Commissioned Artwork

My Soul Knoweth (II)
2005
Triptych
1350x510x35mm
Oil on canvas

My Soul Knoweth (II) detail

My Soul Knoweth (II) detail

This piece was commissioned as a gift from a husband to his wife. He wanted a piece to embody her.

Working from words is the way I make pieces specifically for others...these are some of his words:

• cups of tea in the morning (he brings her these)
• hugs
• the colour green
• peace
• home
• "rugby mother"
• sleep
• Psalm 139
• woman
• lover
• music
• composer
• mum
• teacher
• farmer
• friend
• performer
• judge/critic/producer

Work in Progress: Red Gold series

Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm

Just a little modelling compound used in the symbols. Rest of the canvas is quite flat. Not too many raised brush strokes. I will take a few detailed shots when I'm finished...

1 March
Finished piece/detail

Rosslyn Gallery, Dunedin - Representation

Yesterday I took the following pieces down to the Rosslyn Gallery in Dunedin. This is an important step for me as I begin to move my work out from the Canterbury area.

I walk into the gallery & see...Colin Higgins & Maria Foley's work on the wall! They had been down the day before. We are all members of the South Canterbury Arts Society & exhibit a lot together. Already two of Colin's pieces have sold...I'm impressed! Yay for Colin!!!

To keep working full-time as an artist I need to sell work. Simple really. Other markets must be found or else it's back to administration work...& that troubles me.

Red Gold (III)
Jan 2007
Mixed media on canvas
455x455x35mm
NZ$450
Common Prayer (X): First Generation
Feb 2007
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm
$500
Extending Silence (XIV): Engrain
Nov 2006
Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm
$950

The Quilting (XXI): In the Middle of the Night
Nov 2006
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm
$500
The Quilting (XXIX): Direction
Dec 2006
Mixed media on canvas, mounted on board
1000x1000x65mm
$1750

Post for Lesly Fans!

Today I traveled to Dunedin & on the way back home I called in to meet Lesly Finn. The photo, taken just down the road from her home, is of Lesly & me sitting talking!

It is always uplifting for me meeting others who paint. I enjoyed looking at Lesly's work up close, checking out her brushes & paint stuff... It was good to talk about the feelings that come with the making & selling (or not selling) of art.

Many blessings, Lesly.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Identifiable Marks (XI): Plentiful
Mar 2006
Mixed media on canvas
380x760x35mm

love
joy
peace
kindness
patience
goodness
fidelity
self-control
gentleness

In the Middle of the Night

The Quilting (XXI): In the Middle of the Night
Nov 2006
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm

In the Middle of the Night detail

I do a lot of work in the middle of the night sometimes...

Hymn 54

The Quilting (XXVI): Sun's Hour of Rest (study)
Dec 2006
Mixed media on canvas
305x305x35mm

Now we are come to the sun's hour of rest,
The lights of evening round us shine.
We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Divine.

Before 4th century; tr. John Keble, 1792 - 1866
Music: Sebaste, John Stainer, 1840 -1901

The Church Hymnary
Third Edition
Oxford University Press

Mother's Musical Legacy

Mother's Legacy (XV)
(placed vertically)

Mother's Legacy (XV)
(placed horizontally)

Mixed media on canvas
Feb 2007
Triptych
Dimensions: Three pieces, each approx 100mm x 100mm x 35mm
NZ$150

Mother's Legacy (XV) piece 3/3

I have been wondering if a high percentage of visual artists are also musicians. As a child I was taught classical piano & classical guitar. This has evolved into jamming on keyboards & electric bass.

One day (at the Bauhaus) I heard a strange rhythmical stamping of feet. When I met Klee in the hallway I asked him: “Did you hear that odd noise just now?” He laughed & said: “Ah – did you notice? I was painting & suddenly, I don’t know why – I had to dance.” Georg Munche, artist & Bauhaus teacher

First-generation

Common Prayer (X): First Generation
Feb 2007
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm
$500

First Generation detail

First Generation detail

With reference to being a first-generation New Zealander.
(Canada was also an option, Canadian readers!)

The work includes a bit of collage using old scraps of my calligraphy work, printed national anthem, gold foil, Timaru Herald headings font...

