After Warm

Watercolour 54 cm x 38 cm
We left the main highway between Bathurst and Orange, 

and travelled up a lane at Macquarie Wood. (NSW Australia) 

We discovered this wide vista beyond the rise. The sun was low, but strong.

Boats on Sydney Harbour

Had such fun painting this from our small boat.

Acrylic on paper: 30 cm x 40cm (approx) Seascape

Bondi Beach

I have a 'plein air' harbour painting on my wall at the moment, and it lifts me when I look at the bright colours and splashes of paint. I think that these are 'slap happy' paintings.

This Bondi Beach is one of my favourites: painted on a large sheet of watercolour paper, which I then mount onto canvas. I will be describing my 'mount' technique soon. I think it's a winner, so I'll share. :)

www.galleryv.com.au

Settler's Arms Inn, St Albans

Nestled in a valley between large mountains sits an old Inn, a popular destination for day trips from Sydney. I was there last Sunday, and I painted "en plein air" from the beer garden.

Watercolour 32 x 40cm (approx)

Boat Studio

It's taken almost a lifetime, but we have finally bought a small boat. Which I am using as a floating easel. Here I am painting the Gladesville Bridge. I have used big brushes for the main areas. This little brush is just the finishing accents in white.

(above) Finished painting: I try not to touch it again, so that it retains the freshness of the "Plein Air"...

And of course, it is always an inaccurate rendering of the real thing! In hindsight, and with the benefit of photography, I can see that I have exaggerated the bridge. Ha, obviously it seemed more important to me! But I don't mind being 'wrong', as that shows a personal interpretation of the scene. 

Same beach, same scene

This alcove was just made for me! It is a viewing platform on the road beside Bondi Beach. I spread out a plastic sheet and start painting the surf.  Perfect!

But at the moment my dilemma is how to frame or mount the large paintings. They are on watercolour paper (185gsm) which is tough, but needs a heavy perspex frame.

I am going to try mounting the paper onto canvas using lots of wet bondcrete.

Fingers crossed!

Bondi Beach under the Sun

Bob and I visited Bondi yesterday for some fresh-air painting, but I only managed a sketch. It was hot, busy, and I did not have any swimmers with me!

So I did a sketch, painted it up last night with watercolour, and will go back later today on my own. One thing: the colours really were this bright. I took lots of photos with the 'good' Canon, just in case the weather turned and I was unable to return. It takes about 30 minutes to get through the traffic from home to the beach. 

On a related topic, I have to go to the skin-cancer-clinic for a check-up today.  Aussies are supposed to have very high skin-cancer victims. Our fair skin under 6 months of burning sun rays.

Watercolour on paper
38cm x 37cm 

Ebb Tide

Watercolour 42 x 59cm

Mangroves have inner beauty. Old and spindly, they cope with everything

the river throws up.. so to speak.

Turning Tide

This is a possible new direction for me: It is watercolour, but is also an unusual composition.

It was the pale light shining through the pale trunks that attracted me. I photographed it just after a king tide, where the water had flooded over the path. Please leave a comment if you like... :)

42 cm x 60 cm

Watercolor on paper

The Hidden Beach

I was exploring my favourite park for some painting inspiration, and I discovered a sandy beach section, with moss covered rocks, and sea shells! This is the Parramatta river, about 13 km in from the sea. I was taking lots of shots, and a big cloud appeared from the west.
I used one of these pics for a demonstration painting at The Castle Hill Art Society last night, and this is my result.
Acrylic on paper about 60 cm x 100 cm.

River Life

This is a view from Putney Park. (warming up for a demo on Wed. night.)
River Life. 
Acrylic on paper 58 x 78cm

Huge Fig Tree

This tree was very big, and very old. 

It lives in a park near my house in Putney.

I have not noticed it before, but I will make up for

 that oversight with a lot of attention in the future!

40cm x 60cm

Acrylic on paper

Summer Hues at the Point

My house is near a river, which is actually the western edge of Sydney Harbour. We have many parks along its edge, and lately I have joined with a few other artists to paint in these parks in the hot sunshine! Today was perfect weather, with a cool breeze. This work is on canvas, but not stretched. My Facebook page shows an "in situ" photograph. It will be shown in my next exhibition on May 1.

