tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30614882261695074692024-03-12T18:40:10.790-07:00Simon Coates' Traditional IllustrationsSimon Coates' Traditional Illustrations, digital and freehand.
Feel free to email me on coatsieboy@yahoo.comCoatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-73707576034719087222014-03-12T13:52:00.001-07:002014-03-12T13:52:44.563-07:00Beautiful Garden Re-ImaginedThis was a commission in late 2012 for a woman's mother. My client Tatianna brought me a work her mother loved from a desk calender, which was really beautiful. It was however the work of a disabled man who painted with his mouth. As much as I have always lived by Picasso's motto: "All artists borrow - GREAT artists STEAL", I wasn't entirely comfortable with the notion of copying another artist who did these works for a charitable cause and whatsmore had mastered the art of working with his mouth. I can barely brush my teeth let alone accomplish what he did. Do I took the same palate, elements of the design and created something which my client felt would suit her mother's tastes. So - sorry Señor Picasso - I borrowed instead of stole. It worked - and thankfully daughter got a very tearfully delighted mother on Christmas day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI-Hd7JUqWZCw09ZYrmJmg-n4w6CqHegXpWKglpThVneBPTGVG0e5QJAe9sLiSeh7D0QeIEZQpKMyDpgO-KNzPoygwP2R1VxY9kVjRwiVDbYks-crvFpMHJcfUH0whaSTqoFQkbs3JAA/s1600/Tatianna's-Comission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI-Hd7JUqWZCw09ZYrmJmg-n4w6CqHegXpWKglpThVneBPTGVG0e5QJAe9sLiSeh7D0QeIEZQpKMyDpgO-KNzPoygwP2R1VxY9kVjRwiVDbYks-crvFpMHJcfUH0whaSTqoFQkbs3JAA/s640/Tatianna's-Comission.jpg" /></a></div>Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-10873645974261176902013-08-14T15:59:00.000-07:002013-08-14T16:07:59.544-07:00Mum's Best FriendOkay so I have really neglected my blog posts in recent months which is very frustrating. <br />
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But it's also a good sign I have been busy, and thankfully have the artwork to prove it. <br />
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Here's a little work I sent home to Australia for my Mother's Birthday in April (a month late but she was very understanding - a friend carted it there on a business trip) and it's a portrait of her watering the garden in her front yard with her faithfull adoring Jack Russell Terrier Holly keeping her company. <br />
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The house has changed dramatically as the folks have renovated and repainted the joint since I left, but it will forever be remembered like this for me. The Sydney afternoon sun through the Eucalypt trees, the light (which is very different than here in Canada)- I can almost hear the ciccadas in the trees... <br />
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I'm inclined to think I was inpired a little by the late great Howard Arkley, an enigmatic and idiosyncratic Australian Artist who focussed much of his work on the Suburban mailaise, and the bungalows of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane Adelaide and Perth's "Burbs". Here's a little You Tube Video of him:<br />
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(I'd have painted Dad but you can't see him watching television on the couch from this angle..!)<br />
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16 x 20 inches/40 x 50 cm, Acrylic on CanvasCoatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-40273841909876210442013-01-04T11:56:00.002-08:002013-01-04T14:31:44.606-08:00Cold CanadaLiving in Canada as been nothing but a delight. But it is a bit of rude shock to someone who has come from one of the hottest and the actual driest continent on Earth, to one of the most vast alpine and coldest winter countries which contains roughly 60% of the worlds fresh water.<br />
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I have to say I think I acclimatized pretty easily; I honestly thought I'd be a real fish out of water but then ironically living so close to the water on Sydney's Northern Beaches was kind of wasted on me. Haven't had a tan since I was a kid, and I didn't surf and went to the beach very rarely. Even my last home in Sydney I was one minute's walk from Dee Why point and could watch my room-mate Tom with an unobstructed view carving it up in the Surf every afternoon when I came home from work. Dee Why Beach has one of the worlds most coveted point breaks - something wasted on me as I say.<br />
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As a result I'm completely fascinated by snow, snowy scenes and the 'Great White North' in general. I can watch the snow fall like a dog watching television for hours. I was in Montreal for Christmas at my Mother in law's and witnessed the biggest snow fall in the region in one day since 1971 - 47 cm..! I was glued to the windows..!<br />
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But it's not just the weather and climate; it's the landscape, the light, and the furnishings of the landscape. Barns for instance..! We, in Australia, grew up with Barns and Covered Bridges on our televisions and movie screens but none in our landscape. We didn't need them. So it's fascinating to see them in the flesh so to speak.<br />
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In October I worked on a series of Canadian Winter scenes which I also had made into Greeting cards. Here's a sample of a few of them. <br />
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Drop me a line if you would like to purchase some, I'd be delighted to take care of it.<br />
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Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-21570865389132864132012-10-17T13:15:00.000-07:002013-01-04T11:57:23.036-08:00Spring Forward ~ Fall BackTrying to get over serious Jet-lag after a short trip to Sydney; seems like I have been jet lagged for two weeks now. Just when I recovered to fall into Australian Eastern Standard Time I have lived in all my life, I return back to Canada to refresh it. Yawn. <br />
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I also return to lower Canada in full-Autumn swing... Which is in many ways temperature, light and daylight hours comparable to Sydney mid-winter. A strange feeling which is kind of familiar somehow - then I realized why. It was what I lived though in my last year in Sydney and first year in Toronto. I went from one Sydney Winter to a Toronto Fall, then into a Toronto Winter. One really long winter effectively. <br />