Happy Valentine's Day

LOVE Hearts series
100x100x35mm canvases

Working Smarter Not Harder

The Quilting (XVIII): Covering
Feb 2006
Mixed media on canvas
305x305x35mm

Covering detail

Covering detail

Today I attended a business-related seminar run by Craig Rust, author of the book "Where's the Money."

Good systems (put in writing) bring freedom... That was the main point I took away.

A few years ago I read a very good procedure on how to make a cup of tea. It was so good that it made the newspapers! At the time I was working as a document controller so I pinned it to my wall & there it stayed until I left. It always made me smile when I read it!

As a result of the seminar with Craig I will begin to write my systems down. I will have checklists for myself. This will mean I won't have to remember so much in times of pre-exhibition madness especially.

I think we were made to work best with good systems in place.

Extending Silence (XI)

Extending Silence (XI)
Sep 2006
Mixed media on canvas
910x610x35mm

Extending Silence (XI) detail

Extending Silence (XI) detail

May this work be much loved as it moves away from home...

South Canterbury Wine & Food Festival

Red Gold (II)
Jan 2007
Mixed media on canvas
510x510x35mm

Hi to any new visitors to this blog as a result of the South Canterbury Wine & Food Festival held today! Thanks for taking the time to view my work.

It was interesting to exhibit alongside Henri Stein & watch the different ways people touched his wooden female-shaped sculptures. It's a pity paintings aren't generally viewed like that...I know that I'd be in first if it was OK!

Sweet Dreams

The Quilting (XVII): Sweet Dreams
Jan 2006
Mixed media on canvas
305x305x35mm

Sweet Dreams detail

Mother's Legacy series

Mother's Legacy (XIII)
100x100x35mm canvas
Feb 2007
Acrylics, dressmaking pattern, paint-skin pieces, shellac

Mother's Legacy (XIV)
100x100x35mm canvas
Feb 2007
Acrylics, dressmaking pattern, paint-skin pieces, pins, shellac

While my mother worked with pins, my father worked with nails.

Identifiable Marks

Identifiable Marks (VI): Countenance
Nov 2005
Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm

Countenance detail

SERIES STATEMENT
The series Identifiable Marks looks at the individuals outward marks due to the inward life. Along our life’s journey we are evaluated through our conduct, our countenance, our direction of energy…who we are is inscribed within and has a habit of outworking. Sometimes marks we have and those we see in others are ones needing help to heal. We have the same red gold running through our veins, all are "fearfully and wonderfully created.”
We are kin…please forgive the obsession I have with my self.

Peace, Not War

Common Prayer (II): Peace, Not War
2006
Mixed media on canvas
455x455x35mm
NZ$450

Peace, Not War detail

This piece is the second in the series making reference to the common prayer of the New Zealand nation. Started in Jan 2006 & finished in Nov 2006, there's probably about four paintings underneath the top layer you see.

Scattered Fragments - New Zealand, Ireland, England

Scattered Fragments (II) detail

Scattered Fragments (II)
Jan 2007
Mixed media on canvas
Triptych: each piece 100x100x35mm

Although this work has been created as a triptych, each piece is able to stand alone as an abstract mark. This enables the work to be symbolically 'scattered' among friends/family.

This piece (previously posted) has been 'scattered' amongst my mother (NZ), her sister (Ireland) & her brother (England).

"I love being a painter."

Mary's Window (II)
June 2006
Mixed media on canvas
610x910x35mm

Mary's Window (II) detail

Check out Ewan McDougall's work. It's no wonder he writes in his artist statement that he loves being a painter! Look at the colours he uses!

Merging Series

LOVE Hearts (42)
Jan 2007
Mixed media on canvas
100x100x35mm
NZ$50

This piece connects two of my series - LOVE Hearts & Common Prayer. For those readers who are not New Zealanders, the collaged text is taken from the common prayer of the New Zealand nation...one of our National Anthems.

Cadmium Orange

Mary's Window (VI)
June 2006
Mixed media on canvas
455x455x35mm

Painting has been hard today. I have been looking at images of older works to get over whatever it is. Maybe painting with cadmium orange might help.