Perugina Art

View Work In Progress Slideshow

blue Angel of Peace
Christmas card 2008

Deciding to continue this 'blue Angel of Peace' theme each year making it my signature Christmas Card sees me exploring a stained glass effect this year, as opposed to last year where my Angel bore a close resemblance to my ‘Ladies and the Musical Instruments They Play’

intricate in design and time consuming, it was very relaxing to paint and i truly felt a sense of peace and calm working on it with my 'O' round brush - yes the same one utilised on 'the Garden God II' ...could have another painting in it if i am lucky!

38 x 67 cm

watercolour on arches

300 gsm cp fine

View Work In Progress Slideshow

the Garden God II
a tribute To Norman

Just couldn't help myself with the slideshow...

Also... all going well, this will feature as a Work In Progress in the
Artist's Palette magazine Issue 71
Which will be out early 2009.

the Garden God II

a tribute to Norman

67 x 38 cm

watercolour on arches
300gsm cp fine

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This has taken forever and there are still some minor adjustments to make.

Also I would like to extend a big thank to Rory Stapleton on RB

(after discovering our mutal love of the works of Australian Artist Norman Lindsay)

for his help and encouragement during the last couple of weeks as i worked on this furiously.

His supportive emails, as he followed its progress and imparting his technical expertise in illustration and painting especially with regard to tone as it pertains to colour was much appreciated.

Thank you so much Rory.

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My Inspiration

Here at my home, in my

'Upstairs Garden'
I have a large stone plaque with a face cast into it, which hangs on the western wall of the house, catching the last rays of sun each day.

He is the protector of my Upstairs Garden
Although there is no beautiful young naked maiden standing there in front of his gargoyle-like face, safely flaunting herself before his lifeless eyes…
I have nevertheless called him my “Garden God” in homage to Lindsay and his work.

The Garden God

Norman Lindsay

perugina's tips for the Melbourne Cup 2008

Straight From The Horse's Mouth

Tonight has been spent preparing for
'the race that stops a nation'

That once a year event which has all the fillies excited.

Where hours are spent vetoing every item of clothing in the wardrobe and has every partner horrified at the prospect of having to answer 'that question' dreaded by all partners…
"Does My B** Look Big In This?"
Also deliberating on which shoes to wear with …and of course there's the all important decision about that accessory which can make or break the entire ensemble…THE HAT!

Whether to try for that Audrey Hepburn –ridiculously oversized 'My Fair Lady' look!
(Assuring your derrière will not rival that of the horses - a sure bet on the day!)

or just go the fascinator 'chook look!'

All important decisions…

All that remained this evening was studying the Form Guide.

The barriers drawn… the jockeys...the trainers… track conditions...dead weight vs. top weight...

bloodlines... and the poor animals form to be able to make the 3200 metre distance.

Tipping a science unto itself…so...with that said...

the numbers I drew out of the hat...

(insert wink)

18 Profound Beauty ridden by Glen Boss

8 Mad Rush ridden by Damien Oliver

and

21 Prize Lady ridden by Mark Sweeney

(which incidentally will start in barrier 18 which has never produced a Cup winner!)

Bon Chance to all!

Most importantly have fun!

work in progress
latest updates
This is where i am currently with

the Garden God II

a tribute to Norman

Perhaps the photo above will give some indication as to the size of this work.

My size 'O' round TAKLON brush has served me well and up until now and it has seen me through many of my works since starting watercolours in 2007 and remains one of my favourites still.

Ron in my watercolour group is always astounded that i utilise such a small brush and has taken to asking, "Why don't you use a bigger brush?!" whenever he sees me, regardless of whether i am painting or not.

I like to use small brushes, so i shrug and laugh. Perhaps i feel comfortable with it because like a pencil, i feel i have some control.

I am in a panic about it (the brush) making it through this piece as its bristles are wearing thin, it will be a sad day when it finally gives up.

This last picture above is the closest representing the true colour of the piece as utilising the flash mode on the camera tends to bleach out the colour.

With all the leaves completed now, all that remains is touching up various areas putting in some darks behind the foliage.

This morning sees me a little further down the road.

With more to come later this afternoon.

_____________________

Finally I have settled into my latest WIP and its moving along. Looking back when updating its progress i can't believe this was started back in August.

Having no recollection of colours used had me playing the guessing game, “What colour am I?”

Some colours are obvious, others gave me some grief. This will teach me to record this in future.

Normally i don't like to drop a project as i have done in this case, and prefer to work day after day until its completion.

In Italian (as I often find myself thinking in these terms) if i break from a project, i lose “la mano”- my hand i.e. the flow of what i am doing and like handwriting on a page, the slope of it changes, therefore breaking the visual rhythm of it. So in picking this up again today, it is hoped that i will find my rhythm once more so the next few weeks can be dedicated to completing it.

To view progress shots from the start

CLICK HERE

To view slideshow

CLICK HERE

series le donne blu

lei dorme

she sleeps

no 1

oil on stretched canvas

titanium white, ultramarine blue

29 x 42 cm

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My need to return to familiar territory in subject matter at least, after what seems a long break was necessary to ease back into getting creative again.

Perhaps the relaxed Donna Blu - Blue Lady – serene in her slumber, is a manifestation of the inner peace i am lacking presently and so desperately crave.

Instead of watercolour, with its unpredictability and capriciousness adding to my frustration , i chose to get out those beautiful smooth oil paints purchased a few months back helping me to unwind.

