Thursday, February 7, 2013

Storm warning, Goat Island

I haven't been back to my studio at Moore's Wharf for over a year now.
Last year was a bit of a nightmare, as my mum became very ill and
was in and out of hospital throughout most of 2012.
I was only able to go out painting occasionally, and when I was able to, I painted at Rozelle, Eveleigh or Pyrmont, rather than at Barangaroo.
I posted some of these on my Industrial Revelation blog.
It's difficult enough to keep posting on one blog, almost impossible to cope with two.
I finally returned last Friday, and started a large panorama of Goat Island from the knuckle of the wharf.
oil painting of Goat Island from Moore's Wharf, Millers Point by artist Jane Bennett
Work in progress -
This was how the painting looked at 10.30am
'Goat Island from Moore's Wharf' 2013 
oil on canvas 45 x 92cm

I probably hadn't picked the best day to do so.
The sky looked like a purple bruise.
But I tried to do as much painting as I could before the inevitable storm.
oil painting of Goat Island from Moore's Wharf, Millers Point by artist Jane Bennett
Work in progress -
This was how the painting looked at 11.58am
'Goat Island from Moore's Wharf' 2013 
oil on canvas 45 x 92cm

The yellow buoys and boom contrasted well with the sullen sky and choppy slate grey sea.
The boom is there to prevent pollution by debris from the excavation of sandstone blocks for the Barangaroo Headland Park next door to Moore's Wharf.
oil painting of Goat Island from Moore's Wharf, Millers Point by artist Jane Bennett
Work in progress -
This was how the painting looked at 11.58am
'Goat Island from Moore's Wharf' 2013 
oil on canvas 45 x 92cm

Fortunately the blokes soon moved their car so I could see the little hut at the far left hand edge of Goat Island. I didn't want to move from my sheltered nook behind the pallets as there was obviously very little time left before the storm.
Just after 3pm a bolt of lightning struck in the distance.
The thunder was so loud that it sounded like a cannon had been fired.
By the time I had packed up all my paints and brushes I was soaked.
oil painting of Goat Island from Moore's Wharf, Millers Point by artist Jane Bennett
'Goat Island from Moore's Wharf' 2013 
oil on canvas 45 x 92cm

My next solo exhibition "From the Hungry Mile to Barangaroo" will be held from 1st - 24th March 2013 at the Frances Keevil Gallery, Bay Village, 28-34 Cross Street Double Bay, NSW 2028, as their signature event for Art Month.