What is 'style', 'palette' and 'subject'?

Obvious? Well no! Apparently not!

I often get the comment, oh you change your style so much! Or 'but this is not the same as your other style!' or even "I like your other style better"  ..... hmmm .......

I have been baffled for ages just what people are talking about? And have wandered away bemused... and a little intrigued.

But aha! the penny dropped the other day! It seems many viewers of art don't understand the difference between 'style' 'pallette' and 'subject'...... I guess what is bleeding well obvious to us as painters, eludes the average viewer who look to see some continuity in an artist's work. This can be quite tricky if the painter isn't a realist prone to painting the same subject..... which is the path many painter's stick to!

If like me, the artist paints different subjects in different mediums and with a range of pallettes, then this can leave the viewer caught off guard. So I thought I'd elucidate a bit.....

My 'style' hasn't changed much over the years except to get more complex and layered. I always start with a seemingly chaotic layer of freely applied paint which can use up to three or four different qualities of acrylic paints from transparent to inks, opaques and thick dribbles. Over this, I build up to six layers which make the work more complex but also adds to the depth of the work and helps to define the subject. I developed this style of working from my early love of watercolours which I then translated into acrylics by using watercolour or flow mediums.  90% of my acrylic paintings are created this way, in this style of paint application. I still paint watercolours from time to time, like the one above, but they are single layer works.

My 'subject' matter has however changed over time as I usually wander between 'inner forests' and 'landscapes' - sometimes 'aerial mapping of the land' - and again 90% of my works are on these themes..... however, like all artists, I often get called on to paint other subjects such as portraits, florals, interiors, abstracts.... etc and since I can, I do.....

Then it comes to 'pallette' - and here the fun begins because I love colours - all of them! So I am not inclined to just chose a limited pallette but like to explore all sorts of different colourways and combinations! No wonder the viewer gets worried..... because if they aren't completely observant but just give my art a passing glance, then they would never have studied the way I actually apply my paints hence thinking I have changed my 'style'......

I guess they can be forgiven!

The other confusing thing that a viewer needs to be aware of is that of 'materials' and as an artist, I often paint on paper, canvas, or even can collage papers together to make my own ground...... lately, I have also ventured into having some of my larger and major works editioned onto Italian papers and Indian Silks to add to the mix. These all add to the many differences that one can see in my works and to the confusion. However, I still paint in the same 'style' - the 'style' hasn't changed; the subject, materials, pallette all do though as like a lot of creative people, I get bored.......

Till next time! Joy

"SUMMERTIME" at Jayes Gallery! Painting along.....

Hi there

Well summertime is here and my paintings (or a few of them) will be the fabulous Jayes Gallery in Molong in a group show along with leading artists, Eris Fleming, Jaq Davies, Ian Grant, Glenn Hoyle and Josephine Jagger- Manners. The show opens next Wednesday 30th January and runs for 5-6 weeks...... further details from jayes blog!

Ther's not a lot of engelman works available at the moment as I'm painting for my mid-year solo show with Jayes (19 July - 25 August 2013) and then, my nose will be well and truly in the paint bucket getting the large works out for next year's big one! Or maybe that will be 2015..... who can tell as I have big plans for large, large works from my recent outback journeys..... well documented landscapes that have burned into my soul!

But for now, here are the paintings that Jayes has available...... why not pop out to the gallery, stroll around the sculptures and have a chat with Libby and Hugh Oldham in their beautiful setting in Molong!

"Anticipation" - a painting inspired by my grandson William with his red hair and handsome face. I tried to capture the feeling that a boy has when he first goes to catch that ball! The moment that makes him a cricket fan for the rest of his life.... it's 100 cm x 88 cm and framed in a black box frame! Would make a great gift for a cricket fan or young boy!

Then there's a watercolour for the kitchen (?) I'm not sure where to hang this one but I think a nice clean modern kitchen/dining area, which is why it is framed with a deep white box frame and 120 cm mount in white all round - sort of building on a white on white theme - anyway, it's a fresh painting in watercolour with some black and gold inks on D'Arches watercolour - full sheet 70 cm x 50 cm framed.

And last, a small watercolour titled "Up Close Poppy" which shows the heart of our favourite red poppy in all it's summer glory!  There are many paintings in this group show that will delight you from Eris's spirited outback humour to Josephine's pretty interiors, there's a painting there for everyone!

The group show for Coloured City Creatives finishes tomorrow so then it's back into the studio and up to the elbows in paint, paper and canvas with the whip cracking.....

Love to see you at the studio some time but remember you need to phone and make an appointment as once I get 'on the brush', it's hard to focus on the 'real' world!

Outback Trekkin'.......

Well after quite some time, I am finally ready to do some blogging again! You might wonder where I've been... or those of you who follow my blog, and thankfully there are a few.......

These last few weeks, my friend Wanda and I have been outback and across the Birdsville Track down through South Australia, through the mighty Flinders Ranges and through the back country to Silverton, White Cliffs and back to Bourke.

This amazing trek was brought about through our great friend Stuart Johnson of Bourke and his wonderful 4WDs that he hires out to any intrepid traveller of this great southern land of ours!

The road ahead! Australian red soils abound right through the corner country of NSW and it always makes me really happy to be out in this beautiful land. It really is painter's country so if you want inspiration, then head out this way..... don't forget to call Stuart at Bourke for wise advice and a 4WD ready to go!

 Sitting in the shade while we get the car ready...... a terrific way to spend a day!

 The monitors are friendly out here as they survey they're land..... grand little proud creatures that welcome you to 'country'.

Not to forget the other locals having a laugh in the shade!

Over the coming weeks, Wanda and I will be painting up a storm! Literally, we found a wonderful storm in the Strezlecki Desert as we passed through that way..... so I am sure it will feature in ssome of our works as the palette of colurs was just amazing.......

With over 6,800 photos (and that' after chucking the crook ones away) to sort through it will take a while to relive this journey. I will load them up to panoramio (no not all of them just the special few) to entice you to the desert.

But do always be careful when you travel out there for while it is a magnificent and wild place, it is also unpredictable and a trap for the unwise and unwary..... carry plenty of water, and spares, and take your time..... we saw many cars by the side of the road with broken axles, shredded tyres etc as people tend to think it's a racetrack and forget the dangers of being stuck out there without provisions or help.

So till next time, have a wonderful life!