Finalist in the Calleen Art Award

I'm incredibly honoured to have my painting 'Transcendence' hanging in the 2016 Calleen Art Award.

This national acquisitive painting prize was established in 1977 by Patricia Fagan OAM, and is made possible by the generous support of the Calleen Trust.

The 2016 award was judged was John Cheeseman, the Director of Mosman Art Gallery. A big congratulations to Tania Mason, who took out the $19,000 prize with her sensitive and powerful gouache painting, 'Irregular Plasma'.

I was fortunate enough to attend the exhibition on the weekend at Cowra Regional Art Gallery, and it is a terrific show organised by lovely people.

'Uncovered' Featured in the North Shore Times

Group Exhibition at Project 504

I’m currently exhibiting work at Project 504 gallery in a group show with some sensational artists, including Helen Connolly, Sean Hutton, Christina Rogers and Lucy West-Sooby. ‘Uncovered: Making a Work of Art’ offers insight into the creative process behind a completed work.

While the group share a background of classical training at the Julian Ashton Art School, the exhibition aims to reveal that even among like-minded artists there is a diverse range of creative methods and no two imaginations are the same. Art lovers will gain valuable insight into the nature of creative work, and fellow artists will recognise some of their own daily hardships and triumphs.

The exhibition was opened by fine art specialist and auctioneer, Anne Phillips, and featured live music form folk/jazz trio, Marcus Holden, Keiran Ryan-Colton and Gary Steele. It was also an honour to have our former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, in attendance, viewing the latest portrait of him by Sean Hutton. Click here for a full gallery of images from the opening night.

Former prime minister, Bob Hawke, alongside his daughter Sue Pieters-Hawke, Blanche d'Alpuget and the artist, Sean Hutton. 

Crowds gathering at Project 504 gallery. 

Award-winning filmmaker and ceramicist, Sarah Tracton, standing under my portrait of her 'Reverberate'. 

Winner of the 2016 'Who Is Looking At You Portrait Prize'

I'm over the moon to have found out that my painting of Dr Gemma Olsson has won the 2016 'Who Is Looking At You Portrait Prize' hosted by Cambridge Studio Gallery in Collingwood, Melbourne.

The prize was judged by Goodwin Bradbeer and Yvette Coppersmith - two artists whose work I admire immensely. This is a great honour, and I'm incredibly grateful to Susan Gibson and Ness Alexandra from Cambridge Studio Gallery, Dr Olsson, the judges and all the wonderful finalists in this competition.

The portrait was also recently the subject of a news story in the Parramatta Sun and the Western Sydney Local Health District News.

I'll be holding a solo exhibition at Cambridge Studio Gallery in early 2017.

Judges Yvette Coppersmith and Goodwin Bradbeer. Photo courtesy of Cambridge Studio Gallery.

The portrait of Dr Gemma Olsson.

Every Boardroom Needs An Artist

I’m fortunate enough to be one of 12 artists participating in the inaugural ‘Every Boardroom Needs An Artist’ exhibition.

YSC, a global leadership consultancy firm, has paired artists trained at the Julian Ashton Art School with CEOs from Australia and New Zealand to produce portraits to commemorate their 25-year anniversary.

I was assigned Joydeep Hor, the founder and managing director of People + Culture Strategies – an innovative workplace and HR law firm. I found Joydeep to be a wonderful, generous person with a great intellect and exceptional communication skills. (You can read my full artist statement below.)

The portrait was exhibited at YSC’s anniversary celebrations at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art Quayside Room on the 11th of November. A big congratulations to Frannie Deane - her portrait of Damian Smith, CEO of Essential Media Communications, took out the top prize. 

Click here for more info on this initiative and visit the Facebook Page for updates on all participating artists. 

Joydeep and I at the Museum of Contemporary Art Quayside Room, where the portraits were unveiled to all participating leaders. 

"Upon meeting Joydeep I was struck by his exceptional communication skills and openness, which allowed us to cover a range of topics throughout our sitting. He had a philosophical approach to leadership and success, and had a great deal compassion for others. This was also evidenced by his interest in literature and the work of Charles Dickens.

With this in mind, my goal was to capture an expression in the face that displayed empathy and humility. The position of the hands was carefully considered to reflect his grounded and connected nature. Likewise, the subtle yellow background was used to convey optimism and the red tie was intended to symbolize his bold approach to leadership.

It’s very much a portrait of Joydeep in the workplace - but as he pointed out as the founder of People + Culture Strategies, the professional is also the personal, and I wanted the work to reflect this." 

Sketching Joydeep at our initial sitting in his office on George Street, Sydney. 

'Vision' At M2 Gallery, Surry Hills

Margherita, Haruyo, Chunyu and I. 

I’m excited to be exhibiting some of my portraits in a group show with three amazing women – Haruyo Morita, Chunyu Zhang and Margherita Sanguineti. 

‘Vision’ runs from the 13th to the 25th of November at M2 Gallery, 450 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills (Sydney) and features a diverse set of work ranging from Chunyu Zhang’s contemporary interiors, Margherita’s intricate landscapes and Haruyo Morita’s sensitive ‘Soul Portraits’. 

You can find out more about the content of the exhibition here. For photos from the opening night, click here. 

With artist/teacher/friend Francis Giacco. 

When life imitates art with the incredible Dr Gemma Olsson.

Click here for more photos from opening night. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED - THE CAMBRIDGE STUDIO GALLERY PORTRAIT PRIZE

I was absolutely delighted to be Highly Commended at the 'Who Is Looking At You?' Portraize Prize on the weekend, hosted by Cambrdige Studio Gallery in Collingwood, Melbourne. 

Judged by esteemed artists Graeme Drendel and Colleen Ahern, it was an honour to be selected as a finalist - and even more so to receive a Highly Commended Award alongisde portrait artist Paul Miller. RMIT Photography Graduate Kimberly Liddle won this annual prize with a stunning and unique photographic collage/sculpture. 

Congratulations to all finalists, and a big thank you to every person involved with the show - and of course the wonderful model/muse Tony. His wonderfully expressive face that combines wisdom, apathy and introspection is a portrait artist's dream!

All finalists works are on display at the gallery Collingwood until the 28th of February, so make sure you swing by if you're in the area.

The Rocks Village Bizarre - Vlogging With Peter Baecker

It was an absolute blast recording this short video blog with the fabulous Peter Baecker last week. This unique performance artist/dancer/DJ and all-round entertainer is currently exhibiting as part of The Rocks Village Bizarre festival, hosting a 90s-themed dance party in the middle of Sydney's historic foreshore district every Friday night. I was fortunate enough to paint a portrait of Peter (and his spectacular hair), with the finished result on display in the Metcalf Arcade throughout December. Many thanks to Peter and The Rocks Pop Up for the Village Bizarre initiative, which has truly enriched this part of Sydney.

Artwork Featured in Sydney Harbour Campaign

I am truly honoured to have an image of me painting featured in a new advertising campaign in Sydney's historic harbour precinct. Titled 'Made By Many Hands', the campaign involves bakers, chefs, tailors, artisans and locals producing products with their hands in The Rocks - one of Australia's most vibrant and historically significant areas. Images of me painting at The Julian Ashton Art School appear on plinths, billboards, flags and bus stops in and around the Sydney Harbour Foreshore and The Rocks. Try and spot me and other locals if you're passing by!