Summer Holidays

Its been another Summer Holiday. Days have been filled with going to the beach every day, either local or country and a big trip down to the South East of the State. I've tried to relax, putting my feet in the water each day and big long walks to put my mind at ease. I'm still not quite ready for 2010 but have done all that I can to get myself in the mood! We are in the midst of our classic summer heatwave, days of extreme temperatures and making one feel very exhausted. I wish all my readers the best for 2010, may it bring much happiness to all of you.


Second Valley Beach


Old House Penola


Beachport


Beachport Cave

Artists Interview "In the Real Art World"

Go to In the Real Art World for a interview about my new work currently on show at Beaver Galleries, Canberra. You will learn a little bit more about me and my painting methodology.

In the Real Art World is a great blog that looks at realist painters across the globe, focusing on current exhibitions, interviews with artists and gives the viewer an introduction to the artists' work. It is run by my partner Jim Thalassoudis.

Noir, Dianne Gall Exhibition, Beaver Galleries, Canberra

"The Visitor" 2009
Oil on Linen 111x137cm


"Noir" 2009
Oil on Linen 30.5x35.5cm


"Home" 2009
Oil on Linen 61x71cm


"Hotel" 2009
Oil on Linen 111x137cm

I will be exhibiting my new major "Noir" paintings in an exhibition opening October 15th at Beaver Galleries, Canberra. The show runs until the 3rd of November. If you happen to be in Canberra, pop in and take a look!

Little Pictures

"Misadventure" 2009
oil on linen, 30.5 x 35.5cm


"The running man" 2009
oil on linen, 30.5 x 35.5cm

Two of my most recent works can be seen at a group exhibition in Melbourne at Charles Nodrum Gallery Little Pictures runs from 1 October to 22 October 2009. These are the first exhibited works of my new Noir series. If you happen to be in Melbourne get along and have a look! Hope you like what you see....

Quick trip over to Melbourne...

Catching up on a bit of well earned rest, I spent a couple of days in Melbourne last month...

Had to take a quick snapshot of this gorgeous little number in the Arts Centre carpark, pride and joy of the owners looking at how immaculate it is...



Managed to make it to Louise Blyton's exhibition opening at Diane Tanzer Gallery, here she is with her beloved, David Coles and her wonderful installation of artworks...great show Louise!



Made it to the Dali exhibition, "Liquid Desire", with the thousands of other people! I was naughty and took pictures, but it all looked so great they way the show had been set up, I really enjoyed a lot of the works, its always great to see things in real life as opposed to seeing them in books. I particularly enjoyed this dark work, its where my asthetics are at the moment and I just found it such a treasure.


"Telephone in a dish with three grilled sardines at the end of September 1939" Salvador Dali


This exhibition room was just fantastic, a padded red dark room with Dali's beautiful and exquisite jewels all delicately and subtely placed in little cubicles. I'm sure he would have appreciated this room.

You'll always have a great time on Brunswick Street, lots of great places to eat, buy art materials, quirky books and great clothes and there are always interesting people walking about, one of my favourite places in Australia.

"Noir" Canberra Exhibition

"Troubled Beauty" 2009
Oil on Linen 30.5x35.5cms

One of the first images of my paintings from my upcoming show Noir, which opens in Canberra, at Beaver Galleries on October 15th 2009. I'll be posting some more up in the next couple of weeks.

Icons of idocy

Ben Lewis so eloquently described exactly what I've been feeling about some of the overpriced dross that has been occupying the contemporary art world in the past decade in his wonderful Times online article a couple of days ago. It never ceases to amaze me what people will accept if someone in authority tells then to think like this, or buy that, behave in a certain way. Society is far too easily led! We have the wealth of civilisation and knowledge at our over educated fingertips, yet why is it, when it comes to many things like purchasing art, reading wonderful literature, or deciphering what the newsreader is blurbing out on the 6pm nightly news, people loose their brains, powers of reasoning go out the window...just vanish into thin air. I've been watching totally bemused for a number of years now, no-talent artists producing 1000s of multiples of the same work, selling as many as they can produce, with poor quality materials and no sense of anything at all. I hope the current state of the economy will reset people's thinking power and they'll begin to question again. Ask the questions that need to be asked, fall in love with a work of art because it means something to them and feel that they will never part with it for as long as they shall live. Much more preferable to asking how much will this artwork be worth in five years, meaning how much money are you as an artist going to make for me. Its just disgusting, it makes me sick.

