Blue Twilight

 

Blue Twilight, 2022, oil on canvas, 40.5 x 50.75 cm

Lake Wendouree, in Ballarat, has always been an amazing sight for the eye. The ever-changing colours and light are a constant source of inspiration. This painting was done from the car and at around the time the sun has only an hour or two to the close of day. Sometimes the sheen on the surface of the lake looks like a mirror rather than water! This was a bit more difficult tp paint for some reason, but I persisted with it as there were a few passages I liked and I didn't want to throw that away. I'm glad I did keep going as it's now one of my favourite pieces.

THE BIG KITTY, Melbourne Premiere

On April 7th, the premiere of THE BIG KITTY made it to the Classic cinema at Elsternwick. It took Tom Alberts and Lisa Barmby 12 years to make. Though it should be noted that Tom and Lisa are visual artists and were occupied with other projects during that time. As has been mentioned before in other posts, all the actors in the film are friends of Tom and Lisa, and most of them are Melbourne artists. 

THE BIG KITTY premiered at Cannes but none of the Australian cast and crew were present because of COVID travel restrictions so it was a special Melbourne premiere when we all got to see it presented at a major cinema. 

Afterwards there was a celebration at The Antique Bar just down the road from the cinema, which also nearly coincided with Tom's 60th birthday, several days before. The Jasmine Mahon trio sang two sets of songs from the 40s, which added some vocal class to the evening. Jasmine also performed in the film in an acting roll and a singing roll, and she wrote the lyrics to the song she sang in the film.

Photo credits - Deborah Klein

Cast and Crew photo credit - Mick Murray

THE BIG KITTY at the Classic cinema, Elsternwick

Tom Alberts and Lisa Barmby after the premiere

Steve Cox, Deborah Klein, Shane Jones and Terry Matassoni (rear), 

 artists who played a roll in the film.

Lewis Miller, Lisa Barmby and Tom Alberts

in a Q&A discussion after the film

The Jasmine Mahon Trio performing at the after party at 

The Antique Bar, Elsternwick - Ken Rogers,

Nikki Scarlett and Jasmine Mahon

The cast and crew