Industrial Cathedral

Industrial Cathedral
"Industrial Cathedral" charcoal on paper 131 x 131 cm Jane Bennett. Finalist in 1998 Dobell Drawing Prize Art Gallery of NSW Finalist 1998 Blake Prize Winner 1998 Hunter's Hill Open Art Prize

About Me

My photo
Sydney, NSW, Australia
I'm an Industrial Heritage Artist who paints "en plein air".If it's damaged, derelict, doomed and about to disappear, I'll be there to paint it.

Friday, 14 September 2012

Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet Part 3 -'Slipping away'

Painting 'Boomerang' being slipped at Noakes
I was invited to join the volunteers who were working on the 'Boomerang' while it was slipped at the Noakes shipyard in Berry's Bay, North Sydney.
Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
On the little steam tug 'Harmon'
starting my painting of the 'Boomerang'
on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard, Berry's Bay
oil on canvas 46 x 46cm

I arrived at the Sydney Heritage Fleet shipyard at 8am so that I would be in time to join the volunteers on either the 'Harmon' or the 'Boomerang' to be ferried over the Harbour.
Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
On the little steam tug 'Harmon'
starting my painting of the 'Boomerang'
on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard,
Berry's Bay oil on canvas 46 x 46cm

I had a choice of catching either the 'Harmon' or the 'Boomerang'. Although the stately 'Boomerang' promised a stylish ride, I chose the 'Harmon' so that I could watch the drama of the 'Boomerang' being hauled ashore.
I started painting while still on board the 'Harmon', but she soon had to return to Rozelle, so I completed my painting on the jetty at the Noakes shipyard.
The 2 photos above show the first stage of my painting while on board the 'Harmon', with the 'Boomerang just visible in the background.
Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Starting my painting of the 'Boomerang'
on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard, Berry's Bay
oil on canvas 46 x 46cm
11.30am Monday 20th August

By 11.30am I was deposited ashore with my canvas and easel.
I had to make sure that my canvas would be finished by the time the volunteers knocked off at 2.30pm or I would have had to walk or swim back to my car at Rozelle! Noakes is in a little cove of Berry's Bay, which is west of the Waverton Peninsula and east of McMahons Point.
The deepwater frontages of Berry’s Bay were used by the port and maritime industry from the late 19th century.
Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Starting my painting of the 'Boomerang'
on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard, Berry's Bay
oil on canvas 46 x 46cm
11.30am Monday 20th August
Available

A Short History of Berry's Bay
During the 1930s the Berry's Bay waterfront was one of the most important boatbuilding sites in the harbour.

There was also a timber mill which provided the materials for the construction of North Sydney’s cottages and churches during the early decades of the 20th century.
Other important industries around the site during the early 20th century included the North Shore Gas Company which had shifted its productive gas works from Neutral Bay to Balls Head Bay in 1906 and the Sydney Coal Bunkering Company which began building a coal loader in 1917, to act as a steamship bunkering station. It was the most advanced means of loading coal into steamers then available in Sydney Harbour.
Coal from colliers was dumped onto a huge timber and rock platform on the shore. It was fed by gravity down shutes to four tunnels below, and then into waiting hopper cars which were then hauled by cable out to a long wharf.
Fortunately I painted and drew it before the coal loader ceased operating in October 1992. The wharf, coal-loading platform, tunnels and a few brick administrative buildings remain.
Opposite Noakes is the former site of the BP fuel depot. Their first tank was installed in 1923 and many more were added until there were 31 by the late 1960s. The cliff was known locally as "Gibraltar". BP ceased operations at the site in the 1980s and by the mid-1990s the tanks had been dismantled although their ghostly outlines are still visible in the cut rock.
Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
2nd stage of painting the 'Boomerang'
on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard, Berry's Bay
oil on canvas 46 x 46cm
1pm Monday 20th August
info@franceskeevilgallery.com.au

The Art and Times of Berry's Bay
Berry's Bay has a distinguished artistic heritage dating from the earliest days of the 20th century.
Some of Australia's best artists of that time lived locally and were attracted to the picturesque scenes of boat building and ship repair. Roland Wakelin, Rah Fizelle, Sydney Ure, Roy de Maistre, Lloyd Rees and brothers Percy and Lionel Lindsay, often painted together around Berry’s Bay between the 1900s and 1930s and were known as the "Northwood Group".
Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Completed painting of the 'Boomerang'
on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard, Berry's Bay
oil on canvas 46 x 46cm
2.30pm Monday 20th August
Note the railway in the background
Available

