Fingers crossed that NSW opens up in time for me to visit Lord Howe Island with @art.travel.adventures once again. I’m looking forward to being there with @debbiemackinnon Who will be teaching a workshop along with several other artists. Two hours flying time due east of Sydney this tiny tropical paradise throws up some real challenges for an artist; how to find those less obvious subjects, how to abstract the figurative and how to capture the spiritual sense of place. It really challenges all the senses. Here’s some work from my last visit two years ago. All works in acrylic on paper and each painted plein air in one quick sitting.
#tropicalisland #lordhoweisland #lordhoweislandtourism #escapism #islandlife #landscapepainting #australianlandscape #islandparadise #australianlandscapepainting #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #contemporarylandscapepainting #abstraction #abstractartist #senseofspirit #fivesenses #mountgower #mountlidgebird
#mikestaniford
The track led me on a steep climb from Wagstaffe through the Flannel Flower walk. Past some of the most stunning trees and rocks to this promontory high above the water at Broken Bay.
Broken Bay
Acrylic on board
43 x 43cms
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #artbuyer #coastline #coastalliving #coastallandscape #brokenbay #artcollector #paintersofinstagram #bushwalks #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford #artfeed #forthrloveofart #modernpainting #artworkoftheday #contemporaryfineart #promontary
Finally after much pushing and pulling I’m happy with this one. Looking towards the Hawksbury felt finished five times until I made a quick study (swipe for last image) 19 x 25cms in the back of a moleskine and everything became clear. That much of the previous work needed removing to allow the gully to come through as a dramatic feature. That the relationship between calm pale areas, where the eye can rest and the busy chaos of the bush needed resolving. I often find a simple black and white scribble, as loose as possible is all it requires to help clear the fog.
#australianlandscape #australianlandscapeartist #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
Scenes from the coast. A sketch book that is coming apart at the seams. The paper has a huge rag content and takes fairly tough treatment but the binding needs a lot of work! I do adore sketchbooks for their sense of personal history. My tip: never be too precious about the subject or your own personal mark making, they can both become barriers to letting your thoughts flow. Just start scribbling and it usually comes good.
#visualdiary #sketchbook #coastaldrawing #landscapepainting #landscapeartist #australianlandscapeartist #momentsintime #personalhistory #mixedmedia
Little Tallow beach and the perfect spot to gather some observations of the headland, all rich source material for upcoming ideas. Or maybe it’s better to just sit and watch and allow the ocean to work it’s magic.
#tallowbeach #centralcoastnsw #deserted #observation #timetothink #remote #landscapepainting #australianlandscapeartist #favouritelocation #mikestaniford
Break of Day.
That moment of hope and optimism, when anything seems possible. A new work and freshly installed @moochinside gallery. Acrylic on board, 43 x 43cms and shadow box framed in Tasmanian Oak.
#moochinside #artgallery #interiordesign #lifestyle #designfiles #daybreak #dawn #landscapepainting #landscapeartist #springtime #optimism #artinthehome #interiorstyle #artbuyer #artcollector #mikestaniford
Thrilled that ANTICIPATION is a finalist in the 2021 Little Things Art Prize. Creative expressions of the ‘Little Things,’ that make us feel positive and happy. I really enjoyed the challenge of instilling such a small painting, 20 x 20cms with the idea and message of positive psychology. The exhibition @saint_cloche gallery in Paddington runs from 13th - 24th October.
#anticipation #littlethings #littlethingsmatter #littlethingsmakemehappy #beachlife #arrival #sandbetweenmytoes #escapism #joy #naturelover #happiness #theocean #littlethingsartprize2021 #saintclochegallery #paddingtonsydney #positivepsychology #landscapepainter #landscapeartist #mikestaniford
I’m a huge fan of Nicolas de Stael and after two years of chasing and waiting, finally have a copy of his newly published Catalogue Raisonne. Known for his use of thick impasto and his highly abstract landscape painting, he also worked across still life and the human figure. Continually distilling down the complexity of his subject to simple planes of colour yet never losing a sense of honest interpretation. He was a commercial and critical success but sadly at 41 years old took his own life. The last pic here taken a few days before his death. A very great loss. The book is a fabulous testament to a very prolific talent.
#greatartists #nicolasdestael #abstractlandscape #abstractartist #catalogueraisonné
FAR FROM ANY ROAD
I’ve been working on this one off and on and it’s gradually coming in to shape. A few more dramatic changes still need to occur and I’ve been back up on the ridge looking towards the Hawksbury River, observing and making mental notes before returning to the studio.
To give you some idea of the various stages and an idea of how I work, swipe to see one of my quick sketches, 20 x 30cms; a crucial stage for me, hand, eye and memory all coming together, followed by the first underpainting. As you can see everything is up for grabs and as the work develops nothing is sacred. The work is acrylic on board and once framed in Tasmanian Oak will measure 84 x 100cms.
#landscapeartist #australianlandscapeartist #australianlandscape #landscapepainting #horizon #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #artbuyer #hawksburyriver #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
TRANQUILITY.
