Friday, June 16, 2023

Cloud Paintings Bedroom Installation

Recently I installed a series of cloud paintings I completed in 2004. The original series consisted of 100 small paintings measuring 13.5 x 20.25 cm each. John Constable's small cloud studies were an early influence and inspiration and perhaps years later when I did these paintings it was unconsciously an homage to his achievements.

As is often the case when an art work is multi-panelled, no-one wants to buy the whole set. Some have sold so the series is smaller than it should be. Also, the space available is a factor in how multi-panelled art works are displayed, so in this case I have been limited to installing 27 cloud paintings which completes the amount of art we can hang in our bedroom. 

Needless to say, I was always a little nervous during the hanging of the works because as you can see, the critic and art connoisseur, Alice our cultured cat, sees things in black and white. It's either purrfect or it isn't!!



Installing the cloud studies




































The original installation of 100 paintings



Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Echoes of Tradition






It was such a thrill to have one of my compositions performed by Daniel Nistico in the concert above. It's always been a dream of mine to compose music and have it played at a live and paying concert. It's extra special when a master guitarist like Daniel is doing the playing!! Plus, he happens to be my teacher as well.

My composition, titled WINTER, is one of four works belonging to THE FOUR SEASONS series I composed over a long period of time. I thought Daniel played it to perfection and it was such an honour to be a part of this concert. Most of the compositions were by Daniel's students, so it was a program of mostly new works. Although hearing famous pieces is a wonderful experience, it can make one wonder how many versions of famous pieces do we need, so new music always refreshes the repertoire.

The program and the composers are as follows - 

'Nocturne No.2. op.9' by Frederic Chopin

'A dozen and one Christian Dispositions' (Volume 1) by Clinton Ruyg

i. The Cheerful Giver

ii. The Pilgrim

iii. Martha

iv. The Sinful Woman

'Echoes' by Tom Chalko

'Melancholy Fugue' by George Jenner

'Midnight Swing' by Jamal Shamas

'Mazurka fur Mutti' by Rachel Badlan

'Surprise Sonata' by Ilay Kenes

'Winter' by Shane Jones

'Hear my Prayer' by Khiem Nguyen-Day

'Irish Tune from County Derry' are. Malcolm Perris (based on the version by Percy Grainger)

'Wind Before The Rain' by Trisha Budd

'Mazurka in D Minor' by Brittany Lum

'Light Moves' by Rick Alexander - Dawn

'Fleeting Shadows' by Colleen Billington

'Chant du Matin' by Robin Teese

'El Ultimo Aliento' byAlejandro Meija Sanchez



The beautiful St. Stephen's Church



Daniel completely absorbed in the music



Daniel and I after the performance