L' Amour

L’Amour: A Meditation in Color and Form. This painting began as a study in geometry and light, but quickly evolved into something more intimate. L’Amour, French for “Love”, is a pyramid of ten colored cubes, stacked with quiet intention. Each layer builds upon the last, forming a structure that is both stable and vulnerable. The composition is simple, yet symbolic because love, too, is constructed over time, shaped by contrast, balance, and care. I chose a restrained background to let the cubes speak for themselves. Their colors, soft blues, warm pinks, deep purples, and quiet neutrals, suggest emotional nuances rather than overt symbolism. The lighting, gentle and directional, casts subtle shadows that ground the cubes in space and evoke a sense of calm. The inscription “L’Amour xx” nestled within the central cube is a whisper, not a declaration. It’s a reminder that love is often found in the quiet center of things, in the balance between structure and spontaneity, between clarity and mystery. This piece was meditative to paint. I found joy in the process, in the layering of oil, the shaping of edges and the slow emergence of form. It challenged me technically, but more importantly, it invited reflection.

Golden Harvest

Behind "Golden Harvest": I began this alla prima oil painting on Friday morning at the Adelaide Art Society. My aim was to soften the apple’s edges and blend them seamlessly into the dark background. Inspired by Paul Foxton’s brilliant YouTube demonstration, I hope to have achieved that effect. I also hope Golden Harvest resonates with you, celebrating simplicity and the beauty in everyday objects. A big thank you to Paul for the reference photo and his excellent teaching skills!

Citrus Serenity

This latest oil painting has been a true joy to create. Some works, like this one, seem to flow effortlessly, with every brushstroke coming together harmoniously in the end. The real challenge for me was capturing the blue rim around the bowl with precision. I hope this piece evokes a sense of calm and reflection for you, as it did for me while painting it.

Mandarins (painting progress...)

This is the 2nd layer with colours for the bowl and 1st layer for the mandarins. I am trying to keep the chroma as high as I can for those mandarins.

This is the 1st layer with colours for the bowl.

Mandarins

Started a new oil painting. I have used raw umber with some titanium white. I am looking forward to painting those manderins!

Antique Bloom

Painting alla prima has always posed a significant challenge for me. During my trip to France last March, I enrolled in Paul Foxton’s online Art School, where I discovered a wealth of knowledge under the guidance of this exceptional artist and teacher. The experience has been deeply rewarding, enhancing my skills considerably. Despite my efforts, I find it difficult to paint with a loose style, even when I attempt to do so. As an artist, I naturally gravitate toward realism and intricate details, a preference that feels instinctive and brings me great joy. In this painting, I hope you'll feel a hint of nostalgia and quiet grace, or the delicate balance between fragility and enduring charm.

Horizon's Call

I love this painting. It vividly reminds me of my childhood, a time when I was always eager and ready for an adventure with the boundless wonders of mother nature. The image of the little boy running into the sea stires a longing within me, wishing I could somehow step back into those carefree days and be that child once again. A big thank you to my dear friend Jill, who graciously gave me permission to use her beautiful photograph as the inspiration for this artwork.

Crimson Harvest

Crimson Harvest is an oil painting that captures the quiet beauty of a simple subject: a cluster of ripe red grapes resting on a plate. The deep, rich hues of the grapes, set against a stark black background, evoke a sense of abundance and ripeness, as if they’ve just been plucked from the vine at the peak of their season. The title reflects not only the vivid crimson tones that dominate the canvas but also the timeless act of harvesting nature’s bounty, a moment of connection between the earth and the viewer. The painting invites you to pause and appreciate the understated elegance of everyday things, reminding us that even the smallest gifts of nature can hold profound beauty when observed closely. The essence of Crimson Harvest lies in its interplay of light and shadow, which brings the grapes to life with a glossy, almost tangible texture. The delicate vine tendrils curling upward add a touch of organic spontaneity, contrasting with the stillness of the composition. This piece is about more than just fruit—it’s a meditation on simplicity, patience, and the fleeting perfection of nature’s cycles. I wanted to create a work that feels both intimate and universal, encouraging viewers to find meaning in the ordinary and to savor the fleeting moments of beauty that surround us.

The Daffodil's Whisper

 

Today, I had the privilege of completing this oil painting at the Adelaide Art Society, where my peers offered invaluable guidance and support. I struggled with the background, which felt "flat," and was unsure of my next steps. With their input, I found direction and returned home with a finished painting I'm proud of. I'm truly grateful for their help.

Just before updating my blog, I asked an "AI" what the Daffodil's Whisper might say.... and this is its reply: "The Daffodil's whisper might say, "In stillness, I bloom—carrying the promise of spring, a quiet hope that endures even in solitude." It speaks of resilience and renewal, a soft reminder of life's cycles and the beauty found in simplicity, echoing the introspective mood of your painting.

Plum Duet

 In this alla prima painting, I aimed to capture the simple elegance of two ripe plums. The serene, contemplative mood reflects how I felt while painting those little beauties. 

Apple Duet

This is an alla prima oil painting (study), which I found to be quite challenging. This painting was done in one setting. I'm deeply grateful for Paul Foxton's guidance through his online art school. With his help, I plan to explore and learn his process, hoping to achieve my goal to paint alla prima.

I'm excited to practice alla prima painting more frequently, aiming to capture light and shadow convincingly in a single painting session.

Whispers of Thought

 

Pansies have a rich history in art, symbolising various emotions and themes over time. Here is my rendition of a yellow pansy, known in French as "une pensée," meaning "thought." While painting, I was immersed in happy thoughts, even as I navigated the challenge of capturing its vibrant yellow hues.

Ceci n'est pas une tasse

 

"Ceci n'est pas une tasse," which translates from French to "This is not a cup."

This is my version of the famous work "The Treachery of Images" by Rene Magritte, which depicts a pipe with the caption " Ceci n'est pas une pipe" ("This is not a pipe"). Playing with the concept of reality and representation. This painting is not merely an image of a cup, it is an idea, a statement about the nature of art and reality. It is saying that what we see is not always what it is, it's an interpretation, a representation. It reminds us that sometimes, what we see is merely a suggestion, not the truth. And so, this painting of a cup that is not a cup will carry on the paradox. This painting is perhaps a silent teacher to all who look beyond the surface.

Painting this cup was challenging, especially the cursive handwriting but overall, a fun painting to do on a linen panel.