That moment when you leave the car, kick off your shoes and feel warm sand beneath your feet. All senses come alive as you hear and almost feel the swell of the ocean.
I want the viewer to engage with the subject, for it to invoke memories of what made it a good place to be.
#treesoflife #pathways #tranquility #beachlife #solitude #summerdays #australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
Planning new work and referring to some quick field studies each 10 x 10cms each scribbled with a Pilot V pen…well it all starts somewhere and with me it’s that first observation, composition and something about a convergence of the elements that show potential. I draw hundreds of these and always with the idea of a future painting in mind. The rest is left to memory and the idea that I want to lead them into a sense of abstraction.
#abstractpainting #abstraction #interpretation #treesoflife #firldstudies #quicksketches #landscapepainting #thingswesee #composition #australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
Absolutely thrilled that LAND OF THE FREE SPIRIT is a finalist in the WAMA Where Art Meets Nature Art Prize. Huge thanks to the judges and congratulations to all the other finalists, only 40 selected from 540 entries.
Look at all the work www.wama.net.au
#finalist #wama #worksonpaper #artprize #artandnature #freespirit #landscapeartist #mikestaniford
WINNERS! A huge thank you to everyone for your kind and insightful comments to my catalogue and the works within. I thoroughly enjoyed them all but a special congratulations and thank you to @starsaboveus and @elizabethmartinartist for their responses to WHITE ROADS and TWILIGHT BAY respectively. I will be posting you each one of my landscapes in the next few days.
#manythanks #commentaries #insightful #landscapes #momentsintime #soloshow #feedback. #mikestaniford
Don’t miss out!
Two followers will receive one of my pleinair landscapes free. Swipe to see the works. See yesterday’s post and follow the rules.
#giveaway #dontmissout #pleinairpainting #landscapepainting #yourcomments #mikestaniford
EXCITING GIVEAWAY!
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As my solo show, Moments in Time draws to a close, I wanted to thank all the buyers, collectors, followers and supporters around the world who have made this a very special time for me. So many paintings are already winging their way to new homes.
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The thing that I have missed most is face to face contact and hearing commentary and discussion on the works themselves…it is after all what we as artists need to hear. So I would like to offer these two works, (swipe for the other one) to the two best responses posted here. Both pleinair studies of Hawkehead peninsula, acrylic on paper unframed, 30 x 42cms.
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Here are the rules-
1. Which work did you most like from my Moments in Time catalogue (link in my bio.)
2. Why do you love this one?
3. Tag another art lover
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I will select the two most insightful responses and post the works free of charge anywhere in the world.
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Deadline is 5pm Friday, Australian Eastern Standard Time. And once again, a very big heartfelt thank you.
#landscape-painting #pleinair #worksonpaper #artistsupport #artistvoice #commentary #boldstrokes #contemporaryaustralianart #nature #artgiveaway #ownart
Thrilled that Hawkehead Morning is a finalist in the 2021 Gosford Art Prize. Dates of the opening to be announced. Huge thanks to the judges. And congratulations to all the other finalists.
#gosfordartprize #artprizes #artjudges #selected #landscapepainting #australianlandscapeartist #thisland #contemporaryart #contemporarypainting #wilderness #artworld #mikestaniford
Soft moon rising, floating above the horizon before it arcs slowly across the night sky. One of those memorable moments in time.
NIGHT OWL
Acrylic on board
33 x 43cms
Part of Moments in Time @meartspace
Click the link in my bio for the full catalogue.
Please contact me direct with any enquiries:
mikestaniford@icloud.com
0414 530 556
Or DM me here
An easy payment plan in instalments is available and I can ship anywhere worldwide.
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
From Love’s Creek in the East McDonnell ranges, 95kms east of Alice Springs. For me this was a very special moment in time, when the sun dropped and the shadows moved quickly across the ancient orange hills, the colours so intense. Swipe for details and one of my many sketches from the region.
LET YOUR SPIRIT SOAR
Acrylic on board
103 x 123cms
@meartspace
Click the link in my bio for the full catalogue snd please contact me direct with any enquiries:
mikestaniford@icloud.com
0414 530 556
Or DM me here
An easy payment plan in instalments is available and I can ship anywhere worldwide.
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #outbackaustralia #alicesprings #outback #northernterrititory #contemporarypainting #shadows #shadowplay #lovescreek #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
The raw quality of drawing in sketchbooks. At first they seem so quick and spontaneous as to seem almost trivial until you look back on them, enjoy the memories they bring and see them in a new light. I just love the scribbley nature of them and the ideas they capture. These are all from a small pocket sized sketchbook from Canson…never leave home without one. Field studies and sketches are so valuable and will lead on to a promotion I will be offering next week as my solo show, Moments in Time heads into its last week. Stay tuned and have a fabulous weekend.
