Gallery news « Bringing the wild to life

April 10, 2010

I’m back from holiday and raring to go!

Filed under: 9 x 5's, Gallery news, Uncategorized, art promotions, classes, outdoor studies — Tags: art class, award, echuca, holiday, oils, pastels, Under the sea, yakkerboo — admin @ 11:52 pm

Hi everyone, I’ve returned to the studio after a week away with the family and I can’t wait to get started! The break was wonderful, with time at Ballarat and Echuca, visiting Sovereign Hill, Kryal Castle and making our way to the Murray River. The weather for the start of the trip was looking ominous but held out while we went to Sovereign Hill and had a look around. It is very well done, with many of the shops operating and everyone in period. I can’t imagine being confined to a space 8 feet square to try and make my fortune though…

The highlight of the trip was certainly getting to Echuca. Soon after arriving at our accommodation I headed straight down to the bank of the river and set up to work. The study produced that afternoon was heaps of fun to do. Generally my raw impressions need to be very quick due to the changing waves but here on the river I could relax and just enjoy it more.

Afternoon light, Yarraby - Pastel 8" x 5" $180 (plus shipping)

The following morning my beautiful daughter decided to wake me at 6am, just before the Cockatoos, Kookaburras and Correllas did. As a result she became my companion on site as I worked on 3 studies in the dawn light.

Here are the works I produced that morning…

Murray Mists - Pastel 8" x 6" $180 (plus shipping)

Calm dawn, Murray river - Pastel 8" x 6" $180 (plus shipping)

From the bank of the Murray - Pastel 6" x 9" $220 (plus shipping)

Upon returning from my holiday I called into the Yakkerboo Art Show to find out that I had won the prestigious Glenn Madden Local Artist award with my work Under the Sea. This was a welcome surprise!

As you can see it has been a great week away and I’m hoping this week proves just as enjoyable!

Here is something that any aspiring artists along the Mornington Peninsula or Pakenham areas should check out… My Open Art Classes! YOUR medium, YOUR subject, MY guidance! Let me know if you would like to attend

open_art_class_pakenham Wednesday nights at the Mornington Park Pavilion also. How can you go wrong?

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January 21, 2010

Cascading falls, St Columba

Filed under: Gallery news, In the studio, Tasmania, over land and sea — Tags: glover prize, new work, pastel, rainforest, rocks, Tasmania, waterfall, website updates — admin @ 5:27 am

Hi folks, here is my entry for the Glover Prize, Australia’s richest landscape prize. The scene at the foot of St Columba Falls in the north east of Tasmania. Making the cut for the Glover is a bit of a longshot with only 40 works selected for the show but hey, you have to give it a go.

Cascading falls, St Columba

$1499.00 AUD (plus shipping)

Have you checked out my site lately?

Over the past few days there have been some developments at leighrust.com with new artwork updates and new sections added. Finally my raw impressions have a new home and I’ve started a page for my Tasmanian works. Please have a look around and let me know what you think.

There have also been updates in the Port Phillip bay and Bass Coast collections for those of you who are interested.

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December 22, 2009

Playing in the sun – New major pastel completed!

Filed under: Gallery news, In the studio, classes, over land and sea — Tags: art gallery of inverloch, beach, boy, child, coast, inverloch, pastel, playing, sand, summer, water — admin @ 2:16 pm

Hi everyone, in between a very productive end to the year with my pastel classes (Anyone who is interested in joining should check out the current samples on my website ) I managed to return to this major pastel and bring it to completion last night. The sand was a lot of fun to do and I feel like I captured the hot summer sun pretty well in this one. The little boy gave me some trouble but in the end I think it was worth it.

This piece will be available through the Gallery of Inverloch in the new year.

I’ve still got some things on the easel and I’m hoping I’ll get to share them with you very soon. As always thanks for looking!

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November 30, 2009

Mount Martha demonstrations

Filed under: 9 x 5's, Demos, Gallery news, classes, over land and sea — admin @ 6:40 am

This past Sunday I was at Original Oz in Mount Martha to do a couple of pastel demos and talk to people about my classes and upcoming workshops. Despite the terrible weather in the morning the day turned out quite nicely. Here are the works that were created on the day.

Dusk’s sweet kiss – Mount Martha

Pastel on Rustygrit

$749.00 AUD (plus shipping)

“Beach boxes, Mount Martha”

Pastel on Rustygrit

$479.00 AUD (plus shipping)

“Birdrock beach – Toward Mount Martha”

Pastel on Rustygrit

$180.00 AUD (Plus shipping)

This week promises to be busy with plenty of commissions on the go and the first Outdoor Pastel Workshop coming up on Sunday. If anyone would like to give it a shot before the January workshops let me know and we’ll see you in Pakenham!

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November 24, 2009

Wrap up of the Inverloch demonstration day

Filed under: 9 x 5's, Demos, Gallery news, art promotions, classes, over land and sea — admin @ 6:32 pm

This past Monday I made the trip down to The Art Gallery of Inverloch for my scheduled demonstration day. The weather had been gloomy over the weekend but the conditions were perfect on the way there. In the morning I stopped at Kilcunda to collect material for my upcoming commissions and found the waves crashing in the bright morning sun. Running along the beach my adrenalin was pumping so I moved on to the gallery and set up.

Right on 11am a crowd arrived to watch me start my scene featuring 2 surfers working through the swell. They watched in the arcade and through the gallery windows as I began to layer my first tones onto the rust coloured Rustygrit board. There were plenty of questions about my pastel choices, how I make my boards, my thoughts on working outdoors and plenty of queries regarding classes.