Sydney, Australia

Acrylic on canvas

80 x 97cm

Summer Rain

I painted "Summer Rain" for a demonstration at my local art society.

It is acrylic on paper, and executed like a watercolour.

I wanted to represent a different weather event 

from the normal sunny, bright days.

90 x 55cm (approx)

Sydney Daylight

Charcoal sketch and painting from the Observatory Hill in Sydney. 

Unlike last time (in the bandstand) I was positioned out on the grass, and at times I had whole bus loads of tourists behind me! 

It was quite a challenge to maintain concentration. There were little children up close, so engrossed and watching every stroke. (I use big house brushes.)

But I chatted with lots of people and it was fun: like when you are walking a dog, everyone is much friendlier.

"Sydney Daylight"

55 x 90cm

Acrylic on paper

Charcoal study

44 x 50cm

Available at my next Gallery V show opening May 1

Three Harbour Paintings

Sydney Harbour is so vast, there are lots of nooks and crannies. You could be anywhere! 

In the wild, on an island... or in the middle of a city!

Haze on the Harbour

I'm changing my method of watercolour.

I've been watching a Jim Lovett video (A Queensland artist) who advocates the use of gesso as a glaze to soften colours. (I've used acrylic titanium white before, as well as gouache. But gesso seems to be more transparent.)

I've also been reading Lloyd Rees book where he talks about whitening his paintings as he became more mature, and trying to capture the light of the harbour.
Both these influences are making an impression on me.

24 x 32cm
Mixed media (watercolour and gesso) on paper.

White Echos

We wandered along this lane twice: once in 2012 and again in 2013: 

both times I was fascinated by the curves of the church's nave.

AUD$120 (email to purchase)

25 x 30cm

Oil on Canvas

Golden Dash

Le Tour de France sprinters doing their thing... heads down, racing for the finish.

Watercolor, 24 x 32cm

Click here to visit my Etsy Shop

Old Grandeur

An old house in the bush: built on the top of a hill and surrounded by

Australian gum trees.

I loved the red roof against the pale blue foliage.

An Original Watercolour

by Shirley Peters

Traditional technique of watercolour on heavy paper. 

Returning Home

.

A traditional Australian painting of an old iron-roofed house,

once a proud home, now neglected and empty.

My grandmother lived in such an isolated house, 

but in those times there were no trees, just paddocks

Traditional technique of watercolour on heavy paper. 

An original, signed, painting.

Image size: 32cm x 24cm (12.5" x 9.4")

Luna Park near the Bridge

Sold

An original, signed, painting on paper by Shirley Peters.

Image size is 22 x 30cm (paper is larger)

Artist watercolour on Arches Paper

Le Tour de France.

 

Sold

Old Sheds near Ball's Head Reserve, Sydney Harbour.

My new series of daily paintings will be based on views of Sydney Harbour.

Looking down from Ball's Head reserve, these old sheds reminded me of the 'hey' days of the northern side, when industry required water transport.

46cm x 35cm

Watercolour on Paper

Sold.

Fresh Air Painting again, this time in Sydney.

Such a lovely day! Warm but with a cool breeze. Bob agreed to come Plein Air painting this afternoon. We drove around and around looking for a special spot at North Sydney.

Up high, not too many passing people. Great view. Perfect!

My folder lies flat and holds the paper. Paints behaved themselves.

Only problem is that I had to bend over to paint as I forgot my "extended" brush.

Back at the car, Bob is waiting for paint to dry! "It's not going in MY Subaru while still wet."

After deciding that the painting could fit in the car without having to fold it, we headed for our latest, favourite restaurant for dinner. But we needed a loo, urgently.

We found these "self cleaning" ones are under the Harbour Bridge.

I had to take a photo: clean, free, and so convenient.

What every "plein air" artist needs!!!

Speaking of which.. the bridge looked very splendid in the setting sun.

