VERVE by Australian Ballet

After work I went to Arts Centre. 

‘Constant Variants’ opened the evening. Very contemplative piece with music by Tchaikovsky. 

‘Aurum’ by Alice Topp was stunningly beautiful. My favourite of  the three. With fascinating music by Ludovico Einaudi, costume and lighting, this work was truly memorable. 

Her choreography was mesmerising, awesome movements one after another, flawless sequence. Refreshing to watch. 

‘Filigree and Shadow’ was heart-thumping, high-octane production with thrilling music and very creative lighting. 

It was a great evening. 

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‘Hugh Ramsay Award’ night

Once a year, students at Gregory Smith School of Painters get together and vote for this prestigious award named after one of the most gifted but less known painters from Essendon. 

Very talented and passionate students. The quality of their works is utterly stunning. 

Rachel was voted a winner by a wide margin (right) and Francis came the second (left). Beautiful work. 

My plein air paintings came 3rd & 4th!!!

Along with other great paintings. 

It was a great evening. Sushi from Popula in Ivanhoe was very good. I think I ate half of a platter :)

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Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith

I started a new subject today. 

I wanted to try the horse, but had no idea of how to put things together with it. 

Greg helped me a lot. I really like this composition. 

As usual, Raw Umber wash and rub back with a cloth. It’s always exciting at this very early stage. 

I quickly established overall shapes. Greg did a demo on the horse. Using directions of brushstrokes, we create an illusion of its volume and form. Voilà. 

It’s a good start. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

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Kiffy Rubbo: Curating the 1970s

After an extremely fortunate chance encounter with Michael and Mark Rubbo in Clunes Booktown Festival in May, I was wanting to know more about their sister Kiffy. 

It’s great that Ivanhoe Library has a copy of this book. 

It must have been a difficult task to convey the energy and atmosphere at George Paton Gallery in the 70s as a book form without much photographical/video materials. 

I’ve been to the gallery many times, but had no idea about this wonderful history. 

I must admit, there’re very few artists I recognised who exhibited in the gallery under Kiffy’s directorship, except Bill Henson and Carol Jerrems. 

However, thanks to passionate writings by contributors, we can feel how much influential she was with regards to contemporary art scenes in Melbourne and beyond, especially for female artists. Also, a publication of Art Almanac. 

Her letters to ‘Mike’ in the latter part of the book were truly touching. 

I’m searching for a symposium of her legacy on which the book was based, but so far to no avail. 

I’ve found an interview though with Janine Burke, Bridie Carter and Mark in ABC Radio National. Worth listening. The link is here. 

Another one in ABC Sydney with Janine and Helen Hughes. The link is here. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I was planning to join VAS members in Trentham as part of Paint Out Day event, but it was very busy so I decided to drive to Trentham East this afternoon. 

It’s near corner of James Lane and Newtons Lane. 

I just love painting in the fields. It was tricky. The clouds constantly moved and hid the sun, but I liked the way houses and water reflected the light. 

As much as I enjoyed this one, it got very windy and cold towards the end. It was a struggle to keep going. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

I drove back from Tylden to Kyneton South through Kyneton-Springhill Rd. I was trying to find a different spot for the next trip. There’re so many fascinating views along the road with rolling hills and reservoirs. 

I’ll definitely come back and paint there. 

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Symphonies of Beethoven

‘The Great Courses’ from Audible. 

Well, 32 lectures and 24 hours of listening experience was more than what I had expected. 

Robert Greenberg’s passionate and humorous styles kept me going. I can’t say I understood technical details of the compositions, but, he surely knows how to entertain non-musical people like me. 

At least, my understanding of Beethoven’s symphonies is now so much deeper. 

This ‘Eroica’ by Karajan is explosive. What an amazing energy! My favourite. 

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Why Dance?

I came across these fabulous radio programs while listening to ABC Classic FM. The link is here. 

Dr Ann Jones did a splendid job here, interviewing dancers from Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre and Australian Ballet. Three of my favourite dance companies in Australia. 

‘Healing my Country’, about a new production by Bangarra Dance Theatre ‘Dark Emu’ is particularly poignant. I’m looking forward to seeing them in September. 

‘Telling my story’ features Alice Topp. I’ve seen her work before. I’m a big fan. It’s interesting to hear her fascination about music by Ludovico Einaudi, my favourite. 

Her new choreography will be one of three productions by Australian Ballet ‘Verve’ next week. I can’t wait!

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Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

I tried to fine-tuned a woodblock, without losing a sense of its big structure. 

Fred did a demo on bread. To make a hem look edible is a great challenge. A combination of warmth and cold, almost grey tone achieves that convincingly. 

Finally I did some work on background. 

Well, that’s it. I’ve learned a lot. 

4 sessions. 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

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Oil Painting at LastPeek Studio

I went to my favourite studio in Thornbury this afternoon. Weather was horrible, so it was a good timing to be inside a cozy studio. 

Henry made a fabulous cake again. Frank also set up a great ‘farm’ backdrop with haystack and all sorts of paraphernalia. 

We had Tijana today. I’ve painted her a couple of times. A great model. Always enthusiastic. 

