I'm an Australian artist and I predominatly paint or draw but also use photoshop etc to play with photos or to see what may potentionally become a painting and sound out my ideas. As I slowly add more and more images I hope you will give me plenty of feedback.BIO We live in a time where technology has become so advanced that you no longer even need a camera to produce amazing images. For the commercial world technology is the future, for it will embrace this new medium with open arms, however I am constantly amazed at the number of artists that still use traditional mediums and methods simply because they want to.
I am one of those people, who has a compelling desire that borders on an insane obsession to paint and draw. My pictures, although appearing realistic and simple at first glance become more complex the more you delve into the image and also create a story or better still raise questions.
I like to draw the viewer in, trap them with curiosity until they think what the hell is going on here. Sometimes my work is politically motivated, or pure fantasy Sometimes I know exactly what Im going to paint, or I just start and let the trained eye slowly pick that stroke of paint or colour that is forming an interesting direction or composition. I just play on those bits until the story seems to just come out of the brush. The description I feel most comfortable with is
surrealist, as I paint in a realistic manner but the situation may be totally unrealistic. I like the fact that I can create a world that does not exist but comes from imagination. I believe imagination is the key to society because it enables us to see the future and create it or divert it.
My traditional academic and self taught skills, enables me to paint in a manner that is universally understood and the skill and dedication is clearly visible to the viewer, something that is not seen enough these days. My paintings do not need a long, superlative filled pretencious description. I feel so many contemporary paintings are no more than decorative patterns designed to match the curtains. Galleries are filled with this meaningless pumped out decor with very little pride and skill attached, this is simply flooding the art world, purchased solely because the gallery owners say it is good art.
My aim is to bring art back to the people. The people who purchase it not because they know good art or bad art but because they know what they like and can see the human endeavour and desire that went into creating it. This is one of the principal objectives of the Zooid Art Movement of which I am a founding member.
Painting has been and still is a successful way of recording history, but I feel it is also an integral part of human endeavour, the need to achieve excellence in creation.
Graeme W. Balchin
Comments (29)
Belladzines
awesome...
Elminster_ZK
Very well done, Graeme. The lighting, the way it contrasts, is very evocative, and the hair and skin are superbly painted. Incredible work yet again, Graeme.
macross_ps
The artist made a very realistic, real-world painting. Above the average...
Wankerboy
Excellent image. I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic about the war on terror. Being watched is better than being blown up.
nurunuru
Great painting, this. Subtle, but strong in its message. I disagree, WB: Being blown up IS better than being watched; at least I can pee while I'm being blown up.
miharo
excellent work here, her face and shadows are breath taking... bravo, beautiful painting...
devineydesignsllc
glad it was'nt computer generated!thankyou
mmirnii
so much is done on the pc these days... i agree with deviney.. i like so much more when its all done by hand... its just natural.. who cares if it looks better on the pc, i just like that natural look.. urs is great. everything about it is wicked. thanx for sharing. max
cbender
beautifully done... love her expression... :)
Splinter429
awesome image and message. i love it
gunsan
Even if it is scary, it is so beautiful. I love her expression, spot on according to your words.
kenwas
Fine work! Congrats!
bern
Very nice work, love the theme you're depicting here .
Fidelity2
Wow ! She is beautiful. Nice color scheme and illusion. I even downloaded it !
wdiniz
The worst kind of surveillance is that done by our fellow people, usually in name of something "greater" than us.
JnM92
She is beautifull, her hairis so cool! and youkan realy see the irritation on her face, great!
cajolargo
beautiful, in a traditional way (lovely face, superb painting), and meaningful mood, in a modern way... exactly as you declare in your interesting bio: classic tools for "other" way of thinking - bellissimo!
MrBacardi
nice one.. big brother is always watching us...
ikeee
Very Good!
vbarreto
Impressive lighting work. Remarkable Amy expression on this beautiful painting.
SevenOfEleven
Looks great. Once freedoms are given up, you don't get them back.
glenravo
Great work great attitude
talkingferret
Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism, Down with Howard and his tricks of terrorism ...... now I have that out of the way I am free to comment on the painting (whilst at the same time maintaining that we need MANY MANY MORE paintings like this in Australia) which is excellent in all respects. The lighting is dramatic and full of character such that the girl is almost redundant. I love your hot/cold interplay, particularly with the subtle elements like the different coloured hair bands. Excellent!!
ScourgeofShadows
You have captured a very special look here, well done! :)
phpjoma
wow just Beautiful!
Nwalkerden
You have captured so much in this painting. Her eyes, the way hair falls across her face. She looks as if she is scared, but about to lash out at the same time. Well done.
oscilis
Super interesting gallery you have.
graemeb
Thanks for all your comments.
duncanlong
Chilling yet very beautiful work.