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 (31)
rudiruth
Its already a great success to be part of the chosen 30. So congrats for that! And good luck!!!
Kath13
Great painting Graeme and the very best of luck with the Moran Portrait Prize.
Nwalkerden
Congratulations Graeme!! :D
Whimsical
That is fantastic regarding the Moran Portrait Prize; Good Luck!! :-)) Really like the title of this piece, is a lovely painting!
ArtByMel
This is simply amazing, and good luck with the Moran Portrait Prize.
Syrup
Stunning word ! Hope you win,good luck! :B eaver !
caviedes
Magnificent!
akulla
Inspiring image/painting, always love your work.
shutterb
Congratulations on the hanging of your entry!!! Best of luck... This is a lovely painting too! I love the poses and expressions of the ladies. It looks like they are doing a modern dance!!!! gorgeous colors...
Claywoman
Wow bravo on this oil on canvas! Your picture being selected was destiny, you are a great painter. I hope that you win!
TheAnimaGemini
Congrats to you. Its great to be part of the first 30. And i will cross my fingers for you. Beautyfull work. Love it. Amazing colors and characters. Hope you win whith this.
lwperkins
Nifty posing and you are brave to paint not just two hands, but 4;-) I really liked the Perceptions of a Teenager and I wish you luck!
swtmelode
best of luck in your competition!! Your work is outstanding!!! Magnificent painting!!
delbeke
Beautiful! The painting is stunning--good luck!
Tiari
Brilliant!
martingeorg
I am crossing fingers for you on the 13th Graeme :) But you already succeeded with such a wonderful painting!
Whatthe
WOW! Very well done!
A_
wow, that is totally gorgeous! even the detailing in the background.. perfect composition as well. excellent all over.
PsychoNaut
That's awesome painting
Ace10
Fantastic work,I wish you well!
crrunchyfrog
Congratulations on being accepted for the Moran! Brilliant chance and everyone here wishes you the very best of luck :)
drmuscle
Bloody awesome mate! You deserve every cent, when you win we will celibrate with lots of Absinthe, Ive ordered some of the strongest you can get from france!
ARTWITHIN
This is a enticing and haunting painting of seduction. Excellent concept and composition. Again, best of luck at the Moran for "Perceptions of a Teenager", a truly wonderful work of art. Hugs, x:)
titta
What a painting! What a wonderful work of art! So beautiful, fitting colour range; so brilliantly painted characters - and everything makes the viewer to go closer and closer, to come a part of worl of the image; pretty scary actually.... Fascinating picture! Congrats for having your painting to the Moran! Wishing you all luck and hoping you'll get the Grand Prix! ... and be careful with the absinth; it's really quite a dangerous drink...:-)
childoflightdesigns
Bloody awesome !
louly
Superb painting! Congratulations and good luck!
Fidelity2
B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. 5+.
bern
Nice work, good luck with the contest !
JnM92
bow Respect to the master!
Kafra
Wonderfully done!!!