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 (27)
janedj
Beautiful portrait...Wonderful outfit!!!
Whimsical
Lovely painting! Character is pretty, but I love the mood of the lighting and atmosphere you have given this
buckzero
Excellent work, like the light and shadows.
TheAnimaGemini
Wonderful work. Looks simply great. I like the new site style too. ;)
rudiruth
I envy you for your patience because I rarely spend more than one day on a painting :/ but I can see by your results that it is worse it. Bye the way, thank you for your good advices! Ruth
FALCON2
Fantastic painting, love the evocative expression, and your style is fantastic!
ARTWITHIN
So impressive, Graeme. You did a fantastic job with all the details, from hair, face, hands to her outfit. I really like the lighting on her face and the uneven quality the light brings out. That makes it especially natural. Excellent+ work. Hugs, Suzanne
Styxx
I am floored! This is magnificent! Bravo!
A_
this is magnifiecnt! great colors and i love the different textures. her face (and hands!!) are brilliant.
thecytron
Xcellent composition!
voodoo
Very nice! Love the lighting and colors.
delbeke
Beautifully done, lighting is wonderful
Ace10
First class work,I think you captured the cloth very well.
huenersh
outstanding artwork, great!
Rodma_Hu
Beautiful and skillful work!
Caboclo
Very well done, beautiful! Congratulations!
akulla
Ultra awesome!!
face_off
Wow - this painting has heaps of atmosphere. Love the background reflecting onto her skin, and her shoulder shape. Her pose looks balanced and yet slightly apprehensive.
Claywoman
Wow beautiful! I love the coloring!
mmirnii
well done! love the colors as always. nice to see ur posting again!
2Loose2Trek
This is fantastic work ... and what a friend she is -- gorgeous! FAV!
Vecster
Nice show mate! Sassy & self possessed! Love the color, atmosphere, mood, value... everything! Absolutely captivating!
Platin
Nice character with excellent colors!!!
dshield
Excellent work. D
Hawk23
Very impressive work mate!!
e-brink
Excellent pose. Delightful character!
SirLancelot
I love you paintings!!! what can I say :)