LONDON CALLING

It's all getting far more exciting now as my exhibtion is hung at the www.redhillgallery.com.au . Opening is on Saturday arvo from 2 till 4 I can't wait too see you all . This exhibition has taken two years to paint and the detailed nature of a city such as London its incredible when finally captured on canvas .My LONDON telephone box is also sitting front and center in the gallery and I do have a few more tricks up my sleeve to make this an opening you won't forget . Check out my offical blurb / artist statement and I just love Vivienne Westwoods quote she says it all . 

‘There’s nothing else like London. Nothing at all, anywhere.’

 Vivienne Westwood

 

 My latest exhibition ‘ London Calling’ is the culmination of the sights and sounds I experienced as I seek to interpret the magic I experience, as I satiate my lust for travel; my wanderlust. 

Whether it’s London, Paris or even my own hometown of Brisbane, I am continually amazed to find new undiscovered aspects of the cityscapes and people to fall in love with.

My latest trip to London had me aghast at the stunning vibrancy of colour; the contrast old against the new. As a visual artist my inspiration comes from first hand experience and the need to satisfy my abundant curiosity along with my overwhelming desire to share the beauty of this planet.

‘London Calling’ evokes the all the innocence of Alice as I seek to interpret my own experiences on canvas, capturing my freedom and passion as an artist in the brightest and boldest colours imaginable.

 Starr

Ps do pop in and check out my show and take a selfie with my telephone box ........here is mine lol not my best selfie but you get the idea . #starr #starrartist #starrart #starrfineart #londoncalling #redhillgallery 

Just PAINT !!!!!!

I always get asked why I paint my certain subject matter . The answer is I paint what I adore , obsess over and can't look away from . My idea of beauty is different to others . Living in my own world and quiet frankly not having much outside interference means I just don't care what's hot or not . Every artist journey is unique to them as mine is to me . I see my little birdy more than humans these days lol . It's a good thing as it's taken me two years to paint my current exhibtion . 

Colour is always inspiring as is the light in different countries . London was a huge hit with me and quiet unexpected too , with all its blue and it big red things I was in heaven . It's not enough to paint a scean from a picture it's about being in the picture and living in it for as long as you can . I broke into tears quiet a few times while in London as it was just so pretty and fairytale like . I do love a fairytale even just an artistic one . There were many places I have visited in my life and not loved and many places others would just wanna leave and not care to take a closer look . 

I have been collecting things on my travels and I am in general a bit of a bower bird . Lots of these things you can see reacuring in my paintings . If it's in a painting chances are it's mine and I covert and adore it . My Still lifes and the imagination series are the best examples of my collection/ hoarding being put to great use . As I grow I change of course and new things excite me but also I have an ability to love some things forever . In the end I JUST PAINT in my studio and am very excited for you all to see what I have been working on . 

Ps you cant paint the TOWER BRIDGE in London until you see it and are so in awe of the history and architecture of this magnifent structure . 

London calling via the red telephone box

One must see these in person to really get just how iconically magnificent and red they are . While in London I did lots of studies and sketches of them and took many photos of the red telephone boxes . I was quiet frankly obsessed with them , they are a perfect pop of colour after all .There were several different versions some in London were different from the ones in country England . They are from slightly different eras apparently . Only to the artistict eye would you pick up this kind of detail . 

Sketch away I did in my little make shift Paddington studio . Very dim lighting but I did truly love the light in London very different from sunny Queensland Australia for sure . I actually felt right at home in England and somewhere on my family tree is a bit of English heritage . I loved the cold as I intensly hate the heat . 

Here I am braving the cold and suffering for my art trying to get the right night shot of this scean that is my latest Alice painting ' LONDON CALLING ' . Oddly I remember after this going to church at Westminster Abby and thanking God for my gift of painting . All the while completely side tracked by the architecture of this magnificent church  . I am a big fan of travel and experiencing life also painting what I love and what I can't look away from . 

