Engrossed at the QVB

Ink on Watercolour paper
8 by 5 inches.

This guy was engrossed in his book, and didn't budge from it all the time I was watching at the QVB (Queen Victoria Building, Sydney). However, I suppose that is common when reading a good book, one tends to meld into a meditative like state and time has no relevance.

Also have a look at my paintings at my website http://www.marshstudio.com/or click here to contact me .

Leonard Cohen In Sydney (Part 2 Javier Mas)

Watercolour and watercolour pencil
8 x 5 inches on paper

A watercolour / drawing of Javier Mas added to the previous post on Leonad Cohen. Javier is the brilliant player of the 12 string guitar, bandurria and other string instruments during Leonard Cohens marvellous concert series.

Leonard Cohen in Sydney

Watercolour and watercolour pencil

8 x 5 inches on paper

NEW - An Oil painting from this watercolour sketch appears at this post

Leonard Cohen visited Sydney after a 40 year absence. His songs & wonderful lyrics helped me get through a traumatic period a few years ago & it was like going to see an old friend.

The Sydney and Centennial Vineyards Bowral shows were both absolute sensations lasting for over 3 hours of non stop classics. Leonard's voice at age 74 has developed into pure deep chocolate. His 6 piece band and 3 singers were so tight and accomplished with all able to play multi instruments, receiving ovation after ovation from delighted audiences.

Watercolour and watercolour pencil
8 x 5 inches on paper

I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel you were famous, your heart was a legend.
You told me again you preferred handsome men but for me you would make an exception..
And clenching your fist for the ones like us who are oppressed by the figures of beauty, you fixed yourself, you said, "Well never mind, we are ugly but we have the music."

-Excerpt from Chelsea Hotel No. 2

Watch "Gypsy Wife" from the Sydney Concert

Keith Loutit - small films of Sydney

I enjoy reading Charlie Parker's blog "Lines & Colors" & was very interested by his post this week on “Tilt-shift photography”. In short, the technique produces photographs which give the impression that real life scenes are photos of miniatures. Click here for Charlies article

Following through a trail of links, I found Keith Loutit who is a Sydney based photographer. Keith uses the tilt shift technique in combination with time lapse to create the "miniature" effect in small films. I find this one of Sydney "The North Wind Blew South" fascinating & is a new way of seeing a city I have lived in for 40 odd years. I wonder if the technique will work in paint?

The North Wind Blew South from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

Visit Keith's website to see more of his films & photographs.

The Sydney Morning Herald October 2008 article on his work "Miniature Sydney in the making"

Crossing

Oil on Board

5 x 7 Inches (13 x 18cm)

This painting came from a photo posted on artist Karin Jurick's “Different Strokes From Different Folks” blog. Karin posts a photo and other artists do their interpretation of it.

The photo had a crossing infront of the pedestrians , but a crossing only conjures one image in my mind. So I couldn't resist relocating the crossing and "the rest is history". Obviously brainwashed as a teenager.

Are you old enough to remember all the rumours & folklore that arose about the album cover when Abbey Road was released in 1969. The image of the Beatles on the crossing took a life of its own. Paul was rumoured to be dead and this was seen as a funeral procession. George in his denims was seen as the gravedigger, Ringo in black was the undertaker and John in white was the clergyman. Paul was barefoot and had a "coffin nail" cigarette in his hand.

And that was only part of the "interpretations" that people conjured up, the cars in the sreet also attracted symbolic qualities Click here for more.

Twenty four years later Paul released an album called Paul is Live, and the cover used retouched image of the original photograph with him & a sheepdog on the crossing

I suppose it was the end in one way. It was the last album recorded by the Beatles, even though "Let it Be" was released later.

Visit Karin Juricks “Different Strokes From Different Folks” Blog

Also have a look at the great small paintings on Karin’s ”Painting A Day” blog

This painting is available click here to contact me .

Into the Light, Cremorne Point, Sydney Harbour

10 x 8 inches

Oil on Canvas

I enjoy the sparkle of light when it ripples across the harbour as we look past Cremorne Point to the Sydney Opera House.

At Cremorne Point there is a very pleasant walk with spectacular views around the harbour foreshore to Cremorne Point, and then continue onto Mosman Bay. More information on the walk at this link

This painting is now sold.

click here to contact

Patti Smith at the Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour is one of my favourite subjects to paint, & I have painted the opera house from many aspects in a range of its differing moods. The sails of the yachts on the harbour are mere appetisers for those that crown the Opera House.

It is a great icon to paint, as it yells Sydney whilst contrasting its luminous light against the deep ultramarine blue of the harbour.
A few days ago I changed my usual viewpoint & went inside to see another icon - Patti Smith play in the concert hall.

Over the years I have heard Patti's music. It was OK but apart from a few songs it never really grabbed me. So I wondered about the legendary status & went along to see who the press have entitled"godmother of punk" - with my expectations subdued.

BUT I quickly found out this was because I hadn't seen her perform live before. Patti the legend was there and she blew the roof off the opera house. It was a magnificent live performance full of energy, character, emotion & passion.

At times Patti wandered into meet the audience, & on others she left the stage to dance with them whilst her superbly musically endowed band played on. The audience just loved it.

What I saw was one of those few artists who can elevate their live performances into an artform. A recording can't capture anything like the electricity she generates on stage. My expectations were very pleasantly blown sky high.

Bernard Zuels review in the Sydney Morning Herald says it all & can be seen here

Click here to view transcripts and podcasts of her interview on the ABC 7.30 report

click here to contact me