Windlass MV Cape Don

I love to draw and paint the boats in my local area of Berry's Bay. The MV Cape Don was commissioned at the Newcastle State Dockyards in 1963. It was purpose-built to service navigational aids (including manned lighthouses) on the West Australian Coast. My technique is ink stain on heavy Hahnemuhle print paper with charcoal drawing.

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SYDNEY-BASED AUSTRALIAN ARTIST

While travelling recently to Italy to do an art workshop, people commented: Oh, you're an artist. What kind of art do you do? I responded with an unconvinced "yes" and a less than informative "various". I realised that I needed to be more positive and specific (without the "art speak") about my art practice. My work is based on my life experiences, places to which I have been, people I know, objects significant to me. My style is "figurative", a tree looks like a tree, built environment is true, portraits have a likeness. I don't have the imagination for abstracts or the patience for hyper-realism. I have always liked to draw and it remains a solid basis for my painting. My medium for B&W works is ink stain and charcoal on heavy print paper. I paint in oil on canvas or panel depending on size. I am currently specialising in a 13th century medieval technique of egg tempera and gold leaf on timber panel.