Men and mindfulness

Top left: 'Cloud study' by Trent Chaplin. Top right: 'Pot plant' by Con Polychronis.
Bottom left: 'Keiten Aijin' by Mark Snape. Bottom right: 'Spinnaker Run' by Peter Chaplin.

SALA time is fast approaching and it's great to announce that I'll be hosting another exhibition in my studio/gallery.

This time I'll be featuring my works alongside those by my friends Con Polychronis and Mark Snape. There will also be some striking abstract works by my late father, Peter Chaplin.

The theme of mindfulness is a way of linking all of our different art practices. Art is a method that all four us have used to help re-focus the mind and find purpose.

The exhibition will be open for four days:
    •    Saturday 4 August
    •    Sunday 5 August
    •    Saturday 11 August
    •    Sunday 12 August.
The exhibition will be open from noon to 5pm each day.

Self portrait

'Self portrait with an ice cream', oil on board, 60cm x 76cm.

There's a time when every artist has to be honest. There are bills to pay and the only way to pay them is to work ... and it's usually not art-related work. So that's my excuse for a lack of output so far in 2017.

However, I did find time to paint my first serious self portrait. Although maybe a 40 year old man about to eat an ice cream isn't entirely serious. For some time now I have been interested in looking at people in profile. It stemmed from arriving at a portraiture class a bit late - the only spot left was looking at the sitter from the side. There's the quality of an unguarded moment in a profile: no staring back, just the chance to look at someone at ease. I also enjoy the slightly comical moments in life and eating ice cream and wearing hats always makes me smile.

I was very honoured that this painting was selected as one of the 70 finalists in the 3rd Royal South Australian Society of Arts SALA Biennial Portrait Prize.

Blue Thumb

'Collecting shells', oil on board, 60cm x 60cm

If you are looking to by an original Australian artwork, then check out Blue Thumb.

Blue Thumb is an Australian online gallery showcasing emerging artists and I have just joined their ranks.

To purchase one of my works, visit Blue Thumb and follow the simple instructions - they take the mystery out of accessing and buying original art. In the coming weeks there will be more of my works available for purchase.

I will also continue to have my studio gallery open for people to view work in person - simply contact me to arrange a convenient time.

SALA exhibition

It's August here in Adelaide and that means it's time for the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival.

My new exhibition 'The Tourists' will be open every Saturday and Sunday in August from 11am to 5pm.

The exhibition features my new still life, landscape and narrative paintings. These works will be displayed alongside artwork by my late father, Peter Chaplin. The aim is to show how my father's work has influenced my approach to painting.

Please note: my studio is located upstairs (there is no wheelchair access) and entry is via the garage.

Top left: 'Man with binoculars' by Trent Chaplin. Top right: 'Maldon Hotel' by Peter Chaplin.
Bottom left: 'San Gimignano' by Peter Chaplin. Bottom right: 'Thermos, travel cups and suitcase' by Trent Chaplin.

The Tourists

It's great to announce my new exhibition of paintings as part of the 2016 SALA Festival.
This new body of work is titled 'The Tourists'.

'Waiting for a train', oil on board, 60cm x 60cm

A few months ago I was looking through my collection of household objects for still life composition ideas. I found an old suitcase, a pair of binoculars, a Kodak camera made of black bakelite and a set of cups made of anodised metal. These items had shapes and design elements that I found interesting and it's why I hadn't thrown them out or given them away. They were travel accessories that belonged to my parents and grandparents. I also found photographs of my grandparents on their holidays - sometimes using these objects.

It started me thinking about how and why people travel. How do they enjoy their surroundings? What did we choose to photograph when we had only 24 shots on a roll of film? How do we remember a place if we don't have a camera?

When I looked again at my dad's paintings of landscapes and landmarks, I saw an interesting way of combining our work. My new works would focus on people travelling to a destination and enjoying a landscape, whilst my dad's works show the atmosphere and grandeur of places. Two parallel ways of looking at the nature of tourism - human behaviour versus destination.

'The Tourists' will open on Saturday 6 August at my studio gallery in Plympton, South Australia.

Back to the beach

During the depths of a cold Adelaide winter, I started painting this picture to remind me of the warmth of summer. Now we are experiencing an early summer heatwave and I need no reminding. The painting was inspired by people I saw at Glenelg beach and it's titled 'In the shallows'.

The gestures, dress and behaviour of people going about their everyday lives is an endless fascination for me. A downward glance, a cautious step or a confident stride can show something essential about a person's character.

This painting will be exhibited at the Victor Harbor Art Show from 15 January 2016 to 23 January 2016. I will also have two other seaside scenes on display.

Chuffed!

I am very honoured to have won 'Best Painting' at the 2015 Walkerville Art Show with my painting 'Full forward, full back'.
A big thank you to the Walkerville Rotary Club, the Town of Walkerville and the judging committee of the Walkerville Art Show.
It was a shock to receive the phone call about the prize on Saturday night while I was eating at a noisy Chinese restaurant. This news not only made my day ... it's made my year!