“Look at everything as though you were seeing it for the first or last time.” Betty Smith
Yes, it’s the Kaikoura coast again ― same view, same reference photograph ― but every time I paint it, I see something different. I’ll post a photograph of the final painting just as soon as I’m ready to leave it alone.
Austrian/New Zealand artist, architect and visionary Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928–2000) was an amazing person and he is one of my favourite artists. His work is colourful and exuberent, bold and quirky, unique and significant.
If you’re not familiar with Hundertwasser, you can visit www.hundertwasser.com to read about him, his art and his philosophy. ‘Blobs grow in beloved gardens’ 1975 and ‘Green town’ 1978 are just two of the beautiful artworks that inspired my tree painting.
I’m not sure if I like ‘Tree’ or not… but I do like knowing that I’ll never look at another tree the same way again!
In the style of… posts are where I use my own photographs as a starting point and draw inspiration from some of the world’s greatest artists and illustrators. It’s not about copying someone else’s art; it’s an experiment in seeing things differently.
“You can’t give up hope just because it’s hopeless! You gotta hope even more, and cover your ears and go blah blah blah blah blah blah!” Philip J. Fry, Futurama
I’ve been moving some paint around, experimenting, trying things… I’m not at all sure about it but I still intend to finish it. No matter what happens, I’ll post the final painting tomorrow. (It’s a tree.)
This small canvas was my last commission of 2015 ~ and it was a wonderful way to end the year. When I was asked to paint this version of my little stick figure illustration, I had no idea how it would look (given that the original figures were ink drawings on paper). I needn’t have worried. This painting now has pride of place on my new Commissions page.
Wishing everyone a happy and creative 2016 : )
‘The View’ is a little something I made for this year’s Christmas market at Sumner.* The painting is of our beautiful Kaikoura coastline as seen from the Port Hills in Christchurch. I found a $5 frame at a recycling depot, removed the seriously ugly dried flower art that was in it, and painted a landscape on canvas to complement the mahogany-coloured wood (see photograph below). It was such a fun project, I may have to go in search of more frames that need rescuing.
*I’ll be selling my art cards and a few of my smaller paintings at the Sumner Market in Christchurch this coming Sunday 13th and also Sunday 20th December, 10 am – 2 pm.
“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” Albert Einstein
This is the large painting commission I mentioned a few weeks ago. It made its way safely across the Tasman last month and has taken up residence in a new creative space in Melbourne.
“Anna was amazing to collaborate with. My home is filled with creative works I have made but when I saw Anna’s amazing paintings on Etsy I decided her work would be perfect for my studio wall. I am really happy with the result and look forward spending many hours enjoying this quality painting. I am also excited by the inspiration this unique work will inspire for many years to come. Anna is a true professional and was more than happy to incorporate my specifications regarding colours so that this unique work coordinates perfectly with my quirky and unusual style. I highly recommend Anna as a commission artist. Her work is perfect for home and work environments. I also think her pricing is very reasonable.” Jackie, Australia
a glowing review from the client
Anna Cull ~ Art & Music 