Here is one of my London telephone boxes with a galaxy night sky inside it . My name is starr I have at thing for stars lol . In this instance I think it works beautifully . It's painted on Belgium linen with acrylic , ink ,spray paint and watercolour effects . It's oddly quiet detailed when you see it in the flesh . It's avaible via the redhill gallery for LONDON CALLING solo show opening 8th of October . 

What's better than one red telephone box you may ask !!!!!! I say lots of them . I somehow don't think my adventures in London are quiet over yet . My red telephone box replica is actually going to be very soon moving into my studio after its debut at the gallery . Yes I knew when I saw them ' I had to get me one of these ' 

ALICE through the looking glass

 

As u might imagine ' ALICE through the looking glass ' is quiet a big event in my world . So big I decided to unveil my latest painting in my ALICE series at the same time . LONDON CALLING is my latest and I admit it's not quiet finished but very very close , I am ever the perfectionist . Lol Seeing Tim burtons latest master peice was fantastic and if you have not seen it yet what are you waiting for its amazing . 

So my day firstly started out with a private tea party , I am well known to be tea party ready at a moments notice . Being and Alice in wonderland tragic , Infact the tea party scean is my all time fav bit in the films . Might be my English/Irish tea drinking background . 

Then it was off to the movie we go , I brought a few girls from the redhill gallery , some clients and few friends . More the merrier I say . With a glass of bubbles I showed off my new painting and had a delightful catch up and even met some of my Facebook friends . ALICE also came along and loved the movie or was it just loving putting her feet up in gold class. 

All this is in preparation for my SOLO exhibtion at the redhill gallery Brisbane  that I am madly painting for currently . LONDON CALLING will be finished soon and featured in this exhibtion . 

I currently have for a limited time actually another week, a special of 20% off my prints via www.starrfineart.com or via the www.redhillgallery.com.au . They are high quality limited edition normally selling at 395.00 now for 320.00 . Get in quick this will not be repeated and is just for the launch of this magnificent movie . 

I would like to thank everyone who came to my movie / unveiling event it was wonderful sharing my deep love of all things Alice with you . ⭐️

Thank you Adelaide !!!!

Wow so what a wonderful weekend I had in Adelaide , was fantastic catching up with lots of my arty friends  and making a few more . Was just so awesome to be hanging out with my own kind ie the arty folk . Such an amazing bunch of talented individuals. 

  

Started out with Australian artist Stewart Macfarlane's wedding. Congrads Stewart and your beautiful bride and all the best for the very arty future that is yours . The wedding reception was at senator Cory Bernardi's place and it was wall to wall Stewart's paintings that were in his private collection . Really let's face it and artist dream come true reception . Ohhhhh and yes lots of dancing and a fantastic live band. 

Of course being a selfie addict I had to do the selfie at a wedding thing . A picture speaks a thousand words . 

My partner in crime for the weekend was BLAIR macnamara who's a very talented painter based on the Sunshine Coast . I have a very loved painting of his in my private collection his sense of colour is extrodinary . We are now planing lots more arty adventure in the future . 

I encountered the marvellous Australian gallereis director Stuart Purves , what a fanatastic moment for me I was more excited and nervous meeting him than I was Mötley Crüe . How life changes lol . 

I can assure you I did drink lots of the best wine I have ever drunk in Adelaide . Here is me at a vineyard at the botanical gardens , now let's me just say what a fantastic botanical gardens it was . One can judge a city by their gardens then Adelaide you got 5 stars . ⭐️

I loved the art gallery of south Australia it's had the 2016 biennial of Australian art on . Wonderful art and a fantastic collection an arty tourists must see . 

This contemporary art installation was just incredible with its vivid colours was by Melbourne based artist Kate Rohde . It's was in the entry and it's a sea of hyper colour patterning I think made with Candle wax . Stunning would be an understatement . I do love colour . 

While walking the streets of Adelaide it was amazing to see lots of sculpture on the streets . This little piggy as super cute and had lots of company but he stood out as having massive bronze personality . 

