21/7/2024 0 Comments Painting a kitten with acrylicsThis blog post has some of my phone progress pics and process from painting 'CatiDude' (ginger tabby & white kitten). Pic of final painting. Some of the tips in this blog post are transferrable to any painting subject.
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17/7/2024 0 Comments Taking better pet picsI am an experienced amateur photographer and semi-professional artist. Now, offering pet portrait commissions for reasonable prices. Acrylics on canvas (within New Zealand only).
I thought it might be helpful to give some tips to help improve your amateur photos. Especially if you are looking at commissioning a painting of your pet. All photos in this blog post are uncropped/unaltered (just resized to smaller), unless stated otherwise. 25/6/2024 0 Comments Reference pics for paintingsIt's very common for artists to use reference pics when painting. There are a few issues with using reference pics. Also, some benefits, which I want to outline in this blog post. Below is my latest painting, 'Highlander' (a mountain sheep).
22/6/2024 0 Comments The arts have valueI don't like meetings but I was invited to one and I went as it was about an important issue. It's about proposed changes to art funding grants in my local community (Taupo District).
I had difficulty with taking in the information but I gather the Taupo District Council (TDC) is proposing merging different areas such as sport and arts (plays, music, visual arts etc) under one banner. I was triggered in the meeting, yet still encouraged to try make a submission on behalf of vulnerable people in the community who may be isolated and overlooked in favour of larger projects with more backing. 21/6/2024 0 Comments Climbing MountainsI recently painted 'High Hopes', inspired by photos I took with my phone. A kereru (New Zealand wood pigeon) flew towards me when I was sitting down, having a rest. Mt Tauhara, my local mountain was in view (to me) in the left. I used creative license to bring them together.
I signed the painting, deciding on top of the mountain was best, before I painted the bird. I wanted to ascend that mountain even metaphorically. I am not exaggerating in the title.
I saw an artist define a professional artist as someone who lives off their art. I don't meet that definition, as I don't live off my art. I have disabilities and don't have the output to be able to. However, I create original art to the highest standard I can, have exhibited and sold art. I call myself an artist (semi-professional as part-time). But someone can be an artist and not sell any of their art. An artist is someone who does art (whether selling any or not). Yes, that includes amateur artists, in my books. I photograph my artworks for fine art prints myself. Then, I have a boutique fine art printer print them. In this blog post, I will outline how I do this and how this differs from a professional photographing art. I do it myself because of the extra costs and because I do no live near someone who photographs art anyway.
I recently painted: 'Not a Typical Office Job,' inspired by photos I took when I visited my son recently in Sydney. In this blog post, I outline what was involved in the painting process (which in general applies to my other paintings). My paintings are many layers, over several days and I specialise in acrylics.
21/4/2024 0 Comments From Sore to SoarAnyone who has followed my art since my mental health advocacy days will likely know that flight is a recurring theme for me. I like to paint flying creatures, especially birds. I've previously painted more abstracted works. Sun Flutter (below) is my first attempt at painting a monarch butterfly. Also, my first attempt at painting a more realistic sunflower.
23/3/2024 0 Comments My pop-up art studioIt's been over a week since I wrote my first blog post for this website. A lot has happened since then. I will probably detail more on my other Soar Purpose blog, as I want to keep this blog focussed on art.
I managed to do another painting, which someone in the USA suggested a creative name for: Sun Flutter. Inspired by photos I took of monarch butterflies visiting the sunflowers outside my window. This is just a pic from my phone, as I need to wait for the right lighting conditions outdoors to take photos for fine art prints and my business cards. |
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February 2025
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