The surfers (1)

Original pastel by Leigh Rust

$290.00 AUD (Plus shipping)

Many were surprised by the fact that I don’t finger blend my pastels and were impressed by the results that were created by letting the pastels blend themselves.

A big thanks to the crew at The Art Gallery of Inverloch for organizing such a great turnout.

While I was there a couple more places were filled for the Inverloch workshop, leaving just 3 to go before I close off bookings. Make sure you get quick so you don’t miss out on what is sure to be a great challenging experience!

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Coming up this Sunday I’ll be at Original Oz, Mount Martha demonstrating a beach scene in pastel from 11am. If you’re in the area make sure you drop in and check it out. I’ll be talking about the Mount Martha workshop so if you’re interested and have any questions just let me know.

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November 10, 2009

Outdoor workshops announced for Jauary 2010

Filed under: 9 x 5's, Demos, Gallery news, In the studio, classes, outdoor studies, over land and sea — Tags: art gallery of inverloch, inverloch, january, leigh rust, mount martha, original oz, outdoor pastel workshop, plein air — admin @ 5:49 am

outdoor-workshop-jan-flyer

These instensive all day workshops promise to challenge the pastellist who has grown comfortable in their studio. I aim to show you the benefits of working on site and how it can bring your studio works up to another level. You’ll learn how to break a scene down to it’s basic elements, capturing the essence without worrying about the details as we aim to create 4 scenes in the morning sessions.

The afternoon sessions are where we will put all the elements together, using our studies and reference photos to create a completed work that has a sense of light that is generally lost when we rely purely on photographic reference. (As an aside I’ll also show you how to manipulate your photos to better represent what you see)

The Inverloch workshop will offer a stunning array of big waves and impressive headlands while the Mount Martha workshop will look at the calmer waters of Port Phillip Bay and plenty of activity typical of this popular summer holiday spot.

To reserve your space at either workshop please email me. I promise they will be a lot of fun!

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November 9, 2009

Demonstration day at the Art Gallery of Inverloch

Filed under: Demos, Gallery news, art promotions, over land and sea, wildlife — Tags: art, art gallery, artwork, bass coast, beach, coast, demonstration, inverloch, pastel, wildlife — admin @ 9:00 pm

inverlochnovdemo

I’ll be at the gallery from 11am demonstrating in pastel for a wildlife piece and a coastal scene. If you’re in the area come along. It promises to be a lot of fun!

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November 4, 2009

November demonstration day at Original Oz Art Gallery

Filed under: Demos, Gallery news, art promotions, over land and sea — Tags: art class, art gallery, beach scene, demonstration, mornington peninsula, mount martha, original oz, summer — admin @ 1:48 pm

That’s right, with summer upon us I’m returning to Original Oz in Mount Martha to demonstrate in pastel. This time around I’m going to tackle a busy beach scene to capture the summer atmosphere. The demo will start from 12 noon so if you’re interested make sure you drop in to have a look. I’m always happy to answer any questions and may even have a spare easel with me for those of you who would like to try your hand at my techniques.

Regarding classes in the area I’m hoping to have some news on a venue in the next week so please let me know if you’d like to join in. All skill levels and age groups are welcome! My aim is to have every student leave my class having learned something each week.

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October 24, 2009

Online exhibition at Original Oz

Filed under: Gallery news, art promotions, over land and sea, wildlife — Tags: beach scenes, exhibition, gallery, landscapes, mount martha, original oz, pastels, showcase, wildlife — admin @ 5:49 pm

Hi all, I just wanted to let you know about my showcase exhibition currently running on the originaloz.com.au website. We have a selection of my scenes and wildlife works on show. The site is worth bookmarking for those of you who love your realist art. There will be rotating 1 month showcases featuring many of the gallery’s artists so check back regularly.

If you’re on the Mornington peninsula take the time to visit the real gallery to see a breathtaking array of works on the walls.

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October 20, 2009

Mornington Food and wine festival

Filed under: 9 x 5's, Demos, Gallery news, Tasmania, art promotions, classes, over land and sea — Tags: artwork, australia, beach, demonstration, gallery, mount martha, pastel — admin @ 4:10 am

Sunday was the Mornington food and wine festival and I was lucky enough to have a marquee showing my originals and demonstrating for the crowds throughout the day. To everyone who dropped in and said hello I thank you for taking the time and sincerely hope you enjoyed my work. Many people enquired about my pastel masterclass and also junior classes. I’m now looking into venues to get those classes up and running in the area shortly.

Over the course of the day I completed 3 works and started a new major piece based upon one of my tassie 9 x 5’s.

The first piece was demonstrating the primary colour exercise that every student who comes to me starts with. I think this piece surprised many as it didn’t look too pretty at the start but exuded a great amount of light and energy by the time it was completed.

From there I moved onto a local scene depicting the Mornington headland. This piece was a half sheet of Rusty grit, keeping the proportions similar to the 9 x 5 format I’ve been using. Given that his was a local work many people took interest in seeing it develop. I was really pleased with the sweeping lines in the design of this piece.

Upon completing this piece I did a couple of kids classes before getting to work on this small 9 x 5 of Cape Paterson.

Finally I started working up a large piece based upon my study of Pyengana from our Tassie trip which I will share with you over the next few days. All in all it was a very productive day!

I’d like to say thanks to Original Oz, Mount Martha who had enough faith in my abilities to set me up for the day. It’s an honour to have you representing me. If anyone is looking for a range of amazing realist artwork please drop in and have a look at what’s on offer. I feel privileged to be hanging on their walls

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