waxing lyrical

I have been experimenting with wax on my canvasses, to add texture to the paintings... I just love the subtle effects that can be achieved when paint is applied and then rubbed off again, as the wax only retains some of the pigment. The 3 paintings in the previous post had some wax on them, and these three do too. After some experimentation, I have settled on a wax called microcrystalline, used by scuptors. It is very flexible, much more so than paraffin wax, and handles well when carved. Great fun!

Title : Red and Blue 2

Size : 1500x1000 mm

sold...commission

This was commissioned for a beach house in Port Alfred. I stained some wax red and dripped it over the grassy areas for extra texture.

SOLD

Title: the circle of life
Size: 1000x1000mm

There is subtle writing on this one, running around the spiral. It reads "it takes time and careful listening to unravel the meaning of life.... but most of us are on a hamster wheel whizzing around and times rushes by too fast... so we forget to look around and listen out for clues." The fact that the writing is not obvious or easy to read mirrors the message that we need to work at finding meaning in life.

here are a few details showing the textures created by the wax.

Title: lest we forget #3
Size: 1000x1000mm
SOLD

Yet another in the series dealing with the meaninglessness of war, and how pointless all the deaths really are.

I have included a few details below to show some of the textures, and the interplay of silver leaf, paint and wax to create subtle textures.

spring offerings................

With the welcome arrival of our latest grandchild, the painting has been a bit slower than usual, but here are the latest ones.....
another pair in the anti war poppy series...


SOLD

Title: Lest we Forget 2a

size: 300x1000mm

SOLD
Title: Lest we Forget 2b
size: 300x1000mm


Title: wise men came from the east
size: 1200x1000mm

and another one

SOLD

Title: Eclectic Skyline
Size: 400 x 800 mm

Port Elizabeth is such an interesting town, I bet there are not too many places where you could take a narrow sliver of the skyline and find in it a church, a mosque, newspaper printing works, flats, houses, a lighthouse and a pyramid!

latest batch

Title: Social Meltdown

Size: 900 x 600 mm

A protest against what is happening in South Africa, where the rights of the criminals are more important to our legal system than those of honest citizens. While we hide behind bars for safety, they roam free, and 23000 kids were raped last year.

SOLD

Title: Hanging Out
Size: 600 x 900 mm

Cormorants drying their wings, on poles at a jetty in Knysna.

Title: Cafe Rouge
Size: 450 x 350 mm

SOLD

the next 3 are more in the series on old historic buildings in Richmond Hill, Port Elizabeth.

SOLD

Title: Old Firestation, Albany Road
Size: 600 x 300 mm

SOLD

Title: St Stephens Terrace
Size: 600 x 300 mm

weird batch

This lot really doesn't look like the same person did them, I must check and see what my other personalities have been up to.....(kidding!)

SOLD


Title: Spanish Nights

Size: 600 x 900 mm


I must thank Ian and Cursty for this, they were in Spain recently, wandering through the wonderful narrow alleyways as the sun went down. I was attracted to this as a subject because I love trying to portray the play between cool natural light and warm artificial light.





SOLD

Title: Dawn across Richmond Park.
Size: 300 x 250 mm


The light was great the other day, so I rushed out (yes, I'm afraid the poor neighbours were subjected to the tatty dressing gown again...) and sketched it with pen and watercolour wash to capture the rapidly changing conditions, then I applied a bit of artistic licence and darkened it and emphasised the artificial light when I did the painting.





Title: Bobcat
Size: 750 x 450
SOLD

Yes, I know this is freaky and scary, but it is about a freaky and scary subject, the Hitler-like moustache on the fat cat might give you a clue.... and it is a protest about a subject I rage inwardly about, feeling impotent in the face of so much international apathy. If Zimbabwe was rich in oil I bet things would be very different! In the meantime old Bob gets financially fatter and fatter at the expense of his desperate suffering people.

in war-only the arms dealers win

SOLD

Title: In war - only the arms dealers win

Size mm: 1100x900

This is another in my ongoing series of predominanly black and white paintings which carry a message about the futility of war. As usual, the poppy speaks of the wasted lives, this one has gold and silver to suggest the vested interests that many big businesses (and Governments!) have in making sure that wars keep happening.

some new work

SOLD

Title : Dafur Desolation

Size, mm: 400x800
Price Excluding Postage US$: 240




A subject close to my heart. What hope do these kids have if we who are so comfortable don't intervene in some way?

Title : Across the Park
Size, mm: 150x150
Price Excluding Postage US$: 60

SOLD


I was on the patio the other day, and the quality of light across the park was just lovely, sort of hazy but picking up highlights on the city buildings we glimpse at the base of the hill. I was about to grab my sketchbook, then I thought I might as well sketch it with oils straight onto a canvas.




Title : Dollery Street 2
Size, mm: 250x250
Price Excluding Postage US$: 100

SOLD




Another view of the little cottage I restored last year, built of stone in about 1882. We have just sold it, I am sad to see it go, painting it has helped!