Santa Plate.

Christmas seems to be coming so fast, so I thought I would post a 10" Porcelain Plate with Santa's Portrait on it. This was painted using China Painting On-Glaze Paints, and was kiln-fired 5 times, the last firing being for the gold rim, which was applied by hand. I really enjoyed painting this happy and jolly Santa, which I took from Wanda Clapham's "Pass Me Another Plate". I've also posted a close-up of Santa's face.

My Christmas Card for 2007.

Well, I've finished penning my Christmas Card for 2007 -- a good feeling to know that I've managed to get it done with plenty of time for printing. I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed penning this design -- thatched cottages being a real favourite subject of mine. Not long ago I was panicking because I didn't think I was going to get a chance to get it done until the last minute, but some enforced rest due to not being well for a while has at least been an advantage for art at least.

Two more Alice Springs Photos.

I'm adding two more photos I took whilst holidaying in Alice Springs. The red one is Sturt's Desert Pea, which was growing profusely in my Nephew's garden. It is also the State Emblem Flower for South Australia, and is the most beautiful flower imaginable. They need a hot, dry climate to grow well, so absolutely thrive in the outback.
The other photo is of African Daisies growing in my brother's garden. He has quite a few different coloured African Daisies and they were quite a picture.

Calla Lily and Frangipani.

I've had very little time for painting and drawing in the past month, having spent time sightseeing and visiting relatives in Alice Springs and Adelaide, but I did manage to get two small stippled florals done. I love stippling with Pen and Ink, and I really love the Small Format. These are both done on Watercolour Paper with Micron Pens and measure 3.5"x2.5".

Alice Springs.

It's a long time since I've had a chance to update my Blog. September has been very, very busy and exciting. I spent 2 weeks in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory of Australia, and also known as the Red Centre, and another week in Adelaide, our capital of South Australia.

The fortnight in The Alice was wonderful from three points of view for me -- firstly I stayed with my brother and sister-in-law, and also got to see quite a bit of my two nephews, secondly I had the chance to have a good rest, and thirdly I saw some fantastic scenery. I'd been to Alice Springs once before, but many years ago, so it was wonderful to go back and see how it has grown.

I'm adding two photos of the many I took whilst in Alice, and hope to write more as soon as possible. One of the photos shows Simpson's Gap from a very different angle to the painting I did in the previous Thread, although they are both images of Simpson's Gap. It's such a beautiful place.

The other photo is of a very old Lutheran Church at Hermannsburg, 135 kms west of Alice Springs. This Church is among a group of buildings of the same era, and all are Heritage Listed. This Church is used for Aboriginal Funerals now, and a newer one has been built for Church Services.

Simpson's Gap, Northern Territory, Australia.

I have just finished this painting -- one I thoroughly enjoyed working on from beginning to end. It is 18"x14" on gallery wrapped canvas, and painted with Acrylics. Simpson's Gap is in the Red Centre, Central Australia (Northern Territory), and there are a number of wonderful Rock Formations with the Reddish colouring in the area, such as Ayers Rock, and of course this one "Simpson's Gap".

Red Camellia.

Wow, things have been so hectic for the past few weeks, with so many different things needing attention. One thing that has kept me really busy is organising a holiday to Alice Springs for two weeks in mid-September -- can't wait, as it's such a remarkable place. I haven't been there in quite a few years, so I'm looking so forward to going back to much loved areas I've seen in the past, and also in seeing the places that have changed somewhat since I was there last.

This is another small Pen and Ink I've recently finished -- a Red Camellia.