I’ve recently added some new and unpublished creations to my website, including the oil painting ‘A Hollywood Still Life’ and a series of eleven small watercolors. These watercolors served as maquettes, allowing me to explore ideas on a small scale. Watercolor, with its inherent unpredictability and unique qualities, never ceases to captivate me. Its freshness and vitality continue to inspire spontaneous creativity into my work, and I’m excited to be delving further into this expressive medium.
I’m four works into the preparation for a new solo exhibition. It will take some time to prepare the art, but the journey, discovery and creativity that constantly unfold through the expression of new works affirms my purpose and brings me much gratitude. The new pictures address the romance of the urban environment and everything associated with that. Urban romanticism, as I envision it, is a testament to our unyielding quest for intimacy and connection in a world where the boundaries between reality and fantasy are ever-shifting.
Links: You can find A Hollywood Still Life here and the watercolour works here.
All jazz is modern – forging connection
Speaking of inspiration and connection, I recently enjoyed attending a concert by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis. Their All Jazz Is Modern concert focused on one of the founding fathers of jazz, Duke Ellington, with JLCO arrangements of his music and Ellington-inspired original compositions.
These are consummate musicians in the prime of their careers. I often found myself in a state of reverie, sometimes with eyes closed, foot tapping amongst thousands of others in the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Concert Hall. While writing my most recent artist statement, I reflected on how jazz was integral to the direction I took many years ago when I decided to forfeit an arts degree in acting and chose visual arts instead. Jazz connected deeply to the stage (to which I was drawn) and the theatre of life via the blues.
George and Ira Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and Wynton Marsalis have deeply influenced my artistic identity. Romance is the heart of my work, drawing endless inspiration from these talented artists whose soulful creations fuel my devotion to urban romanticism. Through their enduring artistry, I find a timeless wellspring of creativity that continues to shape my own artistic journey.
Links:
You can find the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra here and Wynton Marsalis’ website here.
You can find my artist statement and story here.
In The Frame: Anoush Anou
This month, I am pleased to release a recording of an interview I conducted with acclaimed life model Anoush Anou. The video, which can be viewed on YouTube runs for just under an hour and features the artistry of Anoush captured by many of the talented photographers and artists she’s worked with. Hopefully, you’ll find it an enriching experience for the ears and the eyes.
– Brett
Click on the below banner to watch the video on Youtube
