That artist called Amber | Artist

That artist called Amber

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25.01.2022 "Molly" watercolour. I've been impatiently waiting for my Archibald entry of Molly to be returned, and realised I hadn't posted this pic. It seems a bit grown up somehow considering she's only 11. I do love how my paintings leave you wondering how old they are. Molly is of course more accomplished than her age suggests

23.01.2022 Finished this one this afternoon. I started it a couple of years ago on the last day of a course with the wonderful and insightful Donald James Waters. During the course a lady said to me (she was being encouraging) "It's really good..(long pause)..it doesn't matter if it doesn't look like anything" Luckily I was really pleased with how it was going so her comments amused me (in other circumstances I might have thrown the pic and all my paints in the bin!) So I'm curious, ...what does it look like to you? Ps. DjWaters is at Cairns Art Society, Cairns Art Society, CAS Inc - Tropical North Queensland Australia Art Escape this year. Tanks Arts Centre Definitely recommend!

21.01.2022 Found a box of old paintings!! Thought they were lost. Very happy. Here's a self portrait of me from many moons ago. Reminds me of beautiful friends, nights out in fancy dress and lots of dancing - #fakefurcoat #selfportrait #stylisedportrait #painting #twentyyearsago #1990s #reminiscing

19.01.2022 He's taking shape.. smaller than my usual portraits, I'm struggling against overworking with tiny details.. but how can this beautiful face not be pleasing to the eye! Loving the challenge

18.01.2022 Here's a sneak peak of my current project. I've been offline focusing on this special portrait of an inspirational young lady. Nearly finished.. which is lucky as the deadline is looming! - #wip, #theeyeshaveit, #enjoyingtheprocess, #watercolour, #portraitpainting, #motherartist @strawnomoreproject

17.01.2022 It's been so so long since I last posted. I've set myself up with a new space in a room we call "the shed room" due to our lack of outdoor storage. I'm now surrounded by boxes stacked higher than me, so I could make enough room for a sit/stand desk that I treated myself to. It's ridiculous how happy i am with this cramped little corner that's all for me!! So I thought I'd share my first, and very relaxed/playful painting I did today in my new 'studio'. #playtime #watercolour #artist #studiospace #metime

13.01.2022 Love green frogs! This little guy turned up yesterday, and seems keen to live in the bathroom, quite settled hiding behind the bright green scrubby when necessary. We're blessed to have you visit Hijack! (name bestowed by my son ) #unusualpets, #beautyeverywhere, #beautyiseverywhere, #inspirationeverywhere, #frogs, #greenfrog, #cairns, #queensland, #sogreen, #lovegreen, #artiseverywhere, #livingart, #motherartist

12.01.2022 Detail of a young lady's cheeky grin for a portrait I'm working on. Acrylic on board. Haven't used acrylic for portrait in ages. But loving being able to change my mind about colour choice, and layering over dark with light!

12.01.2022 Unable to join the Cairns Urban Sketchers in town today, I snuck out this afternoon to sketch in Palm Cove. Really enjoy this change from my usual drawing/painting style. I'm still working out how best to use colour - limited palette or limited colour placement perhaps..? Have been reviewing others urban sketching work, and using trial and error... but so far consider the results mainly error! Suggestions welcome!

11.01.2022 Sneak peek at my piece for the Artists of the North show @tanksartcentre Cairns. Opening night Friday 5 April. All works are for sale. It's always well worth checking out to see the amazing and diverse talent of NQ artists. "I can do somersaults in the sky", detail, watercolour. Sadly the beautiful, majestic dragonfly that inspired this painting became trapped between our sliding windows, was almost instantly beheaded by a gecko, and his body then carried off by ants.. so sa...d (and so FNQ) #suchislifeinthetropics, #cairns, #dragonfly, #watercolour, #paintinganimals, #insectpainting, #wonderfulnature, #circleoflife Cairns Art Society, CAS Inc - Tropical North Queensland Australia

