-
story as art
Whenever someone says to me, “I’m so not creative” or “I haven’t got a creative bone in my body” as happened again recently, I wonder how that narrative first emerges in a person’s mind and why it takes such hold in the stories they tell about themselves. In life, we all make creative choices every day, from what to wear through to how we can best navigate a difficult situation. Although my sister would say that her wardrobe is purely functional (as a busy mum, how could it not be?), we can underestimate how much creativity is deployed in our…
-
art workshop for canberra tree week
On Wednesday 2 May, I will be introducing the “STEP into plein air” event on behalf of NatureArt Lab, as part of Canberra Tree Week at the National Arboretum. My artist talk is followed by a three-hour art workshop held among beautiful local endangered trees and flowering plants of the Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park (STEP), Forest 20. “STEP into plein air” focuses on a creative appreciation for our natural environment, especially the gorgeous array of plants from the Southern Tablelands including wattles, sheoak, grasses and a stunning range of gum trees. Although I will demonstrate acrylic sketching techniques, there are many…
-
sketching trees at earth festival
What’s not to love about painting trees? Even better, painting trees in the beautiful surrounds of Canberra’s Australian National Botanic Gardens. I was invited to demonstrate acrylic sketching techniques as part of NatureArt Lab’s course promotion event on Saturday 21 April at the Earth Festival – celebrating sustainable living with a great vibe, music, good coffee and healthy food choices on the shady Eucalypt Lawn. I introduced the acrylic demo with a statement about our relationship with trees and my appreciation, as an artist, for forests and the environment. The Japanese philosophy of shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing” is a brilliant way…
-
hmas adelaide commission
Presenting commissioned art to HMAS Adelaide From birds to ships! When the Ship’s Welfare Committee commissioned an original painting to showcase HMAS Adelaide’s capabilities as a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ship, I was thrilled. I have painted ships before but not quite at this scale so I was absolutely determined to enjoy the whole experience. I took a deep-dive into the detail and worked closely with officers onboard to gather references so I could paint a ‘typical day’ of amphibious operations. The painting depicts HMAS Adelaide docking down, with three LHD Landing Craft (LLC) disembarking the well dock loaded with a truck…
-
jerrabomberra art workshop
Tomorrow I will be hosting a one-day art workshop at Jerrabomberra Wetlands for members of the Wildlife and Botanical Artists (WABA) society. Earlier this year, I was invited to give a presentation to WABA members in the beautiful surroundings of Canberra’s Australian National Botanic Gardens. I spoke about my approach to art, techniques for gaining inspiration, significant influences and philosophies, and the hard work that is a necessary part of any creative process. I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation with other likeminded people in nature’s studio!
-
life, love & demise sold at birdlife exhibition
Feeling happy that another painting has found a forever home! My painting of Hooded Plovers has sold at BirdLife Australia’s “Birds + Us” exhibition. This painting was inspired by the courageous determination of beach-nesting birds and the fragility of their survival. I have donated the entire sale price to the Threatened Bird Network (TBN). I’m thrilled that the sale of this painting will help to raise awareness about the plight of Australia’s birds. As indicators of our planet’s health, birds are so important! The “Birds + Us” exhibition celebrated 20 years of TBN, showcasing its focus on threatened birds with a…
-
sketching pixie
Sketching a tree is fairly straightforward. Other subjects can be more difficult. Pixie was a very obliging subject, dozing in the late summer afternoon following a hard day’s work hauling a gypsy wagon along country roads in farmland near Bendigo, Victoria. I haven’t turned these sketches into a painting but I might one day. Sometimes the act of drawing is another way of authentically engaging with the subject, of paying close attention to detail and reverencing the form, observing the way that sunlight shapes its surface. In these moments, the relationship between artist and subject is the purpose of the interaction,…
-
colour palette
I find that I’m inspired simply by looking at my wooden box brimful of paint tubes. No matter how scuffed, squeezed, contorted, holed or shiny new they are, I love them all. My basics are Payne’s Gray, Titanium White, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Hooker’s Green (acrylic) or Terre Verte (oil), Cobalt Blue and Yellow Ochre. I really can’t do without these heroes. All my paintings start with a Burnt Umber sketch, and some stay that way. But if it’s just an undercoat, I block in the shadows, get the tonal range sorted, rough out figures or skin tone or the…
-
reading tolstoy
Reading Tolstoy Size 11 cm x 6 cm Acrylic on Arches paper SOLD Exquisitely framed prints available On a cool winter’s eve, the subject of this portrait sat quietly under a lamp, reading. The scene represents the serenity and timelessness of a deep appreciation of the arts, literature and philosophy. The title of this miniature portrait can be interpreted as referring to the book. Or the sitter. Reading Tolstoy was Highly Commended at Sydney Royal 2011. The original was sold at exhibition and generated such interest that limited edition framed fine art prints were produced. To order, email the artist (artist@meganspiers.com).
-
elwood
Elwood Size 35.5 cm x 45.5 cm (14 in x 18 in) Acrylic on canvas SOLD By all accounts, Elwood was a lovely dog. This painting was commissioned by clients who provided photographs of their beloved pet. Combining several references, I painted Elwood with his favourite toy in a characteristic pose of playful alertness. Toys, pose and place are key elements of portraying a dog as an individual, honouring them as much loved family members. Although Elwood sadly passed away while the painting was being completed, the clients affirmed that I had created an extraordinary likeness of their beautiful friend.…
Dr Megan Spiers 