Double Portraits

The first two are on Masonite panels 2400x1200mm. 

Tan and Kim

Steve and Roids

Michelle and Clay

Me and Marns (Chris)

Blossoms in the Valley

This new painting is on two ply wood panels 900x1200mm each. The total width is 2400mm. The ply is fixed to pine frame and joined in the centre with bolts. Ply is a tough surface to work on but is much lighter and stronger than Masonite. The paint is all acrylic and ink

The image is made from three photos. Far left is a shot taken from outside the empire hotel in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, looking down Anne street. The centre are cherry blossoms in Japan and the far right is a woman walking up Wickham street also in Fortitude Valley.

The light brow colour at the top of the image is from the exposed ply surface. 

the art factory gallery

Thanks to all who made it to the Art Factory last Friday night for the opening of economic painting. It is a very encouraging thing to finally see all the paintings up together on one wall.
A specail thanks to Jo Daws and Kenji Uranishi who (as usual) gave up their time to help set up the show. To Drew for being the bar man. Very special thanks to Tanya.

Economic Painting

The recent paintings on this blog will be at my exhibition Economic Painting opening 6pm at the Art Factory Gallery in South Brisbane (84 Merivale St.) on 1st of Feb 2008. Please come if you are in town!! Send me mail if you want more info. dantan@bigpond.net.au

new paintings

These two paintings will be on the wall at my exhibition opening on 1st of feb (details above).
They are painted on what is becoming my standard size of 1200 x 900 sheets of Masonite with pine backing frames. Both are acrylic and Indian ink (no titles yet).

I am enjoying being in the space between abstract and representational painting. This painting also has the original photograph playing a big role in the representation with silhouette and poster realism.

The sky blue is also becoming a bit of a standard, although it is a little different every time. Pale blue is such an inviting colour. I discovered this blue when doing paintings for Maxwell's bedroom.... its such a boy colour! It should be noted that I also use a lot of pink.

new paintings

This painting was made from two photographs. One of a retail clothing store and one of Mt. Fuji in Japan. Both photos were taken by Jason. I have used light pastel colours and thick, mat acrylic mixed with a lot of gesso. The result is powdery, delicate surface with sharp definition.
The painting is yet to be named, 900 x 1200 on Masonite

This painting is made from more different photos than I can remember. It has been a work in progress for about a year. Again, sharp lines are the key along with attention to balance and colour.

Also yet to be named 900 x 1200 acrylic and ink on ply wood.

Photos for new work

These photos are an example of some of the images I am using for new paintings. They come from a collection of photos taken by my brother Jason on a recent visit to Japan.

Painting from another persons' photos is a first for me and the results are exciting (I think). These new paintings will be part of the next exhibition in Feb.

Drawing from Photos, portraits

This is Mr Onishi. We stayed with his family on a visit to Japan a couple of years ago. The photo from this sketch comes from a day of celebrations under Cherry blossom trees.

Kat from an old photo (about 5 years)

Matt from a Sydney visit a few years ago (he is a cheeky bugger)

My Son Maxwell at 2 months old

Fortitude

These images are from a painted installation at the Creative Industries Precinct on the Kelvin Grove campus of QUT.

The project was done at night using projectors over one week with the help of Kenji Uranishi and Jo Daws.

My brother-in-law Kenji is a ceramics artist and Jo is a landscape painter who also works with ceramics. The completed painting was 12 metres wide and called 'Fortitude'.

Fortitude comprised images from Fortitude Valley and Westend in Brisbane at a time when both environments were undergoing massive social and architectural changes. I believe the word Fortitude sums up the ability of these two suburbs, both rich with history, to take on the challenge of a rapid change. They both adapt to the new while remaining centred in their respective histories.

Drawing from models

This is still the best way to draw

Early portraits

All these portraits are made with acrylic paint and Indian ink. They are on paper or Masonite and were all painted in 2003

Photoshop fun

Lately i have been hand drawing black and white outline images and painting them in photo shop. The process and finish is less textural than using paint but the gesture of painting still exists and its allot less messy!