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Now - not to say that was a bad time - I actually dig cooler weather and don't go stir-crazy living indoors, and quite like overcast and snowy weather - but it was unusual. I'm also quite looking forward to this winter as it's likely to be very cold compared to my first Northern Hemisphere experience. <br />
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I painted this work last winter for my Mother-in-law as a gift for her to hang in her Florida summer-home. It's a work from an image of a lake she photographed in Quebec which is amazing, with a mirror surface and a small narrow tree covered isle in it. It was the first painting I really fell into my groove with here in Canada and I've been meaning to post it since. <br />
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It's my little way of reminding myself and everyone who checks in on my blog that this is an amazing country when the season changes to cold - the leaves and the colours are unbelievable - and add to that purple hillsides dotted with orange trees, a beautiful lake with a unique landmark, and a vanilla sky you have a really pretty composition.<br />
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Acrylic on Canvas 24 x 18"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCdqDjGjfV_1rA9paYc9e6439BwExnxSgVzm4sjf5MRv8ar0kGaxwKUTrcNNKXNJRVH0aikPVm4wQsJSGHvzMjbkr6HGG73Ur5ghusQ4XuA8X9shFlBLwR5BzMp70237CWF4G8QbObvs/s1600/Maman%2527s-lake-%2528web%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="324" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCdqDjGjfV_1rA9paYc9e6439BwExnxSgVzm4sjf5MRv8ar0kGaxwKUTrcNNKXNJRVH0aikPVm4wQsJSGHvzMjbkr6HGG73Ur5ghusQ4XuA8X9shFlBLwR5BzMp70237CWF4G8QbObvs/s400/Maman%2527s-lake-%2528web%2529.jpg" /></a></div>Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-73496128729633597102012-09-29T14:37:00.001-07:002012-09-29T14:37:13.348-07:00The Opera House and the Harbour Bridge at DuskI felt like over the years I did so many works focusing on each of these Sydney Icons, yet to date this is the only one dealing with them both. <br />
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Amazing how the light plays across the harbour, and how beautiful the lights of North Sydney are from the East or the City itself. I especially love the way the floodlit and lit-up commercial buildings in Sydney look reflected on the harbour. When I think about this short series of works it's quite amazing the range of colours a person can see in one location throughout one day.<br />
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Amazing<br />
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Quite proud of the green-floodlit feel of the bridge; it illuminates in a particular fashion and I feel like I captured it well.<br />
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Acrylic on Canvas<br />
85 x 35 cm<br />
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Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-455222039597766402012-09-28T06:21:00.002-07:002012-09-28T06:21:54.621-07:00The Opera House at DawnHow many of us have seen a view like this before?<br />
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I must have seen this sight hundreds of times travelling across the bridge to work or university over the years... The sun rising to the East over the Tasman Sea, bursting through a far out to sea cloudbank which looks like a fantastic mountain range. It's beautiful light bathing the surrounding sky a myriad of hues, namely peach, rose, lemon and orange. Amazing. And the Opera House, being so much lighter in tone than much of the surrounding development seems to glow dully from all the faint reflected light filling the sky and falling on the clouds above (if they're there of course. Somehow on cloudless days it seems to happen more).<br />
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The image is loose and playful - like the idea it's so early the weary commuter is still getting the mind to work and the eyes are still adjusting. <br />
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You know how they say you have to stop and smell the roses in life..? Well, they're right. You do. You never know when these sights mightn't be available to you as readily as they once were. It really is a matter of "life is what hapens when you are busy making other plans" as John Lennon said.<br />
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Stop and smell a rose, or lie on some fresh cut grass in the sun for twenty minutes, or watch a sunset today. Go on - spoil yourself.<br />
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Acrylic on Canvas<br />
76 x 58 cm<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TzsgJM7LzU0JzhFkx34QgYo2ExDyOws75-t-UK-4ODotLjdfc9mwjPYzuDsKpcBVEOf3rgOTNppXuY-eXuiLkieimvRudYOOAExOx4Y7tGzvk9sAT94EvwPAIM_JYxLdZx0bGqqx01E/s1600/SPC-Syd-OH-Dawn-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TzsgJM7LzU0JzhFkx34QgYo2ExDyOws75-t-UK-4ODotLjdfc9mwjPYzuDsKpcBVEOf3rgOTNppXuY-eXuiLkieimvRudYOOAExOx4Y7tGzvk9sAT94EvwPAIM_JYxLdZx0bGqqx01E/s400/SPC-Syd-OH-Dawn-2012.jpg" /></a></div>Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-8149887538300352912012-09-27T06:09:00.005-07:002012-09-27T06:09:59.435-07:00The Opera House from Dawes PointI hated this painting almost the entire time I worked on it, up until the last hour or so where I began to render the ripples in the harbour. I think it's the limited palate. For some reason after the water was rendered more effectively it seemed to 'tighten up' and really look great. The light always looked right; just like it does late morning when the sun is breaking through the clouds, maybe towards the middle of the year in early winter. The grey of the overcast sky and the blue breaking through in the reflection makes an interesting composition. My wife's uncle told me it "...feels like the water is moving" which it what you set out to achieve when you paint water. Merci Benoit..! <br />
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It might also have something to do with the type of ferry traffic on the water.<br />
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I have never caught a River cat; I feel like I've missed a little something by not doing this. I guess when you come from Manly a lot of people think you look down through your nose on places like Parramatta - and perhaps we do to a degree. I believe much of the run up the Parramatta River is through a ton of Mangrove and not the most interesting for the sight-seer. <br />
