February in Torquay

From the blue hills of the Dandenongs to the sea side town of Torquay - once the home of the Wathaurong Aboriginal people (for 25,000 years!) and known as 'Spring Creek' to the early Europeans. The area is famous for it's surf beaches of Jan Juc and Bells Beach, and is the start of the breathtaking coastal drive of the Great Ocean Road. Its natural sandstone sculptures are continuously being shaped by the rough seas of Bass Strait, their great work forming the 'Twelve Apostles' which rise like earthy cathedral spires.

photo of the Twelve Apostles

My Torquay view, The Esplanade

Having spent many summer holidays in Torquay the view has inspired me to paint a few scenes..

'Cozy Corner Torquay'

'Cozy Corner Two'

Torquay's beaches are a magnet for families and moving along the Great Ocean Road, adrenalin junkies! Throughout summer a wide section of society congregates, Surfies, Free Spirits,  Mum's and Dad's and of course children.

The American artist Mary Cassatt captures the sentiment of children beautifully in her painting 'Two Children at the Seashore' painted in 1884. Born in 1844 she was the only American and one of very few women who were at the forefront of the French Impressionist movement, I had the below painting pressed from a poster to canvas and it hangs in my bedroom in Torquay, a reminder that the beach will always be a playground for children.

 'Two Children at the Seashore' Mary Cassatt'

That's it for now!

Lotsaluv, Val x

January in the Dandenongs.

On the outskirts of Melbourne lies an extinct volcano, Mt Dandenong. The Mountain Ash slopes, the quaint villages and abundant ferns make it a wonderful place to visit for the day or even the weekend, as I did recently. To wake up to a sun rise over the Warburton Ranges and the calling of King Parrots and Kookaburras, is as refreshing as the mountain air itself.

Some of my flower painting have  been inspired by the flowers in the Dandenongs, the little bit of extra rain the slopes receive aid the agapanthas the hydrangeas that no amount of watering can match.

'Agapanthus' Mt Dandenong

Work in progress 'Windflowers'

Whilst my two painting above are not natives of Australia they are certainly abundant in the hills!

My latest painting is taken from a photo of a hydrangea, the natural blue comes from the acidity of the soil and not the variety of the plant. In some corners of the garden the hydrangeas are white or pink, my painting is 4ft x 4ft, mixed media oil and acrylic on linen, it's the largest painting I have worked on and the blues and lylics are extremely calming and I find myself looking forward to my time at the easel. 'Bouquet de Bleu' is a real joy to create, its still a work in progress.

Bouquet de Bleu

Throughout European settlement painters have been drawn to the Dandenongs, some very famous like Arthur Streeton who was a keen environmentalist and lamented the enormous Mountain Ash being logged, something that took down some truly huge examples, rumoured to exceed in height the American Redwoods.

An example of Arthur Streeton's work

So impressive are the Mountain Ash, or Tasmanian Oak, that I am looking for an example to paint, hopefully I will find said example on my next visit to the Dandenongs!


Of course spending a weekend among nature goes hand in hand with chickens, fresh eggs, clucking hens and newly hatched chicks!  Here is a sample of cute 'Backyardians.'













Finally here are my grandchildren with their Uncle Andrew at his home on Mt Dandenong, note his pet chicken below. Another painting project?

That's it for now,

Love Val x

Coming up to Christmas!

I'm joining the crowds of those who say 'Christmas is coming!' A combination of moans and groans from some, joy and excitement from others. I take he pilgrimage every year to the Myer Melbourne Christmas windows and that puts me in the space of 'joy and excitement.' This year is Myer's 59th year of decorating their shop front and if you haven't been I highly recommend going, even if you have to put up with a queue.

A scene from Myer's 2012 Window

Having lived in Belgium for many years I experienced Winter Christmas's and I would like to share with you two of my paintings from that time.

'Belgium Winter'

'End of The Day'

Many people in Europe asked me, "Do you have Christmas dinner on the beach?" 

      "No!" I would say, "We have a traditional  Aussie Christmas, including lobster, prawns, oysters, scallops washed down with Tasmanian Sparkling Wine! Then we have roast turkey with wine from the Barrossa Valley, and for pudding, a Pav with Noble wine from the Yarra Valley!"

Here are a few painting of mine, depicting the Christmas in Australia, note - no one is eating dinner on the beach!

Australian Christmas Season

The Great Ocean Road

I'll finish today with some of my needlework, in this scene Christmas is being enjoyed in the outback, note the well dressed men.

Outback Christmas

That's it for now! 

Val x

Anlaby - Art, Fashion and Heritage

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Open Garden at Anlaby Station, one of the very few surviving Merino Studs, dating back to the 1840's. Back in the early days the station ran over 60,000 sheep and 208 bales of wool were sold from Anlaby in the colonies first wool sale.Fredrick Dutton was the original owner, who's story may be followed in the book 'Anlaby, A beautiful Step Back in Time.' by Peter  Hayward, for more details please visit the Anlaby Website.

The weekend consisted of Open Garden, Food and Wine stalls, a wonderful exhibition of sculptures, Fashion in Wool and the Impressions of Anlaby painted by artists from all over Australia who had stayed at Anlaby previously. Yours truly was one of these artists and my paintings, 'The Avenue' and 'Anlaby Pomegranate' have new homes in the area.

The Avenue

Anlaby Pomegranate

The above photos of my paintings were taken by Wade of Ashley Photography whom I recommend highly for his photographic professionalism.


Here is a bombardment of Anlaby photos for you to skim through!

Suzie!

'Smudge' the farm cat immortalized 

Anlaby Flowers

Fashions in Wool

Suzie and 'Ramekin in the Lambykin' The first painting sold.

The Clock House

The B&B at Anlaby

Everyone just loved this outfit

This car was owned by one of the Dutton family

The real 'Smudge'

The five days was a slice of wonderful life, the gardens, fashion and art, the food the pub, all a taste of country life. It was an exciting time, the people and memories of Anlaby have enriched my world...

Love Val x

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