Posted in decently on May 13th, 2012 by Graham – Be the first to comment
Had a call a couple of days ago for a (very) short notice show, starting on 15 May and running for a week at the Southfields Gallery. As I’m already showing in two others this coming week, I’m using this as a chance to exhibit some stuff that’s barely even dry yet! The gallery is about a two-minute walk from Southfields tube (District line) at 223 Wimbledon Park Road, SW18 5RH. I believe there will be a private view next Saturday evening, drop me a line if you’d like to go.
Apart from bubble-wrapping and delivering sundry paintings, it’s been a busy week in general, but I was determined to do a bit more to the latest piece, and here it is. Working from a photo I took in Arizona with my brother-in-law Dan last year.
Untitled. Oil on panel. 20 x 10.
Posted in spite of everything on May 7th, 2012 by Graham – Be the first to comment
The Thames at Wandsworth Park. Oils. 20 x 5.
I’m experimenting with some different formats at the moment. Quite like this panoramic sort of view, and think I will also try some square paintings too. Still searching for my own style; I see a lot of painters whose work I really admire, and try to take inspiration from them (whilst getting a little demoralised at how brilliant they are!) But there are also many artists – very talented ones – who are clearly trying to painstakingly reproduce the style of the painters they in turn look up to. That’s not what I’m aiming to do.
All that waffle aside, there’s a lot I would give to have a fraction of the vision and ability of these people: William Wray and Jeremy Mann, who both produce amazing work that teeters on the line between figurative and abstract; and also Marc Hanson, Frank Serrano and Marc Dalessio, who all turn out fantastic plein air landscapes. If you haven’t yet looked at these artists, I’d seriously recommend that you do right now – and be ready to spend the next hour or two lost in their art.
Posted in sensibly on April 29th, 2012 by Graham – Be the first to comment
Trebah Gardens. Oil on canvas. 20 x 16.
Calling this one finished now I think. Looking again tomorrow may reveal a few last tweaks that are needed, we shall see. It’s a bit too picturesque a scene for my liking really, but there you go!
Posted in somnia on April 28th, 2012 by Graham – Be the first to comment
Trebah Gardens. Oil on canvas. 20 x 16.
Wondering if this is a bridge too far …
Some tweaking of greenery still to be done, and I am undecided about the water. So far I’ve painted it very thin, but am wondering if I need to get some thick paint on there to beef up the reflections. I think I will ponder that over a beer.
Posted in case of on April 22nd, 2012 by Graham – 2 Comments
Trebah Gardens. Oil on canvas. 20 x 16.
Ho ho. Trebah Garden(s), that is. Did a little more to this today as it was a bit too damp outside for painting. Slightly worried that it’s beginning to look like a chocolate box, but then again that’s what the actual place looks like in some respects, so …
Not a great deal left on this one now, key thing to put in is the footbridge, which will be interesting. Then any final adjustments and I will call it done.
Posted in decline on April 21st, 2012 by Graham – Be the first to comment
The Blue Door. Oil. 8 x 10.
Had a good day with the pictures, I’m pleased to say. Collected Cement Train from the framers, and they’ve done a good job. And I finally managed to get another plein air painting done that I’m halfway satisfied with. Although it was painted only a few yards from the back door of our flat!
Posted in sensibly on April 19th, 2012 by Graham – Be the first to comment
Arizona Canal. Oil. 20 x 13.
Early stages of a new piece. Want to get outside and paint again but too dark by the time I’ve finished work, so that will have to wait until the weekend. This is the Arizona Canal, oil on 20 x 13 board. Very early work and a bit rushed perhaps, we’ll see.
Posted in coherence on April 14th, 2012 by Graham – 2 Comments
After the trials and tribulations of plein air painting I retreated indoors and re-attacked this one. Quite a bit happier with how it’s looking now, although there is still quite a lot to do. The footbridge needs to be added for one thing, which will be a ‘make or break’ point for this painting, I think. There are also a whole heap of blue-white flower blooms to be added across most of the foreground greenery, and the water will need some more work.
In addition, I’m considering wiping out the central palm tree. It’s right there in the reference photo but I think it draws the eye too much and looks out of place. Any suggestions gratefully received …
Trebah Gardens. Oil on canvas. 20 x 16.
