King Street Gallery on William - Elisabeth Cummings

The opening was packed to the rafters with every woman, man, painter and puppy all in a tight squeeze which was a little difficult when I needed to do the video... But lots of familiar faces, ones I’d not seen in a while and a few new ones too...

Everyone’s expression was the same ‘Wow’!!!

This collection of new work is amazing, wildly expressive, in tune with her surroundings and in touch with her emotions...

‘Magnetic Termite Mounds’, oil on canvas grabbed me by the throat with it’s rich orange hues while ‘Breakfast in Bali’, oil on canvas welcomed the beginning of a new day, it’s soft yellow light translucent like a golden veil... ‘Post Prandial’, oil on canvas, would have to be my most favourite, that orange, those descriptive brush strokes, has the party just started or is it just over!!!

‘Blue Curtain’, hand painted monotype, one of the many monotypes in this show and one of the most expressive... ‘The Shearer’s Kitchen, Mt Murchison’, oil on canvas, is just lovely with her 2 dogs sitting in the bottom right hand corner.. I remember hearing about those 2 dogs, they once didn’t like each other, poor Elisabeth had to constantly separate them, 1 would stay in the car while the other was in the house and vice versa...

‘Edge of the Simpson Desert’, oil on canvas is an expansive work, showing off the vast landscape that beckons any artist to recreate it..

'Currumbin Window', oil on canvas, one would only hope to wake up to this hanging on the wall of their bedroom as it is just like looking out the window...

‘Still Life with scissors’, oil on canvas, her use of softer hues especially in this one may represent a sterile environment, a bathroom interior perhaps where the light is brighter and ‘Vessels’, oil on canvas doesn’t leave me cold as it’s colours do, I find it incredibly pure...

I can only imagine a day in the life of Elisabeth Cummings, working in her purpose built studio by her wonderful son Damian Barker or gallivanting across the outback with fellow artists in tow.. Yes, I have gushed again, I missed out on saying hello to her at the opening, the queue was lengthy, but I am sure I will get another chance...

Written by Fleur

31st May - 25th June 2011
www.kingstreetgallery.com.au