#sketchbooks #cansonsketchbook #pocketsize #fieldstudies #scribbling #draw #drawings #quicksketch #ideas #draweachday #blackandwhite #observation #momentsintime #penandink #mikestaniford
Storm coming in from the west and the light beneath that cloud bank bounces off the water.
One of those Moments in Time and now hanging @meartspace
WILD AND FREE
Acrylic on board
33 x 43cms
Click the link in my bio for the full catalogue.
Please contact me direct with any enquiries:
mikestaniford@icloud.com
0414 530 556
Or DM me here
An easy payment plan in instalments is available and I can ship anywhere worldwide.
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #wildandfree #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
I’ve been in Australia for 26 years and never tire of looking across Sydney’s magnificent harbour. The glow of the evening light at day’s end and the view out past North Head to the ocean. From Moments in Time show @meartspace
EVENING SHADOWS
Acrylic on paper
50 x 55cms
Click the link in my bio for the full catalogue.
Please contact me direct with any enquiries:
mikestaniford@icloud.com
0414 530 556
Or DM me here
An easy payment plan in instalments is available and I can ship anywhere worldwide.
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #eveningshadows #harbour #contemporarylandscape #eveninglight #harbourlight #treesoflife #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #artforyou #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
Having focused on my show for the last few weeks, it seemed time together out into the landscape and find some more moments in time. Here I am again up on the Hawkehead peninsula looking south west towards Cowan Water. Those twisted white trees fighting against the bush with its crevasses snd gullys. A couple of A3 paintings in acrylic on paper plus an initial warm up drawing at A2.
#Momentsintime #pleinairpainting #bushland #landscapepainting #contemporaryart #contemporarylandscape #outdoors #innature #artistsoninstagram #artoftheday #worksonpaper #acryliconpaper #killcare #mikestaniford
Calming light on the water and the reductive process of composition - what to leave in, what to leave out. Edge of the Lake from my Moments in Time solo show @meartspace.
Click the link in my bio for the full catalogue.
Please contact me direct with any enquiries:
mikestaniford@icloud.com
0414 530 556
Or DM me here
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #edgeofthelake #pinklight #reductive #composition #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
As far as the eye can see. A landscape filled with sunburnt fields and white chalky tracks beneath fast moving clouds. A WILFUL LAVISH LAND now on display @michaelreid.northernbeaches.
Contact the brilliant team direct at the gallery for more details.
#australianlandscape #michaelreidnorthernbeaches #landscapepainting #sunburntcountry #lavish #thisland #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
“To the broad highways and back again, I have come to the creekbed roads and narrow winding trails.”
James Still
WHITE ROADS
From Moments in Time @meartspace swipe for details.
Click the link in my bio for the full catalogue.
Please contact me direct with any enquiries:
mikestaniford@icloud.com
0414 530 556
Or DM me here
An easy payment plan in instalments is available and I can ship anywhere worldwide.
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
Delighted with online sales so far from my solo show, Moments in Time @meartspace These are just a few of the paintings off to new homes. A huge thank you to all the buyers, supporters and followers. There’s still some exciting works available.
Click the link in my bio for the full catalogue.
Please contact me direct with any enquiries:
mikestaniford@icloud.com
0414 530 556
Or DM me here
An easy payment plan in instalments is available and I can ship anywhere worldwide.
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
Twilight Bay, from Moments in Time, my solo show @meartspace
If you have looked at the catalogue (see link in my bio) and you would like me talk further about any particular piece then let me know.
Please contact me direct with any enquiries:
mikestaniford@icloud.com
0414 530 556
Or DM me here
An easy payment plan in instalments is available and I can ship anywhere worldwide.
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #twilight #bayarea #hardysbay #reflections #transluscency #killcare #landscapepainter #mikestaniford
A day out painting at Little Tallow Beach, the only people there…though in fairness, it’s a fair hike down and a real slog coming back up. Don’t ask me why I took a 15kg bag of art equipment 😂 Sadly this wonderful sketchbook is falling apart and a serious rebinding job is needed. This incredible Boulder hiding the path to the Sandy beach really caught my eye. One of those ahah moments when the subject and composition all come into focus.
#onlocation #pleinair #sketchbookdrawing #sketchbookart #acrylicpainting #workingfast #fieldstudies #beachlife #emptybeaches #desertedbeach #escapism #mikestaniford
That moment in time when the leaves turn and the first breath of autumn is in the air. WELCOME VISITOR now hanging in the window @meartspace
Swipe for details and brushstrokes.
Click the link in my bio for the full catalogue.
Please contact me direct with any enquiries:
mikestaniford@icloud.com
0414 530 556
Or DM me here
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #welcomevisitor #joyofart #artgalleries #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
Finally feeling really excited to see Moments in Time actually on the gallery wall. Delighted so many of you have looked at my online catalogue (see link in bio) but now you can see the work in context. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and as always, I look forward to hearing all your comments and feedback.
Please contact me direct with any enquiries:
mikestaniford@icloud.com
0414 530 556
Or DM me here
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #soloshow #meartspace #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
