Art to Art Pop Up show

Art to Art in Balwyn are holding a Pop Up show starting on August the 23rd. All artwork available will be under $2000 which is fantastic for art fans that don’t have big budgets. I will have three works available in the show, and there are 30 other amazing Australian artists with work showing. 

Make Something out of Nothing, 96cmx66cm Acrylic on MDF framed in Tasmanian Oak $1000

Rebel Heart, 91cmx91cm acrylic on canvas $1250  

Between Days 61cmx84cm Acrylic on Canvas $900 

The opening night is is from 7pm on the 27th of August and you can RSVP via this link: RSVP

Remembered Landscapes

Remembered Landscapes is a collection of paintings that I have been working on over the last few months. They are all inspired by the Australian Bush and the Upper Yarra area of Melbourne and include a mixed series of both abstract and more traditional landscape paintings, all with a typical Clair Bremner twist.

The exhibition will be on display from the 6th - 22nd of September at Established For Design in Malvern East. I am really proud of this series and I am looking forward to seeing the work on display surrounded by a beautifully curated collection of furniture and homewares.

You are invited to the exclusive opening event. Please join us for an evening of art and drinks to celebrate.

Thursday 6th September, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Established For Design
287 Wattletree Rd, Malvern East

[If you are interested in attending please click on the button below to RSVP for catering purposes ]

RSVP HERE

Tools of the trade

The main medium I prefer to work with is Acrylic paint. Over the years I have experimented with every art supply and material imaginable. Early on, while I was studying Viaual Art at TAFE,  I was actually using oil paint because I thought that you weren’t a “real artist” unless you knew how to use oil paint. 

As I have aged and matured I have realized how rediculous that idea is and that you can be a real artist and use whatever materials you like. I also always hated the messy cleanup process that is involved with oil paint. So once I started to get back in to painting on a regular basis I decided to use acrylics.  

The fast drying time, vibrant colours and easy cleaning qualities are all perfect for the way I work.  

I also use a range of brushes to create my art, all of them are cheap and some of them are not even “artist” brushes. I use nylon brushes, house paint brushes from the hardware store and a few mop style brushes that are meant to be used for stenciling or applying gesso but I like the scratchy messy marks that they make.  

I am a terrible brush owner. I abuse them all the time. I let them dry out, or I soak them for days on end in dirty water. I use them to varnish and then forget to was them. I use them to scoop out blobs of paint, smoosh them into containers and clog them up. When they are dead I throw them out and buy new ones. 

I use a few different brands of acrylic paint, but mostly Derivan Matisse, Golden Acrylic and Hydrocryl. I mix different brands together to make up my own colours as well as using colours right out of the tube. If I know I’m going to use a particular colour a lot then I will mix up a big batch and keep it in a plastic container with a lid. I also use Liquitex paint markers to add in some of the fine details on top. 

I paint on both stretched canvas and watercolour paper, I have my canvas custom stretched and sent to me and I purchase my watercolor paper in large sheets or pads. The canvas is 12oz cotton and the paper is always 300gsm cotton or above. 

Open Studio 11th-12th November

This year I'll be taking part in the Yarra Valley Open Studio Tour which is held over three areas and three weekends between September and November. The Warburton area will be on the 11th and 12th of November from 10am-4pm.  

You can come and visit me in my studio at 21 Woods Point Rd in Warburton (in the YREC Business Village opposite the caravan park). I will have original artworks for sale, including paintings on canvas, paper and a exclusive collection of hand painted original ceramics.  

To find out more about the Open Studios, including the other participating artists, you can visit the official website at  https://www.yarravalleyarts.org.au/yvaopenstudios

Inspiration vs Painting

Here is a quick little peak into my process. The paintings for my upcoming exhibition were all directly inspired by the Yarra River. Some were sketched interpretations and others, such as this one below, were inspired by photographs.  

I never try to copy a landscape exactly, I always like to use my own interpretation which gives my paintings their imaginative and dreamlike quality. As you can see, although I was directly inspired by the photo, the finished painting has taken on a whole new feeling of its own. I tried to emphasis the feeling of the sun going down and the last warmth from the day hitting the riverbank to the right.   

Last Light (152cmx101cm Acrylic on Canvas) will be in display during my exhibition Yarra, which is being held at Cambridge Studio Gallery in Collingwood from the 8th to 26th of March. There will be opening drinks on the 12th of March from 2pm, it would be lovely to see you there. 

Studio snapshots

Here is a little peek into the studio and what I've been up to lately. If you want to see more behind the scenes stuff make sure you subscribe to my instagram account.  

I've started another piece for my new series. This will be in my show in March titled Yarra where I will be focusing on the local river scenes. 

I finished (and sold)  this pretty piece. 

I also completed this commission that was started before Christmas. I usually don't take that long to finish commissions but I have been away a fair bit these last few weeks.  

I have a big pile of canvases due to be delivered soon so it will be a busy few weeks. If you would like to pop into the studio to view anything in person then feel free to message me. I haven't forgotten about that Open Studio day either... it will happen soon!  

Internal Worlds Exhibition Opening

It's show time! My new exhibition opens at St Michaels gallery today (the 16th of October) and will run until mid November. The Exhibition consists of eight paintings and all are available to purchase via the gallery.

Internal Worlds is a collection of paintings inspired by nature and the cycle of time. The small worlds of overlapping foliage show depth and details that are not noticed fully until you approach the works closely. This is a reflection of my own inner struggle, the constant tug of war between being an introvert and wanting to be left alone – while simultaneously wanting to reach out and connect with people and maintain meaningful relationships.

All sales and inquiries need to take place through the gallery. You can speak to Erin on PH (03) 9654 5120 or via email at communications@stmichaels.org.au

St Michaels Gallery is located at 120 Collins Street, Melbourne. You gain access to the gallery via St Michaels Walk which is just off Collins street. The opening will begin at 11:30 am today until around 1pm, i will be there and i would love to have a chat to you.

As mentioned earlier,  all sales and inquiries need to take place through the gallery. You can speak to Erin on PH (03) 9654 5120 or via email at communications@stmichaels.org.au

I am happy to arrange free shipping Australia wide on any painting purchased interstate, just let Erin know over the phone where you would like it shipped to.

Internal Worlds Exhibition Preparation

I have a new show opening on the 16th of October until the 20th of November. The show is in the unique little St Michaels Gallery on Collins street in Melbourne which is in the entrance way of the St Michaels building behind the old church.

There will be a brief opening event from 11am on Sunday the 16th, I will be there and I'd love to have a chat to anyone that pops in. There I'll be 9 pieces available to buy, including three framed works on paper. I will not be holding a pre-sale for this show, however once the show opens I will show photos and details of the available pieces and any interstate collectors will be able to contact the gallery and purchase works over the phone.

This series is very abstract and monochromatic and all pieces are similar in colour and would work well together as pairs.

If you happen to be in the city on Sunday feel free to pop in for some champagne and a chat.