This painting was is an invented picture inspired by the sun setting over Lake Wendouree. Every time I circuit the lake, its light and colours surprise me. The variety and beauty of nature is never ending and never palls and this fact adds to my amazement.
My partner, Deborah Klein, and I have just returned to Melbourne after seeing an incredible exhibition of the work of Magritte. Hosted by the Art Gallery of NSW, it would have to be one of the greatest exhibitions I've ever seen.
There were so many iconic paintings, many of them from the Menil Collection in Houston. So many paintings engaged my attention for some time, much longer than I would normally look at a work. The crowds were steady but not overwhelming, to the point where I could stand in front of a painting and have it all to myself.
I've always seen most of Magritte's works reproduced in books and I've always thought of him as a good technician but the the actual paintings revealed to me an artist of high technical ability. It just doesn't come through that way in books. The colours were exquisite and although you cannot see his brushwork, the richness of the colours elevated the work from being inert renditions.
The curatorial design of the show deserved high praise. The rooms were arranged in chronological order so his development as an artist was easy to contemplate. It was so interesting to see his early work and the amazing change that took place that made him the artist we have come to know. The lighting was excellent and occasionally a painting was hung higher than the line of sight to reflect the same high sightline of the composition.
His ideas are wonderful. A mixture of humour, darkness and absurdity, but they seem to touch something within humanity. They aren't really puzzles to solve or even something to think about but more like something to feel. Although Magritte said his ideas are thoughts in paint, his thoughts make us feel more than they make us think.
Below are some of the images from the exhibition.
I rarely use a sketchbook in my art practice. The world around me is the inspiration for my art, so the real world can act as a sketchbook. Ideas can form in my mind when I notice something to paint, it's as if life itself is whispering to my imagination. But there have been times when I've done a few drawings in a sketchbook and here are a few of them. Mostly done in biro and from life, most of the sketches have remained just that, although on occasions I've used a small sketch to confirm what an idea might look like in material form.
These two walls are my studio walls and they display paintings and drawings that cover a 40-year period. The small still life paintings of fruit and objects are the earliest works. It was how I taught myself to paint. As the pics show, my subject matter is diverse and diversity keeps refreshing one's mind.
I have quite a small studio, measuring 3x3 metres, but it has a very good natural light, which is essential. Almost all my landscape paintings are done on the spot and sometimes I paint rooms or corners of rooms in the house, so most of my painting isn't done in the studio.
Ross Campbell has been a friend of mine for decades and he's just published a book titled MELBOURNE and the MOVIES - Confessions of a Certified Cinephile. The book is about Ross' filmic journey from a young age until the present time, but he creates a vivid context that celebrates the wonder that cinema is. His knowledge of Melbourne's film history is unsurpassed and the inspiring and at times sad history of the magnificent cinema houses that once graced our cities and suburbs is fascinating. He explores the Melbourne influence, not only on Australian culture, but on world culture. by bringing attention to the many people who have been inspired to create and preserve Melbourne's film history. Beautifully written and offering a generous amount of wonderful images it truly is an engrossing read.
Ross is an unassuming and modest man so it was a surprise to find out the force he's been in Melbourne's cinematic history. Projectionist, technician, film director, music editor, cinema designer, publicist, film festival adviser are just a few of the hats Ross has worn, and is still wearing.
His book launch at the Astor Theatre was a festive occasion indeed, there was such a buzz in the air and during an interview with Zac Hepburn, film critic and manager of the Astor, Ross told a few of the stories that are in the book which were at times funny, witty, celebratory and poignant. But everything Ross had to say was interesting. The occasion was instantly uplifting because as you entered the Astor some delightful piano melodies could be heard from upstairs, played by Norman Camm. Ross always does things with a touch of class.
I was also pleased that Ross chose a small painting I did to be included in the book. The painting, which Ross owns, is of a scene inside a cinema where a modern audience is viewing one of the first films ever shown, The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station by the Lumiere brothers.
Afterwards Ross shouted some friends to lunch so it was a wonderful way to end this memorable occasion. Thank you, Ross and congratulations on a wonderful and important publication.
Photo credits - Deborah Klein
I've always thought that paintings in hospitals is a good idea. The environment you live in has an effect on your mental well being so it stands to reason that art displayed on hospital walls must introduce something positive to the environment. As we know, hospitals can be a challenging place to be if you are ill and a person needs all the help they can get towards their recovery. Medical practice is more than the body so hopefully artists can contribute something towards the healing process.
These paintings are a recent donation to the Peter Mac Art Collection. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is one of the worlds most advanced centres for cancer treatment and research. The building is an example of, you could say, space-age architecture.
Svetlana Karovich has an art curatorial position at the hospital and she was so enthusiastic about the work that it made me feel that donating the paintings was just the thing to do.
