Quick visit to Savoie (France)

My last couple of abstract paintings did not work out. That was disappointing to say the least. Not sure why but I guess this is a learning process.
I went to France for a couple of weeks. The autumn colours were absolutely beautiful in the french Alps, It was magical. While I was there, I went to see my two little friends, Coca cola and Ali baba. I always pay regular visits to them and feed them apples and carrots. They love it. The day I left France, it was snowing. I hope they will cope during the cold winter time.
Now, back down under and having recovered from my jetlag, I have decided to go back to my realistic painting style. I feel I need time to gain my confidence back before I paint abstract again. Anyway, I just want to go with what feels right but I know that I will take up painting abstract again in the near future. Okay, back to the easel.

Abstract N0 4

For Abstract No. 4, I decided to paint on a completely dark background. I am glad that I made this decision as I really like the results. The use of opaque colours helped the process but somehow this painting decided to take on a rather organic shape. This was not my primary intention. It happened and I just followed what the paint wanted me to do. I am also pleased with the textures I got. I find it all very exciting. I am looking forward to painting No. 5.

Abstract N0 3

This is abstract number three. I am very pleased with this painting. It looks like a landscape somehow, but one can also view this painting vertically and it seems to work very well that way too.
I love using oil paint over the acrylic paint. The oil paint seems to glide effortlessly over the surface of the painting. This painting has been a real pleasure to do from start to finish.
I have already started thinking about painting number four. It is lovely when I feel in the flow.....

Here we go, this is another way I like to look at this painting. Being an abstract painting, one is free to view it from a different way. I dare to say, one could hang this painting one way and after say several months or years, turn the painting to a different position and all of a sudden it becomes a totally different painting to look at. I really like that idea.

Abstract N0 2

For this abstract work, I decided to keep a restricted palette and keep some of the canvas blank as to not overcharge the painting. I am very happy with the results and it has been a joyful experience painting it.

Abstract N0 1

This is something I wanted to do for a very long time.....and finally I decided that "NOW" was the time for me to paint abstract work.
Putting aside the fear of the unknown, I have let it happen  and this time, the painting was controlling me rather than me controlling the painting.
Abstract painting can be whatever you make of it. I don't want to be intellectual about it but I like to think that when looking at an abstract painting, it is more about what you see and feel than what you see and think. Anyway, this new way of painting for me feels like being on a rollercoaster...it is great fun but it is not for the fainthearted.
I have enjoyed the process very much, in fact I loved it.

Normy

This is Normy's portrait. He lives in the nearby hills and is very well looked after by his owner, my friend Janet. I painted Normy from a picture she gave me and used the chiaroscuro technique to create a sense of drama and the illusion of volume. I wanted to engage the viewers....Normy seems very friendly and looks cute, but he is a bull, therefore not your average pet.  Anyway, I have enjoyed doing this painting a lot.

Yann's eggplants

I did this oil painting just a few weeks ago. I painted those "aubergines" for my friend Yann. The paint was still very wet when he got the painting. Anyway, I hope he enjoys this painting as much as I enjoyed painting it.

Moon down under

This is my latest oil painting. It has been awhile.....I have enjoyed very much painting this one. This painting is now living at a friend's place in Grenoble, France. Lucky painting, delighted friend and happy me!