Spring has most definitely sprung here in Perth! Art is everywhere ! In the guise of the Art in Bloom exhibition the city centre was turned into a floral celebration from the massive floating lotus blossoms made from vinyl in a rubber pond out of the front of the art gallery through to the grass-seeded pillows by the Fine Art students at the Central Perth Tech  and the floral roof on the information centre whose decoration of plastic budgerigars confounded a passing seagull.

The painting fraternity has also been celebrated with the annual National Portrait prize of the Black Swan Portrait Prize being held. The 42 finalists were exhibited in the Perth Town Hall. Finalists represented 6 States this year and the quality of work was formidable. It was great to be included . We celebrated in style, meeting other entrants at the Artists breakfast,the Cocktail party and Award night and the Lester Group Cocktail night. Accolades must go to Tina and the crew at Artrinsic who are a non-profit organisation and take their annual leave to coincide with this week. Also sincere and heartfelt thanks to the Lester Group. Without their generosity the prize could not happen.  Excited congratulations to Peter Cliemetis and his portrait of Anne Archer. A marvellous work and a terrific  and very modest artist. Thanks to my model Mr James Bogle - film director.

The Studio is really busy with work mounting up around me and Im painting like theres no tomorrow - so its back to it!!

Cheers

Jane