Latest stuff, 2014

Couldn't post the one with hands before as it was for friends and had to be sent to UK for them to view first.

The other is the first in a large series I want to do. Large as in six paintings and large as in 5ft x 3ft - the biggest I've done. They are to be based on images created by the French poet Rimbeau, this one from "After the Deluge".

Unfortunately, this lower one is from a phone pic and not too clear. I shall try to get a better pic taken at some point.

Falling, Falling, Falling Asleep.

First post of 2014... shocking lapse. I've completed three oil paintings this year but until two of them are delivered I shouldn't post them. So I won't. However, I can show this one, the last to be completed.

Another Copy Using Light and Dark

A copy of a Percy Leason Self Portrait. The original is the upper work.

Art Course - Week 4.5

Did some work on my own at home to shorten nose, move the ear, change mouth and alter scarf and top. Much happier with it now.

Art Course - week 4

Continuing problems with back pain so I took so painkillers prior to the class. Made me a bit er, unfocused. Didn't really enjoy this class today as I felt left way behind by others skill. Perhaps I'd have been better waiting for my new glasses as I had my eyes tested and they have deteriorated slightly. So old!!

Art Course - week 3

Just to get my excuses in early... I've had probs with my lower back of late as the discs are all worn out. So standing for three hours doing this course has been a killer. After two and half hours I had trouble focusing so the lips that I were attempting look a bit, er, guppy-like! Still, the background is nice.

More next week

Art Course - week 2

Working on the skin tones, more facial detail and adding basic scarf details.

Latest Works

Once again I've been slack in putting work on this site. Bill, a "friend of the site" reminded me of this and so here are two pieces.

One is as complete as its likely to be. This is of Garry McDonald in the persona of his creation Norman Gunston. For those of you unfamiliar with 70's and 80's Australian humour Gunston was a kind of forerunner to Ali G. That is a character developed by an actor to enable both extremely dim and/or wonderfully naive and insightful questions to be asked of various celebs or politicians. The outrageous "combover", the blobs of toilet paper covering shaving nicks, the pallid skin, the cheesy grin and the frantic panicked look in his eye all became trademarks.

My favourite line comes as a response to an American celeb - already "corpsing" hysterically at his nervous demeanour - who suggests that he use an electric razor from now on. Straight faced and quick as a flash he replies, "I do". End of any chance of a serious interview as she dissolves into uncontrollable laughter.

McDonald has been open about his struggles with his mental health and so this portrait joins others in a short series of favourites of mine who achieved great things whilst living with a mental health issue.

Oil on canvas, 1000mm x 750mm.

Spike

Work in progress