My approach to artworks is primarily influenced by both the subject matter and the medium I am using. Nothing can be truer than the saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ when it is applied to our marine environment. While we are drawn to its shores and frolic in its waves, mostly we only see the sky reflected on its surface and close our eyes tight when we go under. This blindness has engendered an appalling ignorance and lack of concern for the waters that constitute most of Planet Earth. I hope that my paintings will help others to open their eyes and look beneath the waves … and then maybe to think more about what we put in our marine environment; what we take from it and what we do for it.
I have spent considerable time snorkelling and taking my own photographs. The approachability of fish makes this process relatively easy. I utilise a variety of images to compose my paintings. I may sometimes resort to reference books to work out details. Species used for this painting are Green Turtle, Striped Triggerfish, Saddled Butterflyfish, Rainford’s Butterflyfish, Fire Dartfish, Yellowtail Fangblenny, Red-ribbon Wrasse, Six-bar Wrasse, Dick’s Damsel, Freckled Hawkfish, Blue-green Puller, Golden Damsel and Tail-fin Batfish.
This story is from the No 167 edition of Artists Palette.
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This story is from the No 167 edition of Artists Palette.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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Eye of Observation
Draw, draw, and draw some more; develop your artist’s eye of observation. Sterling advice from a lady who believes that seeing shapes in paintings requires a truly ‘arty’ eye.
Pelicans To Portraits
This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes … and even a Scottish piper.
Gregory John Brennan: Lost Profession
Looking back on his early career as a bulldozer driver, this rural New South Wales painter laments the days when he was too young to appreciate his outstanding potential as an artist.
Pastels: Once We Were Important
A simplified and well named painting tells a powerful and interesting story. This clever pastel artist is delighted to share her techniques for the benefit of others.
Fibre Art
This artist feels that the hardest lesson she had to learn was to believe in herself … and once she did that, everything started to fall into place and her confidence grew.
Water Lily Magic
Instead of paper and paint, this artist uses fabric and threads … and she uses a sewing machine instead of a brush. The textures, colours and prints of fabrics thrown together with threads fascinate her, and often give inspiration for her designs.
Loading Wheat – 1920s
It is rare to see an artist displaying this level of skill and understanding in capturing the activity and atmosphere of bygone days from Australia’s agricultural history.
‘Jama' – King Cheetah
This exquisitely talented lady believes that every artist has failures … but it is important to remember that every success is better than the one before.
Blahuta's Ute
Early in the year we ran a feature about ‘Utes in the Paddock’ – a landmark project by several notable artists. In this article, one of those artists shares his story and some of his views … and describes the process of creating his own piece of an amazing collaborative work.
Artists' Easels
Many important tools are employed by artists in creating their paintings. Artists’ easels are now available in a host of styles and configurations to enhance the creative process. Some of your favourite art materials suppliers are more than pleased to highlight a selection of the many products being offered.
