Blog

Happy new year to you all, I hope 2026 is a great year for you. This last year has been very productive, with commissions  and artwork for Art prizes, I have been kept busy. I am currently working on a textile piece for the Cossack Art Awards this year, I have painted in Watercolour and Acrylic  in the past for this  Art Award, and decided this year to try something a little different. When it is finished I will publish the steps and finished work for you.  Meanwhile, let’s take a look back at some of the work I have produced in the last 12 months.  “I have your back” was a large Acrylic and Oil on Canvas for the Pinjarra  Rotary Art Award, depicting 2 of my friends horses, Llewella and Persia. The owner of these horses bought the painting which hangs beautifully in their home.   the Incognito Art sale was a wonderful exhibition and sale to be part of, and all in a good cause, with thousands of art works on sale. Over $200,000 was raised for programs that support artists working with disabilities.  I painted 3 paintings in watercolour, all three sold in the first week.   I painted some gorgeous Greyhounds in 2025 too, including Griffin,  Nouri, Leo, Chickey and Bandit,  Mike,  Morrison, CJ, Herb and Charlotte. The final one for the year was Daisy as Santa’s little helper, for this years Christmas card design.    “Peaceful slumber” was my portrait of Shadow and Charlotte,  in one of their usual poses.  They are a huge presence at my feet while I paint.  There is definitely no missing them.  “White horse“ was a painting for Vineyard 28 Cellar door. A lovely boutique winery in Harvey WA, where my work can be seen on their cellar walls. I have also designed their logo and a couple of wine labels for them.  If you like award winning Italian variety wine, Vineyard 28 is definitely worth a visit. Mishka was a stunning white Samoyed with the request for a bright pink background. Charlotte, “Butter wouldn’t melt”. A study for a Paint your pet workshop, I try to demonstrate with a white subject and a black subject to show how the watercolours work, and what colours can be used.  “The Old Swan Brewery, Perth WA” was a different commission, Acrylic on canvas  for an Anniversary present,  a memory of where they were married.  The client wanted bright colours, something I could definitely offer, and this painting was certainly colourful.   “Stand alone” was another colourful Acrylic for the Kondinin Art Award. I had fun working with the bright colours in the Acrylic medium. Usually with Acrylic works I tend to go natural colours.  “Griffin“ was a small portrait in water based oils on canvas. I love the background colouring on this one, it sets off Griffin’s colouring perfectly “Luna” an Acrylic commission of a well loved girl Luna.  Four Greyhounds Summer, Blake, Sox and Ravens from a regular client of mine, wo is building up quite an impressive collection of my work.  Finally,  one cat, Chook,  made it to my easelAll have been an absolute pleasure to paint.  So I wonder what 2026 will bring?  And finally, in memory of “My Little Bird, Daisy”  always in my heart.