Stillness with Pears

Inspired by traditional still‑life painting, this work focuses on light, shadow, and the subtle textures of two pears. I wanted to capture the quiet beauty found in ordinary objects when we pause long enough to really see them.

The Willing Hand

The Willing Hand imagines healing as a quiet ritual. The hand becomes a compass in a tender landscape, offering time, skill and tenderness as the red thread feels its way between a whole heart and one marked by fracture. In this small, deliberate gesture, repair becomes an act of choosing — choosing to help, choosing to mend, choosing to care — a devotion to what is fragile yet still capable of being made whole. This painting honours the quiet resilience of those who mend. Their work is subtle, often unseen, yet it is the thread that keeps the world from unravelling — a soft, persistent grace moving through brokenness, binding what remains to what can still be. I have very much enjoyed painting this piece.

Golden Hour in the Flinders

After considerable repainting and reworking, my latest oil painting is completed. Golden Hour in the Flinders captures a quiet moment with warm light striking the distant ridge against deep purples and blues. This rugged, ancient landscape continues to inspire me with its dramatic light and sense of peace. I’m pleased with how the final piece turned out after multiple revisions. It better reflects the calm atmosphere I experienced there. I hope it brings a sense of stillness and beauty to those who see it.

Love at first sniff

I have been revisiting some of my older pieces, including this painting from 14 years ago. Feeling that the original background was too plain, I decided to introduce a warm beige damask wallpaper featuring subtle botanical forms. This soft, repeating pattern brings a sense of luxury and depth to the piece without distracting from the main subjects. It is wonderful to give this painting a new lease on life, and I hope it brings a touch of charm and lightness to those who view it. I’ve titled it: Love at First Sniff... LOL.

It takes all sorts

This painting began with a simple, joyful reference photo of classic licorice allsorts casually arranged on a flat surface. I wanted to elevate these lollies by placing them on a crisp white plate under dramatic, directional lighting to create a chiaroscuro effect. Painting these 'bonbons' in oil was both fun and deeply rewarding; it was the kind of work that felt like bringing a little piece of joy to life on the canvas. A big thank you to Jeffrey from the Adelaide Art Society for generously sharing the original photograph that inspired this piece. It was the perfect starting point.

Unveiled Temptation

"Unveiled Temptation" captures the simple drama of an apple emerging from its paper shelter. In the soft play of light and shadow, the ordinary becomes quietly luminous. This is a reminder that beauty often reveals itself in the smallest, most unguarded moments. Painting this subject, as I have done in the past, is always a challenge and an immense pleasure at the same time.

Claudius de Savoie

What happens when a self-portrait doesn’t quite look like you—but still feels like you? In my latest oil painting, I have explored identity through stone, shadow, and myth. The figure I’ve painted could be me, or someone I might have been centuries ago. I called him "Claudius de Savoie" as I was born in Chambéry, capital of Savoy, France. This figure is part invention, part reflection, a bust with subtle green eyes and a story etched in cracks. I have enjoyed the quirkiness of it all, the idea of painting myself as a statue, as if I were already part of the past. It’s artsy, yes, but also sincere. This piece marks a shift in my practice: from technical precision toward emotional resonance. I painted not to impress, but to remember. To leave behind something that feels true.

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.

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.