ARTWORK HISTORY & PERSONAL RAMBLINGS:
Another of our Australian oil paintings that has been with us for quite some time, not so much because we visited Lake Conjola often but this painting took me back to the days of my youth when my father would trot me off to the sea to enjoy a day fishing. I loved those days and the memories they bring back are dear to me but in truth I am a "bush man" and prefer inland areas with beautiful gums, farms, old farm houses and sheds!
So, after much "to and fro" I have decided to seek a new home for this artwork which hopefully will invoke similar memories with someone else!
Never heard of Conjola!
One of the many wonderful areas to visit on the NSW South Coast, this area is a favourite for fishing in particular.
This artwork has been in my study for years but we are "re-arranging" our artworks and finding new homes for those that just don't fit our current theme of Australian & NZ landscapes, bush scenes in particular. Although I love the seaside, sadly this painting must leave home!
The artist?
Well, to be truthful we never had any idea! We love ALL landscape or scene artwork, not only because of the subject but the fact that we are looking at a creation as seen through the eyes of the artist and transferred to canvas or board using their own HUMAN hands. Sure a photograph, if set up properly can look very spectacular but artwork is a whole different world, where the artist uses texture and depth to the scene they are capturing. A. Potter is unknown to us, probably an amateur artist and my Dad actually bought this one on the way back from one of our trips in the 1980's at a little village along the way (I think, it WAS a long time ago!)
Anyway, we like the work of this artist and the painting techniques used, particularly the use of light on the foreground foliage.
Now let's tell you all about this artwork ...
A. POTTER - "Low Tide" Lake Conjola
Oil on canvas
Early 1980's
The artist has signed the artwork in the lower right-hand corner (Green) but it is not dated
The rear of this artwork shows the title/subject of the painting. It has been 're-sealed' at the rear because after 40+ years on my study wall, the original paper seal was becoming very tatty (not a good look, although who looks behind a painting anyway?)
The artwork is clean
I then carefully checked for flaking paint, 'fly spots' or other discolouration - this artwork has been hanging in a "smoke free" controlled environment (air-conditioned) ever since it was given to me.
I DO notice a couple of "paint flake" damage spots and I have highlighted those in one of the photographs. We did move some years ago from a very large home to one that is much smaller and during the move we did experience some "issues" with the removalists - perhaps this was one of those artworks affected.
But don't get me wrong... these imperfections are NOT substantial and do not detract from the overall scene depicted.
The simple wooden frame is in very good condition, it is so very typical of a 1970's ~ 1980's "economically priced" frame and sets off the artwork well. I noticed a couple of small areas where the wood moulding has chipped off but these are pretty insignificant little chips.
The inner frame borders are finished with metallic Gold paint.
Two eyelets with a tight nylon cord are in place - the painting is ready for someone else to enjoy!
MEASUREMENTS:
ARTWORK: 390mm wide x 295mm high
FRAME: 498mm wide x 397mm high
SPECIAL NOTE:
Since taking this painting down from the wall I have now sealed it within a loose cello-wrap (cello so that the artwork is not affected by "normal" plastic) and put it safely away in a spare room. It will be shipped in the same way but of course with plenty of safe, secure wrapping - it might be leaving home but we still care about our art on it's way to a new owner.
