Author Archives: maryannadair

You Can Bank on Hanke | When it comes to Portrait Art

Posted on September 10, 2021 by maryannadair

Australian painter and teacher Henry Aloysius Hanke (14 June 1901-1989), was born in Sydney. He won the Archibald Prize in 1934 with a self-portrait (see above), and the inaugural Sulman Prize, in 1936, with his painting ‘La Gitana‘. Hanke served … Continue reading →

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Locks, Smocks and Two Choking Corals

Posted on September 5, 2021 by maryannadair

Superstitions surrounding the legend and lore of the power of coral for the protection of teething babies takes its roots from ancient history. The superstition goes further back in history where a child’s teething time has been a source of … Continue reading →

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A relaxing stay | For Elodie at the Baie

Posted on August 31, 2021 by maryannadair

19th Century French Realist painter Jules Adolphe Aimé Louis Breton was born on 1 May, 1827, in Courrières, a small Pas-de-Calais village. After his mother died when he was only four, Breton was brought up by his father, (a land … Continue reading →

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Jimmy C | Jimmy Do

Posted on August 18, 2021 by maryannadair

Street artist Jimmy C (aka James Cochran), was born in England in 1973 and grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. Cochran has been developing his own art style since he was 16, when he was living on the streets and … Continue reading →

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The Artistic Skills of Stormie Mills

Posted on August 13, 2021 by maryannadair

Street artist Stormie Mills was born in 1969, at Colwyn Bay, a seaside town on the north coast of Wales, overlooking the Irish Sea, in the United Kingdom (UK). These days, Stormie is based in Perth, Western Australia. Stormie’s whimsical … Continue reading →

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The Elusive Ellescas Who Illustrates LP’s

Posted on August 8, 2021 by maryannadair

Sometimes it is difficult to find information about artists and illustrators, and the seemingly “elusive” Richard “Dick” Ellescas is one. Ellescas is a 20th Century American artist and illustrator and member of the California Art Club, which was established in … Continue reading →

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An Appreciative Review of Mondrian’s Red, Yellow and Blue

Posted on August 3, 2021 by maryannadair

Pieter Cornelis “Piet” Mondrian, was born on 7 March, 1872, in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Although originally a qualified primary teacher, Mondrian entered the Academy for Fine Art in Amsterdam. His early paintings were of a naturalistic or Dutch Impressionistic style, … Continue reading →

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I C215 is a French Street Artist

Posted on July 29, 2021 by maryannadair

French street artist C215, is the moniker for Christian Guémy (born 1973), who lives in Vitry-sur-Seine, Paris. He has been described as “France’s answer to Banksy”. C215’s street art name, was inspired by the 1970s New York graffiti artists, who … Continue reading →

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With Dior’s Bar Suit | She’s Got ‘The Look’

Posted on July 24, 2021 by maryannadair

French fashion designer Christian Dior was born on 21 January, 1905, in Granville, a seaside town on the coast of Normandy, France. He is best known as the founder of one of the world’s top fashion houses Christian Dior, also … Continue reading →

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How to assume an Azuma pose

Posted on July 19, 2021 by maryannadair

Azuma Tokuho in her dressing room at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The Kabuki make-up contrasts oddly with the prints on the wall and the cigarettes on the table. [Photographer: John Baker]. The Azuma Kabuki Dancers and Musicians performed … Continue reading →

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Some tales on behalf of the great Longstaff

Posted on July 14, 2021 by maryannadair

Australian painter, war artist and a five-time winner of the Archibald Prize, Sir John Campbell Longstaff was born at Clunes, Victoria, on 10 March 1861. He was educated at a boarding school in Miners Rest and Clunes State School and … Continue reading →

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I’ve had eNufevaH | Let’s HaveFuN!

Posted on July 9, 2021 by maryannadair

When it comes to street art there are many thousands if not millions of street artists plying their art around the walls of cities all around the world. Many become famous for their art, others come and go. Often their … Continue reading →

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Picasso’s Last Words | Drink to Me, Drink to My Health

Posted on July 3, 2021 by maryannadair

World renowned Spanish painter, sculptor, print-maker, ceramicist, and stage designer Pablo Ruiz y Picasso, (Pablo Picasso) was born on 25 October, 1881 but spent most of his adult life in France. As one of the greatest and most influential artists … Continue reading →

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Alan D Baker | Art Was His Life

Posted on June 29, 2021 by maryannadair

Mid-20th Century Sydney painter Alan Douglas Baker was born in New South Wales (NSW) in 1914. Baker was the third child of Pearl and Henry Baker of Ashfield, Sydney. The family recognised that he showed the same talents as his … Continue reading →

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What do Two Drinkers and a Hypochondriac Have in Common?

Posted on June 24, 2021 by maryannadair

French print-maker, caricaturist, painter, and sculptor Honoré-Victorin Daumier was born in Marseille on February 26, 1808. In his youth, Daumier showed an irresistible inclination towards art as a profession, which his father vainly tried to avert by placing him first … Continue reading →

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