Happy Anniversary Blue Oyster

Blue Oyster gallery in Dunedin turned 13 in April and I was asked to join in the celebrations by contributing a work to the group show Silk and Lace. The show is also reviewed on Eye Contact The show required the invited artists to address the title Silk and lace and also to respond toContinue reading “Happy Anniversary Blue Oyster”

I’m dreaming of Flower Power

Animals and their relationship to humans is still on my mind. I have also been thinking a bit about the flower power movement of the late sixties/ early seventies. This was sparked by a very brief aside in Barry Schwabsky’s introductory essay to Vitamin P: New Perspectives In Painting. In defining the advent of postContinue reading “I’m dreaming of Flower Power”

there is no retirement village for obsolete warhorses

I have finally finished a few of my sock ponies; it has been a long road. I have been meticulously painting the expanding foam, a tedious and awkward process that has allowed me ample time to reflect on the ironic inverse proportion of labour involved.  The making is quick and haphazard, involving a sock, aContinue reading “there is no retirement village for obsolete warhorses”

My dirty little secret

I am compelled to confess, to the ever-listening ear of the Internet, the most frequented of confessionals, that I prefer, deeply, wildly and guiltily the frenetic moment of the rock gig to the to the rarefied pleasure of the art event. Which is just fine if you are not an artist, but is I feel,Continue reading “My dirty little secret”

Some days I am a rabbit, other days I am a pig or a cat or just stranger with pointed fangs.

For the most part the relationship I have with my drawings is one of interested distance. The drawings emerge doing their own thing and I attend to them with care and respect for their autonomy. Strangely, sometimes they turn out to be drawings of me. Self-portraits if you like. It is always sightly disconcerting toContinue reading “Some days I am a rabbit, other days I am a pig or a cat or just stranger with pointed fangs.”

Crochet Carrot

If a rabbit had a toy what would it be? A crochet carrot I think. After drawing many crochet carrots clutched by bunnies I learnt to crochet and made one. It turned out just like I imagine a crochet carrot looking and feeling as I am drawing it.  Spookily just like it, easily, first try,Continue reading “Crochet Carrot”

What is it with bunnies and carrots?

At the opening of Come on You Little Rabbit, my first exhibition of bunny paintings, two women approached me to ask about the carrots. They were mother and daughter; the younger woman was in her early twenties and looking somewhat embarrassed. The mother explained that were discussing the possible meanings of the carrots and that sheContinue reading “What is it with bunnies and carrots?”