Sir William Dobell

Sir William Dobell (1899-1970)

In 1985 my only Uncle, Len Alexander,

took me, as a young art student, to view the
William Dobell retrospective exhibition

"The Painting of a Portrait"

at Lake Macquarie Community Gallery (NSW Australia).

After viewing the exhibition we drove around

to Wangi Wangi to walk through Dobell's house, 

which had been preserved as a monument to the artist.

I have kept the small publication from the exhibition 

(choc full of Max Dupain photographs of Dobell's works),

I bought a copy of Brian Adam's 1983 biography
"Portrait of an Artist" 

also Elizabeth Donaldson's 2010 book
William Dobell - "An Artist's Life".

I finally found a copy of the out of print 1964 James Gleeson tome
on Dobell a few

months ago at a second hand book shop
in Kingscliffe NSW.

I have seen many, many paintings and exhibitions by other artists since,

but funnily enough, it is the Lake Macquarie exhibition
which resonates as my all time favourite,

 not least for the associated memories of my dear Uncle.

I visit "The Cypriot" each time I go to the Queensland Art Gallery,

reinforcing the connections made at that first viewing almost 30 years ago.
(my growing children are even now making it a habit to drop in on "our old friend")

I would be interested to hear of artworks, artists & art experiences that resonate for you.

William Dobell  The Cypriot 1940 | Oil on canvas ( Collection: Queensland Art Gallery)

A few links to articles about Dobell:

Sir William Dobell - biography
Dobell House
Art & Architecture blog - post on William Dobell 2009

TERUHIDE KATO & HIROSHIGE PRINTS

"The Old Temple at Sagano" - Teruhide Kato

 "Sagano" - Teruhide Kato

Signed prints of the above two works by Japanese artist 

Teruhide Kato

hang on my bedroom wall 

(along with reproductions of 2 of Hokusai's 100 views of Mt Fuji).

Kato's images transport me to places I have

visited in and around Kyoto -

"The Old Temple at Sagano" reminds me of our

visit to the temple at Riyoanji

and the "Sagano" image conjures memories

of our night time visit to the Bamboo Forest

of Arashiyama during the light festival held

there each November.

Evocative images for me to fall asleep and awaken to.

I also have a Hiroshige print purchased on our

last trip to Gion which is awaiting framing.

Okabe - Hoeido (53 Stations on the Tokaido Road) -  Hiroshige

Can't wait until it's up on my wall as well!

More Old Dears

Pardon me for running with a theme here.

Just a couple more photo's of dilapidated sheds found

on the side of the road on my journeys.

Grand Old Shed - South Ballina

Found this majestic old lady on a quiet

road at South Ballina.

Couldn't help but stop and take some photo's.

Hiding in the rain

This is where I've been hiding away the last week.

Lennox Heads/Lake Ainsworth Nth NSW.

Very rainy and squally, so not a lot of

others partaking of the surrounds,

making it very peaceful (even if it was a bit wet).

Wall "Paper"

Spent part of my day yesterday

"papering" my wall.
As you can see, it's just a small wall
at the end of my hallway, next to the kitchen
(far away enough from grease/grime or steam).

Am very pleased with the result,

might have to try it somewhere else in the house as well
(probably not in a bathroom though!).
*Click on the images for a better view*

Daniel Lai - Kenjio Art Studio (altered book art)

 Above images are works by 

altered book artist Daniel Lai.

You can find a little bit more about him here:

destructive testing - artist of the day - Daniel Lai

Sunday Morning