Empty Frame With Reflections

Empty Frame with Reflections, 2022, oil on canvas, 40.4 x 30.5 cm.

This is a paintings I did while I was the artist-in-residence at Geelong Grammar School recently. The tricky part was to convey the feeling that you are looking at an empty frame with glass in it

reflecting an image but not enough to look like a frame with a picture in it. 

The reflection is a suggestion of my face but I needed to adjust the tones to make it seem like there is someone there. Whether I succeeded or not is up to the viewer.

 

Christening Dresses

 In 2013 I bought 3 Christening dresses as subjects for still-life paintings. In 2022, I finally painted the final one. 

From a painting perspective, rendering the colour white and capturing intricate patterns are two challenges that are a pleasure to tackle. A Christening dress has both, which add delicacy and  elegance these these objects. These gowns also suggest the spiritual since they have an association with  the newly born. Below are the 3 Christening dresses with some details of hems, cuffs and collars.

Christening Dress #1, 2013, oil on canvas, 91.25 x 50.25 cm

Christening Dress #2, 2015, oil on canvas, 102 x 66 cm

Christening Dress #3, 2022, oil on linen, 122 x 61.25 cm