I believe in creating art for the right reasons, because you want to create as a method of expression, not to make a dollar. This is why I have always worked full-time in another profession, to support my art, so as not to be in the position of painting for money, I cannot bare that scenario. Nor can I stand myself to just walk up to the easel and blindly paint just because I can. It is not a good way to conduct your art career (except when you are just out of art school and finding your feet), to exhibit just because its your turn in your galleries cycle. You must have something to say, it is for this reason, I sometimes don't paint, it is always on my mind, but I don't see the point of painting to fill an exhibition just because your dealers space needs 30 paintings to fill it. Its just not on, it is better to have 10 large, well constructed images, that are the best that you can do at the time, with a couple of studies on the walls, than more dross for the mill. I also feel that painting is a continuum throughout your life, whilst your subject matter may change over time, it is still this journey, one that I started when I was about 5 or 6 years old in earnest. I've always wanted to paint, I feel unsettled if I don't paint, all those things swimming around in my head just waiting to get out, its almost a cathartic process, that I need to go through.

I look forward to seeing the spin out to a more credible and honest art world in the future.

I've been pondering....

Its been an interesting 12 months for me, with all sorts of dramas and testing decisions which have all led me to question myself, why I paint and what I paint about. I've revisited much of Art History, poured over current contemporary art exhibitions, magazines and web-sites, found myself questioning how the young artists are using so-called modern deliveries of ideas. I regularly read the financial papers, I have been watching the rise and fall of the economies of America, China, England, Japan and India. I think its important to have a big picture of history, as well as what is going on in the current global psyche, and the evolving culmination of human endeavour. I do find it disappointing that in a time where information is so readily available, that so many are ignorant of, and even more sadly do not care about what is going on around them. I am interested to watch some of the young 20 somethings produce what I can only describe as spare of the moment art work, regardless of its delivery, i.e. electronic media, installations, or a photo of an everyday banal event. I feel empty and hollow, and it seems just so long since I've been to see a well considered exhibition, that moves me to have some emotion, whether it be anger, happiness, nostalgia, empathy but rather, I often hear myself saying, ho hum that was banal and boring. Artists like Peter Booth who painted his doorway series in the 1970's, which remind me of the monoliths in Stanley Kubrick's movie, "2001, A Space Odyssey". These paintings are larger than life size and when you walk up to them, they are like a mirror and a void at the same time, its like a meditating monk or deity , attaining all knowledge or enlightenment and yet at the same time having none at all. These works deeply moved me.


Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha), c.1650, Kyoto
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide


"Voids, a Retrospective", Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris Feb-Mar 2009

On the other hand the exhibition shown at the Pompidou centre in five rooms, earlier this year, which celebrated 51 years since Yves Klein first exhibited blank walls at the Galerie Iris Clert in Paris in 1958, called "Voids", leaves me empty and in fact represents how much of contemporary art makes me feel today.

I think that as a society we are losing our way, that greed and apathy will be the worlds downfall. I sense a revolution is at hand, that people will once again stand up and be counted and will speak out. It is interesting to note that the art world has been so corrupted by greed, by the notion that the latest thing is the best thing, the bigger and more expensive it is, the better it is. Art Dealers have fostered the just out of art school clan, as their ticket to ride and in turn on the back of the attitude by the young twenty somethings, that the world owes them something, the notion of why can't I have it all, I've seen in the media how I should be living. I feel that much of the video and photo-based art today is part of the quick make a buck, make me famous ideal. The work can be like a one trick pony and I wonder if these artists will have the stamina to succeed and keep going when their dealer decides they want to promote the next hot young thing.

First Study

"Study for girl at the door", 2009
Oil on linen on board, 12.5 x 18 cm (5 x 7 inches)

Happy New Year to all my readers.

I have made my first steps towards choosing my work for my Canberra show, although the finished painting will be quite large and have less saturated colour, I wanted to work out a few things with a study. I haven't worked in this way in a very long time because with a separate full-time job, I found I didn't have the time, however I will need and want to, with this new work. So I'll post the studies on my small site and post the work in progress of the larger paintings on my This Painting Life blog.... CLICK HERE to purchase this lastest study on my small paintings blog, This Small Painting Life.

Canberra Exhibition 2009

I'm really excited to be having an exhibition of my new work in 2009 at Beaver Galleries, Canberra. It will run from the 15 October - 3 November 2009. I plan to blog about each piece as I work on it, the aim of which is to provide a work in progress series of posts leading up to the show.

Hugo Michell Gallery opens and other ramblings

New Gallery, Hugo Michell opened in Adelaide's Beulah Park a couple of weeks ago. A gorgeous space, with bad acoustics, that made it impossible to talk to anyone on opening night...



The opening show features works by Janet Laurence, Colin Duncan, Troy Innocent, Tim Sterling and Ildiko Kovacs. Laurence's work for me was the standout of the show which can be seen until 14 December 2008. As an aside note, I am most amused at the galleries attitude of secrecy...hmmm! One would think in this economic climate snobbery would not be the profitable way to proceed.



