Latest Art Award & Painting Trip

First Place Winning Painting

VOICE FOR THE HOMELESS

I was away, painting up a storm, when I heard the good news, I had won the major prize in the annual show for Ringwood Art Society, who I am a member and art tutor.

If you read my last blog, you will know the heartfelt story behind one of my latest figurative oil paintings. It’s always touching to know a piece with an emotive thread like this, touched the judge as well.

Judge Ben Winspear said of my painting,

“I was immediately drawn to this work, wondering what the figures were doing. Then I was drawn further in by the story behind it. It’s not overly common to see paintings with such narratives. Particularly around the struggle and challenge of people which characterise so much of the Art in Europe. The subject, story and complimentary sensitivity in the handling of the paint, make for a worthy winner.”

Ben had in fact picked up on something I noticed while painting this piece. As the last strokes touched the canvas I was reminded of something I painted long ago. As a student I had painted a small master copy of The Gleaners by Jean Fanchois Milllet.

To some degree my painting and the way I painted it, appeared to be influenced by this study. The left figure certainly is posed similarly. This was probably more than four decades ago. This made me realise how intimate we can be when visually learning. How lessons can stick within us a very long time. Until that moment I had completely forgotten I had painted The Gleaners, but it’s similarities triggered that memory. It makes me want to do more master studies.

It also goes to show how studying particular art can retain within us things of beauty or things that disturb. Perhaps it’s wise to digest more art that holds our heart, moves us in a way we want more than what matches our sofa.

The title has been altered over some confusion at the Community Connection Exhibition. A Voice For The Homeless ( formally Voice For Homelessness) won first place. Councillor Tim Heenan stood in for me in my absence. I wanted Tim to have an opportunity to share a little on local homelessness and naturally why I painted this narrative. There was no better expert on it than the subject himself – right!?

It was a great opportunity to create art to expose an important social struggle. Hopefully someone somewhere feels someone cares about their situation or it inspires someone to do more for others.

I’m now back after painting dozens of works Interstate and begun teaching my very enthusiastic class at Federation Estate. More my amazing plein air experiences soon. Make sure you subscribe to my mailing list.

PAINTING DETAILS

Voice For Homelessness
9 x 12 inch Oil on Canvas Panel
Available, framed ready to hang.
Available at Miller Homestead/ Ringwood Art Society Exhibition until 30th September unless sold or enquire via EMAIL

I thank Holy Fools & Tim Heenan for reference permissions and hope to represent their Street Angles Outreach in a future work.