Here and Now In Brussels

Hello everyone, I am fortunate to be spending a week in Brussels. My son and daughter are with me, and we are attending a dear friends retirement party, I do have some time to myself and thought I would like to take you on a journey around La Grand Place area of Brussels. Here is your guide, c'est moi!

My 45 minute walk started in the Grande Place

 Note the entrance of the Town Hall is not symmetrical.  It is said the architect committed suicide after this error was discovered too late!

Detail of door to the Town Hall's courtyard

Flower market, Grand Place

 Chocolates of Belgium, of which I will show you more and more...

 Beer, is also in abundance!

 The marionette has more cultural significance in Belgium than anywhere else I know.

 Street Art

 Hats galore

 More chocolates...

 Lotsa Lollies...

 More chocolates!

 These famous handbags are among the most expensive in the world, there is one in here with a price tag of 20,000 Euros.

 Boats for the boys

 Tea time!

 More chocolates anyone? No need to introduce these next two characters...

 Back into the Grand Place, it has been lovely weather here, it's the beginning of Autumn.

and of course...more chocolate!

 Belgium is also famous for tapestry..

 and lace..

I hope you have enjoyed this short walk around the centre of Brussels, that's it for now,

Val x

Melbourne Art Fair 2014

Hello I'm back! I have been busy busy busy, but on Wednesday I took some time out to attend the 'Vernissage' of the annual Melbourne Art Fair at the Royal Melbourne Exhibition Building (which by the way is a magnificent World Heritage Victorian building read more: here)

The 'Vernissage' is the preview of an exhibition the night before it's opening.  The event allowed for exhibitors to let loose their butterflies in a more relaxed atmosphere, and is a dress rehearsal for the main event. I was impressed by the artists, they were as much a part of the show as their actual work, even if we were all predominantly dressed in black! Which was a striking backdrop to the art.

The Exhibition Hall's domed ceiling

Although held in Melbourne it is a national event, with artists travelling from all states and even internationally, artists must be represented in a gallery to be entitled to display their art, and prices vary, starting from $9000 up to $500,000.

I loved meeting various artists and talking about our passion, especially Diane Gall who's paintings remind me of my generation. Please do visit her web page.

Diane Gall with one of her paintings

 The following paintings also caught my eye...

On my wish list, in my dreams, one day, it'll be me exhibiting at the Melbourne Art Fair!

That's it for now,

Val x

Hello everyone. Once upon a time I enjoyed a trip to Peru and from the photos I took painted a series of works. I am lucky enough to have a friend who is a photographer, Wade Ashley of Ashley Photography. Wade suggested I make a coffee table book which is a great way of showcasing your paintings.

Some of the paintings Wade took photos of...

Peruvian child

Lake Titicaca

Sacred Valley, Peru

Peruvian Street Seller

Having a limited edition coffee table book of my paintings has been a great way to share my work with friends far and wide, whether they wanted them or not!



Currently I am painting a landscape, early stages! It's the Avenue, and is for the Impressions of  Anlaby Sheep Station.  Exhibition October 25/26th

I

That's it for now!

Val x

Focus on Paint Brushes

I've been painting with Acrylic paints for the past year, it certainly is more challenging than oil. With Oil paints the gliding and blending is easily achieved. Acrylic by comparison is dry, in my experience it needs lots of medium to achieve a flow that’s not scratchy and dry looking, I hold back on water as this obviously thins the paint.

My Brushes

I believe I've overcome the blending more successfully with the use of soft brushes, the best of these being Sable, Badgerlon is also very useful. I’m not a fan of Hogs hair. It really depends on the size of your canvas and style of painting. The other brush I love is a make-up brush for highlighting blushers and bronzes, available everywhere and sometimes as a freebee with make-up kits. These brushes are fat squat and softer than silk, use before the paint dries but is not wet, you need to experiment to find the moment. The gentlest touch and sweep will beautifully blend if this is what you are aiming to achieve.

A blusher is useful for blending

The style of brush is another avenue to explore. My favourite is a Filbert and then a Bright, all have different uses and having a selection of sizes is very useful. Keep a pair of tweezers at hand for that odd hair that escapes the brush and wants to live in your painting. Have you noticed that finishing with a downwards brush stroke gives a much smoother finish?

I love to view a painting and feel its impact, that’s the emotional aspect. Then I study the style and  craft of the artist, if the detail up close is well executed I appreciate it, and am delighted.

My latest painting is of a rose in my neighbour's garden, can anyone name the variety?

My latest painting.

That's it for now, see you in a couple of weeks.

Val x

Back from a ten day trip to the  Barossa and what a lovely time I've had. Beautiful people and informative mentoring, and art lessons from Jacqueline Coates. The Barossa was as gorgeous as ever, the roses were still out and the farmers market was in full swing.  We stayed at Anlaby, www.anlaby.com.au which  is the oldest Merino Sheep Station in Australia.

I managed three paintings, and I am quite happy with two of them
but one . . . hmmmm.

Cream Roses Tulip and Pears.

The roses are still blooming

I was taken with the abundance of roses of Kapunda. They have an Autumn flush  there that Melburnians only see in Summer.

Roses from  'Knights Roses'

It really has been a wonderful break, and guess what? In October our group of artists are presenting an exhibition of our artwork at Anlaby Station! The exhibition is part of their annual open garden and called 'Impressions of Anlaby'. The date is the 25th and 26th of  October.

Before I go, the North Kapunda Hotel serves great food and local wines!

Expect to hear from me again in a couple of weeks, where I intend to share some of my personal painting tips.

That's it for now,

Val x