What a beautiful beach it's about 20 minutes out of Adelaide called 'semaphore' ......the colour was just beautiful and a perfection shade of blue . So thanks Adelaide I had a fantastic art weekend and will be back for more adventure in the future . 

A wonderous adventure

I am currently having a wonderous painting adventure at the moment . Strange things happen when you let caution go and just let your creativity run wild  . I am currently working on three large new Alice paintings in my well known series they are intensely detailed and demand all my skills . While clearly knee deep in wonderland I have done a few Alice portraits with her famous friends in sketch form and smaller works . I have had visions/dreams for many years of a white series and it looks like it's finally becoming a reality . It's will work in conjunction with my Alice series nicely and will let my technological vision be far more up close and personal . 

This is my new Alice cover for my ROSEGOLD iPhone , of course it just had to be featured . I have had a love affair with apple and all their devices and it's still going strong . I also recalled a twisted sci-fi movie from decades ago called donny Darko which has inspired in some new works to incorporate a rabbit head on a human for my white rabbit . This has been a great thing as I can't own a rabbit for my series due to laws of rabbit ownership in Queensland :( 

White rabbit aside he's looks magnificent with my Alice and has added a modern quirky twist to ever evolving series . ⭐️

 

Wedding bouquet paintings .

So happy to announce that I am going to paint wedding bouquets for blushing brides . I have been painting my floral bouquet series for many years and due to its popularity and similarity to a wedding bouquet have decided why not put it out there . I have recently been surrounded by so many brides and weddings that I realised just how important a brides choice in floral was . Every girls choice is unique and colour combinations differ as they reflect you wedding colour and theme  . Art lasts a life time just like your happily ever after so really there is no better way remember your ' BEST DAY EVER ' . Of course you would have to like my bright bold style girls lol . 

The process is simple you just submit a photo of your wedding bouquet and I turn it into a work of art . It's painted on a 40cm X 40cm stretched canvas ready to hang for 550.00 AUD . I do my arty thing too and make it look like art and not just a photo of your bouquet as that's what those incredible wedding photographers are for . You might want a bridal white back ground or a pretty in pink or even a something blue all choices that together we can make ..........yes I have an amazing eye for colour combinations and you will then have a peice of highly collectable art by STARR . You will always know as the years past that that beautiful floral painting hanging in your home was actually was your wedding bouquet . All my galleries of course can help you or www.starrfineart.com for global or non represented states in Australia inquires .⭐️

Story behind my LENNON painting .

Never have i painted a more difficult subject in my painting career so far .lol  I have in the past done a self portrait in cross position so this was an idea I was more than comfortable with . Ritchie Yorke the writer and rock historian approached me with an idea , being a painter and not an illustrator makes things more difficult as I am not into painting what other want me too etc . I am a Beatles fan and a closet rock chic however so that pushed my interest over into commitment . The most scary bit was the fact the Yoko herself had to OK the book and the cover and she's NEW YORK art royalty . 

Working with a series of images from the 70,s that the author had supplied and even having a model pose in cross position was all part of the process . I found the most difficult aspect was painting him with the beard that was not 100% correct for the time but was needed for the cross vision I had in mind . I guess that's where artistic licence comes in ? I always believe art should make you think and maybe be a little uncomfortable . Lots of changes were requested like the pillow behind him which after a bit of thought, I thought would work and it grounds the subject nicely . Another one was jeans on him as some thought that the religious aspects might upset some I decided against that for my artworks integrity . Of course what the graphic designer do to make it a terrific book cover us up to them with my blessing . 

As you can see the results speak for themselfs and I got to create my most challenging painting to date and push myself as an artist . This book cover dose not show the second version with the jeans one . I imagine the first version will be a collector item in the future . It's a remarkable story and a fantastic read of a time in history that effected millions Ritchie was there to witness all this with his friends John and Yoko . Tonight is the Australian book launch as it's going to be huge with a 'Bed in ' recreation and my painting will be on show of course . 

