A Cocker Spaniel called Goonie Gaga

“Goonie Gaga” the Cocker Spaniel

So those of you who have been around me know I am in love with dogs.  Not just like them but love them.  Having grown up with them all my life until I was nearly 30 it has felt like something has been missing in my life for the past eight years.  That best friend that is there to hang out with, always with a smile and a wagging tail (or a guilty face when they’ve been up to something they weren’t meant to!) making life even more special.  Not having my own companion means I’ve taken to falling in love with everyone else’s dogs even more than ever.

My latest commission which I feel so honoured to have been asked to do, was really special to me.  “Goonie” the Cocker Spaniel is a delightful dog, full of personality and has been given the nickname “Goonie Gaga” after the one and only Lady Gaga.  He has this super cool long hair on top of his head, like a mini mohawk, a lightning bolt under his eye (think David Bowie!) and hangs out with all the supermodel girl dogs – all tall, lean and beautiful – he’s like the stylist to the stars! Such a delight to see so often as he lives close by.

The painting is 76cm x 76cm so a nice larger size and is done in acrylic paint which I have grown to love.  I use some a nice clear paint medium which really helps me achieve what I want from the paint.  I already miss having the painting around, it felt like Goonie was living in my apartment for a few weeks whilst I was painting him. I stared into his eyes and every detail of his face so many times I felt I was connected to him even more.  I just love Goonie!!

 

 

Romance of New

Sarah Crawford :: It Ended in Tears :: Acrylic on ply wood

 

How appropriate it is sometimes… that it all ended in tears… and then it is time for change because it can’t be denied anymore… and you look at the romance of new… of fresh beginnings and a time to explore… and this moment I find I am in over and over is my sign to remind me of what is important… of what makes my laughter my life… decisions… decisions…

Sarah Crawford :: This Moment :: Acrylic on ply wood

 

Sarah Crawford :: Romance of New :: Acrylic on ply wood

 

Sarah Crawford :: Decisions :: Acrylic on ply wood

Picturesque… A Moment in Time

Sarah Crawford :: 'Picturesque' :: 25cm x 25cm :: Acrylic on ply wood

Reflection… and how you want to capture that moment in time that is so beautiful… that is picturesque.  That moment can be as simple as realising that the only thing holding you back is yourself.  When you are stripped back to nothing to find yourself wanting to step forward and take on the world… live your dreams and show the world you are not afraid.

That picturesque moment when that moment in time is so beautiful.  You know you can achieve your dreams xo

MUST SEE :: Rankin & Damien Hirst Exhibition in LA

Rankin & Damien Hirst :: Myths, Monsters & Legends exhibition :: RANKIN Gallery LA

I am so in love with these images for the upcoming exhibition at RANKIN Gallery in LA.  Rankin and Damien Hirst have worked together with model Dani Smith to create the most amazing works of art.  One I do not want to miss and lucky for me, I’ll be LA just in time to catch this one.  

Myths, Monsters & Legends is on at RANKIN Gallery from 13 October to 5 November 2011.   

 http://rankinla.com/exhibitions-upcoming/

 RANKIN Gallery  :  8070 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046  : Open Tue-Sat 11am – 6pm

 

Rankin & Damien Hirst :: Myths, Monsters & Legends exhibition :: RANKIN Gallery LA

All My Life

Sarah Crawford :: All My Life (Dave Grohl) :: Acrylic & spraypaint on canvas

 

I always wondered where you were heading.  Where your talent would take you, and how far you would go.  All that I wanted had engulfed my life, suspended my freedom for it had me by the neck, had taken my ability to see clearly.  The fear somehow pushed the need and the need helped me see clearly.  A vicious circle that was being forced and causing confusion and anxiety alongside building strength and determination never before felt.  Searching for the light, the steady rocks moving and falling from under my feet.  The only option to fly, alone, and feel the weight lift, floating along, a watchful eye over the world.  Trust and faith my wings would stay strong, keep me so high, away from the dangers.  I feel the air passing by, the drops of rain touch my skin and I feel so alive.  I have no regrets only thanks for the opportunity to have learnt lessons in life.  Lessons that build strength in my wings and allow me to fly.  For when you fly and float along in the breeze you have time to see the beauty of life.  To find passion in life.  To live life. To love.

Perception… A Nude… So Simple

Sarah Crawford :: Perception :: Acrylic on Canvas

I love the simplicity of colour blocking and I love black and white and grey.  I love the contrast between solid black and white – and the black dots on the silver in this piece.  It’s like an optical illusion.  From far away it looks solid where the dots are but the closer you get you realise it’s actually quite detailed.  The perception of a simple piece that is in fact quite detailed.

