What’s The Next Step?

How can I create more movement & interest in my art?

How can I get more exposure for the paintings that already exist?

And lets be honest, how can I create more financial abundance?!

One of the hidden bonuses of returning home to Canada for the holidays, working with the family company and not having any art supplies (I miss my paints & Sally’s garage! ), is the extra time I have to dedicate to the business side of my art; the admin, promotions & marketing.

The last time I was home, I built my website, www.artegaragem.com

This time I am focusing on print, publication, licensing & art distribution options :D

"Wild Ginger" Hanging

Happy new owners! Amy & Lily Oldfield

Thanks for helping hang her Paul! Simply couldn't have done it without you :D

Oldfield Commission COMPLETED!

Please allow me to introduce you to "Wild Ginger"

More pics on FB

Oldfield Commission VI

More detail shots....

Oldfield Commission V

The painting is filling up nicely, am pleased to note that any of these detail shots could stand-alone as an individual painting in its own right!

 A field of daisies.

Scarlet Honey Eater

Firey Gold Orchids

Bee

Bee & Australian Ginger Flowers

Lady-Bird in flight

Oldfield Commission IV

There's been a fair bit of development with this peice in the last couple of weeks, so there's a fair few progression photos to catch up on….

Had been sketching out our lady flat & it was only when I raised her up vertical that I realized I’d drawn her body out of proportion to her head. So first things first… lets re-proportion her! 

She’s been fleshed out, with a touch of colour added.

Now for all the critters in her hair, she’s a bit like Snow White in that she will be surrounded by an assortment of butterflies, insects & birds, all tangled & partially hidden in her wind blown hair.

 She has a bird on her shoulder & butterflies in her hair…

 The Australian Bee

 The Lady-Bird in flight!

Background Layer 01 - Building up the background layers

 Background Layers 02-03 - Its getting exciting now!

Background Layers 04-05

Defining her face.

Am really pleased with her expression, she has very strong, and yet soft features with very direct looking eyes :D

Happy Herbs Mural

Lismore, Northern NSW

The Happy Herb shops promote wholistic, healthy lifestyles, naturally. They are passionate about plants and offer a diverse range of information resources and are a networking hub for the local community.

The original design by a WA Artist for Happy Herb Shop in Freemantle, Western Australia.

The first step was to get our blank canvas.

Working in tandem with the painting of the walls Elly is in the process of creating a 'Tree of Life' out of bamboo, paper & fabric.

 

The most difficult part of the mural, the gradated sky!

Did a few trial runs… the original process didn’t work [much to my dismay! ] so tested out a few different strategies which resulted in the creation of four new paintings appropriately called the 'Sky Boards', to view them go to FB page.

 

First layer of vibrant green vegetation.

 

Second layer of lush green vegetation.

 The Final Shot! BEAUTIFUL!

Am so very pleased with the outcome of this project :D 

Can't wait for Paul to finish up with the cabinetry & see what the final outcome is!

I also made sure to leave one little surprise for Talithat to find....

One lovely little Lady-Bird hidden amongst the foliage :D

More photos on FB

Oldfield Art Commission III

Some inspirational pieces to be incorporated in our beautiful lady's hair :D

Bumblebee

Ladybird in flight

Vibrant Butterflies

Brilliant delicate flowers

Bold flowers; Australian Native Rhodendendron Lochae

Bluejay

Australian Native Scarlet Honeyeater

Lady Celine SOLD!

"Lady Celine"

Happily sold via the BeanBank Coffee House in Ballina. Thanks Effie!

NEW ART GARAGE!

Art Residency II

So my road trip has ended. Mr.Rainbow, CeeCee & I are happy to be back 'home', parked in Sal's lush country drive.

It seems that Sal's pretty happy to have us back as well... seeing as she has offered up the garage to use as studio space! What a fantastic 'welcome home'!  I may just be sticking around for a while longer, aye?

 The new studio is just steps from home...

...with glorious country views.

First project :: the completion of the Oldfield commission.

My breakfast nook & lunch space :D

The Last Legs...

A few photos of the last legs of my road trip...

Rainbow, Hat Head NP

Guy & Sarah chilling out in Hat Head NP

Beautful campground at Stuart's Point, NSW

Another stunning beach at Stuart's Point, NSW

Thanks for the lovely birthday present Mom! Funnily enough, it was only last week that I was on this beach searching for driftwood...

Scott's Head, NSW

Port Macquaire, NSW

Bought & tried Marlin for the first time. What an interesting tasting fish, it's so dense & juicy it almost tasted like it could've been a steak!

Leah's Thai Style Room

Spent a cruisy afternoon with Leah putting up these lovely curtains in her Thai-style room... gotta mix art & interior design-ing with friends & travel!

Am now very happy to be back at Sal's in the hills and am looking forward spending a lovely evening on the deck, under the moonlight with friends, food & good wine for my birthday :D

More photos & stories on FB