"Simply Summer" (Western Australia)
This Exhibition, "Simply Summer", is simply my summer - the places I went, the people and activities I saw and things around my house. The patriotism of Australia Day on Cottesloe Beach, hot ochre walls on Rottnest Island, Fremantle fish shops, waterfront cafés and beach cricket became painting subjects, and I enjoyed creating these works in my own locality.
A diversity of media and techniques were employed to make this a bright and lively exhibition, particularly when I worked in my studio with all materials to hand. On the 40-degrees-plus days, I stayed in my air-conditioned studio, painting colourful flowers from regular shopping trips to the local Subiaco Markets combined with textures and patterns gathered from around my house. In particular, at last I was able to incorporate in my paintings some plates that I bought in Spain 35 years ago.
Blue-and-white crockery is a favorite of mine, and I often bring home pieces as 'useable souvenirs' from my overseas painting trips. Ceramics and fabrics from Spain, Provence, Morocco and China have been included in these colourful and highly patterned summer paintings.