Saatchi Gallery Showdown

Well, here's a bit of fun for all artists outback!

Recently I joined the Saatchi Gallery online and this week I have put some artwork in their online Showdown....it's all a bit tongue in cheek and fun to do!

I put in a painting well known to some of you that features my ol' Oz Emu friend.......

I ran into him whilst wandering around the sand dunes of Lake Mungo. He stuck his head up out of a saltbush and stared at me. I could just see him ticking over in his mind what a funny looking bird I was. I titled the painting "What the bloody hell are you doing here?"

The government initiative that inspired this work it is the tourism advertisement with the blonde ladette who says "Where the bloody hell are you?" to the supposed toruists coming to visit Oz....and indeed, where are they?

The recent news that certain people are now contemplating Paul Keating (who the bl...y hell is he?) as the next face of Oz Tourism is even funnier than the last failure.......from ladette to old laddie! Can't for the life of me see what a clock collecting lizard has got to do with tourism......I feel another picture coming on....!

But in any case, it's all a good laugh and brings out the larrikin in all of us!

Unfortunately voting is over now but it was all good fun!
Have a great day! Till next time.......

Bush Galleries

Out here in rural Oz, our exhibitions are mainly held in places of mixed business rather than purpose built galleries. But they are very exciting and great places!

Take Borrodell Cellar Gallery for instance - fabulous gallery space which is the cellar door for a heart warming range of boutique cool climate wines! Recent exhibitions which included my own "Living in the Landscape" achieved good sales and opening nights with over 100 guests. Nina, the Director is lively, educated and beautiful and as an artist of note herself, a great advocate for regional arts.

The next exhibition will feature local photographers - an event not to be missed!

If you are visiting Orange or coming this way, let us know and we will make sure your visit is filled with exciting places to visit!

Hello! You've found my blog!

What a difference the web has made to all of our lives...... and continues to make daily as it grows beyond what we all dreamed......

It allows me as an artist to keep abreast of what is happening across the world in the arts. Living in regional Oz, it has been hard to know what is out there.......until the web! Thru this amazing technology, I have found old friends, made many new ones and been invited to places I could only dream of.......

Last year, I was invited to the Florence Biennale, and for me this was the biggest challenge I have ever faced. I realised how far away Italy was from Australia, the cost of getting there and the awesome fright of exhibiting in front of the Italians with their exceptional artistic achievements that span centuries.

It took me 6 months to decide on what I would paint, another 3 months to execute the 3 panelled work, and a tight, tight budget to achieve it.

But the experience taught me so much about myself, the art world, how other artists see their place in society and on the planet that it was well worth the effort. I loved the Biennale! It has been the highlight of my career to date.

Please feel free to comment......