Monday, October 13, 2008

Froggy No. 4


Just finished another painting. You may have guessed by now if you follow this blog fairly regularly that I adore frogs. Lamp worked (of which I've used several in the many pieces of jewellery photographed for this blog) painted, real or otherwise.
This little guy is a "White Lipped Tree Frog" and is happily perched upon one of my favourite tropical garden flowers, a Heliconia.

I used Atelier Interactive Acrylics and pigment ink for something different. I love these interactive paints, the colours are so vibrant and a joy to use.
This is probably one of the largest paintings I've ever completed measuring 900 x 900.
Interestingly, yesterday I happened upon a book about "Picasso" whilst cleaning out my book cupboard. That book bought back lots of happy memories. Inscribed on the first page was a hand written note:
"Presented to Bernadine Yourell. First Prize Kilcoy Show 1977. Donated by Mr. A Tulloch."
The painting that won first prize from memory was a Still Life study, would you believe, of Oranges, cut, peeled, quartered etc. I forget how many countless pencil, pen and other drawings I had to complete as part of my study, before tackling that painting.
Unfortunately I no longer have it, being completed in ordinary old student acrylics there were certainly no archival qualities associated with that paint.
We tackled lots of interesting projects in those classes, lino cutting, screen printing (yep I still have the afternoon tea cloth to prove it and its in original condition, never been used) charcoal and pencil drawings, designing posters using mixed media, doing portraits, never pets always human...lol, are some of things I can recall.
I have been painting for a very long time on and off and way before 1977. Alan Tulloch, now a Brisbane Artist, was my Art Teacher for two years in the late 1970's.
So Alan if you happen to read this, thanks for the happy memories and knowledge you passed on to me.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

i love it !! and ofcourse cant wait to see your turtle!!

are you going to be doing people soon????

Chan

Anonymous said...

mmmm I know one lady on here who is going to loooovvveee this painting Bernadine ... Yoooohhooooo Kel!!!!!

Your fwoggy looks great Bernadine - I love the red leaves - makes him stand out more. You're such a multi-talented person.

Can't wait to your turtle.

Maryanne

Anonymous said...

Oh wow this is just gorgeous... you are very talented in the area of painting... is there anything you can't do!!

Can't wait to see the turtle... love them!!

Karyn

Bernie said...

Funny you should mention people portraits Chan... I was only looking at some pics yesterday and thought wow that would make an interesting painting.
Who knows maybe down the track I'll give it a go when I finish my long list.

Bernie said...

Karyn,
hUmmm yep, climb a ladder am scared of heights....LOL and am sure there are tonnes of other things to that I can' do. Getting better at Map reading....LOL
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Bernie said...

Thanks Maryanne. I love red and black together as you may have guessed from some of my other paintings. Its very dramatic when hung on a white wall.

Anonymous said...

Who? Me?
Yes Bernadine, Maryanne's got it right. I 'loooovvveee' it to bits and not only because of the subject matter. I love your technique on this one and I do think its your best one to date. You have captured the froggy belly flesh perfectly and the heliconia is an awesome contrast to the frog. The eyes are amazing.
Don't blame you for wanting to keep this one. It WILL look stunning on a white wall.
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Kel

Anonymous said...

Oh my dream is to be able to paint like that..... it is gorgeous.... very gorgeous in deed the frog is just perfect!
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~*Vicki*~

Anonymous said...

What a lovely little...ummm...big frog! I love the vibrant colours you have used. Can't wait to see the turtle...looove turtles!
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Alida

Bernie said...

Thanks Kel, Vicki and Alida. Mr Turtle is coming along nicely started on him mid afternoon yesterday and worked on him for about 4 hours not even a third of the way finished... if you think that's a big frog wait till you see the Turtle....haha. Decided to use a massive canvas, and I only have a little car, just as well I didn't get the next size up, would have been interesting getting it home.....LOL... always wanted to paint something large scale.

Thanks again for all the lovely comments.
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Anonymous said...

He's gorgeous just like your turtle.
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Irene