Pages From a Sketchbook

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. 

My Studio Walls

Over the years, most artists accumulate quite a number of unsold works. Storage is the only answer to the question, 'What do you do with all your unsold work?' The best way to store artwork is on the walls. Not only is it a safe way to look after them but you get to see artwork all the time. It creates a different ambience to a house that has bare walls. 

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's MELBOURNE and the MOVIES - Confessions of a Certified Cinephile

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

A perfect cover. So celebratory in red and gold, so witty in text!

My Painting at top left

My painting, The Arrival of a Train at Ciotat Station, reproduced in the book

From left - Norman Camm, Shane Jones, Deborah Klein and Ross Campbell. 

The audience. A full house!

Ross sharing one of his numerous stories about his cinema experiences. 

We could have listened to Ross speak all afternoon and into the night.

With Zac Hepburn

A fitting finale

Ross shouted us lunch. Barbara Boyd-Anderson at far right.

Donations to Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

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.

Snowfall, 2020, oil on canvas, 61.5 x 75 cm

Shadows on the Hills, 2020, oil on linen, 60.75 x 91.25 cm

Sunlight on the Hills, 2020, oil on linen, 50.75 x 76.25 cm

Summertime, 2021, oil on linen, 51.25 x 61 cm

Svetlana and I with one of my paintings and a glance at the interior of the hospital

The Peter Mac Cancer Centre, Melbourne

Interior pics

Expansive walls that accomodate the art. Here are Dean Bowen's works

The cafe entrance to the roof garden

The roof garden

The Unveiling of Light and the Cinema

What a night it was last Tuesday. A black-tie event for the unveiling of my painting Light and the Cinema. The evening was hosted by Bryan Putt and Megan Finlayson at their 16-seater home cinema, CINEMA EUREKA. We were also treated to a screening of Cinema Paradiso, one of my favourite films and also the inspiration for the name of Bryan and Megan's cinema, The screen image in the painting is a still from the film so it was great to show Cinema Paradiso and the painting together. 

Megan and Bryan are so generous with their cinema events. Wine or soft drinks before the film, coffee and cake afterwards, supplied by our hosts, and of course a discussion about the film as well. 

Thank you Megan and Bryan for the many special moments you bring to so many people and I'm thrilled that you are now the owners of this painting.

From left - Deborah Klein, Bryan Putt, Shane Jones and Megan Finlayson

Bryan introducing the film Cinema Paradiso

Megan and Joy Smith with a celebratory glass of bubbles

Merle Hathaway taking a photo of the painting

Coffee and cake after afterwards

Me with my painting 

Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award

This is my latest self portrait and it's a finalist in the Shirley Hannan Portrait Award. It was worked on over a long period of time and it got to the point where I felt there was not much more I could do to it. Of course this doesn't mean it's a perfect painting, rather it means that even though every painting can be improved upon, at this point in time it's the best I can do.

Self Portrait in a Coloured Sweater, 2024, oil on linen, 91.25 x 60.75 cm

 

Hands in Art

Human hands are one of the most beautiful things to paint and draw. We've all heard it said that the eyes are a window to the soul, but for me, the hands are every bit a revelation of the soul's qualities. When one looks at a great dancer, horse rider, musician or pool player, to name a few examples, it's the feeling in the hands that are so noticeable. You could say that one's whole body reveals your soul and it would probably be a true statement, but the hands are a special part of that soul/body. 

Here are a few examples of hands from some of my paintings and drawings.