Gaye’s Studio News

Fruity things

13 June 2024

A few weeks ago I ran a one day workshop calling it Approaching Abstraction.  I had been experimenting with different ways to get started with paintings; a challenge when working intuitively. I enjoyed the workshop and encouraged the participants to move out of their comfort zones. It was fun getting to know new people. I still haven’t finished my 12 sample paintings but am working on them between other things.

Some dramas and problems to solve with off-the-shelf picture frames, have been a distraction.  I had two crash to the floor and break to then discover that the ‘timber’ frame is really compressed cardboard, not even mdf board; the structure of the frame doesn’t support its weight. I saw them as a means to have lower priced works available for sale.  Lesson learned!!

A few sales recently with Prince of tides 2 sold this week and Freycinet from Swansea earlier. Both went to lovely ladies at Kingston. The first had been in my little exhibition at Sandy Bay Doctors Practice and the second a friend selected from my website.  I have two others in the Prince of tides set and all are at the framers(no more Spotlight frames). One will be entered in the Clarence Open Art Prize Exhibition coming up  from 5-28 July.

Fruit, shapes and colour were my focus for the last 6 paintings and maybe two I have just begun.  These were a continuation of two based on overlapping shapes titled An arrangement 1 and 2, one of which is shown here.

Inspired by quinces as I am every autumn, I started three paintings but became bogged down. I was very busy on a personal level for a few weeks there for a while. Eventually they became multi coloured mixed fruit images that are still undergoing tweaking.  In fact I had decided they were finished and titled them, but as I do, today added some bowl outlines to add more structure. Who knows now where they will go. Yesterday’s versions.

From these I started two which are abstracted bowls of fruit. Really liking how they are going and almost finished. Perhaps I should put them out of sight for now.

Two paintings that preceded these shapes and fruity ones were put up on Bluethumb on different days this week and both were awarded a Staff pick which was encouraging. These are another two I went back to and modified. I toned them down with some neutral paint. They are titled  #1030 and #1031  Asleep in the sun 1 and 2

I rotated the two-monthly exhibitions at doctors practices at City Doctors, Huonville, Sorell and Rosny.  It’s hard work but I manage and enjoy the positive feedback from the people I meet.

Coming up in next 6 months are 5 local community exhibitions to keep me busy, starting with the Clarence Open in July. As well as  Prince of tides 3, I will have Evening Light at Park Beach entered. The latter shown below is in a timber look frame with white mat board. Wish me luck.

I am thinking of starting some more aerial coastal view paintings soon.

Winter has really set in this week with snow on our mountain Kunyani. Hoping for a short get away next month to the north east of our beautiful island.

My website is working well again so drop in and check it out.