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Smiths Gully artist sees light as magic
Will Jackson
23Jul08
David Taylor, in his Smiths Gully studio, uses the Diamond Valley's natural beauty as the inspiration for his watercolours. Picture: MARK FRECKER N03DV309
WATERCOLOURIST David Taylor says any scene can be rendered remarkable by the right light.
A specialist in painting en plein air (outdoors directly on canvas), Taylor paints fast and loose to capture that temporary magical moment when his subject is lit "just so".
"What I enjoy about watercolours is that you can paint a scene loosely and then tighten it up at the end the more loose and free-flowing the better," he said.
A multi award-winner, the Smiths Gully artist's work, which he describes as "realist impressionism", is included in private and public collections in Australia and around the world.
"I've been painting in water colours for 40 or more years and still haven't lost my urge or passion for it," he said.
"As a loose painter, the abstract part of the work becomes important, creating imagery with what I don't put in."
Taylor moved to the Diamond Valley 14 years ago for its spectacular natural beauty and has had spent countless hours painting the landscapes around his Smiths Gully home.
"The area has its own magic it's its own world," he said.
"It's a natural environment for painters."
About 10 years ago, Taylor became a member of the prestigious Twenty Melbourne Painters Society. The society started as a collection of rebellious artists who broke away from the Victorian Artists' Society in 1918 to focus on painting en plein air by holding annual exhibitions of the style.
While not considered nearly as controversial these days, the society has remained true to its original purpose and this year will hold its 90th exhibition, of which Taylor's work is a part.
Ironically, Taylor also had works in a two-week water colour festival staged by the Victorian Artists' Society earlier this month, at which he took home the Kenneth Jack Gold Medallion for best work.
"It's really good to have watercolours as a medium recognised," he said.
* The Twenty Melbourne Painters Society's fundraising exhibition is at the Glen Eira Council Gallery, corner Glen Eira Rd and Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield, until August 4. Proceeds will go to children's charity Variety and the Glenallen School for disabled children. Details: 9524 3402.
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