The Inchcolm Sessions: Reconstructing Hollywood Light February 8, 2026. Thomson Suite, The Inchcolm Hotel, Brisbane. The question that kept me awake the night before was simple: How do you paint light you’ve never actually seen? I’ve studied George Hurrell’s Hollywood portraits for years — analysed his lighting diagrams, read technical manuals from the studio era, […]
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Last week, I found myself transfixed by a particular frame from “The Women” (1939). The scene shows Joan Crawford’s character, Crystal, illuminated by that perfect MGM lighting—Bardwell & McAlister Fresnels positioned to create the signature Hurrell glow that defines my understanding of visual perfection. My brushes were already moving, eager to capture that precise quality […]
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In my paintings, I’ve always been drawn to that pivotal moment – the breath held, the glance about to be returned, the decision not yet made. These suspended instants contain a universe of possibilities, capturing not just what is, but what might be. Classical painting has always sought to freeze time, but the tradition of […]
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I’ve recently added some new and unpublished creations to my website, including the oil painting ‘A Hollywood Still Life’ and a series of eleven small watercolors.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 […]
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Earlier this year I announced I’d be painting Teach Us Consent founder and CEO, Chanel Contos. This work was completed and, in this post, I’m sharing the development of the piece. Upon accepting my request to paint Chanel’s portrait, the first step was to conduct a survey of what already existed of Chanel on the […]
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I expect the short film will be from 6 to 10 minutes long. My integrity to the film remains steadfast and it will be as long as it needs to be. This trailer is very short but will provide audiences with some context and an appetite to view the film when it’s released. The RISE […]
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Painting Chanel Contos for the 2022 Archibald Prize Recently I had the great pleasure of catching up with Chanel Contos for breakfast and a photo shoot. Chanel will be my subject for this year’s Archibald Prize. Chanel broke news headlines in 2021 when her petition, Teach Us Consent, attracted over 44,000 signatures and 6,500 testimonies. […]
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6 minute read. In this article, I discuss how drawing helped me gain a more authentic and better understanding of what beauty is and what it means to me.I created this drawing inspired by a photoshoot I conducted with my model Anoush. I intended to make beautiful photographic images, and I felt we accomplished that. […]
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Emma Landis is an art consultant and historian whose passion for art stokes the fires of Toronto and Ontario’s art scenes. We discuss art collecting, her research into Abstract Expressionist founding father Clyfford Still, and Emma’s unique gift of applying lessons of the past to the social issues of the present and future. In The […]
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Brett replaces the paintbrush for the microphone in this refreshing take on what’s muse worthy from the studio, providing the latest happenings through audio with pictures. Links discussed by Brett in this episode: In the FrameBrett Moffatt Art RegisterEventsInfo Recent Commissions “Early last year, I came across some of Bretts’ work. I was amazed at […]
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