Gaye’s Studio News

Nearing the end of 2023

10 December 2023

November was very busy with a series of plein air workshops and a few more sales.

The new sales were both large blue; one an abstract Blue abundance and the other In flight a coastal scene.

Early November, I curated a new Coastal Collection at Sandy Bay Doctors, a break from the two abstract sets I have exhibited there.

Two new coastal themed paintings are finished as well Macquarie Heads Light and Freycinet from Swansea. These are 70 x 50 cm

Four plein air workshops at Richmond were enjoyed with a group under the tutelage of Rick Crossland. I am not greatly pleased with what I produced. I had to finish them in the studio and fear I may have overworked some. The environment was very (too) green; not my favourite colour.  I have placed them together on the wall to see whether to finish them.

On our last day it rained so we painted in a dingy hall but with some lovely light coming through an open door. I was pleased with this one. Might need a bit more work. 30cm x 40cm

Last week was super busy because my two monthly rotation of paintings from City Doctors to Huonville, then Sorell and Rosny was due. Moving, rehanging  and labelling about 60 paintings. Don’t know if it’s worth the effort but I enjoy the positive feedback I receive.  

The sales were very welcome but the hours making up large 5 ply cardboard boxes to send them in was a difficult and time consuming task. Sent me again researching easier options, to no avail really. I would need to add hundreds of dollars to my prices to cover the packaging cost and I want to keep my paintings affordable.

Cleaned the studio and prepared 6 sheets of paper for some new work. Two will be realistic landscapes based on the recent plein air day outing to Marion Bay on the East Coast. So far just some loose sketching to show. The orange  above and blue below below  are building up backgrounds to do some negative painting.

I have been loving the effect of working over an orange background using Indian yellow and alizarin crimson in these next two.

They are on the way although the dark paint is taking a long time to dry. Its a new colour  for me called indanthrone blue.

These are still in progress.The next two are small abstract landscapes that are finally finished. Yet to be named.

We have a break for local exhibitions until February when the biannual Waterways, part of the Hobart Wooden Boat Festival happens.

As 2023 draws to a close I wish you all a joyful, peaceful and happy year’s end and warm wishes for a great one to come.