Pushing the lush paint around on the canvas with a large round soft brush, the swirling movements of the ultramarine blue and titanium white paint as it mixed forming her curls, giving them a delicate textural quality, (not evident here in the photo) was almost hypnotic, the rhythmic movements mesmerising… and now when I look back…

“Me thinks i got a little high on the fumes!”

My art work has come to a sudden halt over the last month.

Moving my art space, and with all that transpired this last week with Buffy and although i have still uploaded the latest news into my blog, it still feels like i have been away for an eternity.

It would be remiss if i didn't thank all who have supported me during this time with your messages, thoughts and prayers for Buffy - from my heart, it helped tremendously!

Hopefully, with the worst behind us, with Buffy on the improve everyday, i can settle into my regular routine here at home, getting back to the painting, and finishing those WIPs started a few months ago.

November will be an extremely busy month starting with the Rhododendron Festival Annual Art Exhibition, Blackheath, Blue Mountains, as well as being an invited artist in the Oatley 101 Society of Artists, November Gallery Exhibition.

November also sees me working on a submission and commissioned project which needs to be completed by months end, more news on this later.

With so much crammed into these last months of 2008, and with some personal health issues as well, it had me having to make some hard decisions last couple of months.

For one, having to pull out of the Northern Expressions Annual Christmas Exhibition in Fairlight, Manly.
However I am looking forward to my involvement next year and wish the participating artists all the very best for a successful show - hope to see everyone on opening night!

Also, not being able to uphold my commitment to creating the Christmas Card this year for Retina Australia - this probably saddened me the most. Graeme, President of Retina Australia, was very understanding and we have reset this goal for 2009 simply offering me words of comfort, "Things will happen in their own good time and it wasn't meant to be for 2008"

Thank you Graeme, for your understanding and patience and I hope 2009 is a better year for us both!

Catch up soon!

So with the Christmas decs, cards and paper already making their appearance in the retail industry signalling to all that the chaos has officially started, and with the summer break looming near, the need to tie up these loose ends so 2009 can start afresh is imperative.

Now, hopefully it’s back to the art!

first major sale

beneath blue mountain gums

for the love of the mountains

no 1

77 x 67cm
SOLD

This is currently being exhibited in the Blackheath Art Society Spring Open Exhibition, 2008 which runs each October Long Weekend in the Blue Mountains NSW
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Since starting watercolour and art full time in 2007, it is my first major sale in an exhibition. John Marsh, President of the Blackheath Art Society called with this wonderful news this morning!

Thank you to the person who purchased this original watercolour piece, i'm thrilled.

just a man

thoughts can overwhelm, a powerful force humbling the resolute.

graphite drawing on paper

27 x 42 cm

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Having a break from watercolour and enjoying my brief return to graphite, much to my father's delight. He loves my work in this medium and was taken with this latest piece. I have always loved him for the support he has given me with my art.

work in progress

latest update

I have two WIP that i am trying to complete at the moment.

This one i am working on in my weekly watercolour group session, which has been going for a while now.

It has been slow but enjoyable and this is where i am currently at.

To view the other progress shots CLICK HERE

The Garden God below has not seen any progress as i am also currently moving my art space.

Work In Progress

Latest Update

This is where I am currently at with

The Garden God II

A Tribute to Norman

Those of you who thought the first
‘Garden God’
was scary and ugly and told me so, and those too scared to leave a comment perhaps because there was nothing good to say...

Check this out!

My first painting was truly a ‘muck about’ and it was too much fun and had me totally engaged over the two days it took.

This is a serious second attempt at it this time.

With the colours chosen and drawing properly set out,
this does not provide any guarantee of success as there is still a long way to go before its completion.

However, I am pleased with how it is progressing.

Each painting is a learning exercise in any case, with skills built upon, aiding the next project.

His eyes are intense and his gaze fierce!
Now this is nightmare material and makes the first one look tame!

I still see the beauty within...

perhaps it is in his strength of stare which engages me!

Photographs below are a record of its progress.

To view Work In Progress as a Slideshow

CLICK HERE

the Garden God

a tribute to Lindsay

38 x 28 cm

watercolour on arches

300 gsm cp fine

The Garden God
Norman Lindsay

One of my many favourite watercolour works by Norman Lindsay.

i bought a print of this many years ago and each time i visit Lindsay's home in Faulconbridge in the Blue Mountains, which is now a Gallery and Museum run by the National Trust housing many of his works, i immediately make a beeline to this.

Loving the innocence and unashamed abandon of the beautiful young girl who is full of life and joy, with arms outstretched, standing before this grotesque, lascivious looking, small lifeless stone figure in the garden.

To see this work in real life and to walk about the grounds of the former home of this most renowned Australian artist who has produced a vast body of work in different media, including pen drawing, etching, watercolour, oil and sculptures in concrete and bronze and ship building, is for me heaven and a must stop on my way to Katoomba and Leura.

Here at home, in my 'Upstairs Garden' i have a large stone plaque with a face cast into it, which hangs on the western wall of the house, catching the last rays of sun each day.

Although there is no beautiful young naked maiden standing there in front of his gargoyle-like face, safely flaunting herself before his lifeless eyes… i have nevertheless called him my 'Garden God”\' in homage to Lindsay and his work.

Wanting to loosen up in my painting style i played around yesterday using my Garden God as the basis for this work below. I wasn't planing to get this far with it as it was just an experiment in colour and shapes. So after two days mucking about, this is the resulting work.

I have yet to decide whether i will paint the remaining ivy leaves or leave them in negative as a white space.