What a Wonderful World!
 

A big hello from down under. Isn't it a wonderful world when at your fingertips you have like minded people who have the same interests and careers. Hi,my name is Ngaire pronounced Naree. The 'g' is silent. I am self taught and am currently studying Small Business Management by correspondence, that will hopefully take care of my weakness in that area. Now for my technical aspects. My wish, to be a technical efficient artist with a bit of style. How long will it take? With a great forum like this, who knows?

My caption 'Smile a While' was a well thought out line, or so my brain tells me. As I noticed other members having web address's, philosphical commentary etc, I thought maybe I could have a snazzy line.

I believe laughter is the best medicine and my experience is not isolated, of course. So 'Smile a While' came to be. 'Smile..' while you are trying to figure out how to get that exact colour you want, 'Smile... while the frustration overwhelms your weaknesses in your knowledge and technique, 'Smile... when you are about to give it all up and take up another of life's pursuits.
'Smile... when you realise you are not alone.

So where is my introduction. Thank you Cynthia, all moderators and members who make this such a classy and informative site. I hope we can all get to rub shoulders with each other in this big canvas, we call life.

Here is my most recent attempt - "Divided" 22 x 18 Pastel for a local competition.

Cheers;)

Welcome and g'day, Ngaire. I didn't figure I'd ever be reading, much less typing, the name Toowoomba again, after a three-year stint in Oz during the mid-90's, which happens to be where I first opened a tube of oil paint. Made it back to Queensland a year ago, though, to meet up again with Aussie friends for holiday.

Saw a lot of great painting in Australia, from European to Aboriginal and everything in between. I still can't play the didgeradoo worth a darn, though, at least not longer than one fill of the lungs -- I don't seem to be coordinated enough to manage circular breathing with high volume.

You probably know that we have other members from Down Under as well. The internet makes it a small world, though you may still feel a bit isolated from fellow artists and art instructors in your location. Be sure to take full advantage of the tremendous amount of information and advice in the hundreds of past threads available on the Forum.

Cheers

Thanks Steven
 

G'day Steven, it really is a small world afterall. The internet has allowed once isolated people feel as though we all live next door to each other. So thank you all for logging on.

Toowoomba is a very pretty place in Spring, did you come here then when all the town was out in colour and bloom? They have the annual Festival "The Carnival of Flowers".

I look forward to developing before your eyes and seeing what I currently don't see.

Thanks again.

Welcome, Ngaire.

It is so exciting to have Forum members from all over the world! My Australian connection is somewhat distant, but my mother was born in a small town outside Sydney, so I know and love the accent well.

Thanks Chris
 

Chris, thank you for your welcome and yes I think so too! I live in a small town outside Toowoomba, called Warwick about 10,000 people in the district. I am not sure on the town population itself.

This forum does of course deserve to go global as the talent in such a refined area of portraiture is most precious. I have just learnt a little more on Pietro Annigoni's work which is limited when you search the net.

Being in Australia, is isolated to great works of art not like in the USA and Europe. The major cities do have wonderful muesums, but I don't have the petrol money to visit them. But if I lived in America, I would definitely love to come to your workshops, and hopefully I will accomplish that also oneday. I look forward to meeting all of you eventually.

Steven, I don't either but I started to learn classical guitar a few years ago. My fingers have forgotten what to do since.

Oops!
 

I forgot to mention that my painting, is not supposed to be a portrait, it is a symbolic gesture of one. That is not hair on the sides it is just a nondescript background (purple being mystical). Why did I do it? For a couple of reasons, the main ones I will mention here.

First, it is because as a hermit looking out through venetian blinds from my safety into the happenings of the real world, pondering on my beliefs. Secondly, because of the feelings and experiences peoples faces hide. Each time you see a face in the crowd that attracts your attention, you ponder on their experiences and life lived.

Thirdly, we will always be divided from each other because individually each of us experiences highs and lows in life with different memories and emotions, even if we do get to share them. The hidden worlds behind the faces fasinates me.

Too deep, maybe. Oh well that is the reason I painted it like I did. This is for those of your who were wondering about the concept.