The Gathering Storm . Acrylic on Canvas 30"x30"

My first cloud paintings were in oil but this one is in acrylic. I thought it would be impossible to get the blending that I got with oil. With the help of gel retarder medium I was succesful. I love the drama that this painting gives.

Cloudscaped. Oil on Canvas. 20"x20"

I'm getting adventurous now. This one is 20"x20" and I've really enjoyed it. I started with a base colour of burnt sienna allowing some of the colour to show through.

Just Heavenly oil/canvas 14"x20" 35.5cmx51cm

This is the first cloud painting that I have done. It's not very big but a big step in reaching my goal of painting clouds.

I have recently begun a different journey with my painting. My new venture is painting clouds and skies. I've always been overawed by the beauty and drama of skies and included them in my landscapes. I have, however, always thought that a dramatic sky deserves to be a painting in itself. I now have the courage to do just that. I also became a member of the Cloud Appreciation Society, complete with certificate and badge. My earliest influence was an English artist called Edward Seago. His huge skies and low horizons are magnificent. Then, on a visit to Amsterdam, I saw the way the Dutch masters painted their clouds. I was hooked. My next influence is an American artist called Kathy Buist. Her vast magnificent stormy skies are a sight to behold. I also look on this challenge as an excercise in painting larger and looser. Something that has eluded me for ages. My usual style is detailed and tight because I really do love detail.

I am now into my second term of teaching acrylic painting. I have taught one or two people in the past, which is nice and intimate, but never many more than that. I found it quite nerve wracking at first. Then I really got into the swing of it and formulated a method of showing how to put people into their paintings, without putting too much distracting detail into them which leads to overworked, wooden looking people. The beginning of the second term with new students was also a little daunting, but now I am thoroughly enjoying myself. The experience has also helped me to be less nervous when I am demonstrating painting for an art club.

Still Life With Poppies 12"x12" Oil on canvas

SOLD

I painted this still life from my imagination. Must make a mental note not to do it this way again. I should set it up and paint from life or photograph it first.

Prevelly Beach. Margaret River. Acrylic on canvas

Margaret River is a beautiful area of the West Australian coast, and this part of the coast is Prevelly beach. Lovely to look at and lovely to paint.