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Still, I think I will do it one day, I've watched a you tube video (sped - up) which I enjoyed and it as ignited a little curiosity on this little voyage. I've even had a few dreams about it, although with my dreams there's always illogical surrealism - you could wind up anywhere with anyone - catching a River cat up the Parramatta River which eventually winds up in Venice, sitting next to Chewbacca the entire journey.<br />
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<b>"Circular Quay Too (Sic) Parramatta" </b><br />
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- (Cut & paste again - sorry folks - also I hope you like The Eurythmics & bad dub-step type Elevator Music)<br />
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRRwnAatpnQ<br />
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Acrylic on Canvas<br />
76 x 58 cm<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVzxUEf7FUpC26mNJs1Yqb-3xXr38VNKy8YalIt9L0ix8CIX4HWyGMCtE2tKeTQ03_N3QWEysDotxz4MHM7tK20sUqEWWparjdI7hx6uV4KKmK6SxFqwn6Ncc-yUoecyUGm0L4DTxCgU/s1600/SPC-Syd-OH-Morning-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVzxUEf7FUpC26mNJs1Yqb-3xXr38VNKy8YalIt9L0ix8CIX4HWyGMCtE2tKeTQ03_N3QWEysDotxz4MHM7tK20sUqEWWparjdI7hx6uV4KKmK6SxFqwn6Ncc-yUoecyUGm0L4DTxCgU/s400/SPC-Syd-OH-Morning-2012.jpg" /></a></div>Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-64501100145748470542012-09-24T19:00:00.001-07:002012-09-24T19:03:34.325-07:00Sunset Over The BridgeThis painting is a companion piece to the last image posted. It's how I would envisage the sun going down an hour or so after the time in the last work. I also really like the idea of this being what you would see from the same location in Kirribilli visible opposite the Opera House in that painting. <br />
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I was really blown away by the way the city looked during the 2009 Dust Storm. I'll never forget waking that morning and glancing out of the window seeing all the orange light in the air. I thought it was a weird sunrise, or possibly a far off bushfire turning the morning sky red. Went to pay a morning visit and then back to bed - it wasn't until we all woke later and saw the world through a surreal fog and orange photographic film filtered lens... Truly bizarre.<br />
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<a href="http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Australian_dust_storm">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Australian_dust_storm</a><br />
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It was some of the incredible shots of the Harbour Bridge which stayed in my mind; it disappearing into the miasma of dust blown out of the desert still sick with drought. I believe some of it even landed on New Zealand. Seldom any bulldust heads in that direction, rather the other way round. Gags aside that was pretty wild. Some funny bugger Photoshopped Godzilla coming out of the dust next to it from somewhere in Milson's Point/Lavender Bay which was hilarious - did the rounds as a meme in Sydney for a while.<br />
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(Have to cut and paste this link for some reason - Blogger won't hotlink it)<br />
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http://www.1addicts.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=308693&stc=1&d=1253684545<br />
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I'd painted the bridge from a similar angle about 25 years before and wanted to explore the complex structure of the arch again - it was a challenge and very rewarding. I'm very proud of the red on the south Pylon and over the bridge. <br />
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Have you ever noticed when you stare into sunrise or (usually more) sunset your retina fills with photons and - not certain whether it's lens-flare or the rods and cones overloaded with this radiation filtered through a great deal of atmosphere, shadows take on other colours, like the reds in this work...? It was kind of an afterthought and for me me it really makes it sing. <br />
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I also got a lot of compliments on the water, which is nice. I like that people feel it's almost moving, very gratifying.<br />
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What do you think..? The day is done? Time to head home?<br />
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Acrylic on Canvas <br />
72 x 56 cm<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ubB4Pnt5CsDCoZJBytY41aVP28jm-CyJWX-HmsCssyKAnxoRwi-eSytHGKTo2GuZZjrqXGJkSje4ak7DI2D3Qh8r1sPk4mgzh_TUcWij0N0UWEsV_deTaGnCJ7E4feiHLGtBc9TyJFo/s1600/SPC-Syd-Har-Bridge-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="323" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ubB4Pnt5CsDCoZJBytY41aVP28jm-CyJWX-HmsCssyKAnxoRwi-eSytHGKTo2GuZZjrqXGJkSje4ak7DI2D3Qh8r1sPk4mgzh_TUcWij0N0UWEsV_deTaGnCJ7E4feiHLGtBc9TyJFo/s400/SPC-Syd-Har-Bridge-2012.jpg" /></a></div>Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-1393854576532146602012-09-23T19:09:00.001-07:002012-09-23T19:18:12.258-07:00Opera BarI had a mate once complain that the drinks were expensive at the Opera Bar in the forecourt of Sydney's Famous Opera House. I was truly Astounded; here we were enjoying a drink alongside one of the worlds most iconic, remarkable and beautiful man made structures and he was whining about the price of a beer. The philistine..! The best things about the bar is where it is; the few dollars extra is completely worth it to marvel at the Opera House itself and the wonderful views of the city, North Sydney and the bridge, along with all the water traffic which passes by as the sun sets. <br />
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An amazing spot; really brilliant at any time of the day but especially when bathed in the glow of the evening setting sun against the majestic sails of the icon like in my painting here. It's like the whole world glows; even more marvelous in mild summer weather. I guess only someone who has taken it in can appreciate it. <br />
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When I showed this work in Quebec a couple wandered by and the woman said to the man (in French) "Oh, regarde - Vancouver..." (Oh - Look: Vancouver) referring to the recently built Trade and Convention Centre. <br />
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Oh well. I take it as a personal matter, not a criticism of my own artistic merit. She probably would have thought a painting of the Colosseum was home of the Dallas Cowboys. <br />
