Bringing the wild to life

April 10, 2010

I’m back from holiday and raring to go!

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

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

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

From the bank of the Murray

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

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November 26, 2009

Shelley beach plein air study

On the way back from Inverloch on Monday I saw this scene as I came back through Kilcunda. The atmosphere of that place of an afternoon is just amazing. With my pochade and pastels in the car I stopped at the nearest carpark and made my way toward one of the cliff tops to begin work. 20 minutes later the study you see below was completed.

shelley-beach-atmosphere-pa

Shelley beach atmosphere

Pastel on Rustygrit by Leigh Rust

Working quickly is one of the things I’ll be looking at during my upcoming workshops. With a scene like this where the movement of the water is paramount to the success of the work it’s a matter of observing that movement for a while before laying down the first strokes.

I’ll possibly develop this as a larger studio work in the near future.

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October 27, 2009

Approaching storm – Pyengana

Here is the first major work based upon Tasmania. This scene is called Approaching storm – Pyengana. It is in pastel on a full sheet of Rustygrit paper. I loved the colours and mood in this scene, especially the vibrant greens in the foreground and the looming cloud as it covers the distant ranges like a blanket.

Approaching storm – Pyengana

$1299.00 AUS (Plus shipping)

I also have a scene of Dove Lake under way which should be finished in the next couple of days.

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October 24, 2009

Online exhibition at Original Oz

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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