Hiro: November 2019

Monday, November 25, 2019

Plein Air Oil Painting

I took a bike ride this morning. This pony club in Viewbank is a lovely place along Plenty River Trail.

I’ve never got tired of painting these areas. I spend 1.5 hours.

Oil on canvas. 12x9 in.

Plein Air Oil Painting, ‘Piano Lesson’ by Anna Goldsworthy

I drove to Tooborac, 1.5 hour drive, north-west of Melbourne this afternoon.

There’s a wonderful pub, Tooborac Brewery. I always get something from this place.

This is Tooborac-Baynton Rd. The area is fascinating. Lots of boulders scattered around.

Always very peaceful. My favourite ‘retreat’.

I spent 2.5 hours.

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in.

After late lunch, I set up a camping chair under a tree and listened to this audiobook from BorrowBox, ‘Piano Lessons’ by Anna Goldsworthy. A blissful time.

This is a lovely memoir, and she reads it very well. It’s a shame that I’ve never heard of her. Although it’s very short, I was captivated by her life story.

I’ll definitely keep an eye on her career as a musician and a writer.

Self portrait oil painting

Another selfie in my studio (bathroom) this afternoon.

I spent 2 hours.

Oil on canvas. 12x9 in.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Another great audiobook from BorrowBox, read by the author.

It’s very well written and read, I thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly the first half where she described her early upbringing and the way she started to see her future husband.

Very interesting to see how much racial awareness casts a profound shadow on one’s life in America.

Plein Air Oil Painting

I drove to Spotswood Jetty near Williamstown this afternoon.

I’ve painted this spot many times last summer, it’s my favourite place.

The only problem is, it’s usually very windy, making it difficult to paint.

I see some obvious errors, but, better than the ones I did before.

I spent 2.5 hours.

Oil on canvas. 14x18 in.

Self portrait oil painting

Here is another selfie in my studio (bathroom) this afternoon.

I spent 2 hours.

Oil on canvas. 12x9 in.

Self portrait oil painting

Another selfie in my studio (bathroom) this afternoon.

I spent 2 hours.

Oil on canvas. 12x9 in.

Oil painting lesson with Gregory Smith

First session. I gathered together interesting stuff and put them on a table. Here comes Greg’s magic. He always has a fascinating way of composing. I need to develop it.

I think I did a good job this time for an initial sketch. Not drawing at all, and quick.

Work in progress. 16x20 in.

I am Dynamite, A Life of Nietzsche

Another great audiobook from Belinda Audio, written by Sue Prideaux and read by Nicholas Guy Smith.

The best book I’ve ever read about this philosopher. Extensively researched by the author, but never boring. Also I liked the way the story is narrated, very comfortable to my ears.