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FAIL..! <br />
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Acrylic on Canvas <br />
72 x 56 cm<br />
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The delightful and no doubt functional aforementioned Convention centre which looks like Cinderella's ugly step sister's goofy bridesmaid by comparison<br />
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Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-37147301704551770782012-09-22T10:29:00.001-07:002012-09-27T07:33:42.848-07:00The Manly Ferry Freshwater 2No - not the second boat by that name but the second painting I did in July of the same Ferry as in the last post. This image depicts the ferry pulling into Circular Quay in Sydney. For the uninitiated the ferries berth here between the city and arguably the country's most iconic man made structures; the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. <br />
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Like any Sydney-Sider I love this part of the world; only when you have lived somewhere else does it become so abundantly clear how amazing this location truly is. I'm particularly proud of this image - really love the play of light on the water and feel like I could throw a rock into the water there (or an empty beer stubbie as we used to in the bad old "unenlightened" days)... I also really like the light off the hull of the boat; have you ever noticed on ships and large boats the way the metal plates are attached to the frame leaves slight wavy forms in the hull..? Feel really pleased w/the subtle reflections of the light off the water capturing this.<br />
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It's a grey-day in Sydney; around 10:30 - 11:00 am and the sun over Kirribilli is beginning to break through the clouds and sparkle off the water; there's a River Cat to the left turning around about to head off to Parramatta and the skipper has cut the Ferry's engine as it coasts into the wharf; soon they will throw it into reverse. I'm not certain of the name of it - possibly Matilda Cruises - but a large private harbour cruiseboat can be seen behind it closer to the bridge - always felt like it looked like a huge ice-cream cake shaped like a wedge. <br />
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The Ferry itself is quite different in this image to the other painting; the prow is sharper, and the city name appears below the title of the boat. I can rember them adding that several years back. <br />
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I can almost smell the seawater and the hint of Diesel and hear the sounds of the city and the harbour; cars on the Cahill Expressway, a trains horn sounds underneath, heavy construction seems to be constant there. And of course the sight of the old Coat Hanger behind it... <br />
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Can't wait to see and experience it all again soon. <br />
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I'm looking at it as I write this now. makes me quite proud. Would like to hang it I think - unless someone makes an offer on it of course - The other Freshwater painting (last post) is Proudly handing in my wife's office - if she got that hook for it yet..!<br />
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<b>The Freshwater at Circular Quay </b><br />
Acrylic on Canvas 50 x 40 cm<br />
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Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-38334369545868448862012-09-21T18:00:00.000-07:002012-09-21T18:08:43.735-07:00Tree-trunks, Illumination and putting down roots for Canadian CoatsieWell, its been a year here in Toronto and I have certainly put down roots, having had an amazing change of life and met so many wonderful supportive people, all so kind and interested in my paintings, not least of all my amazing wife.<br />
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Last month I participated in Le Symposium des arts (Art Symposium) at Domaine Saint-Bernard in Mt Tremblant, Quebec. Being married to a French Canadian helps tremendously – I am officially a Quebecois-in-law – and am slowly learning the language and the wonderful culture. Basically I nod my head and say “Oui ~ oui ~ oui” a lot and eat Brie… Jokes aside my Canadian family are wonderful and very patient with the new “Anglo” in the family – try calling any Australian an Englishman in any other way shape or form and there may e some type of disagreement… I’m happily forgoing any such inadvertent innuendo – when in Rome as they say – leap onto the pavement or be run over by a Fiat 500..!<br />
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<a href="http://www.domainesaintbernard.org/ExpositionsShowsF.html"></a><br />
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It was such a wonderful weekend and I managed to jag a cash prize for the best work created at the Symposium – a gratifying achievement – especially given the field was filled with some well established local creative luminaries and talent which put me to shame, along with some fine exponents from other provinces, and as far-a-field as France.<br />
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The winner on the day in my hot-little-hands<br />
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So, being happy here in Canada hasn’t left me any less homesick for old Sydney town* and I’m thrilled to be returning home in October for the Nuptials of a good friend and the celebration of my amazing Grandmother’s birthday (the evergreen Joyce is turning <b>98 </b> – still lives alone, in the home she and my grandfather built in 1947 bless her – great genes I hope to inherit). <br />
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So this meant painting a lot of scenes of Sydney which no doubt was a cathartic exercise for me. I’m choosing to celebrate this trip down-under by posting some of this work here over the next foreseeable proverbial few days… Or until I have more to show of Canada!<br />
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First up: the Manly Ferry Freshwater. A subject of a few paintings of mine (look a couple of posts back to see a painting of the "Collaroy"), this particular Ferryboat is named after the beach just north of Manly where my wife and I married, the very same restaurant my grandparents used to meet in during the war while my Grandfather – a Sergeant in the Royal Australian Army was manning a trench dug into the beach for a short time. I was a resident of “Freshie” a while ago for a couple of years – a great spot.<br />
