Oil Paintings

Oil Painting.... a part of my life

My mother is an artist, I grew up with the smell of oil paints and turps.

I was taught from a young age that if that tree over there was to be painted it would need touches of chrome green. That if I was to ever paint the sunset seen out of our window it would be with a touch of cadmium orange.

I was taught to feel no boundaries in my art, therefore I have no qualms in using as many mediums as I like.

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My Oil Paintings

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(click on photos to enlarge)

Melissa

oil on board

30x40cm

(for Melissa)

Train Travel

oil on canvas 20 x 24"

January 2012

(private collection)

'The Rabbit tree'

oil on canvas

100cmx100cm

Oil on board 81 X 122 cm

(private collection)

Oil on canvas approx 100cm X 76cm

'The Graham Tree'

This painting is part of an online portrait swap I participated in, I was paired up with another artist who lives in Perth. The idea is to send each other your photo to paint, then the portrait is finished you mail it to the other artist as a gift.

I was teamed up with Graham who loved my tree paintings and asked if I would paint him as a tree.

oil on canvas 20 x 24"

November 2011

(for Graham)

Koi fish painting...'The Big Day Out'

28 X 28 "

'Our home is girt by sea'

24 X 36"

close up

'The Gathering' SOLD

"The journey" SOLD

The words in this painting say:

"Japanese legend has it that every year thousands of koi make a perilous and difficult journey up the Rainbow River. It is said that if a koi succeeds in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate it will be transformed into a dragon. Based on this legend koi are associated with perseverance in adversity,

strength of purpose, courage and the ability to attain high goals."

I love koi and I love this legend.

You have all heard the saying " Just go with the flow" well my response to that is "only dead fish go with the flow!"

Close up of detail:

Each word is written on a single piece of fine paper which is glued around ink drawings of koi. The work was sealed with lacquer and shellac. I then painted the koi fish in oils.

It is a complex piece that tells a story and celebrates life with the colour and movement of koi.