Welcome to my Artist Diary

So what else does an artist read?  Well at the moment I am thoroughly enjoying the gay and witty emails of Russell T Davies, as he shares insights into his creative process as writer for the wonderfully revived “Doctor Who” series in his book “Doctor Who, The Writer’s Tale”. 

I was particularly interested in his comments about how he carried so many potential episodes around in his head as he developed them, each having a life of their own, and how they were constantly with him.  There was no separation between work and other life, in fact all of life impacted on his stories as they unfolded.   How visual he is, how things come together from various pieces, and how not every story or character may come to light and yet they have had a life in his head.  And not only was he writing for Dr Who series episodes, and it seems a number of series at any one time, but also Torchwood and others.  Judging by the time of the emails (the book being a year’s dialogue of emails between Russell and journalist Benjamin Cook), Russell barely sleeps.   All of this has been fascinating as one creative individual to another and I could see a number of parallels.

As a portrait artist, I am currently carrying atleast 9 portraits around in my head, along with a concept for a series of up to 30.  Some will become paintings and others, depending on all sorts of things, including my life around me will be destined to be stored away in my brain.  And I can understand Russell’s comments about characters he develops and then when they don’t end up seeing the light of day…I get attached to my ideas for paintings and when for whatever reason they don’t come to fruition it does at times make me feel sad.   Although I notice when this happens, usually something better or certainly different evolves.  I recently had an idea for a project which I was very excited about, could see the whole painting however for a number of reasons I needed to let go of that concept (although I can still see it) and instead this has evolved into a completely different painting.  And, similarly I don’t sleep that much as well, with all those ideas, those faces and all that energy they create.

Anyway it has been curious to read this fascinating and funny book to get an insight into this creative mind.  Even more curious, my daughter’s friend has just returned from the UK with a signed note to my daughter from, none other than, Russell T Davies complete with a handdrawn Dalek.  And if by sheer chance Russell ever reads this… ”Yes, you did spell her name right”.

Little boy and his puppy

I had been searching through my mother’s photos on my last visit to Victoria hoping to find a couple of images, only to discover we had scanned them some time ago and they were on our computer.  Taken on her “box brownie” camera, they were of my brother when he was a little boy.

On a number of occasions over these past few months, at various times, it has struck me the high degree of challenge there is in portraiture, particularly in aiming to capture the likeness of an individual.  Surely portraiture is the “extreme sport” of art because of that challenge. 

A few examples which have set me thinking…  Driving in traffic up from the Spit Bridge towards Mosman, I happened to briefly glimpse to the right of me, and in the time it took me to glance back to my daughter I commented that the person in the car that had just past us looked like a friend of ours.  All I had seen was the briefest glimpse of a silhouette, I didn’t recognise the car, and sure enough my daughter confirmed that they were subsequently waving to us.  Likewise waiting with a friend at Canberra airport recently to meet another friend for a reunion, as we sat in the lounge watching the passengers disembark we happened to notice “someone’s arm pulling on a jacket” and in that one gesture we knew it was our friend.  

Then today…visiting a couple of artist friends (Rhonda Meryl-White and Masako Gordon), amongst many topics covered over lunch we were then looking at some images on the computer when a close up of one eye only was shown on the screen, I immediately identified the model.   Our power of recognition from even the smallest amount of information amazes me.  It’s actually quite daunting if you think about it too much however I also find it quite fascinating and part of the thrill of portraiture in getting that likeness.

A new look to my website for the New Year and to reflect what is clearly now my focus on portraiture and figurative artworks.  Already the ideas are flowing and projects are underway.  Very exciting! 

A big thanks to my wonderful web designer, Kathrin Longhurst, for working her magic.   Having received my request for a new look, Kathrin was quickly on the job, applying her knowledge of web design along with her artistic background and, with a few of my images, transformed what previously looked more like the realm of a landscape artist into that of a portraitist. 

Thanks Kathrin!  Great support and great response time. 

If you’re looking for a web-designer, then see more of Kathrin’s creations at this link .

While away visiting family at Mullumbimby for Christmas, I decided to leave my easel, paints and boards at home and instead just took my notebook and pencils with me. 

With the weather so unpredictable, I really enjoyed my Christmas pastime and took the opportunity to sharpen my drawing skills.  Working from photos, it was lovely to meditate on the process and watch grandmother and granddaughter emerge from the page.

Joan, pencil on paper, 21 cm x 21 cm

This morning I distributed a small Christmas gift to my fellow coaching colleagues and the team I work with a couple of days a week, when I’m not painting.    I was reminded of the difference such a small gift had made to a client of one of my colleagues last year. 

As an avid reader and lover of books, for the second year in a row I gave an original oil painting bookmark by me.  To make them even more unique and to give my fellow coaches yet another shared connection, the bookmarks are pieces cut from an overall painting.  (I can’t keep them all!) 

I enjoy making up the little cards that go with these bookmarks, tying ribbons on etc and the responses received are just the delightful icing on top. 

Last year I included on the back of each bookmark the quote by H W Beecher “Every artist dips his brush into his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures”.   My colleague, John, was doing some work outside of the career coaching space that we work in, and told me how he had been working with a chap going through drug and alcohol rehabilitation.  This man had always wanted to be an artist and when he mentioned this to John, John felt moved to pass on his bookmark to this man as an encouragement to pursue his dream.  The man was most grateful for this small gift and John’s kind gesture in giving it to him.  John sensed this was an important moment in this man’s path to a new life.  I had forgotten about this story until John reminded me.  I now make sure that John gets two bookmarks in case he finds another soul in need of encouragement in his journey.

Inspired by Rosetti: Girl with Red Hair

This painting was inspired by the work of  Dante Gabriel Rosetti and our beautiful new model, Laura.  I loved her long red hair and chose to limit my palette to terra rosa, raw umber and a touch of naples yellow.  I wanted to capture the timeless, classical beauty of Laura.  It is such a joy to paint from life and I loved what was inspired in this painting session.

Click here to see more portraits.