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<b>Manly Ferry Freshwater at Manly Wharf - Acrylic on Canvas</b> <br />
50 cm x 40 cm<br />
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The boat is pulling into Manly Wharf – running it’s engine in reverse, the prop in the bow (these boats have dual-ended prows and props) is churning up the water in Manly cove a beautiful iridescent green… I used to love watching this as a child, and I’m sure I’ll be just as fascinated by it when I visit there soon.<br />
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Watch this space my little Lemon-Drops. More to come.<br />
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(*Fond term for the city; not the crappy reenactment village fun park west of Gosford in the 1980’s)<br />
Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-58833985157804887792012-04-08T08:29:00.002-07:002012-04-08T08:36:45.319-07:00The Fundamentals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql4rOnX-8fqgAUx9lyefq8exmI-afvVw_UvANjcoEzYfUrGUje-LYmNpCxELPuhq3DeQijsKmO3z3l_sf1yzPB5R6HKaCE7ebgicqRkG41O1HgfxHtgWxsJoabHRSShxqERG2b5tZwkM/s1600/IMGP0972_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql4rOnX-8fqgAUx9lyefq8exmI-afvVw_UvANjcoEzYfUrGUje-LYmNpCxELPuhq3DeQijsKmO3z3l_sf1yzPB5R6HKaCE7ebgicqRkG41O1HgfxHtgWxsJoabHRSShxqERG2b5tZwkM/s400/IMGP0972_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729053339199535858" /></a><br /><br />Am taking up life drawing again; and really excited about it... Such a challenge to draw from a model and be limited by time. Expecting to grow my skills and get a few back which may have waned in recent years. I believe it's the foundation of all good draftsmanship. <br /><br />Stay tuned for more..!Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-14052431907752696822012-04-04T19:40:00.006-07:002012-04-04T19:56:38.436-07:00Batteries to Power - Turbines to Speed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5kctqct4A1dkrtCC4PFhgXN1uN_zS536NAGZ63NDog_WXyeKi2RzVXrtHsJ-ikrRZmm1ZRF53_RUkjBre_F4P4omoac9lNK_IjA61DgXgLNPD0dd7ZjAZPpkiaWJkVyZF_CQEr9egeo/s1600/Batmobile.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5kctqct4A1dkrtCC4PFhgXN1uN_zS536NAGZ63NDog_WXyeKi2RzVXrtHsJ-ikrRZmm1ZRF53_RUkjBre_F4P4omoac9lNK_IjA61DgXgLNPD0dd7ZjAZPpkiaWJkVyZF_CQEr9egeo/s400/Batmobile.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727743722183338994" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />The Dynamic duo - astride the Batmobile. What other car did you want to drive as a boy..? James Bond's Aston Martin DB5..? K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider..?<br /><br />No way - it was the Batmobile every time. <br /><br />I love the Batmobile because it feels like an actual character in the comics. And both the Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan films have addressed this notion. I love the idea of the car being like a half racing car/rocket sled - half tank, armored and full of gadgets. Batman's mobile office. Gangsters wouldn't know whether it was a machine or a monster - it arrives, deliver's mayhem and leaves in a cloud of confusion.<br /><br />I also loved that idea Frank Miller and others have touched on that the Batcave is filled with tons of equipment and machinery, and somewhere there is a whole section dedicated to Batmobiles, every one of them for a different job, and their multiple roles and differing appearances keeping his enemies on their toes.<br /><br />Hey - a geek can dream, right..?<br /><br /><br />Not the first time I have posted an image of it on this blog - probably won't be the last either. I had played with the idea of a lot of gadget and weapon ports along the body - barely visible but it kind of distracted from the notion it's a mystery machine to the uninitiated...<br /><br /><br /><br />Acrylic on canvas.Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-80982026837113247472012-04-03T21:02:00.002-07:002012-04-03T21:10:43.955-07:00Wonder Woman<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerbQ_L5e3FPQYP8hCRFy54VgeAe-MxhEr3sbA7zwlsgAEfCO9aqm5TlmCuGs2iIu3cQ4LCvGLx8QfrjHBGRnK3r5sT2GKyaWhuRTvFUwqxRwU3lj17_NUMI20yvcwXOzWTUdc9wO_yGE/s1600/DC_WW_Coates.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerbQ_L5e3FPQYP8hCRFy54VgeAe-MxhEr3sbA7zwlsgAEfCO9aqm5TlmCuGs2iIu3cQ4LCvGLx8QfrjHBGRnK3r5sT2GKyaWhuRTvFUwqxRwU3lj17_NUMI20yvcwXOzWTUdc9wO_yGE/s400/DC_WW_Coates.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727393156796332434" /></a><br /><br /><br />I've been inspired by other illustrators blogs and galleries online and decided to start producing some work of the things that made me want to draw wen I was a kid. I attempted a Wonder Woman painting a few weeks ago, and it has been sitting, staring at me... Often I put work aside and go back to it; in this case I decided to go back to the drawing board and start anew - brand new image from scratch. So the rough I worked up developed into a pretty good digital painting... Now to put it to canvas..!<br /><br />I really loved DC Comics growing up and still read them occasionally - total nerd. Wonder Woman always fascinated me - especially due to the 70's TV show Starring Lynda Carter. She was so tall and beautiful - I couldn't take my eyes off her. Everything the Amazonian Princess was supposed to be... And of course every little kid - male or female - did the Wonder Woman twirl with the theme music playing in their head in every schoolyard at some stage..!Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-7848587973923296812011-12-05T15:27:00.000-08:002011-12-05T16:08:31.430-08:00The Manly Ferry Collaroy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrkJuaEOYoovRENhb-2-oGmR3JqHBMjQvoFq97tA6hdm2ljCXqiKNzAem890uGw5PeYbV6eDN06hF2a-ZVwS6ZeF_2AQr7hrQaz6SEhD49W4mkh7X3wyHpwTid9tU-yMDCiRbRNDFPl4/s1600/Manly+Ferry+Collaroy+SPC_flipped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrkJuaEOYoovRENhb-2-oGmR3JqHBMjQvoFq97tA6hdm2ljCXqiKNzAem890uGw5PeYbV6eDN06hF2a-ZVwS6ZeF_2AQr7hrQaz6SEhD49W4mkh7X3wyHpwTid9tU-yMDCiRbRNDFPl4/s400/Manly+Ferry+Collaroy+SPC_flipped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682795021854726018" /></a><br />Feeling a little homesick from time to time, which I think is pretty normal. So I thought I'd post a painting I've been working on of the Manly Ferry, the Freshwater Class <span style="font-style:italic;">Collaroy </span>to be precise. <br /><br />There is something very romantic about Sydney's Ferries, particularly the Manly Ferry for people like me who come from the wonderful suburb which splits the harbour and the ocean. Port Jackson is one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and the daily commute is less of a chore for the folks who make it every day.