'Beach Life' - Work in Progress

Well....school holidays are here, and of course Christmas is less than 2 weeks away, so unfortunately I haven't been able to paint as much as I'd like...so I thought I'd 'post' a 'work in progress'.

This is a large artwork, oil on stretched canvas - 91 x 122cm.

Back in September I spent a week at Kings Beach on the Sunshine Coast.  I took my sketch pad and did a bit of drawing while my kids were 'yahooing' on the beach.  It was interesting observing all the different ages and groups of people all socialising 'at the beach'.  I'm trying to convey that in my painting....'Beach Life'.  I've still got alot of work ahead of  me.  I'm still not sure about some of the sizing of the figures in the distance and I'm also not really sure if it's all going to come together and work... but I will be able judge better when I complete more of the background, water and figures.

'Dune Climb' Figurative Oil Painting by Amanda Russian

'Step by Step' - painting progress

Finished Artwork

'Dune Climb'

Oil on stretched canvas

56 x 71cm

'Scampering up Dunes' is probably 'frowned' on these days....not the best for the environment...damages the vegetation etc...but I think alot of us can relate, and remember in our youth, trying to 'conquer' the huge climb to the top...so much fun!

Play Days - Looking into a child's world

Play Days brings together a selection of artworks that investigate the child's play world.  Artists have often been inspired to capture a moment from that child's world, looking at the innocence, the wonderment of discovery and interaction with their peers.

Free child and parent activity workshops will be held each day for the duration of the exhibition.

Bribie Island Community Arts Centre

Exhibition dates:

Tuesday, 5 January - Friday, 31 January 2010

Opening Hours:

10am - 4pm Tues - Sun

Free Entry

http://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/

ph 07 3205 0555

'Woorim Walk' Figurative Oil Painting by Amanda Russian

'Woorim Walk' Sold

Oil on Canvas

117 x 92cm

'Woorim Walk' was a 'finalist' and awarded 'peoples choice' at the 2008

Pine Rivers Art Awards.

Thought I'd share this one with you all.... as the reference photo was taken the exact same day as my previous 'posted painting' 'Give Us a Hand Up'

Printed gift cards - 21 x 14.5cm

$6-00 + p & h

If you're interested in purchasing gift cards please email me.

'Give Us a Hand Up' - Figurative Oil Painting by Amanda Russian

Detail close up - brush strokes-texture

Finished Painting

'Give Us a Hand Up'

oil on canvas

92 x 61cm

Lilly Pad Boat Races - Figurative Oil Painting by Amanda Russian

'Lilly Pad Boat Races'

oil on canvas

117x91cm

In 2008, 'Lilly Pad Boat Races' was acquired by the Caboolture Shire Council (now the Moreton Bay Regional Council) for their public Art collection.

'Play Days' - 'Looking into a Child's World' is a Moreton Bay Regional Council art exhibition which opens 4th January and closes 31st January 2010.  It's being held at the Bribie Island Arts Centre, Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach.  Ph.3408 9288

'Lilly Pad Boat Races' will feature in the 'Play Days' exhibition, along with numerous other 'artist artworks' from the 'council' collection.

On the 27th January, Wednesday morning from 10am, I will be present at the exhibition....please drop in and say 'Hi'....would love to meet you.

 'Lilly Pad Boat Races'

 printed gift cards - 21 x 14.5cm

$6-00 + p&h

If you're interested in purchasing gift cards please email me.

'Playing in the Stockyard' - Painting Stages

Stage 1 - darks are painted using 'permanent mauve' and 'prussian blue'.  I commence painting a 'turpsy' underpainting.

Completed 'underpainting'...I leave this a couple of days to dry.

Stage 2 - I use a thicker, oilier, slow drying medium.  I commence the painting, starting with the backbround, forward.

nearly finished......

Finished painting.....

'Playing in the Stockyard' 

OIL on stretched canvas - 61 x 56cm

Realismo en la pintura (Realism in Painting) - 'Blog'

I have been lucky enough to have my artwork 'showcased' on 'Realismo en la Pintura' blog.  Realismo en la Pintura (Realism in Painting), profile some very talented people. I feel very honoured and proud to be included with such high calabre artists.
So if you haven't had a look at their blog before, be sure you do....amazing work!

'Gallery Beneath'

Some people maybe surprised, but I have only ever displayed in a 'commercial' gallery once.  It's not that my work is not accepted...it's that I have never had the 'stock' available!  So far I have been lucky, and my art has sold 'by word of mouth', or at the various competitions and exhibitions that I enter.  Now that my solo exhibiton has finished, I now have a nice 'body of artwork' to offer.

