he experimented with colour and form before forging a new, distinct style of expression. As I have some free time, I am exploring the digital world and discovering new things for myself. My ultimate goal is to create plastic artwork that can fill the frames.

French Nouveau Frame, Works!

The working title of this painting is "Path To The Bay." It was crafted with the intention of fitting perfectly within this frame, even though this may not align with traditional artistic practices. The painting is a nod to the various vacation spots I have been to, where there was always a trail that wound away from the house and through neighboring areas, leading to breathtaking beaches for swimming and fun.

Tauranga

I have been to some places that everyone in New Zealand loves to visit. Tauranga is a bay of plenty city that despite having a confusing road system has some of the loveliest views around. Mt Maunganui is something I have got to get around to painting. But while I was there I did these small paintings of other islands by the beach. These use my plastic technique.

Here's One I Did Earlier

When I lived in New Plymouth awhile back, I always loved painting local scenes. Sometimes in oils and some times in watercolours but never in plastic. I really didn't have the space. Artists need lots of space and storage as I am finding out. My back room is full of art and frames. I'll need to think about a proper studio space soon. Oh and here's one or two I did earlier.