Criss Canning at Metro 5 gallery May 2012

Wonderful to go and see Criss's new work last wednesday night. The paint was so lavishly applied, the flowers were really in 3 dimensions. The colours clear and unmuddied, the composition sublime as usual but wonderful to get up really close and see the brushstrokes. A new theme was of seashells but I still love the flowers best.. http://www.metrogallery.com.au/

Here are my favorites

Criss Canning

I am in love with her work. I tiny little 12x22 cm one ("pansies" 1983-4- bottom pic) sold at the Menzies art brands sale 2 days ago and I did not mention it earlier in case a miracle happened and I could buy it. In the end it went for over $5000 if you add the buyers premium. Don't know if it is the jewel like colours, or the black outlining, or the arrangements that are so appealing. Lately the paintings have become flatter, less textured, showing more Japanese laquerware and other reflective surfaces with abstract patterned backgrounds.

"Anemones" (centre pic) was for sale at Metro art gallery for $40,000 last time I looked..

Criss and her husband run Lambley nursery (pic at top) which explains where she gets some of her inspiration..