<br /><br />I spent a chunk of the 1990's catching the ferry nearly every day and miss the serenity of it... The drumming of the diesels and the bow carving through the water is almost meditative. A good book, your feet up on the rail... Once upon a time a bloke could enjoy a quiet beer on a Friday afternoon as well... I think that's gone the way of the dinosaur thanks to uptight PC'ism and idiot drunks sadly. <br /><br />And the sight of Manly Cove itself, with it's Norfolk Pines, pleasure boats moored, and the old ferris wheel (and way before that the Fun Pier), and the crowd at the Wharf Bar enjoying the evening as the boat pulls into Manly Wharf... <br /><br />It's one of the best feelings in the world; it feels like you have come home.<br /><br /><br />I felt for a long time like I really hadn't finished this painting; like it was unresolved... But now I look at it, probably feeling a little sentimental, and I quite like the messy, gestural nature of much of it. The water, chopped like the wake of another boat, the masts of the Ferry loosely described, the bald canvas around the smokestack... I really like it. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"An intellectual says a simple thing in a complicated way. An artist says a complicated thing in a simple way."</span><br />Charles Bukowski<br /><br />I've always liked Bukowski's writings and I like the sentiment here: you can say a lot with a little brush stroke, and If I was to model the entire boat like a photographic record, it would be kind of boring and static. Sometimes good things happen by accident, and compositions can be ruined by overworking.<br /><br />For a few weeks there I felt like the sky needed a few clouds in it; but then again, I seldom recall the cloudy days and choose to remember the sunny blue sky days... <br /><br />And I hope you'll forgive me - as beautiful an area as it is - when I think of my home I tend to look through rose coloured glasses, and imagine the sun is <span style="font-style:italic;">always shining on Manly..</span>.Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-69429061862429128032011-07-30T23:53:00.000-07:002011-07-30T23:57:49.431-07:00Jewellery Sketches<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWcJBJTZ403fTS3GnJOFEECwv4p3sWAQSvk12qTdqoIg7JWb34efkH8B4PsOzXOAQKDaDbO8KIo0-MBBTIFEvvbHHVQ-Mcuq0pC24Ue2JizXd6xssyqT-ZunfFOeYMcSBbvFkdk6-zHE/s1600/sketchBAPPA_004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWcJBJTZ403fTS3GnJOFEECwv4p3sWAQSvk12qTdqoIg7JWb34efkH8B4PsOzXOAQKDaDbO8KIo0-MBBTIFEvvbHHVQ-Mcuq0pC24Ue2JizXd6xssyqT-ZunfFOeYMcSBbvFkdk6-zHE/s400/sketchBAPPA_004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635406966559044162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZaAeWwzGUxazm4zIk2_EtAYNldhb9QdQPkU5JMyU1ys5JUn5t9vMrwTevzYhE8taBGnb-80jKuQnmz7YPBmFNe_KTS9OQcb7ZFpCslcfspuVwRQYq4eYxGlAtM0GASyK5JW8Sn8F-aw/s1600/sketchBAPPA_003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZaAeWwzGUxazm4zIk2_EtAYNldhb9QdQPkU5JMyU1ys5JUn5t9vMrwTevzYhE8taBGnb-80jKuQnmz7YPBmFNe_KTS9OQcb7ZFpCslcfspuVwRQYq4eYxGlAtM0GASyK5JW8Sn8F-aw/s400/sketchBAPPA_003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635406836781777794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7I1bw0QFF_uIaGIh6im5AUyNVEZuMotHDSsI7w3FrpHIpwYxfpISoYp_DM9jiNALOneHQKNDyvPmLpXbzFIavPew8kgVo13F-7rtxC9aGX67tDXa25ZM16ZmVAceEC1R9ktzCtt8iXM/s1600/sketchBAPPA_002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7I1bw0QFF_uIaGIh6im5AUyNVEZuMotHDSsI7w3FrpHIpwYxfpISoYp_DM9jiNALOneHQKNDyvPmLpXbzFIavPew8kgVo13F-7rtxC9aGX67tDXa25ZM16ZmVAceEC1R9ktzCtt8iXM/s400/sketchBAPPA_002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635406687278896962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnUiofApi957zI5rxZxKYUcaU0u9-2kMAvhTkQ9jNuqQFKW8csomQE6osI0QFLzhwEsph3Swbsgyq6UrghcIV9k3xpR3FhIwrKmzo-XreqqY-w6VlgWHHjOqZI1CiE953BG2FT_K9gQQ/s1600/sketchBAPPA_001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnUiofApi957zI5rxZxKYUcaU0u9-2kMAvhTkQ9jNuqQFKW8csomQE6osI0QFLzhwEsph3Swbsgyq6UrghcIV9k3xpR3FhIwrKmzo-XreqqY-w6VlgWHHjOqZI1CiE953BG2FT_K9gQQ/s400/sketchBAPPA_001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635406516122787794" /></a><br />It seems like all I post is old stuff but I found these old sketches from when I trained as a jeweler and thought they were really nice...Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-22092622549952366952011-07-30T22:26:00.000-07:002011-07-30T22:32:34.281-07:00Oldie but a goodie...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06aUzs8WNLhQZB4c2cNTCIJg1dmnRYcWRi7qZAAZ7CWuirBJWjmJYKvoIoUTfxb-kkOXzM2-gJEGB6M6zcu85lh0UiaJInycm5GWVkeayTyZ-aHrsqvksC51Hsxcub8dxPWIB_mIbEZ0/s1600/mg_2002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06aUzs8WNLhQZB4c2cNTCIJg1dmnRYcWRi7qZAAZ7CWuirBJWjmJYKvoIoUTfxb-kkOXzM2-gJEGB6M6zcu85lh0UiaJInycm5GWVkeayTyZ-aHrsqvksC51Hsxcub8dxPWIB_mIbEZ0/s400/mg_2002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635385068613419682" /></a><br />Found an old cartoon of some fellers I worked with about ten years ago. I was between degrees and it was an unskilled health care job. Clearly it's a Simpsons style of the blokes I worked with and lacks the impact it would have on people who knew them. I was told by my colleagues it was pretty much spot-on... I believe a couple of them still work there which is astounding to me. Feels like a lifetime ago..!Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-20906631754696926172011-03-03T04:45:00.000-08:002011-07-30T22:33:42.896-07:00Ethiopia Stella<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQK4F-II_y1lVNFjdwxMQa2UvwMLQxJ34MXTCyxvtrfnhBTMNeZ-d5uFNw1tCKYLd1aI_4rKs2SZdr7SM7xQqz6-mNaV3u9ODfy8MHuhlvcXf61n5WgHipOZiU1qSuo6EoV9U5QlluiI/s1600/shining_stars3+30inch+x+30.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 395px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQK4F-II_y1lVNFjdwxMQa2UvwMLQxJ34MXTCyxvtrfnhBTMNeZ-d5uFNw1tCKYLd1aI_4rKs2SZdr7SM7xQqz6-mNaV3u9ODfy8MHuhlvcXf61n5WgHipOZiU1qSuo6EoV9U5QlluiI/s400/shining_stars3+30inch+x+30.