So the day before the private view, I decided to revamp the Narwhal piece. I managed to get it done just in time and it is now one of my favourite pieces from the Reverie series. I added some pastel green, gold and silver to the colour scheme. I will be posting up an updated photo of the piece soon, so watch this space :)

Just some exhibition preparation photos :)

Our handmade guest book below!

ARTIST STATEMENT

The 9 paintings that I am showcasing are from a series of work I produced entitled ‘Reverie’ – a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.

I decided to showcase this particular series as it has been a concept that has stuck with me since high school, but forgotten during my university years. I started working on the series as I began my teaching career and is still ongoing. It is a more playful and uninhibited project since I enforce no rules but of my own.

My methods involve using traditional painting mediums and pattern making. My patterns, explored in both organic and structured manners, are inspired by the natural world. The structured patterns consist of coloured triangles that I hand cut individually – a process that is both time consuming yet meditative which I developed during my Fine Art degree. Through this exploration, colour itself became a source of inspiration as the different colour combinations evoke different feelings.  

I usually begin a painting with a particular scene in mind; a natural backdrop, which then transforms into a dream like setting. I work from both first-hand and second-hand photographic references. The animals, which are painted both in realistic and fictional styles, represent a personified character, which the viewers can identify with. Each character is juxtaposed into dreamlike states complimenting the alluring environment around them, thus becoming the focal point of the artwork.

The titles serve as a starting point - an initial source of interpretation for the viewer to navigate through using one’s own imagination. To me, words are just as powerful as images, which is why I always make it a point to create a narrative within each painting. My paintings mean to evoke a stimulating calm – a muse for the mind.

My colleagues and I are holding our first ever group exhibition! This is the poster I designed for it using the "Rhonna Design" app on my phone. It's extremely easy to use and I love the clean graphics and templates provided. 

New piece is up! I've finally completed this painting of Nadira at 5 months. I decided to add foliage to complete the piece (my typical pink lotus flowers, and a little bird). I tried to to make it look as realistic as possible. The arms were the most difficult aspects to paint - it took me hours and hours of repainting because I just couldn't get the tonal values right. It's not perfect, but I'm glad it's finally done! Click HERE to see previous entries on this work. 

Reference Photograph - I gave her a little more hair! :)

"Baby Bloom"
2014
50cm x 60cm
Acrylic & Enamel on Canvas