Last night I had an exhibit at RAW, at the Melbourne Pavilion in Flemington.
It was great to see all the other artist's work and to see art being celebrated, It was also a good insight to how my works are looking for the exhibition I'm working on and I was really pleased.
I think the thing that thrilled me most though, was the support from friends and family.
Jake came and helped me set up, Danni came even though she had an exam the next day, and Stewart was brilliant helping me pack up. Karin, my very good friend came with huge hangover....now that's friendship. I'm very glad to have so many wonderful friends.

I"m at an interesting time at the moment. It's a time of searching - searching for many things.
On a work level it's a search to  make time for my art. And with limited time what is the priority in my art?
I have commissions that I'm working on and love - and they are definitely most welcom! - but then they take time away from working on my own work.
And even then there's so many choices.
I want to explore the sculpture that I've started.
I want to work more in wax.
 Also, to continue the surrealism that I've started.
Put this all with also wanting to spend time with family and friends that often seem to come after everything.
What a wonderful dilemma to have though!!
So I've decided that rather than be frustrated by it I will just embrace it and enjoy that ahead of me  there is a multitude of fascinating projects waiting to be created.
For today at least that will be my attitude. Hopefully tomorrow too.

I'm very excited that I'm a finalist in the Black Swan Portrait Prize with my portrait of Jacki Weaver and also the Black Swan Heritage Prize with a painting of Perth that I did in wax (encaustic art).
http://www.blackswanprize.com.au/
The exhibition opens 20th September, Linton and Kaye Gallery, 137 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, and runs till 30th September.

Just to share some news - Last Friday I won the presidents challenge with the Australian Guild of Realist Artists for a portrait I did of Jake and Danni. It's on 2 separate canvases and a personal favourite of mine being of my kids. The gallery is at 1 Inglesby Rd, Camberwell and is in a lovely old house for anybody going out that way. The exhibition is up until the 19th May.

I've recently been a finalist in a number of art prizes which is exciting.

The Mortimore Prize where I won the surrealism section. This drawing is part of a series I'm developing that will lead to an exhibition in a year.
The Mortimore Prize will be touring to these venues:

• Dubbo - St Brigids Hall - Opening night 6pm 29th September - open to public 30th September to 21st October 2012 Adults $8 Children Free
• Sydney - The Scots College - 9th to 18th November 2012
• Mudgee - 2013
• Brisbane - May 2013
• Canberra - Canberra Grammar - 8th to 23rd March 2013
• Gosford - April 2013
• Bowral - District Art Society Gallery - 11th to 15th April 2013
• Bendigo - Dudley House - 30th May to 3rd June 2013
• Melbourne - AGRA Gallery - Camberwell - 5th June to 7th July 2013
• Geelong - 8th July 2013

The Black Swan with a portrait of myself. This was an interesting process - I used old illustrations from picture books that I ripped up and used as a collage underneath the painting. Very therapeutic!!

The Portia Geach portrait Prize with a portrait of Nigel Westlake composer of many films including Babe and Miss Potter. He's the most delightful man and with his wife runs the 'Smugglers of Light Foundation' (http://smugglersoflight.com/aboutus.htm)
The exhibition is open at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney until November 4th.

And the Cricket Art Prize. You can see this at Members Pavilion, Sydney Cricket Ground, NSW – 5th to 21st Oct 2012 where you can vote for the People's Choice Award.

Mick Malthouse Prints

Limited Edition Prints of Mick Malthouse are now available. They're only 250 being printed and Mick is personally signing them all - and very carefully and artfully I must say. He put a lot of thought about the type of pen and placement which is lovely.

The prints are also signed and numbered by me underneath.

The prints are from a huge painting hanging in his house which featured in Better Home and Gardens recently. It doesn't include the elements of his family that are in the original painting. We decided it would be more relevant to footy fans just as him, and I love the format it's now in.

For anyone who is interested they can be purchased through my website, www.jacquigrantford.com or by contacting me.

And if you know anyone else who is a footy fan and would be interested please let them know…Collingwood, West Coast, or just plain footy fans... . It's only a limited number, so good to get in quick.

He's been such a great inspiration to many people, so I'm so pleased he's agreed to the prints

My latest work, done with graphite on watercoulour paper. It was great to get out the pencils again.

Full work at 70cm x 50 cm












Detail of work.