Making art at 110 kph

January 18, 2026

Fred Williams was one of Australia’s great painters. For those who paid attention, he changed the way they saw the Australian landscape. He tended to show the country as a vertical, flat image, right up against the picture plane. His paintings sort of look like the view I imagine a plummeting parachutist might see, just after the reserve ‘chute has failed.

Here is my impression of the country between Melbourne and Adelaide, rendered in the manner of Fred Williams.

The materials for this piece are insects and the front bumper of a Toyota Corolla. I gathered these insects in this pattern whilst travelling along the highway. It was a refreshing change: in recent years most drives through agricultural areas have yielded few if any insects. I expect our pesticides may be just a bit too effective.

Eagle contre-jour

January 11, 2026

Regular readers will recall I was recently bitten on the arm by a spider. The arm is nearly better, but I hear the spider is most unwell.

I was recovered enough to paint this little tondo on a plywood panel (drink coaster?) from Officeworks. It is of an ironwood carving of an eagle that I understand was made by an artist from the Seri (or Comcaac) people of the Sonora desert. The carving is seen here basking in the window on a sunny Melbourne afternoon. It has great presence.

Allegoria nuziale by Tiepolo, reflected in Koons’s Balloon Venus Dolni Vestonice

December 20, 2025

I imagine that, like me, you have a view on the work of Jeff Koons. I do not imagine anything I say in this post will change your mind on this one way or the other. So I will refrain.

The National Gallery of Australia recently received the gift of a Koons: Balloon Venus Dolni Vestonice. This one is in yellow. It is directly across from Tiepolo’s Allegoria nuziale. Its mirror surface provides a new way to look at the Tiepolo. It looks rather like this.

Blue and white porcelain vase

December 14, 2025

The bud vase was only $3 at the Op Shop. I thought it would be enjoyable to paint. It was.

Michael Harding ultramarine blue has an almost electric sharpness on a neutral ground. It seems to have a very significant pigment load, but is very well behaved. The perfect painting companion.

Rope

December 5, 2025

A friend’s brother tried to lash a sheet of glass to his car roof with a rope. It did not work: slid off. Another acquaintance tried to transport a full fish tank in the back of a car. It did not work: first time he hit the brakes he was inundated.

As with most things, rope tying and removals should be left to the experts.

Kitchen sink drama

November 30, 2025

It was not a week for painting, alas. It was a week for attending to my angry infected eye. Nearly better.

My narrow focus meant I briefly dwelt on details from paintings I did years ago. I do not have a favourite, but I do have favourite parts. This is a sugar bowl next to a butter pot, basking in the red glow of a bottle of chilli oil. It is a corner of a kitchen still life from another time. I like it. Do not know why, but I do.

Wilburrrr!

November 22, 2025

I spent the week winking at strangers because of a hideous eye infection. No time at the easel. Plenty of time lying in the dark, boiling with frustration. I dug up an old drawing from years ago. It is a horse of course.

Darebin Creek in spate

November 15, 2025

The Government has updated the flood maps for Darebin. It is a land-locked area. I had thought it likely high-and-dry, but it would seem I should be buying a dinghy.

This is Darebin Creek after a rain storm, swollen with run off from all the streets of Preston. More particulate than liquid. Tom Roberts painted it in a quieter state. I expect this is the nearest I will get to doing a Tom Roberts.