Dec 31, 2011

Despite the bugs, Plein Air rules!


At least three bugs were sacrificed in the making of this painting. :|

I do believe plein air painting and life drawing are both essential exercises for visual artists. 
Regardless of one's usual projects and styles, these two activities help keep one's eyes open, skills honed and ego in check!


Here is my easel at my sister's country home. The drought has finished and the cattle are deep in pasture. The rains have greened up the hills (well, green for summer in Australia!)



Dec 29, 2011

Tranquil but for the noisy cows


I am staying with my twin sister, and we've been doing some fun things: backyard golf, target shooting! and en plein air painting from her back fence. This was a view of distant farm buildings, interrupted by a run of cattle. They were bellowing as they ran though my painting!

(I'm experimenting with painting oil on watercolour paper. This was done without a primer, and therefore was absorbing the paint a little too fast. Next one I'll try priming first.)


Dec 3, 2011

The Barber


Another classic scene from Chengkan Village. 
90 x 60 cm 
Oil on canvas

Nov 2, 2011

"Daily Burden"


Finished painting... almost. As soon as I post the image I can see changes that might be necessary. Best to leave it alone for a while, and move on to the next.  



Oct 27, 2011

Work in progress


Hello friends.
I have been neglecting to write in my blog, and so I thought I should post a pic of one of my new works. This is about 3ft x 2ft, and has been quite a challenge. I have been doing small sketchy daily watercolor paintings for many months, and I found that returning to large oil-on-canvas very difficult.
My medium was wrong, my paint brushes were thick and clumsy... it almost hit the bin one night!
Now, although I have some refining to do, I am happy enough with it.
When finished I'll upload a replacement pic.
Feels good to be back... :)
(and apologies to anyone who is following me on Twitter: as I spend too much time there, and tend to rant a lot, especially about our local politics... and only occasionally about art.)

Jun 25, 2011

The Poker Game


24"x 36" 
Oil on Linen
China village life. Men played poker in the street, 
out side their houses, in the parks, everywhere. 
They didn't seem to be gambling, just having fun. 

This painting is for sale. I can post to anywhere, world wide.
Please visit my web site for the price, and email details.

Jun 13, 2011

Geese in the Lane




We visited a small village in rural China, where we discovered these geese, looking like characters from a children's book. So cute. I wonder what they thought of us, taking photos.

Watercolor 
30cm x 42cm

Jun 9, 2011

The Visitor on Wednesday


20 x 36"
Oil on Canvas

We visited this rice mill in Southern China, and were able to watch the farmers using the same method that has been in place for hundreds of years. I was taken with the light and shadows in the room.

Jun 4, 2011

"Rain in Venice"


Painting size: 17 x 26 cm; (6.7" x 10.2" approx) with about one inch of white paper surrounding.
Watercolour painting (watercolor) ready to frame
by Shirley Peters

Venice was very beautiful in the cold winter. These old shops were warm and welcoming, making it easy to step inside.

Bidding starting at $1 on Ebay.

May 10, 2011

Two roughs with blue water


Perisher Valley, NSW Australia
Oil on canvas, 40cm x 30cm
Watercolour, 20 x 30cm
SOLD

I've been doing some "sketching" for possible new paintings, and was interested to see the similarity in these two roughs, both feature a blue serpentine-shaped body of water. I guess it could be a 'before' and 'after' .. except that they are on opposite sides of the globe. (Isn't gravity amazing?)

Apr 26, 2011

Mar 30, 2011

Shepherds Bay from under Ryde Bridge


"Plein Air" painting. I set up my easel under Ryde Bridge for this one. I love the natural framing of one bridge by another. Parramatta River is about two blocks from my home in Putney. Luckily I did not attract attention. Joggers and bike riders kept going. One old classmate passed by and we had a chat.
30" x 40" (76 x 102cm) 
Oil on Canvas

Mar 27, 2011

Workshop with Alexander McKenzie



I had a fabulous day learning new techniques from Alexander McKenzie on Sunday 27th March. It was held at the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery a few miles south of Sydney.
Alex instructed a 'master class' on how to break the process of painting into stages: the sketch, the blocking in, the information and mark-making layer, fine-tuning. Designed for busy working people who can only paint on occasions, this "stages' approach allows one to progress with a work... despite interruptions.


I love to see how artists arrange their paint, and this is Alexander's palette.
Alexander (with pony tail) is giving instruction to two fellow work-shoppers.
He had a half-started painting to use for demonstration.


Alex with his own work, which he used for demo-ing.


Mar 13, 2011

Children of the Pantheon


"Children of the Pantheon" explores the juxtaposition of youth with age, summer with winter, the new world with the old, and the possibility of Rome being inundated by flood waters when the global change finally comes... and the little nippers of Bondi Beach take over the world!
90cm x 175cm 
(35" x 68")
Oil on linen

Feb 6, 2011

King of the Hill


This snowgum is growing on the main range track near Charlotte Pass. It is one of many aged, weather worn trees that are surviving in one of the most exposed areas in all of Australia. 
Oil on canvas, 48" x 36", (120cm x 90cm)