Michael Parker delivering his boat series for his upcoming exhibition.
Michael Parker explains the story that inspired him to paint his unique boat series.
“Painting from my studio in Mordialloc, I was asked by a gallery in South Australia to create a painting for an exhibition to celebrate the towns’ annual Wooden Boat Festival.
I wanted my painting to be unique- something that would stand out in the exhibition.
I took a walk for inspiration to Pompi’s Boats- a boat builder specialising in wooden boats not far from my studio, and I was immediately taken with the beautiful textures of the old boats in the yard.
Some of the old boats had copper-covered hulls, beautifully patina’d by the salt water and there were patches scattered over the hull where, I guessed the boat had hit up against rocks.
It was here that my idea was born to recreate the side of the boat using recycled timber as my canvas, along with copper and patches of metal.
Thus, each timber plank is first prepared and then hand-nailed to a wooden frame to create the panels of a wooden boat.
The boats are then painted from photos that I have taken, and continue to take whilst on my travels.
I use acrylics oils and copper as my mediums.
I hope that you enjoy the boat paintings.” Michael Parker
Michael Parker will be exhibiting at Red Hill Gallery 61 Musgrave Road, Red Hill from April 10th until April 30th alongside two other prominent male artist Warren Salter and Dan Mason in the exhibition “All Afloat”.