Back at home, my painting rests on the living room floor while it dries.

Finished painting. 

I'm not 'allowed' to touch it again. My rules :)

Except for removing the stones!

Racing Le Tour

During the European summer, I was busy painting scenes from Le Tour de France.

I was sitting up late at night (I live in Sydney, Australia) taking photographs of the TV screen as the race unfolded, and quickly sketching and painting the views. At the end of each night I would post the painting on eBay, and sell it after 5 days of (sometimes) competitive bidding.

I've been doing it for three years now. I have new buyers, and a group of 'collectors' who keep returning, and bidding. Many sales are to Americans and Canadians. 

This year, I made contact with a gallery in Amsterdam, who wanted to show my work in their window spaces around the town. So I doubled my output, and had a selection of 21 works to send over in September. They were received very well. 

Which brings me to eBay. I am now selling the paintings from that Amsterdam display.

They are 24 x 32cm (9.5" x 12.5") 

There are five available at the moment, with more being added every few days.

Click here to Bid

Autumn Red Lights Canal

After travelling around the south of France, I've been moved by the Impressionsists, especially Monet.   He painted these canals, and made such beautiful paintings of the trees alongside.

 I started this painting while on our barge in France, and finished it back home in Sydney.

30cm x 42cm (11" x 16")

Oil on Sheet Canvas (unstretched)

Sketch for larger work...

I do many sketchy paintings, with the intention of working over them in acrylic or oils, 

or repainting the whole scene.

I will definitely re-do this sketch... 

But it has a 'primitiv' feel that I like.

30 x 40cm Watercolour on Acrylic paper

Landscape

Steps at Nikolai

•   Watercolour 30 x 40cm

It's morning here (Thursday) and I was hoping for a sunny day, as it's our last full day in Berlin. 

I love light and shadows, and the patterns formed.

Here is Bob walking up steps at Ephraim-Palais in Nikolaiviertel.

Berlin Shadows

A watercolour sketch of the Nikolai square near my hotel in Berlin.

I love the shadows that the large, medieval church throws during the rare moments of sunshine.

Watercolour Landscape 30 x 40cm

AUD $200 (free post)

The Arps&Co Gallery in Amsterdam

A unique gallery that specialises in window displays in and around the centre 

of Amsterdam! This way the gallery is open 24/7.

At the moment Gabriela Hajzler is showing her whimsical, subtle art that reflects 

the concept of peeking through windows, seeing glimpses of other people's lives.

Gabriela explained her concept to us artists from the Arps Gallery Win/Win Project.

Here is a link to the gallery and her work:

http://www.arpsgallery.com/index.php

Amsterdam Canal: a hint of autumn

Walking around the canals of Amsterdam today, I was taken with the colours of the city.

With the trees just beginning to turn, and the sun throwing warm rays ... unexpectedly, as it was pouring here yesterday.. I couldn't wait to get back to the apartment to do this watercolour.

Landscape

Watercolour

42 x 30cm

$200 (world post incl.)

Email to purchase.

shirleypeters@me.com

From France

"Calm Waters"

Watercolour

15 x 20cm (approx)

"Autumn - Early"

watercolour

15 x 20cm (approx)

"Golden Promise"

Watercolour

29 x 42cm (approx)

I am on a barge in France, enjoying boating on a calm canal in warm autumn weather.

Occasionally painting, in between exploring the old towns.

I'm with two other artists (my sister and her husband) and my photographer husband...

so lots of fun being had in this region.

All watercolours: AUD$160 small, AUD$200 large 

Oils: AUD$300

Free post worldwide

Dash in Haze

Slightly larger than the other Le Tour de France paintings.

30 x 40cm

Bid now

Short Sharp Sprint

Adrenaline, action, excitement!

My favourite part of every stage is the finish... I guess it's the rider's best bit too.

9 x 12" 

Acrylic and watercolor on paper

This painting will be WON by a customer of the Daily Paintworks website next Friday.

All you need to do is to buy a work that is listed on that site (and there are some great paintings there!!) and then you'll be in the running to win this painting. 

Cheers

Shirley