It’s nearly there, but, it looks too much orange. A bad habit. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Unfinished 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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The Merry Widow by Australian Ballet

After work, I went to State Theatre. 

First off, costume and set design by Desmond Heely was stunning. I was sitting at the very back in Balcony, but, still able to experience the sumptuousness and beauty of this production. Mesmerising, really. 

Secondly, Lana Jones as a leading role Hanna. I’m a big fan. There’s something in the way she performs that I always feel transcendental. 

Particularly when she is held up in the air, her body seems so fluid that it reminds me of Dali’s melting clock. 

I once had a pleasure of attending a talk at Debra Luccio’s exhibition. Along with Kevin Jackson, they talked about their life as a dancer. It was a fascinating experience hearing their stories. 

Watching her performing tonight was special with all star cast from the Australian Ballet and Orchestra Victoria. 

It was quite humorous all through and a touching waltz by Hanna and Danilo as a finale, followed by standing ovations. 

Great. 

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Bouffants, Beehives and Bobs: The Hairstyles That Shaped Britain

Very enjoyable documentary from BBC.
Mark's commentary is spot-on, as always.
I wonder why, but, the omission of punk movement is a mystery. Otherwise it’s very well researched and presented.

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Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

I started today by investigating more about bread. Because I can’t place them the same way every week, I need to improvise a bit. Having said that, Greg told me that they all looked the same. So, I tried to give them some variations. 

Then, I worked on a small pot on the right. Its shape was ok but it was too cold, so I warmed it up with Burnt Sienna.  

I spent the rest of session forcing on a woodblock at back. First, I tried to get overall tones right. There are lots of cracks and I just didn’t know how to do it. Greg did some demos for me. Just like painting rocks, the trick is, darks first, then trim them from outside, rather than drawing them individually. Voilà. 

I’m planning to finish it next week. 

Work in progress. 16x20 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

It’s a public holiday. I’ve got Monday off anyway. 

I went to Banyule Swamp this afternoon. Weather was just gorgeous. 

I set up my easel more towards left than usual, just trying to get some different viewpoint. 

I love this area, so peaceful and beautiful. Not so sure about the foreground. It looks a bit messy. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Kinglake this afternoon. It’s a wonderful drive especially from Diamond Creek. It took me a while to decide the spot, but this place caught my eyes. 

It’s near the corner of Healesville-Kinglake Rd and Howard Rd. 

I found the boat is very interesting when I consider where I was standing, high up in a mountain. 

At some stage, I saw three hot air balloons in the sky. I was wondering if I should put them in or not. It was actually very difficult to do, due to their size and distance. I think they look fine. 

It was very peaceful, I really enjoyed this one. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

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‘dance ON’ by VCA dance students

After work, I went to Space 28 in Southbank. Tonight’s event was their 40th anniversary celebration. 

The opening program ‘Where We Stand’ was a powerful protestation against mistreatment of Indigenous people in Australia. 

The highlight was ‘Heretofore’ by Anna Smith. I always like her choreography. Very cool and lyrical. 

This piece was really impressive. Beautiful sequence one after another. It’s a very demanding work and dancers did a splendid job here. 

Costume, lighting and soundtrack (MaxRichter!) all contributed to this mesmerising performance. Brilliant. 

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Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

Well, the painting started to look too orange, a bad habit. 

Greg told me that too much Naples Yellow Deep. I should be braver when it comes to the mixture of Light Red. 

Here comes Cad Red. The trick is, use it towards the end, and very sparingly. It would bring a very subtle pinky tone to cheek for example. That was a big discovery.  It immediately brings a life to a portrait. 

I spent the rest of the session fine tuning the details. 

Joshua was a great model, very patient. He’s very interested in the process. Actually he’ll start with us from next week!

There’re still many things I’m not happy, but I’ve learned a lot. 

Unfinished 

Oil on panel. 16x20 in. 

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Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Kyneton this morning. My friend Tim had suggested Brocklebank, just outside town. I was looking around and found this spot, corner of Wedge St and Brocklebank Dr. 

It must be a shed, the tiny building was a great focal point, and bright yellow trees hanging over it. 

I really enjoyed it. It was very peaceful. 

I spent 2.5 hours. 

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in. 

There’s a small creek to the left. It was flooded with late afternoon lights. It was beautiful. I did a small sketch, but I’m not happy. I couldn’t get it right. A shame really. 

It was a great day, though. I love the area. 

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ab [intra] by Sydney Dance Company

I went to Arts Centre after work. 

Going to see this fabulous dance company has become an annual event. 

Rafael Bonachela’s choreography is always sleek and mesmerising , although it must be an enormous challenge physically.  

Also, there’s always beautiful soundtrack. Deep electronics, classical.... And of course, lighting effects. 

If there’s only one gripe this time, the piece is 70 minuets long.  I have to say, although it’s always a great pleasure watching beautiful sequences one after another, it felt a bit too long for me. 

Having said that, it was a great evening. It’s a shame they come to Melbourne only once a year. 

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Mark Hayes from Sassoon interview by Hairbrained

Most enjoyable interview I’ve ever come across. Spirited and inspiring.

The man is the very best in many senses.
It was also great that he mentioned Mogi.

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