… while you think you have me all figured out – like I am all black and white and a shade of grey…. what you fail to see is the complexity that makes me so special and very unique… you think I am simple and not worthy of you attention… that I am 1+1=2, black + white = grey… when if you actually opened your eyes and came a little closer you would see your perception of me is all wrong… there is so much more than you realise, right in front of you… I only smile at this because I realise that you will see my beauty… but only when it’s once again far away, out of your reach… and you will wonder how you missed seeing that beauty of detail when it was right in front of you…

xo

Contemplation at Gainsborough Greens Art Awards

Sarah Crawford with 'Contemplation' painting at the Gainsborough Greens Art Awards Exhibition 2011

I always get so excited when I am going to see my artwork in an exhibition – but then I get completely shy when I have my photo taken next to it!  Today I went out the Gainsborough Greens Art Awards  and Exhibition to see my painting ‘Contemplation’ that was selected for display.  I don’t think I realised just how big the work was (and how many dots were on the canvas!) until I saw this photo!  The winner was announced last night at the official exhibition opening and it is the horse just to the right of my piece (behind my head!) so I’m sure to have lots of viewers over the 5 days of the exhibition with such a great position.  I was at the Miami Marketta with my art stand so couldn’t make it to the opening but was great to be able to see it today – and it was such a beautiful day to visit the Gainsborough Greens development.

If you get the chance and you are on the Gold Coast – there are some great artworks out there – and I got to see some kangaroos so was rather pleased!

Sarah xo

Gainsborough Greens Art Awards 2011

‘Contemplation’ is on display as part of  the

Gainsborough Greens Art Awards and Exhibition

Thursday 11 August to Monday 15 August

10am – 5pm daily

Gainsborough Greens Golf Club

Yawalpa Rd, Pimpama QLD

 http://www.mirvacdevelopment.com/gainsborough-greens/art-awards

 

Love with Passion, Live with Passion

Sarah Crawford :: Contemplation :: Acrylic on canvas :: 150cm x 100cm

There are some things in life that you achieve quickly and others that take longer and you wonder if you’ll ever get there.  Each little dot in this painting had a thought go into it.  A reminder to myself of life.  The painting is 150cm high x 100cm wide.  And not to forget the edges – 10cm on each side.  So many dots!  Each dot is placed carefully onto the canvas, raised to a point.  Each dot requires a dip into the paint before it goes onto the canvas to get the texture I am after.  A photograph never really shows the detail – or the size of the artwork. 

 

There were times when I was painting and putting dot after dot onto canvas, where I cried, not from sadness but from realisation that I had to wait longer to get to where I wanted – in this instance, to finish!  Towards the end in the past few weeks, I finished this painting, and the feeling was of satisfaction.  I felt so proud.  It represented a whole lot more to me than just a painting finished.  It represented persistence.  In believing in your dreams.  In not giving up (and trust me, there were times I wanted to – there are hundreds of hours of dots in there!) and trusting your instincts. 

 

So many lessons I have learnt over the time painting ‘Contemplation’.  A self portrait on so many levels.   Keeping the passion alive and reaching for your dreams, willing to be humbled and at times, feel humiliated by others indifference and lack of interest is all part of the process.  The ability to overcome rejection, to keep the belief in what I am doing.  And to know that the most important thing is that I continue to live my life with passion, love each day – and love with passion, love each moment and keep on seeing the hope and beauty in everything – because that is who I am.

 

xo

 

Sarah Crawford :: Contemplation :: (Side view 1)

Sarah Crawford :: Contemplation :: (Side view 2)

‘Contemplation’ is on display as part of  the

Gainsborough Greens Art Awards and Exhibition

Thursday 11 August to Monday 15 August

10am – 5pm daily

 

Gainsborough Greens Golf Club

Yawalpa Rd, Pimpama QLD

 http://www.mirvacdevelopment.com/gainsborough-greens/art-awards

 

Audrey Hepburn – I Believe in Miracles

Sarah Crawford - I Believe in Miracles (Audrey Hepburn) - Acrylic on Canvas

It’s days like today when I feel so strong in my belief in what I want to do and where I want to go.  Who I want to share those times with and laugh with from the heart.  Audrey Hepburn famously said “I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”

The happiest and most amazing I feel in life is when I am making people smile and achieve their dreams.  Dreams are like miracles in many ways.  Not everyone believes it is possible to achieve them.  It’s so wonderful when you realise that their is such a thing as miracles – they are all around us – it’s really just whether we can see them, if we are ready to see them, if we want to see them.

Today I feel strong and inspired.  I feel amazingly happy and it is radiating from the soul, from the heart.  I think I saw the dream I am yearning for right in front of me – it’s been there a while, I just saw it clearly for the first time.  It was like a miracle.

xo

Al Pacino | Tony Montana | Scarface

The World Is Yours - Acrylic on Canvas

I could watch Scarface over and over.  And yes, I’m watching it now.  I love the character of Tony Montana, his determination and loyalty.  And his vulnerability. Tony Montana… he reminds me of the world today.  The constant striving for more.

I remember when people were satisfied being happy with simplicity in life.  What I see more and more as my life goes on is people not satisfied with what they have.  The more they have, the more they want.  When a goal is reached there isn’t a feeling of elation that lasts, but rather it fades fast and there is a need for more.

I always remind myself that even if you have all that you could possibly dream you wanted, it doesn’t mean life will be perfect.  Having goals is so important and having dreams and fulfilling them is one of the most beautiful experiences – but enjoying the simplicity in life is spectacular and shouldn’t be forgotten.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying don’t reach for your dreams – far from it.  Just remember to keep the balance.  And love.  Love life and appreciate what you do have, because one day you might have a whole lot more and look back with envy at when you had less.