In the vast collection of Prints and Drawings of the Art Gallery of NSW is a lovely 1926 etching The Harbour from Berry's Bay by Sydney Long (1871 – 1955) which follows the glassy expanse of water down to the clutter of wooden ships, boathouses, yards and mills. Another evocative Whistleresque etching is Ship Berry’s Bay 1918
by Sydney Ure Smith.
Sydney Long later painted a lively little plein-air oil sketch Across Berry's Bay To The Sobraon 1939 from exactly the same viewpoint as Percy Lindsay's Shipyards, Berry Bay (also known as The Bridge Builders) c. 1927 (AGNSW). Both these works also shows the Sobraeon, a famous clipper ship later refitted as a naval training ship HMAS Tingira, that was moored there until being broken up in 1943.
In 1916 Wakelin painted Down the hills to Berry’s Bay (AGNSW), which has become an icon of early Australian Modernism. Another Roland Wakelin study, Berry's Bay 1919 shows an aerial view of the shipping, while later works such as Berry's Bay c.1934 shows details of ship repair and Berry's Bay c.1945 shows more of the industrial ambience.
In 1922 Lionel Lindsay created a mezzotint, A nook at Berry’s Bay of the boathouses along the foreshore, and in 1923 a etching of a venerable old figtree shading the shipyards The Great Figtree.
So while I painted here I was constantly aware that I was treading in the footsteps of the masters.

Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Starting painting of the 'Boomerang' on the slipway
at Noakes Shipyard, Berry's Bay
oil on canvas 38 x 78cm
8am Tuesday 21st August
Available

The next day I took the less scenic route to Noakes, driving there rather than taking the Harbour cruise option so that I could spend more time and paint a larger canvas.
Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
2nd day Tuesday 21st August 9.30am -
1st stage of painting the'’Boomerang’ at Noakes Yard 2 -
oil on canvas 38 x 76cm
Available

Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
2nd day Tuesday 21st August 11am -
2nd stage of painting the'’Boomerang’ at Noakes Yard 2
oil on canvas 38 x 76cm
Available

With this extra time I was able to include a couple of the volunteers as they worked.
As I was trying to complete this canvas on the day, I wasn't able to take too much time to explore this fascinating site, but I promised myself that I would be back. The staff at Noakes invited me to return to paint the giant travelling cranes, and the quaint cream and red heritage ferries of the Rosman fleet.

Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
2nd day Tuesday 21st August noon -
3rd stage of painting the'’Boomerang’ at Noakes Yard 2
oil on canvas 38 x 76cm
Available

The vessels of the Sydney Heritage Fleet are often repaired at Noakes. There are few other options available now as more and more waterfront has been gobbled up by developers for apartment blocks.

Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
2nd day Tuesday 21st August lunchtime break -3rd stage of painting the'’Boomerang’ at Noakes Yard 2 - oil on canvas 38 x 76cm
Available

I finished my canvas just in time to avoid being locked inside the gates. I was only able to include a few of the many volunteers who were tirelessly scampering up and down ladders with scrapers and hoses.
Plein air painting of the heritage schooner from the Sydney Heritage Fleet Boomerang on the slipway at Noakes Shipyard at Berry's Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
2nd day Tuesday 21st August 5pm -
completed painting of the'’Boomerang’ at Noakes Yard 2
oil on canvas 38 x 76cm
Available
There used to be many ''working harbour'' boat repair businesses around Berry's Bay , but by now most of the slipways have "slipped away".
Now Noakes is the last of its tribe, and I am one of the last of a proud artistic lineage to paint the bustling boatyards of Berry's Bay.

Wednesday, 5 September 2012

Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet Part 2 : The 'Lady Hopetoun'

Painting the 'Lady Hopetoun' in a quiet spot in the 'Ability Barges' yard next to the Sydney Heritage Fleet.
As the 'Lady Hopetoun' was the first vessel acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet, it seemed appropriate to kick off my residency in earnest with her portrait.
oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500


'Lady Hopetoun' a classic Edwardian VIP steam launch  was built in Berry's Bay and launched on 10th April 1902.

oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500



While she was officially described as a vice-regal steam yacht, not all her duties were so aristocratic. She was used as a relief pay boat, for small towing jobs and even ferried the children who lived on Fort Denison to school.
So even though she looks very stylish  with her low profile, raked lines and graceful counter stern, the 'Lady Hopetoun' was really a workhorse.

oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500



On the left of the 'Lady Hopetoun'is flotsam and jetsam belonging to Ability Barge Services, who are the real workhorses of the present day Sydney Harbour.
oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm

$1,500


The hull of SS John Oxley looms in the centre of the background. To the left is part of the 'Kanangra', a dilapidated 100 year old ferry that the men's shed seem to have been restoring forever.
oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500


oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500










starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500



oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500


You can see how I've chosen as my vantage point a sheltered nook in between a collection of large rusty pipes. The weather might gradually be warming up and Blackwattle Bay looks deceptively calm, but on the waterfront there is still a nip in the air.
oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm

