Oatley 101 Society of Artists Awarded Second Prize
'coco kiss'
a tribute to her life
(2005 - 2007)
Judge
Colina Grant
"I feel drawn into the whimsy by the composition and handling of detail of this tonal study. Love it!"
Diana Garth - President of Oatley 101 Society of Artists
Daryl Melhan MP Member for Banks, Patron of the De Haan Gallery, Bankstown Art Society
Freda Surgenor - Awarded First Prize
Patricia La Rossa - Awarded Second Prize
There were many exceptional works from the 150 works entered by many talented artists.
This award I dedicate to my gorgeous girl Coco, she lost her life quite unexpectedly last year leaving me devastated under unusual and unfortunate circumstances.
I drew this shortly after she died as I felt compelled to pick up my pencil in order to help me with my grief. I am also sure that she was with me every step of the way.
Freda Surgenor won First Prize for her Acrylic work Moored In Shallow Water which is testament to her dedication and skill in creating these realistic works.
Mara Marston Boni won Third Prize for her work "Morning Light"
If you have a moment please click on the links to see their works.
It was really wonderful to meet Freda and Mara last night and to stand beside these accomplished Australian artists was a thrill unto itself... Freda and i discovered each other on Redbubble before realising we were members of the same art society.
Highly Commended was awarded to Julie Rose Bowen
Commended award was won by David Lake.
Congratulations to all.
Freda Surgenor is also featured in this month's August 2008 Issue of Australian Artist magazine. Congratulations Freda on an exceptional feature!
Here pictured with me, is another artist who i had the pleasure of meeting and a fellow countryman of Italy from the Basilicata Region (a small world it seems & ci siamo fatti anch' una bella chiacherata in Italiano!)
Marco Stigliano also a member of the Bankstown Art Society.
I will work on this a little more in the next few days, starting with getting rid of that terrible orange in the tree behind the main one.
During the workshop, I tried to take down as many notes as possible and will take some time tonight while it is still fresh in my mind to refine them so i can perhaps attempt this again when recovered from this extremely intense workshop today.
I was on the Mount Everest of learning curves! But by the end i was so tired and so lost! Even as adults you can get to a stage in information absorption...where like a risotto...you know when it's cooked!
It certainly was a wonderful learning experience on many levels and it was just so great to finally meet 'the man' behind those magnificent works.

In the this current issue, Lang's Gallery features my ongoing series of Watercolour Ladies, four of which appear in this popular Australia wide publication. Adorabella, Alexia, Nadia and of course my Signature Lady representing the series Pamela.
Every little bit helps, and it's magazines such as this, allowing opportunities for those of us who perhaps may not have other means of representation, to get a little further down the path of pursuing their art which i am passionate about.
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took the kids to the gallery !
Dad was unwell the night of the presentations and he was so disappointed he couldn't be there, however, i was thrilled to have Mum there on the night.
Happy he was feeling better, i gathered "the kids" up, this is what i call them, and spent some of the afternoon perusing the other wonderful works at the exhibition.
35 x 45 cm
In preparation for
John Wilson’s
Landscape in Oils Workshop
Norma Jones, my watercolour tutor, gave of her time and expertise today to go through colour mixing techniques and her knowledge of painting the Australian landscape in oil with me, in an all day painting session in her studio at home.
I had a wonderful day painting this from one of her many photo references. We painted together, each setting up a canvas side by side.
This private tutorial starting with equipment, laying the paint out, through to sketching and painting. The only thing we didn’t do was sign the bottom of each of our works on completion.
I was not expecting to leave with an actual oil painting of an area i love and painting this today had me feeling quite melancholy and with distant sounds of the Currawongs i was transported there if only momentarily through this painting porthole!
She is currently an active member in the Bankstown Art Society where she tutors and exhibits, as well as other art societies in the Sydney metropolitan area.
Her early academic training was as a commercial artist and dress designer.
Norma has a passion for art and has worked across a variety of mediums including watercolours, oils, pastels and charcoal. This enthusiasm transfers itself in her classes and her vast experience is a valuable asset to those she instructs.
Norma has a brilliant eye for draftsmanship and her knowledge of composition, colour and painting skills combine adding interest and drama to her works in both contemporary and traditional styles.
Her works have been successfully exhibited in Sydney and rural New South Wales winning numerous awards.
Norma is sort after for workshops and demonstrations in both watercolours and oils.
Her work is represented in many private and public collections here in Australia and overseas.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate her on her awards at the Bankstown 50th Annual Art Exhibition.
Richard Phillips
Vice President
Bankstown Lions Club

I was thrilled to have been awarded a Commendation for this work
and also having the opportunity to meet Alan Somerville the man behind the sculptures
‘The Manning Horses’ in the Manning Building, Pitt Street Sydney, ‘Bronze PHOENIX’ here in Paul Keating Park, Bankstown and the statues that flank the west entrance to the Anzac Bridge here in Sydney ‘Bronze WWI Aus/NZ DIGGERS.’

He was the guest judge this year, at the Golden Anniversary Annual Art Awards, for the Bankstown Art Society.
With 180 works entered, this event has had its exhibiting members excited for the last 6 months with everyone painting madly up until the very last minute.
It is fantastic to see this exhibition grow from strength to strength with lots of wonderful works on display.
The exhibition will run until July 23rd
and if you find yourself in the area it's well worth visiting.
De Haan Gallery
Arts & Crafts Centre Cnr. Olympic Parade & Dale Parade
Bankstown NSW 2200 Sydney
10 AM - 3 PM DAILY
Congratulations to all who won awards this year.
Congratulations to the Committee Members and those that volunteered their time to putting this exhibition together making this year's
Golden Anniversary
such a success!
Look forward to seeing everyone next term.