Onto other matters and I've had a really bad month, been sick most of it with a virus thingy but have managed to get out and take a few photos..This one, Jim took of me in my well travelled and much loved car, whilst I waiting for him to take some shots of the amazing sunset as we were coming home from the country one day.



This was taken on another days' journey in a small town, it is pretty rare to find old stations these days, and whenever I do, I just have to leap out of the car and take a photo.



On another occasion, when I needed to get away from it all and I couldn't paint, I drove along the dirt road which clings to the ridge above Kapunda in South Australia and came across this old abandoned home. It is certainly very isolated but at the same time, it is just the most beautiful and peaceful place, I soaked it all up for as long as I could.

James Gleeson DEAD at 92

"Sentinels of a late season", 1987, oil on linen 182x274cm

Australia's greatest Surrealist Painter, James Gleeson has died in Sydney, aged 92. He remains one of my sole inspirations as I follow the path of an artist. He never strayed from his path, he had a single vision which he painted and wrote about his whole life and continued to paint almost every day until the end, regardless of money, fashion or any other distraction. Any time, I think what I'm doing is pointless and no-one cares for what I do, I always think of Gleeson and his single vision, his need like mine to paint. The quality of his painted surface, the paint is so luscious that you want to eat it, the images so organic and primordial, they are the stuff of life.

These two paintings were from his last show on exhibition last month at Charles Nodrum Gallery. I spent quite some time devouring the qualities in these works I so admire, my only regret is that I never got to meet him. I tried several times but there was always a reason either his or mine that it did not happen. I want all Australian painters to study the work of this great man and realise what a great legacy he has left for us.


Detail "Depot for used shadows", 1999 oil on linen, 133x178cm

Following the announcement, I ran up stairs to pay homage to the work of Gleeson that I have in my home, I feel so privileged to own one of these truly great works of art.


James Gleeson "Headland", 1998, oil on canvas, 134 x 200 cm

Things that go bump in the night....

For awhile now, I've been hearing the odd clanking sound in the studio late at night, the odd thing where it shouldn't be and the alarm has been going off in the early hours of the morning. So, something was crawling about but I could never find it. Then, I was greeted by the neighbour holding a mouse trap cage in a bid to help me catch the rodent, so she could get some sleep, rather than be awoken at 2am by the alarm sounding. So, setting the trap day after day, the alarm still going off at really early hours of the day, no luck, no rodent in the cage...and so when arriving at the studio around midday on Sunday, I couldn't believe my eyes, but yes, there was a rather large blue tongued lizard peering at me from behind the couch! Out with the gardening gloves, and into the bucket! Deciding to share the exciting news with the neighbour, it was decided that she would keep it in her back yard that is full of native plants and rockeries...a perfect haven for the little guy....its now really, quiet again in the studio and the alarm is quiet! I so wanted to keep him, as I just adore lizards, oh well, at least I know he is just across the road if I need to visit.

Ray Caesar Publication by Mark Murphy Designs

Its taken a very, very long time, however, the wait has been worth the torment! I adore Ray Caesar's work, and the wonderful specialist art publishers, Mark Murphy Designs, have put together the most beautiful book. the quality of the reproductions are outstanding, I believe Outre Gallery, in Melbourne will be getting some copies soon! Note that this is Volume 1....so there will be more to come! It also has some fabulous limited edition cards that come with the publication, just to make it extra special.


"Eternity"


"Precious"

I was torn when coming out of art school and knowing that I needed a secondary profession to pay the bills along the way as I walked the path of an artist, between becoming a graphic artist and a Librarian. I made a choice to become a Corporate Specialist Librarian. However, if I had to make the same choice now, I would chose instead, to learn how to use Visual Effect Software using programs like Apple's Shake...I guess this is why I appreciate Caesar's work even more than just straight admiration. It is so great to see the amazing effects that Caesar obtains in his work, I'm sure that they are paintable but to generate such original works via a computer is equally mind blowing.

Exquisite Palette Exhibition 2008

Here is my work for the Exquisite Palette Show 2008:

"He heard the clicking of her stilettos and then, the faint knock on the door...." 2008 Oil on wood.

Its on again, for the second year and after great success the first time round, St Lukes' call for artists to create a work of art using a standard wooden artist palette as the starting point. Its a really exciting project because all stage of career artists participate, using a variety of mediums and thus its a very eclectic and extraordinary collection of works. The opening night is sure to be a huge party, so get along if you can and have your chance to own an affordable work of art.



The Exhibition includes 120 artists and runs from 3rd October to 8th November @ St. Luke Artist Colourmen 32 Smith St Collingwood, Melbourne.