$1,500



oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500


oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
half finished painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500


Related articles

Monday, 3 September 2012

Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet Part 1


I am a member of ASMA, the Australian Society of Marine Artists.
In 2008 the Sydney Heritage Fleet in conjunction with the Australian Society of Marine Artists inaugurated an Artist in Residence programme. 
oil painting of SS John Oxley, Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett Almost finished painting of SS John Oxley
starting my painting of 'SS John Oxley
 2012 oil on canvas 36 x 28cm
$1,200

Enquiries janecooperbennett@gmail.com

 Usually there is a sole artist appointed to be Artist in Residence for a period of 3-4 months. However this time no less than 11 of the female artists of ASMA (Suzanne Alexander,  Jane Bennett, Monika Brookes, Marijke Greenway, Jan Harrington-Johnson,  Christine Hill, Leonora Howlett, Brenda Kitteridge, Gwendolin Lewis,   Elena Parashko, Jan Sindel-Hand ) have been given the opportunity to have a stint as Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet.
oil painting of SS John Oxley, Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett Almost finished painting of SS John Oxley
starting my painting of 'SS John Oxley
 2012 oil on canvas 36 x 28cm
$1,200
Enquiries: janecooperbennett@gmail.com

 Secure studio space has been provided on the top deck of the 100 year old ferry 'Kanangra', which is berthed adjacent to the Museum’s restoration and maintenance yard off the James Craig Road, Rozelle on Blackwattle Bay. The artists are given freedom of the site as well as other museum locations, to choose and record activities and the opportunity to travel in museum ships when they are operating.
As well as painting at their yard at Rozelle, we have been given the opportunity to paint the vessels moored at Wharf 7 and the Australian Maritime Museum.


oil painting of SS John Oxley, Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
With my almost finished painting of 'SS John Oxley'
$1,200

Enquiries: janecooperbennett@gmail.com

The first day was mostly devoted to exploring the yard and to receiving the necessary safety induction.
oil painting of SS John Oxley, Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
Almost finished painting of SS John Oxley
$1,200
Enquiries: janecooperbennett@gmail.com

However I managed to squeeze in a little painting time and nearly completed a small study of the 'John Oxley'.
See the ASMA blog "Artist in Residence Programme"
oil painting of SS John Oxley, Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
Almost finished painting of SS John Oxley
$1,200

Enquiries: janecooperbennett@gmail.com


There is a bewildering array of vessels to choose from - it's an embarrassment of riches. Some have already been lovingly restored, while others are still dilapidated and waiting for their turn.
 Although there are 11 artists, it will be a miracle if we manage to paint every one.
Our group of artists will hold an exhibition of our completed paintings on the 'tween decks of the tall ship 'James Craig', which is the jewel in the crown of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, from 27th April 2013 - 3rd May 2013.
The official opening will be 2pm on Saturday 27th April by Tanya Plibersek MP.
Everyone is welcome!

Friday, 31 August 2012

To the Point


plein air oil painting of the Terminus Hotel and the Point Hotel, Harris Street Pyrmont painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Half finished canvas on the easel
"The 'Terminus' versus the 'Pyrmont Point Hotel' "
2012 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com

Last week I returned to a painting that I had started 2 years ago but had left half finished due to having to complete other projects.
I had painted the two hotels from this viewpoint on the corner of John and Harris Streets countless times before. I still had several canvases of the Terminus but I especially wanted to paint a panorama giving equal space to the Terminus and Pyrmont Point Hotels.
59 versus 61 Harris Street Pyrmont - the old versus the new Pyrmont, divided by the striding legs of the Anzac bridge looming over the towers of Jackson's Landing.



plein air oil painting of the Terminus Hotel and the Point Hotel, Harris Street Pyrmont painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Half finished canvas on the easel
"The 'Terminus' versus the 'Pyrmont Point Hotel' "
2012 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com


I had completed a similar canvas from this viewpoint about 2 years ago, but had sold it almost immediately to a local couple who had met each other at the Point Hotel.

plein air oil painting of the Terminus Hotel and the Point Hotel, Harris Street Pyrmont painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Half finished canvas on the easel
"The 'Terminus' versus the 'Pyrmont Point Hotel' "
2012 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com

In the first photo of the work in progress, the previous colour scheme of the "Pyrmont Point Hotel" from 2 years before is still visible. The strange faded plum tone reminded me of an over-ripe version of the once ubiquitous "Paddo pink" in the first wave of gentrification that spread all over the 1980s inner city. It clashed horribly with the dark crimson awning.
Now it is under new management, with a brand new colour scheme to mark the change. The walls are a more subdued and elegant pale yellow green, with awnings and window frames in chocolate. One effect of the new wall colour is to make the "ghost sign" of the hotel's original name the "Royal Pacific" more apparent.
Meanwhile the Terminus hasn't changed a bit.