The American book launch as a huge success as you can see here with ALICE COOPER holding up a copie . Yes as rock chic this was super exciting for me as I just love ALICE and have seen him many many times in concert . 

So here is an offical invitation to what's set to be an incredible night . So if you loved the 70s or the Beatles this you won't want to miss this opportunity to meet Richie and hear his story . I was so honoured to able to have the opportunity to be involved with this project so thanks RITCHIE . X 

Paris street art / Ba Ta clan / Picasso

Paris is such wonderfully arty city and is so full of street art it's very visual . I just love taking a few snaps of it . Of course I personally love the super bright ones . Lol 

Here are some incredible samples of Paris street art !!!!!!! 

I love to wander the street of a normally bustling city that is Paris . While it was their winter Paris is always packed with tourists . It had a bit of a somber feel this time many normally packed hotels were not. In fact my girlfriend who lives in south of France who visits Paris all the time said her regular hotel she was the only one there and normally she's hard up getting a booking :( . The recent attacks in Paris have had a massive effect on the city . 

 

I walked past the ' Ba Ta clan cafe ' with a heavy heart for all the loss of life that had only recently taken place . I could relate to this as I am a rock chic who loves to go to concerts in these types of venues . My friend had recently seen ' bullet for my Valentine ' there and said it could have been her or anyone on any night out with there friends . 

The Paris people and all the visitors left cards and candles and you could just feel all the prayers surrounding the memorial site . Of course I said a pray for the victims of this tragedy .

I also had a visit to the awesome MUSEE PICASSO PARIS ........ Wow and the wait was worth it . I have waited too on all of my last visits it was always under renovations . Finally was amazing to see his Intire story shown on five levels of a remarkable gallery . You could see what a strong hand/style he had that transcended his different art periods and evolution . I walked away with a heightened respect for the genius that is PICASSO . 

and my new favourite mug ........ Xo 

Art shops and bunny heads

One of the most interesting pursuits with travel for an artist is visiting mega art shops in other countries . Paris has some incredible ones all have some similar items but most are totally unknown which is always exciting . I have a bit of a thing for buying brushes as I find the quality in France is second to none . Always amazed by walls of colourful paint displayed still has the same effect on me as it did when I first entered an art shop as a child . !!!!!! 

Always make you wanna have a paint even if it just with a bit of black wash . A bit into the watercolours ATM . I also travel with them mainly as they are less trouble at customs . Trust me I have lots of trouble at customs just with one name of STARR . Lol it's a complete nightmare so I don't also need dramas with the word PAINT . WATERCOLOUR is lovely and no offending . 

A buffet of pencils is always a good idea nothing gets the creative juices flowing quiet like them . Another thing I am always on the out look for are glamorous and beautiful sketchbooks , I am a sucker for a good one !!!!! Must be really thick and of the highest quality something that's hard to find in Australia . 

Lucky last is never but never hold back on buying a killer prop like a bunny head . This will show up soon in my Alice in wonderland series . Nothing creepier than human/animal head or more whimsical depending on your artistic bent . I am undecided but I knew I had to have it . 

Buy because you may never see it again even if it's a bunny head or a new sketchbook . Well that's my tip . X 

I LOVE PARIS

I am current back in PARIS and the pursuit for beauty to capture on canvas . It's off to a flying start and I feel so inspired the minute I am on French soil . It's a bit cold would be an understatement and it's interesting to see the effect on the sky ........I do love vanilla sky's in the day and indigo Sky by night . 

It's alway a good idea to see the Eiffel Tower as soon as you can it personally makes me excitedly happy . Ohhhhh and quick watercolour sketch never hurt anyone or a coffee in your favourite cafe . 

 I love to be a bit random and let things just happen and wander . I find beautiful streets that inspire and even though navigation in not my strong point sometimes you need to be lost to be found . 

Or at least learn to use the metro lol . So let the adventure begin that is Paris . X