3. Acrylic paintings
1995-98
By 1995, I had become more confident in using acrylics, and I entered several local art shows each year.
The painting of Hindmarsh Square, 1986, won first prize in acrylics at the Flagstaff Hill Rotary art show, and I sold a small painting of Rundle Mall at the Glenelg art show in about 1987.
At the end of 1998, I needed to defer painting due to changing work commitments, and years later I later found I was weary of an evening, so painting was then deferred until I retired.
Acrylic, 1995-98
01. Glenelg Patawalonga Locks, 1995
Acrylic on watercolour paper, 6 x 8″
02. Hindmarsh Square, 1995
Acrylic on board, 18 x 24″
03. River Torrens, 1995
Acrylic on cartridge paper, 9 x 12″
04. Victoria Sqare, morning, 1995
Acrylic on board, 10 x 12″
more . . .
I used to enjoy my morning walk through Victoria Square, past the many trees. One morning, I saw this man enjoying a calm time in the clean morning air, before the work day began.
05. Blackwood Railway Station, Winter morning, 1996
Acrylic on board, 18 x 24″
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I was amongst those people waiting for the train each morning.
06. Botanic Gardens Lake and Cafe, 1996
Acrylic on board, 18 x 24″
07. Botanic Gardens Sunken Garden, 1996
Acrylic on board, 24 x 30″
08. Esther Lipman Gardens – beside Adelaide Parade Ground, 1996
Acrylic on cartridge paper, 9 x 12″
09. Hindmarsh Square, 1996
Acrylic on board, 18 x 24″
more . . .
This was my only painting to ever win a prize, (first prize in Acrylic). In later years, they combined this category into “oil and acrylic”.
10. King William St Bridge over Torrens, 1996
Acrylic on watercolour paper, 6 x 8″
11. Near McHenry St Adelaide, 1996
Acrylic on board,
12. Writers Week at Festival of Arts, 1996
Acrylic on board, 10 x 12″
more . . .
While walking around the areas beside the Parade Ground for Writer’s Week, I was appalled by the book reading being broadcast, and I was amazed that the audience applauded at the end.
It was the kind of reading the notorious Adelaide “Family” would have enjoyed.
13. Adelaide Town Hall, 1997
Acrylic on board, 10 x 12″
14. Botanic Gardens Mad House, 1997
Acrylic on board, 18 x 24″
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The title is correct. In early days of settlement, the building at right was the Adelaide Mental Asylum, and the common name stuck.
15. Botanic Gardens Old Rose Garden (now Herb Garden) – Statue, 1997
Acrylic on watercolour paper, 6 x 8″
16. Botanic Gardens, 1997
Acrylic on board, 18 x 24″
17. Botanic Gardens Italian Garden, sketch, 1997
Acrylic on paper, 10 x 12″
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This area was a magnificent view, it has all changed.
18. House at Brighton Beach / Three ages of man, 1997
Acrylic on watercolour paper, 6 x 8″
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The house is heritage, and so was the family walking by.
19. Carrick Hill, sketch, 1997
Acrylic on paper, 7 x 11″
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I love the way the quick sketch done in one evening can capture a liveliness that laborious painting loses.
20. Tree Avenue, Botanic Gardens, 1997
Acrylic on board, 18 x 24″
21. Glenelg Esplanade, 1997
Acrylic on watercolour paper, 6 x 8″
22. Leonne, 1997
Acrylic on board,
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Property of Robyn Smith
23. Robyn age 15 with Patch, 1997
Acrylic on board,
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Property of Robyn Smith
24. Adelaide University Steps, 1998
Acrylic on watercolour paper, 6 x 8″
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This was a small painting as practice for a larger work, which is yet to be done.
25. Albert Fehlberg, 1999
Charcoal on paper, 11 x 8″
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Study for a larger charcoal sketch that was given to the Fehlberg family after Albert’s death.
Albert retained the encouraging nature of his teaching profession, and enjoyed seeing my paintings. He was happy for me to take photos as source material for a portrait of him, but with my change in work I had to defer painting before I started it. But I did have this preliminary sketch to give to his family after he died.
In retirement, I have started that portrait.
26. Beach, 1998
Acrylic on watercolour paper, 6 x 8″
27. Botanic Gardens, 1998
Acrylic on board, 18 x 24″
28. Brighton Tramstop Cafe, 1998
Acrylic on board, 18 x 24″
more . . .
The building has since been “modernised”, and Jetty Road has been developed into very popular cafes and coffee spots, so the footpath is never uncrowded as it was in 1998.
29. Elder Park, sketch, 1998
Acrylic on cardboard, 6 x 8″
more . . .
One of my favourites, as it was quickly done one evening.
30. Pencil Sketch for Self Portrait, 1998
Pencil on paper 17 x 11″, circa 1997
more . . .
The opportunity to do this self portrait has gone forever. It’s 25 years later, and I don’t look like that anymore.
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Hi John, Congratulations on a wonderful collection of paintings and the history of your art journey is fascinating. I love all of them so very difficult to have a favourite…. but the one of Robyn really resonates with me. Of course I adore the Garden of Unearthly Delights having seen the various stages …. a real masterpiece. It shows how much work you have put into studying the human form. Margaret Slape-Phillips