plein air oil painting of the Terminus Hotel and the Point Hotel, Harris Street Pyrmont painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Half finished canvas on the easel
"The 'Terminus' versus the 'Pyrmont Point Hotel' "
2012 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com


I spent the first afternoon repainting the walls of the "Pyrmont Point Hotel" to the new colour. It probably would have been quicker and easier to just start a completely new canvas.
The practice of plein air painting often results in many half finished and potentially unfinishable canvases, so that you have to grit your teeth and accept it as an inevitable part of the process. So many elements are beyond the artist's control that plein air painting becomes hopelessly frustrating if you can't cope with "unfinished business".
I love being able to revive a canvas that I have had to turn face to the wall for weeks, months or even years.

plein air oil painting of the Terminus Hotel and the Point Hotel, Harris Street Pyrmont painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Half finished canvas on the easel
"The 'Terminus' versus the 'Pyrmont Point Hotel' "
2012 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com

By the end of the first day, I had the basics blocked out and the canvas only needed the finishing touches.
And just as well.
When I delivered another work to the Frances Keevil Gallery, I discovered that a couple from Pyrmont were extremely interested in this painting. They had actually watched me while I was painting it!
Unfortunately they were due to leave Australia the next week.
I would have to complete the painting by Wednesday at the latest if it was going to be dry (well... dryish!) by Saturday, when the clients came in to the Frances Keevil Gallery to view it.
I don't think that they realized that it was an oil painting and they were cutting it a bit fine if it was to be finished, dry and ready to be delivered.

plein air oil painting of the Terminus Hotel and the Point Hotel, Harris Street Pyrmont painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Half finished canvas on the easel
"The 'Terminus' versus the 'Pyrmont Point Hotel' "
2012 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com


It was Tuesday.
And there were many distractions.
I love chatting to people as I paint. I get to meet interesting people and learn a lot of fascinating things about the location.
But I was under a bit of time pressure and I must admit that I was worried.
The painting looks almost finished in this photo, but the final touches which can make or break a painting are very fiddly and it's perilous to rush them.
One of the most important of these was the "ghost sign" of the Pyrmont Point's previous incarnation as the Royal Pacific. Another vital detail was the light coming from the interior of the Pyrmont Point which contrasted with the dead heart of the Terminus.

plein air oil painting of the Terminus Hotel and the Point Hotel, Harris Street Pyrmont painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
The artist with local resident Van Le
with the nearly complete canvas
"The 'Terminus' versus the 'Pyrmont Point Hotel' "
2012 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:

Tuesday seemed to be an extremely busy day on the corner of John and Harris St.
I became a bit of a tourist attraction. Here I am with Van Le, a local resident.

plein air oil painting of the Terminus Hotel and the Point Hotel, Harris Street Pyrmont painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
The artist with local resident
Francis Lee with the nearly complete canvas
"The 'Terminus' versus the 'Pyrmont Point Hotel' "
2012 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com

And with Francis Lee, another local resident, who kindly took these pictures of me in action.
plein air oil painting of the Terminus Hotel and the Point Hotel, Harris Street Pyrmont painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
"The 'Terminus' versus the 'Pyrmont Point Hotel' "
2012 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com

I needn't have worried.
The painting was completed.
And the couple loved it and bought it.
Apparently one of the pair had been covertly watching me paint the finishing touches on this canvas from a safe distance at the pub opposite.
I'm glad that I didn't know that at the time or I would have suffered stage fright.
I actually think that this painting turned out better than the one that I had painted 2 years before. Mind you, I've certainly had quite enough practice painting these pubs. The first time was about 30 years ago - doesn't time fly when you're having fun!
Also watching me were 2 photographers who were checking out the Terminus. They took a few photos of me (no makeup, covered in paint from head to foot, looking like a bag lady...oh well!) and chatted about the charms of urban decay as I desperately tried to finish my commission. Like many photographers, they seemed more interested in the freshly squeezed oil paint on my palette than the actual canvas. The process not the result.
Check out the photos they took of me and my painting here at the blog on their site.
Tristan Stefan Edouard Photography

For more information about the Terminus and Pyrmont Point Hotels see
My Pyrmont page in this blog

Related posts

Looking over the overlooked-Urban decay in Pyrmont
To the Point
Wrong side of the tracks - Darling Island Bond and Free
Pretty vacant 
 
A Tale of two hotels - the Terminus and the Point
Pyrmont Paintings past and present 
Paintings of Pink pubs - Painting the Jolly Frog Part 2