THE Smallest Painting

Painted art brooch, snow on mountains, NZ landscape
Snowy mountain art brooch, approx. 2 x 2.5 inches, 2022.

This snowy New Zealand mountain scene was my last painting for 2022. It is also an art brooch and THE smallest painting I’ve ever tackled. I was commissioned to paint it last month as a Christmas present. The artist and the recipient are both very happy with the result.

Spring Study

small acrylic painting study of pink blossoms, spring in New Zealand
a small acrylic painting study of pink blossoms, spring in New Zealand, by Anna Cull
Spring Study, acrylic on paper, 2022
  • a photo of a flowering plum tree in spring, New Zealand
  • a photo of a flowering plum tree in spring, New Zealand
  • a photo of a DIY cardboard viewfinder being used to crop a photo of spring blossoms
  • a photo of spring blossoms, New Zealand
  • a small acrylic painting study of spring blossoms by Anna Cull Art, New Zealand

The reference for this quick little painting was a photo taken using American artist Sister Corita Kent’s ‘finder’ method of using a DIY viewfinder to see the world one small piece at a time. It’s a very simple and very effective way of simplifying a scene to discover compositions that might otherwise not be obvious. And yes, once again the view outside my window (late August this year) has provided me with inspiration. 🌸 🌸 🌸

If you would like to learn more about artist, educator and activist Sister Mary Corita, I recommend starting with a visit to the Corita Art Center.

Mini Moonscapes

small paintings, full moons over Christchurch City at night by Anna Cull

“Moonlight is the proof that there will always be light in darkness.” Debayan Ghosh

a small painting of a full moon over Christchurch City at night by Anna Cull
‘Blue’ city moonscape, 100 x 100 mm, 2022. Available.
a small painting of a full moon over Christchurch City at night by Anna Cull

a small painting of a full moon over Christchurch City at night by Anna Cull
‘Full’ city moonscape, 100 x 100 mm, 2022. Available.
a small painting of a full moon over Christchurch City at night by Anna Cull

I’m slowly getting back into painting again : ) These mini Christchurch City moonscapes look even better now they’re varnished.

My thanks to Beth / I didn’t have my glasses on…. for making me aware of Debayan Ghosh’s moonlight quote.

The World Looks Different Today

acrylic painting of pink blossoms against a blue sky background (sold), by Anna Cull
‘The World Looks Different Today’ acrylic on canvas, 155 x 305 mm, 2021. SOLD

Hi. It has been a few months since I posted anything here and I wanted to assure you that my social media silence is nothing to be concerned about. I am still here… I have been busy writing songs. My intention was to work on music and take a short break from painting for a month or so and, in the blink on an eye, it is now September and the first day of spring!

Yesterday I finally picked up a paintbrush again and this is what happened…

The year that was (and my ninth Annaversary post)

a nine-grid square of Anna Cull's art from the last year

It is time once again for my annual retrospective. Here is a collection of nine favourite paintings from the last year ~ three birds, a port, a rainbow, a river, a few fuchsias, and lots of clouds and trees. Of course other things also happened. There were the colouring-in pages that I created at the start of the pandemic (when painting was the last thing I felt like doing but I had to do something). I also gave my blog and profile picture a bit of a makeover, created a Portfolio page, and made a new range of arty little fridge magnets. But, really, when it comes to art, if I’m not putting paint on canvas, I’m not happy. Six months went by e.v.e.r. s.o. s.l.o.w.l.y. and then ~ for no particular reason that I can recall ~ I started painting again. Putting together a collection for this anniversary post, it seems to me that I may have made up for the lost time : )