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579835291033393346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjPzlreVD6Dn_dY1nepFA_VQG6TJDmsiA4ndHyKoQbGGdR0-OKUQ0rjDrMFB-rT0K_DS8-HzYSj69NH0JqHrgaowSOuj7Z_0i8sjrdT3O9GfNelC-r-3LKer_p0FOlujVnGJfiJNPvTQ/s1600/shining_stars2+18inch+x+18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjPzlreVD6Dn_dY1nepFA_VQG6TJDmsiA4ndHyKoQbGGdR0-OKUQ0rjDrMFB-rT0K_DS8-HzYSj69NH0JqHrgaowSOuj7Z_0i8sjrdT3O9GfNelC-r-3LKer_p0FOlujVnGJfiJNPvTQ/s400/shining_stars2+18inch+x+18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579835116949134322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguk-hdI2frw1-DLMdjYRnADyz4uvJCkVsOJYxq8B0jAMT6Cj_qj_BFAAFejTO-FxdUAmnphtEAzlg3ia2cGJrlV5DbCYJRvwBOWEVtgz1f5FX8rVUOQV5IUJDbhaGFoT8kZOLSqRg8qg/s1600/shining_stars1+12inch+x+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguk-hdI2frw1-DLMdjYRnADyz4uvJCkVsOJYxq8B0jAMT6Cj_qj_BFAAFejTO-FxdUAmnphtEAzlg3ia2cGJrlV5DbCYJRvwBOWEVtgz1f5FX8rVUOQV5IUJDbhaGFoT8kZOLSqRg8qg/s400/shining_stars1+12inch+x+12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579834873978563634" /></a><br />Last year my lovely fiend Mandy Shannon passed away from Pancreatic Cancer. She was a beautiful person who loved life and touched so many people with her exuberance, sense of humour and love of other people.<br /><br />Mandy was a Registered Nurse who for much of her career cared for so many sick people - many terminally ill - and devoted so much of her life to caring for others… <br /><br />She left behind Tim her husband, and daughters Eva, and Stella (who was in-utero when she became ill), as well as Kiarra Tim’s daughter (& proud big sister). Stella is a miracle and very much the star her namesake suggests.<br /><br />In January I was asked by some of her friends to produce some paintings to be auctioned and raffled at a benefit night for Tim and the girls. Of course I jumped at the chance to contribute. <br /><br />Gerberas were Mandy’s favorite flowers & I felt that was what we needed; flowers kind of echo the shape of the sun in a child’s mind and we all know how they respond to the sun - which is our own star – just like Stella is to Tim, Eva, Kiarra and all their family & friends...<br /><br />So if anyone is available please pop along to the Shining Star Benefit Night at North Sydney Leagues Club in Cammeray - it will be certain to be a wonderful evening for a wonderful cause.<br /><br />See link below (please cut & paste into your browser)<br /><br />http://www.norths.com.au/ContentFiles/NorthsLeagues/Documents/SHINING_STAR_2011[1]%20Updated.pdf<br /><br /><br /><br />BTW Ethiopia means 'Shining' in latin... Interesting...Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-7434166269795228662011-02-23T01:18:00.000-08:002011-10-25T11:34:35.303-07:00Wez Wally<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ZakM5GHt5Ks7Dp0cwXRJczk2L1iRwvFWNDacv-VuDIkk_GOTZgoxh964YC5C_8kP_3ZyhGrLUY2eV2hd9qgVvsNbjgj6p4J7u0wihxQmpOQTcXQoaN50uE1nPTxbucbrsP-4LmNqXQ/s1600/Wez+Wally.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 354px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ZakM5GHt5Ks7Dp0cwXRJczk2L1iRwvFWNDacv-VuDIkk_GOTZgoxh964YC5C_8kP_3ZyhGrLUY2eV2hd9qgVvsNbjgj6p4J7u0wihxQmpOQTcXQoaN50uE1nPTxbucbrsP-4LmNqXQ/s400/Wez+Wally.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576812568531040370" /></a><br />Commission for friends...<br /><br />Only the names have been changed to protect the guilty.<br /><br />The less I know the better…Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-13066740242545945272011-02-23T01:07:00.000-08:002011-02-23T01:17:44.207-08:00Tyrone Jenkins & Chet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3JE45VvyvJaeSsDqyEW6jwM5W_8KfupyaFMu-HtRqrDHyrLBsgJ4fJqbaxtc8FFe45mXvfRaimwowaIGeMlA2D5z-XW46TwhZnIHZfZDEzQz_jQLskkKbXbo3Uz5OfXtx4hfV8NQ9sk/s1600/Tyrone-%2526-Chet_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3JE45VvyvJaeSsDqyEW6jwM5W_8KfupyaFMu-HtRqrDHyrLBsgJ4fJqbaxtc8FFe45mXvfRaimwowaIGeMlA2D5z-XW46TwhZnIHZfZDEzQz_jQLskkKbXbo3Uz5OfXtx4hfV8NQ9sk/s400/Tyrone-%2526-Chet_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576811713027178370" /></a><br />A little illustration done for a pal of mine – unsure of the purposes but I suspect it’s for he and his partner in crime to manipulate events to cause trouble for other people for their own amusement… <br /><br />Good luck to them I say; life’s to short to take <em>everything </em>too seriously…Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-55144577660403032972010-02-23T18:56:00.000-08:002011-10-17T19:47:34.219-07:00Emily<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8g23O6CzOG3RQo5Y4NLUQYpv8Xi-ubmlzKKs84Pr773K1SxqHGSTt_nJdzD8gQkmos5x61iW9otJaAymXsgdn_gB9B0dXjkOT4-l6A4ZA6xwJNaOnubX-1LkOfSq6kQ8wTFVT1cMleE/s1600-h/Emily_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8g23O6CzOG3RQo5Y4NLUQYpv8Xi-ubmlzKKs84Pr773K1SxqHGSTt_nJdzD8gQkmos5x61iW9otJaAymXsgdn_gB9B0dXjkOT4-l6A4ZA6xwJNaOnubX-1LkOfSq6kQ8wTFVT1cMleE/s400/Emily_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441638622239636466" /></a><br /><br /><br />Portrait of a person I knew for a couple of years, but never in any way really got to know...Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-87624508986268356152010-01-26T23:15:00.000-08:002011-10-25T11:31:42.932-07:00American<div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431315593133779506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 321px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQ_inubmCeiFhwNqCYSBFlkLXck4Uap7yngqgbfSEEDYLxUwuk79PzO7AzUe3VkC78r8x5i0Nt8Ty3nDNpQeTMYpzUy4v79M0kPXaxeJHatLm0SYv8FxB55K2hM_iimbEiRBteT6h-iY/s400/JML_Portrait_wb.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Portrait of woman I knew for a short time, what feels like a long time ago.Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-64394529275033914682009-04-02T18:01:00.000-07:002009-04-02T18:46:08.414-07:00The Waterfall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn8FV_Pt9jnq_SUpzjVFyfg1tFvzBcTUGXYCRK2O_ZoxmkvKmAnciIse0FTJd7FUiqRz_u-bGuDAGF84pWQJzzzZ1WJ-7p7BbhSMGmVETtgnuXUJczFZ57ymZLYQ_eNz9dEPjRJng_wQ/s1600-h/thewaterfallweb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320275095284022546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn8FV_Pt9jnq_SUpzjVFyfg1tFvzBcTUGXYCRK2O_ZoxmkvKmAnciIse0FTJd7FUiqRz_u-bGuDAGF84pWQJzzzZ1WJ-7p7BbhSMGmVETtgnuXUJczFZ57ymZLYQ_eNz9dEPjRJng_wQ/s400/thewaterfallweb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It’s an art school cliché that the most naïve and fresh out of high school student will always paint a waterfall; just like they will always develop large, underexposed glossy black and white images of their dog or cat in their first Photography lessons. What’s important and touching to their impressionable eye and sensibilities is banal shite to the initiated mind and trained eye.