Early Morning at Caulfield Racecourse

An early morning painting session at Caulfield racecourse

It's great when I check the weather bureau of an evening and the forecast is for a sunny morning because then I can go early to the track and resume my painting. I love track work because horses can be viewed over a long period of time which is better than on race days where the sight of a thoroughbred is fleeting. By about 8.30 all the horses have finished their work and the track attendants have started their duties. Occasionally someone happens by and takes a look at what I've done but most of the time I'm undisturbed and the grandstand makes a perfect shelter for outdoor painting. 

Creswick Museum

Creswick Museum

Pompey, 1930, oil on canvas, 64 x 74 cm

Last weekend Deborah and I paid a visit to Creswick, a small town outside of Ballarat. It was here that the famous Lindsay family grew up and the Creswick Museum has a room dedicated to them

Daryl Lindsay was Director of the National Gallery of Victoria from 1942-56. He was an excellent horse painter and received a number of commissions in that genre - Phar Lap was his most famous subject. Pictured above is Daryl's portrait of his horse Pompey. Since I've been engaged with horses in my own art for the last 4 years, I thought I'd share this image with you. It's a fabulous painting, clearly done by someone who admired horses and knew exactly how to paint them.

The Creswick Museum holds changing exhibitions on a regular basis. For a quick look at the museum, click HERE.

Although Norman Lindsay is best known, the art of the other family members is worth seeking out. The Art Gallery of Ballarat has fine examples of their work, which is displayed on a rotating basis, and a recreation of their living room is on permanent display. Incidentally, Daryl's wife Joan wrote the famous story Picnic at Hanging Rock. 

For more biographical information, click HERE. 

Back into Harness

my tools of my trade

Can't believe it's mid-January already! Although I did some work over the Christmas break, I find the Christmas/NewYear period a bit distracting, so now I'm glad most people are back at work. I wonder what will be achieved this time next year?  For those of you who have exhibitions this year may you have many sales and get lots of attention, and for those who don't have an exhibition, may you have much success in the studio.