Gaye’s Studio News

Diving into spring

5 October 2023

sToday I have been sealing the surface of several painting now declared finished. Seven in all. There are 3 florals based on some successful 30cm squares completed a few years ago. These are four times that size. There were challenges scaling up and also keeping the loose and lively feeling. Still unnamed (#0987, #0989 and #0990).

I have two new Fields of flowers  in process inspired by my recent Rising mist. They have developed differently because the underpainting of Rising mist was an unsatisfactory painting over which I allowed my intuition full rein. The new ones were on a plain white background. They are coming along.

Following my successful diversion into realistic seascapes, which I enjoyed,  I was challenged to do two evening light beach scenes. One I had done before as a diptych in oil and wax medium using  silicon wedges. This time it was oil and brushes.  The first is of Park Beach headland and the second a scene photographed on a very warm evening at the Carlton Beach surf club. A magic moment.

A recent plein air painting day at nearby Marieville Esplanade resulted in this 40 x30 oil painting. Plein air painting has many challenges. The paint appears lighter and brighter in the full sun  Next day it seemed too dark so I adjusted the tones to get to how I remembered it. It was a bright and breezy morning.  I have enrolled in a series of workshops again in November with Rick Crossland hoping to improve my skills.

It’s been a busy week or so preparing and changing my paintings at City Doctors (Abstract 2 Flourish), Huonville (Abstract 1 Imagined), Sorell and Rosny (Autumn unearthed). A few new or revamped paintings included. A beautiful drive to Huonville through rich green countryside, broken by orchards displaying their annual blossom.

The Art Society of Tasmania has an exhibition in October titled Loose and lively . I have two pieces included #0857 More than this on the wall and #0969  Smouldering in the sunlight (Ready to frame in a standard 70x50cm frame).  I will be demonstrating and on duty at the Lady Franklin gallery on Sunday 29 October, so would love to see you there.

The Royal Hobart Show  ART on Show exhibition is on from 25-29 October. I have three entries; Rising mist (an abstract field of flowers), In flight (Seagulls with waves in the background) and Windswept (An abstracted landscape).  

After such exhibition business lately I look forward to a break later in the year.