<br /><br />I grew up near a waterfall and typical of most parts of Australia it was either trickling like a gutter in dry spells or gushing like a Hydroelectric Plant after periods of rain.<br /><br />The local council have built a walking path through there in recent years; it’s kind of lost it’s charm as it was such a difficult spot to climb down to many people didn’t bother making the effort. I honestly believe there will be more damage done to the forest rather than prevented by visitors. Idiots in grass roots council can never be told.<br /><br />I have done a series of painting relating to the waterfall over the years, because it was a place my friends and I visited and had adventures in; later we drank booze there by the fire and took girls. It was a magical kind of place; the constant running water was kind of meditative; like white noise in the background.<br /><br />I like the idea of it being a secluded and relaxing place but with an element of danger. When I began this doodle I had included a figure of a man looking down on the woman lying in the sun below. I painted him out of it; it made me uncomfortable but perhaps it was a mistake. Who knew what the man’s motives were. Was he a dangerous man, looking to harm her… or just looking..? Was he a gay guy walking his dog, admiring her fashion sense..? Was he her boyfriend, bringing her some lunch..? I like this ambiguity.<br /><br />Many feminist thinkers, artists and philosophers have suggested that the waterfall as a motif is a euphemism for the vagina. The meeting point of a valley, moisture, somewhere life springs from. Goodness-gracious. How embarrassing, he said, mopping his brow. I do like girls, very much actually, but I don’t think I had this in mind.<br /><br />Or did I..? The collective consciousness may be having the last laugh.<br /><br /><br /><br />I think the painting needs to be pushed a lot further so I view this as a study; an experiment.<br /><br /><br />Stay tuned; when I find time I may just be able to get back into the waterfall again.Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-79769608214483383102009-03-15T02:10:00.000-07:002009-03-16T16:42:58.804-07:00Study of The Venus de Milo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCyuODlWJaseYf4S_hJQbtDajwuB_4bwt8MuS80K6WUu6dB50HtisJx7TcnbFpctffRRlhUhHQI1T66MYwUHVrwScC8oNoz3uhyphenhyphennZ5em2JlcIS590nzl9IVY3-z7qDi-tJiqAGYOYofY/s1600-h/venusdemilostudy1996.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313342339353682498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 333px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCyuODlWJaseYf4S_hJQbtDajwuB_4bwt8MuS80K6WUu6dB50HtisJx7TcnbFpctffRRlhUhHQI1T66MYwUHVrwScC8oNoz3uhyphenhyphennZ5em2JlcIS590nzl9IVY3-z7qDi-tJiqAGYOYofY/s400/venusdemilostudy1996.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Lead pencil study of the Venus de Milo<br /><br />Aphrodite of Milos (Greek: Αφροδίτη της Μήλου, Aphroditē tēs Mēlou), better known as the Venus de Milo, one of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture. Created some time between 130 and 100 BC, it is believed to depict Aphrodite (Venus to the Romans) the Greek goddess of love and beauty. It is a marble sculpture, slightly larger than life size at 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) high. Its arms and original plinth have been lost. From an inscription that was on its plinth, it is thought to be the work of Alexandros of Antioch; it was earlier mistakenly attributed to the master sculptor Praxiteles. It is at present on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313343431684334930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzP6tM0a5XBJOjNM0rLphIRMsVaiCED58O866F2NXh0knQe9KNtEMZzc1JkdnV5maW0kbz4GquDAhFgxBR30Uxh2UDTP2NGzrKFmn5ntHn3hvJhdCkjVHN1xi6xnWFduThIZgKQyvzbk/s400/venus_de_milo_louvre.jpg" border="0" /><br />Famed for her missing arms, I have always wondered if she was actually playing the banjo.<br /><br />In all seriousness, archeologists and art historians believe her right arm extended across her torso, her hand resting on her left knee, as if holding up her drapery. The left arm was holding an apple at roughly eye level.<br /><br />Not every apple will keep the doctor away, least of all a marble one; but aside from her missing arms old father time has been pretty kind to her.Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061488226169507469.post-26251354974928402172009-02-18T12:55:00.000-08:002009-02-18T12:59:12.745-08:00Christ Triptych<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifPwuAY3bphZFTrwsd9_xTjxJBjGCJ4YkCWmOm_CByvVmFS7kkAFqKcrpaSKsN7TRnlwYyJJAbdERb99P5ODZqeyAZut3lav37W-3rYtT5Zdpxxxt7MfG3HcuEnPCoRflq7nrtLCdchQ/s1600-h/Copy+of+Christ_Tryptich_web_001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304244368103270994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifPwuAY3bphZFTrwsd9_xTjxJBjGCJ4YkCWmOm_CByvVmFS7kkAFqKcrpaSKsN7TRnlwYyJJAbdERb99P5ODZqeyAZut3lav37W-3rYtT5Zdpxxxt7MfG3HcuEnPCoRflq7nrtLCdchQ/s400/Copy+of+Christ_Tryptich_web_001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A while ago I produced this Christian triptych for a fundraiser my Mother was running. It seemed to produce a really positive response from everyone who viewed it.<br /><br />I’m not a religious person; I have many issues with organized religion, and my own beliefs which are complex and ironically simple at the same time. I still believe though there is a great deal of good which comes from it, such as community support, tradition, enlightenment on many levels and sheer goodness.<br /><br />There really isn’t enough of that in the world so it should be encouraged, not mocked or derided.<br /><br />I chose a triptych as it’s a type of work which developed through Christianity. In the first few centuries as the church developed, folding three-piece screens were set up behind altars for masses. After a period, Christian motifs appeared on them and this developed directly into the tradition of multi-paneled painting and associated art which is employed world-wide throughout studios and galleries.<br /><br />In producing this work I was aiming for imagery which everyone could relate to. Elderly people, little children, those who don’t normally view art, and hopefully some of those who do. The result is it’s a little benign by some standards. Regardless, it touched people on some level and for this I’m glad.<br /><br />It also raised several thousand for impoverished people in South America, so for this I’m very glad. </div>Coatsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08710298468450323237noreply@blogger.com0