Hardy’s Bay and Killcare. From the deck, an interesting sky scudding by and a partial glimpse through to the water. Everything kept to a minimum.
#killcare #landscapepainting #pleinair #acryliconpaper #fastandloose #partialview #bayarea #australianlandscape #mikestaniford
Perspectives on the beach. By no means finished but happy with where it’s at for now. There are times when the beach is a flat endless desert of bright yellow sand, when the sun is high and flattens out any shapes or dimension. Then there are those moments in the day when the ocean turns and incoming/outgoing rhythms provide endless perspectives, like mirrors that reflect the sky. Swipe for some of my working sketches and location drawings. This could be a series.
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #australianlandscapeartist #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #oceanlife #beachlife #beachvibes #reflections #farheadland #sundown #lighting #perspectives #naturesway #momentum #mikestaniford
Wrestled this one to the point of total frustration yesterday until I walked out slamming the studio door in disgust! I will give it a few days and put it back on the wall in the knowledge that (as usually occurs), the fog will lift and the horizon, both physically and metaphorically will clear.
Do you ever get that?
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #headland #killcare #workinprogress #momentsintime #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
Last moments of the day, when the purple dusk descends but the setting sun refuses to give up the last of its rays.
Time to reflect.
Acrylic on board
63 x 63cms
Framed in Tasmanian Oak
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #paintinglandscape #outdoorpainter #landscapeart #australianstories #contemporarypainting #sydneygalleries #artforinteriors #momentsintime #artbuyer #purpledusk #lastlight #endofday sunset days end #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
Weekend beach vibes. Long walks along the headland and the 1.6kms of Killcare Beach. I’m working on a couple of new paintings of the beach; the way the surf arrives and departs and the dramatic clean shapes that it creates, see pic 2. A perspective that snakes off to the distance. Great weather but not enough drama for my liking, I need clouds, end of day light and the odd wave wouldn’t go amiss. Whatever your plans, have a great one.
#weekendvibes #weekendworkout #beachlife #killcarebeach #waves #motion #perspective #rockpools #newworks #landscapepainting #landscapeartist #mikestaniford
Bay Area 4pm
How the fleeting light and time of day affects and moves me. How an intuitive reaction to intense colour and simplified composition delivers an emotional impact which I want to translate into the subject. Swipe for details and the complete series of these new works on paper.
Bay Area 6am
Bay Area 12 noon
Bay Area 4pm
Bay Area 6pm
Acrylic on paper
Each 61 x 79cms
Framed in Tasmanian Oak
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #treesoflife #timesofday #passingmoment #colourtheory #bayarea #momentsintime #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
A morning sketching at Little Beach, the Posca acrylic markers working furiously. A deliberate intention to keep with black and white but love the way you can melt the two into various tones of grey.
#littlebeach #deserted #sketchbooks #acrylicmarkets #coastline #centralcoastnsw #headland #blackandwhite #markmaking #pleinair #onlocation #australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
“Full many a glorious morning have I seen”…wrote Shakespeare.
My favorite time of day; who doesn’t love that moment of sunrise that makes getting up for that early morning walk around the bay so very special.
First Encounter
Acrylic on board
43 x 43cms
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #firstencounter #daybreak #dawn #sunrise #mornjng #momentsintime #artbuyer #artcollector #morningwalk #treesoflife #artistsoninstagram #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
Killcare Beach, when day is done. 🔴
A little piece of the Central Coast finds its way to the UK. A very special thank you to the collector.
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #skiesofinstagram #dramatic #coastlines #centralcoastnsw #killcarebeach #cloudscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
At the edge of the Harbour. And what better way to allow yourself to kick back and lift the spirits. I grew up in a harbour city, spent many years in London before moving to Sydney and now I can’t imagine not living by the ocean.
Lift the Spirits
Acrylic on board
63 x 63cms
#australianlandscape #australianlandscspeartist #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #liftthespirits #upbeat #kickingback #theocean #momentsintime #artbuyer #harbourcity #harbourside #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford
The glowing symphony of colour. Like musical chords they shift the meaning of paintings, each combination reflecting its own constructive expression.
Thank you so much for all your comments, feelings and ideas regarding pink. So, whilst on the subject of colour, how about orange? Excitement, enthusiasm, warmth and often linked to autumn. And in terms of spiritual meaning? Harmony, passion and freedom. My favorite colour for all of the above but primarily for the impact it has when I see it in the Australian landscape. It resonates as a thing of truth and beauty and not crass, rude or frivolous. I would love to hear your commentary. Colour!! What possibilities. And a big thanks to @debbiemackinnon for my photo. 🙏
Edge of the Lake (pink) and
Long day’s journey (orange) and all the intricate details.
Acrylic on board
123 x 123cms
Framed in Tasmanian Oak
#australianlandscape #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #colourorange #orange #freedom #momentsintime #artbuyer #colourtheory #artcollector #feelings #colourpreferences #artinthehome #art #escapism #expression #mikestaniford
What is it about pink? The fact that it embodies all things good in the world? That having a pink personality means you are romantic and approachable? Or is it that it fills you with optimism and positivity? Edge of the Lake from sketches and studies of Lake Jindabyne at the edge of the Snowy Mountains. I deliberately wanted to convey a sense of calm, the lake predominant in the painting. Look closely to see the layers beneath the pink coming through.
Edge of the Lake
Acrylic on board
123 x 123cms
#australianlandscape #artistsoninstagram #landscapepainting #contemporarylandscape #contemporarypainting #momentsintime #artbuyer #artcollector #artinthehome #art #escapism #mikestaniford #pink #loveofpink #romantic #allthingsgood
Tidal change.
That moment across the bay when the remains of the light create a mirror surface to the pools and rivulets of water and the muddy banks slip into darkness. All part of living in a tidal location. This is a work on paper, 30 x 42cms and worked in both brush and palette knife, in equal measure. Swipe to see the details and the marks.
It’s Hardy’s Bay on the NSW Central Coast but could easily be Noss Mayo in Devon, my favorite westcountry location.
#tidalchange #tidepools #tidal #endofday #sunset #dusk #pleinairpainting #pleinairpainter #harbour #safeharbour #landscapepainting #australianlandscapepainting #australianlandscapeartist #contemporaryartist #contemporarylandscape #reflections #waterways #worksonpaper #mikestaniford
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