Passing This Award On
Nothing will give me more pleasure!
As Sweetmango says...
"The truly beautiful part of this award is that the recipient gets to 'pay it forward' to another 7 people"
These are my 7 special people who I have come to know, formed bonds with through our common love of art and now communicate via the blogging world.
All have touched me in their own special way.
Here are my special 7....
Sandra Wilson
Showcasing her wonderful talent in all mediums it seems. There is nothing Sandra cannot turn her hand at. A retired Art Teacher, Sandra very generously gives of her time still guiding and providing wonderful feedback and support in many art forums.
Those who come to know the woman, are privileged!
Personally... thank you for all your support in art, wise words in life, and most importantly your friendship over the time I have come to know you.
Check out Sandra's wonderful watercolour works on her blog.
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Mimi Torchia Boothby
Simple brush strokes with lots of colors
Painting with watercolours is my passion
MimiTabby as most know her, has a passion for capturing people in everyday situations with 'simple brushstrokes' Her journey in watercolours has been wonderful to watch. She loves her fur babies as much as I do and I was thrilled she has had her first art show as part of a fundraiser for the Feral cat Spay/Neuter project, donating 4 paintings two of which are from her series 'Whimsy Kitties.'
There is so much more to Mimi, than the few words I have said here.
____________
Nick Simmons
Nicholas Simmons
Art, music, etc.
Nick caved in to joining the Blogging world Dec 07, due to popular demand. What does he Blog about... in his words...
"Miscellaneous musings, irreverent insights, obtuse observations, acerbic assignations, pointed profundities, and the occasional post re art and music."
with over 12,000 hits on his blog
I'll say no more.
NNG... thank you for your support over the time that I have come to know you. It's been wonderful to watch your 'star rise!'
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Nora Sallows
Nora Sallows at Dancing Light Studio Contemporary Realism
Nora says... "Her greatest inspiration comes from painting the relationships between pets and their “people”."
Nora holds a special bond with me having painted my baby Chinchilla Buffy for her 'Cattitude' series 'Cats With Attitude' Her blog providing a wonderful insight into her world of portraiture and other subject matter.
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Annie Maree McGill
Annie's art journey has been an exciting one, a pastel artist foremost who has now discovered her passion for watercolours.
Annie now tutors in pastel, has recorded her first song; 'Heaven's Door'.
It's been wonderful to be part of your art journey Annie.
_____________
Srishti Wilhelm
Srishti only started her blog in July of this year and I am giving her this award to help motivate her and to encourage her as she has me since meeting her over in WC.
She started painting watercolors again last year in the late winter of 2007 after a gap of 15 years.
______________
Bob has a plethora of Blogs... all interesting unto themselves.
Artistically Bob is an inspiration to many including me. He is generous with his feedback and support on AAF and I admire his
youthful spirit and energy he dedicates to his art.
__________________________
To those 7 chosen, all you need do is...
1) Copy/Paste the logo on your blog
2) Add a link to the person who awarded you
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Add links to those blogs on yours
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

BAS Golden Anniversary Annual Art Exhibition
Opening Night
16th July at 7pm
De Haan Gallery
Cnr. Olympic Parade & Dale Parade
Bankstown
Alan Somerville was asked to judge the special anniversary event this year for the Bankstown Art Society.
An accomplished Sculptor, Watercolourist and Figure Artist, he will I'm sure be impressed with the standard.
With 180 works on display
this event has had its members excited for the last 6 months with everyone painting madly up until the very last minute. It's fantastic to see this exhibition grow from strength to strength with lots of wonderful works.
The exhibition runs until 23rd July.
Much volunteer work goes into these events by the commitee members and others.
They do a wonderful job fostering the arts in our area.
Bon Chance
to all.

What a wonderful way to celebrate this by passing it on to those you want to say I support you... I appreciate you... I encourage you...
Thank you Sweetmango for passing this 'Baton' of support, appreciation and encouragement in the form of this PREMIO... which in Italian incidentally means PRIZE.

300 gsm cp fine
__________________________


beneath blue mountain gums
for the love of the mountains
no 1
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French Ultramarine Blue
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Listening to others say time and time again, how they love masking fluid, even buying the most expensive one on the market only to leave it in the bottom of my art bag as i don't really care for the stuff taking into account my experiences thus far which left me saying in reply "What a croc!"
Very casually going through his arsenal of brushes and other weapons of choice before commencing one of his masterpieces in his DVD Innovative Watermedia, he generously goes through his process beginning with preparing paper, right through to the signing and stamping of his completed work.
Thank you NNG for providing many artists with an insight into your methods some of which i am having a play with in this latest WIP.
Sticking with a familiar subject at least provides me with some comfort whilst out of my depth with the process. Baby steps here... but quite excited to see what i can achieve and where i can go.
As you can see the masking fluid behaved. Soap really is a wonderful thing!
*
Chocky started out keen to help and to watch this morning... it was all too much after about 10 minutes!
I do adore his company while I paint even though he sleeps half the time.
This was a great exercise extending my skills in watercolour.
Thanks to those of you who have dropped by, leaving your encouraging comments, i really appreciate them.




