Archibald

I went to the Blue Mountains Creative Arts Centre website this morning and found this photo of Richard Cutler and myself standing in front of my portrait of him that was delivered to the AGNSW this week as an entry int the Archibald Prize.

The Archibald Prize, since 1921 the most prestigious portrait prize in Australia... and probably the most controversial! As one eminent portrait artist said to me... "Why would you spend months on a painting to enter it into a competition where it is dismissed in a matter of seconds... I wouldn't mind until you see what is actually selected!"

Although some of the selections are obviously controversial, it still attracts 8-900 entries of exceptional merit and is always a very fine display enjoyed by a very large public attendance, and a pick of the display goes on to Regional Galleries. There are also the follow up exhibitions the  Salon des Refuses and other spin offs as wells as the other associated Wynne and Sulman Prizes,

In my portrait of Richard, instantly recognizable to all who know him well... standing in front of a couple of his own paintings, haloed hair like a prophet of old, lip pouting, eagle eyed with hands vigorously gesturing as he describes the symbolism of his paintings and how you have to get down to the bones and connect to the inner person not just paint  the outer facade. 

 

Life Drawing

The Blue Mountains Creative Arts Centre is having its Annual Members Exhibition at the Glenbrook Hall on the weekend 11-12 July.

This is where I attend their weekly Life Drawing Group. We usually do a variety of poses starting at 1 minute and going up to 30 minutes I have been trying out oil paint.with some of the 30 minute poses, here are some recent ones.

plein air

I have found an area close to home to do some plein air painting and am experimenting with a new smaller approach, these are some quick ones from the last couple of days

Deerubbin Centre 10th Birthday

This is part of a feature article in this week's Hawkesbury Gazette regarding the Deerubbin Centre's 10th Birthday celebrations

Community Art Expo - Deerubbin Centre 10th Birthday celebrations

Today was the  Deerubbin Centre (Regional Gallery and Library) 10th Birthday celebrations with a Community Art Expo in which local Art Groups were invited to participate.

As  part of the Piggery Lane Studios and Hawkesbury Community Arts Workshop I set up my easel and did a handful of live portraits, this is the only one that I managed to get photo of

Archibald Season

I am preparing for an exhibition of Portraits of Artists and Hawkesbury Identities in August, and as I   haven't entered anything into the Archibald for a couple of years I'm going to enter this one of Richard Cutler into this year's.

I was at Life Drawing with Richard today, and he showed me his Entry for the same Exhibition 'Self  Portrait on a good day'

portrait and plein air

Saturday's portrait of Georgia, Oil 24 x18 , 80-100 minutes at Richmond Art Supplies

and an oil on paper plein air sketch at Richmond

Plein Air at Windsor

This week's get together for the plein air group was in the grounds of the Sebel at Windsor. Mornings have been a bit chilly lately, with some ice and frost, but it had warmed up a little when we started.