Visiting Civilisation

After wanting to get to Melbourne all year, I finally made it last week for six days of culture and excitement. The occasion, apart from needing to partake in big city life was to be there with Jim for his exhibition at Charles Nodrum Gallery and you can read about it on his blog here

I feel so isolated in my home town, hiding in the studio, just going to my day job in the burbs, that I was quite desperate to talk to some practising artists about common ground. We were lucky enough to be able to spend a lunch with Rick Amor and it was just such a relief to share like minded views with a mid-career artist and reassure myself that my ideas are not crazy!



The day of the opening we spent doing my favourite thing, wandering around the city, I had the best time ambling around, with no deadline, stopping in a laneway for coffee...., checking out the odd shop or two...just BLISS! The Olympic parade was going on in the distance in Swanston Street, and the sky buzzed to the sound of helicopters and was like snow with falling ticker tape. The day was blue sky and perfect....just perfect.



Often take photos from the moving car, Jim drove and I clicked away, got some interesting shots off around the city and docklands area.



We decided to head down to Geelong where the Director of the Geelong Art Gallery, Geoffrey Edwards, kindly offered to show us around the collection and exhibiting space. The Fletcher Jones Art Prize was on too, which was an added bonus. I was so impressed with Geoffrey's energy to promote the collection, the local heritage as well as contemporary art...Some state based galleries could do well to follow his example.



The next day it was time to go to the National Gallery of Victoria and see the Art Deco Exhibition. There were some real gems in the show, unfortunately wasn't allowed to take photos, other than this one... My favourite piece was a metal four crowned serpent vase.



It was so wonderful to catch up with friends, have wonderful food and relax in the cultural capital of Australia.

Rick Amor at Liverpool Street Gallery

Rick Amor
" Journey", 2007, oil on canvas, 117 x 130cm

Excitedly ripped open the envelope encasing the forthcoming exhibition catalogue at Sydney's Liverpool Street Gallery, why, because, inside I knew was waiting a Rick Amor catalogue for my eyes to devour. It is a big call, but I've seen hundreds of Rick's paintings, I own one, I love his work, but the image #5 "Journey" is a show stopper, it immediately reminded me of Arnold Böcklin's, "The Isle of the Dead" or "L'ile des morts".



I think others have tackled this imagery, the most obvious other person is Australian artist, James Gleeson, our greatest and oldest living practising artist. I'm sure Gustave Moreau painted something of this subject too but I'm just trying to place that and cannot at this point.

Amor's, "Journey", is a beautifully sinister painting and the emotion the work imbues could hold my attention for hours. So if you are in Sydney, the exhibition opens on Wednesday September 3 6-8pm at Liverpool Street Gallery, 243a Liverpool Street, East Sydney.

Trapped in Adelaide

Feeling a little trapped in Adelaide at the moment. The above empty scene, from a recent photo shoot, is from the old Wool Stores around Port Adelaide, it seems to reflect my state of mind! The Melbourne Art Fair 2008 has come and gone and I wasn't able to get there, which has not made me the happiest little squidgit on the planet. I do enjoy seeing which artists have been selected as the 'push' at the Fair. Meaning, the artists that are hot one Fair are not necessarily those that are the following Fair.

It is also South Australian Living Artists Week in Adelaide until the 17th August. I haven't found a lot to interest me this year and am disappointed that local artists are actually supporting SALA on SALE, which is akin to a jumble sale at the local markets for whatever you can sell your work for. I just think its demeaning and downgrades the integrity of the having a festival celebrating the artistic talent of the state.

Meanwhile, I am parking myself by the heater, closing the studio door and painting when I can, which does help to keep me sane.

Kewpie Sparks

I've just had a lot of fun with some porcelain painting materials that I've never used before from a company called Pebeo. The paints take a bit of layering of thin coats and also allowing thorough drying times in between but what a fabulous idea!

Now, I didn't just wake up one morning and think, I'm going to paint on porcelain today and what do I use??! I was asked if I would paint a platter to be auctioned for great cause that helps brighten up the lives of sick children, The Starlight Foundation. I chose the Kewpie Doll with her little wand, sprinkling sparks around for good wishes as the theme...

"Metal Pencil"

This is the sort of imagery I'm working with for my new paintings, it reflects the way I am feeling and also the way I feel about the world around me. I am conflicted and troubled and I am unhappy about many things. I don't want to paint ugly and violent paintings but I do want to convey a sense of the way I feel in modern society and the way I perceive others are beginning to feel.

I have been under a lot of stress lately and have been making some really strange word associations. Last night, I decided it was time to bake a cake and as I was mixing the ingriedients, I was thinking about my art. So, it came that I needed a metal spoon and my partner was in the way of the cuttlery draw and do you think I could think of a name for spoon so I could ask him to get one out of the drawer??? Nope! So, I stumbled and spluttered and eventually came up with "Metal Pencil"...now there is a strange word association, the mind works in very mysterious ways.