Starting a small painting of an anvil,
one of the blacksmith's
basic tools of the trade
" Anvil" 2014 31 x 31cm oil on canvas
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At the ATP community heritage days on the 16th and 17th May, I had 2 exhibitions, one in Bay 1 and 2 of the Blacksmith's workshop and the other in the carriage displayed by the volunteers of 3801 limited, as well as painting throughout the blacksmith's demonstrations .
I am still recovering from being seriously injured not long ago, (fractured pelvis) so I had to be extremely careful. I was given a great deal of help by the volunteers and the management of the ATP, who gave me a room to store my paintings and easels, and a trolley to move them. I am truly grateful, as even just walking still causes me a great deal of pain.
" Anvil" 2014
31 x 31cm oil on canvas
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This time I kept the paintings fairly small and simple, so as to not put too much pressure on myself, while I'm still recuperating.
However, I have always meant to paint some of the heritage tools anyway. I have previously painted anvils as part of a larger, more complex painting, but it is a beautiful and evocative item in its own right.
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I had often painted Chris before in a variety of poses, but you have to be fast!
However, after I watch for a while I notice various stages of the process, and get a feeling for the timing and rhythm.
It's hard to decide on which of the hundreds of potential poses to choose to paint. I leave the arms in an unfinished state, as I can't decide on whether to paint him wielding a hammer or a pair of tongs.
Decisions, decisions.
Starting a painting of the blacksmith Chris.
The blacksmiths of "Wrought Artworks" move quickly.
"Strike while the iron is hot" isn't just an old proverb - it's a way of life.
They must strike quickly, decisively and with force, however their movements must be controlled and accurate as well.
They also must work as a team and have awareness of who and what is around them.
Chris quenching chisels
2011-12 oil on canvas 152 x 122cm
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I exhibited some of my paintings of the Blacksmiths in a corner of their workshop, so that onlookers could compare the paintings with the real thing.
"Blacksmith" 2009 oil on canvas 100 x 75cm
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It gave viewers an opportunity to see parts of the workshop not visible to the public due to safety concerns.
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i displayed some of my smaller paintings and books of photos of paintings of other areas of industrial Sydney on a pair of old dusty workbenches.
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The ATP has largely retained the old industrial ambience of the Eveleigh Railway Workshops.
All Fired up -the Blacksmiths
Eveleigh Railway Workshops"
2012 oil on canvas 91x 122cm
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Some more of my paintings of the blacksmiths were exhibited in front of an old signal box.
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The visitors on the first day were mostly retired former Eveleigh workers.
However, there was a much larger and more diverse group of people attending on the Saturday.
I hope there will be another heritage day next year.
Related posts
Macdonaldtown - A Station without a suburb
ATP Open Day - Saturday, 25 Feb 2012
Singing the body electric (sydney-eye.blogspot.com)
The village smithy (sydney-eye.blogspot.com)
En plein air with street cred (sydney-eye.blogspot.com)