Today, I visited 'Gallery Beneath' at Sirocco Plaza, Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.  Beautiful gallery and amazing, inspiring work.  I'm very excited as they have accepted 4 of my paintings for exhibit....so if you're at the Sunshine Coast, please drop in and have a look. 

These are the 4 artworks that are now available through 'Gallery Beneath'.......

Girls Picking Wildflowers - Oil on canvas - 60 x 50cm

Splashin' Fun - Pastel on paper

Sandcastle Creations - oil on canvas - 60 x 50cm

The Red Ball - oil on canvas - 62 x 52cm

Kids Playing in the Creek-'Finished'

I finally finished this one....it's taken a while to complete.  I've got my 2 girls home because it's 'school holidays', so I've been trying to amuse them too.

'Kids Playing in the Creek', oil on canvas, 45 X 36cm

Kids Playing in the Creek-water finished

I'm happy with the way the water has turned out....I like the way the light is high-lighting the ripples.  I will probably 'touch it up' a little at the end.

Kids Playing in the Creek

This painting I started a few weeks ago at my 'demo' at the 'Childscape' exhibition. 

'oil underpainting'

background foliage painted....

Tomorrow I'll continue on with the water......

Holiday Fun...and Art!

I'm back!....I've been away with my family for a week, to Kings Beach on the Sunshine Coast.  Just lovely...beautifull warm sunny days...we had a great time.

I wasn't going to take my 'sketch pad', but I couldn't help myself.  I've become very inspired by all my 'fellow bloggers'....so many of you are outdoors painting and sketching.  I've done 'life drawing' sessions but not much 'outdoor' painting and drawing.

It certainly was a challenge....why won't 'people' stand still!  Only joking...I had to learn to draw very fast, simple strokes and lines.  In the end I just treated it like the quick 10seconds warm-up sketches we would do in 'life drawing'.

They were a 'bit of fun', and it was interesting drawing all the different body shapes... from children to adults.

Finished 'Demo' Artwork

I've now finished my 'demo' painting from last Saturday....as you can tell, I love painting 'grass'...all the colours, and the beautiful 'flicks' of light in the blades of grass...I'm pretty happy with the end result.

Childscape - Artist Talk and Demo

Who's hiding behind that canvas?!

My demo went very well.  There was a good 'turn out' of people, all very interested in how 'I do what I do'.  I know I'm silly...but I was pretty nervous at first...it's strange to have an audience watch you paint.

There were a number of people wanting to know if I gave lessons.  Everyone was so interested in the process and how I painted....I feel that I now have the confidence to 'give it a go'...teach that is. (I've never taught before.)

Anyway...it was a very rewarding day...I enjoyed myself immensely.

Preparing for my Artist Talk and Demo

I'm doing a 'demo' and an informal 'artist talk' in conjuction with my 'Childscape' exhibition.  It's this Saturday (5/9) at the Pine Rivers Art Gallery 2pm to 3-30pm.  It's something I've never done before...how do you show someone how you paint in less then 2 hours.

What I thought I might do is take a few different canvases painted at different stages.  Over the past couple of months, I have also taken photos at different stages...both with my pastels and oil paintings.  The following photos are stages of an oil painting, canvas size 40 x 50cm.  Its just about completed...

1st stage-I like to get all my darks in...I use permanent mauve or alizarin or yellow ochre...it all depends what look I'm after...'cool' 'warm' etc.

2nd Stage-I do a full 'turpsy' wash...an underpainting...very loose at this stage.  I then leave this for a couple of days to dry.

3rd stage-painting is now nearing completiton...I love it at this stage...it comes alive!  I've still got to complete the right side of the 'artwork', the 'figure' in blue and finish highlighting.  I will leave this for my demo...hopefully this will give everyone a general idea of how I 'paint'.

Blogging

This might seem like a 'silly' posting....but this 'blogging' stuff is all new too me...I'm just starting to 'get into it'.  I'm thoroughly enjoying searching for and 'following' other artists...enjoying what they create...and then also sharing what I do.  To 'connect' with people all around the world, is amazing!  Such fun! (though it keeps me up late at night!)

'Childscapes' Opening Night

'Myself' & artist 'Michelle Caitens'(left)

Here's a few photos from my 'opening' night for 'Childscapes'. It was a great night...there would have been over 100 people attending...great support!! For some reason...everyone kept on saying 'that I was younger than what they were expecting'...and 'that they were very surprised that this was my 1st Solo Art Exhibition'. I suppose it must seem like I've been around for sometime, but with having a young family, it takes a while to put together a new body of artwork for a solo exhibition. Preparing for this exhibition has been a busy 2 years, especially the last 12 months...I have either had a paint brush in my hand or I've been stuck at the computer, doing 'promo' stuff. I think I need a manager!