These will have been the last ships to ever officially berth at Barangaroo.
This 22 hectare site, previously known as the 'Hungry Mile' was a wharf for over 200 years.
It's the end of an era and I'm the only one who seems to have noticed.
 |
| Starting to paint my canvas 'USS Chosin at Barangaroo' 2013 oil on canvas 25 x 51cm Enquiries : janecooperbennett@gmail.com |
I started this painting at about 9am on Wednesday morning.
 |
| Starting to paint the sea on my canvas 'USS Chosin at Barangaroo' 2013 oil on canvas 25 x 51cm Enquiries : janecooperbennett@gmail.com |
 |
| Painting the sea on my canvas 'USS Chosin at Barangaroo' 2013 oil on canvas 25 x 51cm Enquiries : janecooperbennett@gmail.com |
I wondered why the USS Chosin didn't use its ship's cranes instead, but I was grateful to be able to put so many of the crew in the background. It's a bit difficult to see them in the photo below - you'll need a magnifying glass as each figure is only a few millimetres high!
 |
| The completed canvas 'USS Chosin at Barangaroo' 2013 oil on canvas 25 x 51cm Enquiries : janecooperbennett@gmail.com |
I finished my painting by 11am, and moved further down the wharf to start painting the other ships.
 |
| Starting my painting of HMS Daring on Barangaroo wharf Enquiries : janecooperbennett@gmail.com |
 |
| My painting of 'HMS Daring on Barangaroo wharf' 2013 oil on canvas 25 x 51cm Enquiries : janecooperbennett@gmail.com |
HMS Daring has a very odd motif on its crest - an outstretched hand suspended over a red-hot cauldron. Not so much "daring" as "foolhardy" or at least "bi-polar". It apparently derives from a legendary hero of Ancient Rome who had a major difference of opinion with his emperor and wanted to make a point in a rather drastic fashion.
One of the officers gave me a sticker of the crest, which I have put on the trolley luggage I use to carry my easel in.
It's an appropriate motto.
 |
| Starting my painting of HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Perth on Barangaroo wharf |
Enquiries : janecooperbennett@gmail.com
 |
| My painting of 'HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Perth on Barangaroo wharf' 2013 oil on canvas 25 x 51cm Enquiries : janecooperbennett@gmail.com |
Unfortunately this post is a few weeks later than intended.
I haven't been able to post anything on my blog or Facebook for a while as I had a car accident and damaged my shoulder not long after painting these. It's been quite frustrating as I still find it a bit painful to paint or even type, but it's slowly getting better.