Creative Processes

I have several processes all of which are dependent on the style I'm working in. Sometimes I will have several paintings on the go at once, I have a tendency to get bored very quickly so I will mix things up. 

Styles can range from Australian impressionism, abstract expressionism, decorative and stylistic to realism. I also like to work in a variety of mediums such as oils and acrylics.

Most of my landscapes are oils which take several weeks too complete. I start by blocking in dark areas then I let that dry. Then I paint impasto, thick with very little medium with drying time in-between some of it.

When I paint native flowers in oiIs, I will do an arrangement of them in pencil first quite detailed and then use a combination of blending and glazing to complete.

My abstract expressionistic florals are done when I want to play and sometimes can be started by my grandchildren. I tend to underpaint in acrylics intuitely in contrasting dark colours, sometimes there are 3 or 4 layers before I'm satisfied with the colours and composition. This is the same with my abstract pieces, I aim to steer away from florals but sometimes I can't help myself and they just sneak in. 

Another style I work in is quite stylistic and decorative. I start these with very loose guidelines of the Glasshouse Mountains which I block in with varying tones of greens and rust paint, some of which was allowed to run and then I added varying design elements. Finally they were completed with either pineapples or advocados. I had so many commissions from clients who live around the Hinterland for these pieces, so much so, that they rarely made it to any online platform for sale.

These pieces were developed further, which is what I do when I have the feels for line work and focus. These pieces are planned, I start with guidelines of the landscape, then I paint in my base colours. When it's dry I then use paint and paint pens to create different designs in each of the different shapes. The designs can range from tiny gold leaves to differents types of produce. I often add some larger native flowers. I also do this style with just paint, so they are bolder.

Another way I like to work is with simple shapes in different colours, contrasted with stylistic designs of native flowers and patterns.

Lastly, I think, I do some surrealist style work. This is definately planned, I base the design on a thought, for example My Australia included scenery from all the states and some iconic imagery representing Australia.

Most times I don't know what I'm going to do when I strip the plastic of the canvas, and prepare the canvas. It's exciting not knowing and just creating, unless of course it's a planned piece.