10.01.2022 Another sneak peak. This is me with my painting of the inspiring Molly Steer - founder of @strawnomoreproject #endplasticpollution activist and yet still a primary school student. (Yes, you read that correctly!!) I planned to show Molly as the determined and passionate young lady she clearly is, with a confronting stare, verging on angry - "How is the earth polluted so terribly? Why are reef and wildlife suffocating in plastic waste? Why are politicians so slow to act?..." ...But then I spent time with her. And I'm left feeling only encouraged and so incredibly optimistic. With leaders like Molly, this terrible situation could actually be turned around. In the end, my portrait focusses on her bright, clear stare, and celebrates her cheeky grin and playfulness. She's a kid after all. Just truely distinguished. "Hope springs eternal" watercolour.

10.01.2022 Artist's of the North show on now @tanksartcentre in Cairns. A huge selection of artwork from artists around the region. It's such a great venue nestled in the rainforest at the botanic gardens. All artworks are for sale - although it's been open since Friday, so some have already sold - don't miss out, get yourself down there! Show runs until May. With thanks to Cairns Art Society, CAS Inc - Tropical North Queensland Australia for another great show!

08.01.2022 I came across this oil painting from a few years back. I haven't used oils for a long time due to the fumes and having little kids with curious fingers, but I'm considering pulling them out again. I love this piece even though it will never be finished, partly because my dog started barking when she saw it, warning of an intruder. I took that as a sign it was a good likeness

06.01.2022 I'm working on a new portrait of a rather impossibly beautiful young man I'm really enjoying the study of his wonderful face! @runalongandplay @wondersaurus - ... #wip #paintingchildren #artist #portraitpainting #enjoyingtheprocess #timeoffwork

05.01.2022 Here's the full view of my "Hope springs eternal" portrait of the inspiring and distinguished 11 year old Molly. Sadly it was not selected to be part of the Archibald 2019. This distorted perspective focuses on Molly's eyes, staring confidently straight at the viewer, and shows off her cheeky grin and playful outlook. She's an amazing, courageous, determined, but also still a cheeky young lady not yet in high school! Please check out @strawnomoreproject to learn about Molly'...s great initiative, and support the removal of plastic straws from use in Australia (and everywhere). I am disappointed that I didn't make the cut for Molly as I'd hoped to help raise the profile for @strawnomoreproject to a whole new audience.. but from a personal point of view I'm super pleased I entered. And seeing the diversity of those who entered, and seeing the quality of some of those rejected, I'm keen to try try again! Now I just need to get the painting back so Molly can see the final thing! (I finished it on courier deadline and sent it without time for a final viewing!) Thank you Molly for trusting me. And thank you for being an inspiration to me and many others #Watercolour #portrait #ArchibaldPrize #tryagainnexttime #paintingchildren #giveitago #artistofinstagram #artist #plasticstraws #strawnomore #environment #Australia #queensland #cairns #bansingleuseplastic #plasticactivist

04.01.2022 Taking an afternoon off work is good for my soul I just love this beautiful face. Happy Birthday little guy #wip, #motherartist, #mysunshine

02.01.2022 Still working on it. His eyes were following me as I walked away - figured that's a great sign so snapped a pic. Hoping the subject won't be so alarmed by his appearance now he has the top of his head and some hair (Although the lack of shoulders may still upset him..?)

01.01.2022 I enjoy this painting cos it's one where you're never really sure what she's thinking. I love a picture you can lose time with. Meditative almost. I painted it years ago and I always wanted to be as strong and self assured as she seems to be. Maybe I am. ..Or maybe she wears her expression as a mask to hide her real emotions .. I do that too.

01.01.2022 Here's the little guy, just finished. And the bonus is he likes it! Phew! - #fouryearsold, #watercolour, #portraitpainting, #paintingchildren, #artistofinstagram, #artist, #motherartist, #artistmother

01.01.2022 Went back to life drawing tonight after weeks of absence. What a fabulous way to end my day off work. The fact I felt relaxed came through in my drawing. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience today - even when things didn't go to plan or proportions were not quite right, not a tantrum in sight! .. Must figure out a way to enable work and relaxed evening mindset to coexist! Any ideas welcome!