{ new work available }

Pink Cymbidiums

Watercolour on Arches paper, framed in custom lime-washed timber under matt board and glass, 57.5cm w x 90.5cm h  (now SOLD) 

As 2015 draws to a close, I have been working feverishly to be able to release a small collection of works in time for Christmas. Between looming commission deadlines and lots of new projects already in the pipeline for next year, I wasn't sure I would get enough done!

But I did manage to get there, and here are they are. I was slow to post this so three of the five have now sold, but Staghorn No. 1 and Cucina Italiana (What's for dinner?) are still available for sale. To enquire on these please feel free to email me at pipspiro@gmail.com.

Hope you're enjoying the festive season - many happy returns to you all!

Pip x

Breakfast of Summer

Watercolour on Arches paper, framed in custom lime-washed timber under matt board and glass, 91cm w x 67cm h (now SOLD)

‘Cucina Italiana’ (What’s for dinner?)  

Watercolour on Arches paper, framed in custom lime-washed timber under matt board and glass,  72.5cm w x 72.5 cm h

Staghorn No.1

Watercolour on Arches paper, framed in custom lime-washed timber under matt board and glass 69.5cm w x 91cm h

Banksia No.3 

Watercolour on Arches paper, framed in custom lime-washed timber under matt board and glass 46cm w x 59cm h (now SOLD)

{ a thing for staghorns }

It's been so long since I have posted here that I'm not quite sure where to start! I want to share some of what has been keeping me busy this year though... so I will start with some stag horns. Last Christmas or so I started to become totally entranced by the majestic and stately presence of these plants. I kept seeing (noticing) them everywhere and my camera roll on my phone is testament to how intrigued I became with their reaching, falling fronds and bulbous cores that seem to be able to attach themselves and thrive just about anywhere. Also, the fact that they have come somewhat back in vogue means that they seemed to pop up on every Pinterest board and Instagram feed in reach; all of which put them top of mind when experimenting with some larger work a few months ago. 

Halfway through painting this, I knew that it I was going to find it hard to part with; so I did something I had actually not done yet (?!) - and decided to keep it for myself. Our home has old stucco walls and is all very white, white, white, so I chose to hang this in our sun-drenched living room, framing it in a (deliberately so) rather gaudy - but so gorgeous - gold gilt frame. I felt it needed something grand, and the gold has so much vibrancy in the afternoon sun. 

While I am sure I'll feel the need to swap it out in time, I am enjoying having something of my own in our home for the moment. 

Thanks for stopping by... I'll post again soon.

Pip x

Wrap up from FLEURT

The gallery on opening day - artwork on left by Matilda Julian, artwork on right by me, flowers in foreground by Sophia Kaplan

The gorgeous Sophia Kaplan wrapping some of her beautiful fleurs

Detail of 'TRIUMPHANT'

A view through to the works of Ali Wood - image courtesy of @themainreason

Another of my pieces 'DAWN LIGHT'

Gorgeous oils by Helen McCullagh

 My sister and I!

Hi there friends, I thought I should share some pics from the launch of Fleurt in Sydney the other weekend. It was a beautiful sunny day with people teeming from the gallery, enjoying the coffee and champagne and fresh flowers, plus of course the abundance of beautiful floral inspired artwork adorning the walls. The show has been a big success and remains open through till this Sunday 7 June (Saint Cloche is located at 37 Macdonald Street, Paddington).

The crisp Autumn weather has been the perfect backdrop for the show - you can see how the sun streams through the  glass facade into the space, which is filled with so many beautiful paintings, photography, ceramics and fresh flowers. From bright blowsy blooms in thick licks of oil, delicate and elegant floral 'portraits' through to gorgeous, brooding photography, it's a beautifully curated show that is a feast for all the senses.

All my pieces have sold however there are still a few left to snap up, so pop along - there really is something for everyone!

Pip x

Upcoming Sydney Exhibition - FLEURT opening 23 May

Detail of 'Dawn Light' 77cm x 77cm. Watercolour on Arches paper, framed in lime-washed oak and glass

'Majesty' 34cm x 34cm. Watercolour on Arches paper, framed in lime-washed oak and glass

'Triumphant'' 86cm x 86cm. Watercolour on Arches paper, framed in lime-washed oak and glass

'Spunk' 34cm x 34cm. Watercolour on Arches paper, framed in lime-washed oak and glass

'Amity' 50 x 66cm. Watercolour on Arches paper, framed in lime-washed oak and glass

Hi everyone!

The above is a taste of some exciting new work that I will be showing in a group exhibition, opening May 23 in Sydney - called 'FLEURT'. The show features the works of 6 painters (myself included), 2 photographers, a ceramicist and a floral designer, each exploring all things flora in what is looking to be an abundant and (hopefully!) rather beautiful show. 

FLEURT is presented by Saint Cloche Gallery in Paddington and curated by he very clever Amber Creswell-Bell, and runs daily from 23 May through till 7 June. 

I will be at Saint Cloche from 10am on Saturday the 23rd May for a champagne opening (along with all the artists)- so if you're in the area please come say hi! The gallery even has their own barista and coffee set up so there's no excuse, it's the perfect antidote to the faded days of late Autumn.

Hope to perhaps see some of you there, and in the meantime I hope you like what you see.

Pip x

PS - All artworks are available for sale prior to and during the show - for purchase enquiries you may contact me directly at pipspiro@gmail.com or to the curator of the show, Amber Crewel Bell at amber@ambercreswell.com.

{ growing a pandanus }

It's been a while since I've posted any work-in-progress pics so I thought I would share the journey of a pandanus painting from a few months ago. I always like looking back on these when planning for new work, particularly when I'm able to see how it came together in the end. I hope you enjoy them too!

See you soon,

Pip

{ recent work }

'Bread & Jam' - 58 x 58cm (framed), watercolour on Arches paper

Detail of 'Plate of Prawns' - 38 x 38cm (framed), watercolour on Arches paper

'A September Morning' - 58 x 58cm (ramed), watercolour on Arches paper

'Thinking; Reading; Contemplating' - 62 x 62cm (framed), watercolour on Arches paper

Hello! Again it's been far too long since I updated this blog but as the new year is now well and truly underway I wanted to show you a few of my paintings from late last year. The Christmas period is always my busiest time, and in 2014 this was more the case than ever!

In reflecting on another year gone, I realise how fortunate I have been with the commissions that I work on. It is such a pleasure to work with the open-minded and respectful people that come my way-  they have trusted me to just 'create'; a position which is so fulfilling for me and inevitably always the best outcome for them. While I still love the commissions whereby I can take a 'brief' of a thing or flower or plant and bring that to life through paint on paper; I still really relish the space to try new techniques, subjects and ideas.... and see where the brush takes me. 

Well thanks again for reading, and I will post again soon with new work again.

Pip x