The current exciting exhibition at Traffic Jam Galleries is a combined show – Kathryn MCGovern’s DOG SHOW and Sally West’s AROUND TOWN. They are very different artists in subject and style and it makes for a captivating event.

Kathryn McGovern’s exhibition is a series of wonderful canine portraits. McGovern, over the past few months, visited various dog shows in Queensland and mingled with cossetted canines, breeders, stewards and judges.

Individual canines are depicted in great detail and we marvel at the variety of colours, shapes and sizes of the assorted dogs.

Reference photos were combined with on location observations together with McGovern’s imagination to create the final vibrant product of ink and paper.

The paintings are witty and delightful. They feature an exceptional use of composition and an intriguing use of ‘ negative space’.

From beagles to dachshunds,  Churchillian bull dogs to tiny chihuahuas, giant Dalmatians and medium sized terriers, the various breeds are wonderfully shown. Some of them are full of bristling enthusiastic movement, whilst others are posed and poised.

We see it all from the canine perspective, there are no full human portraits but some pictures include legs and arms of the judges/owners.

SALLY WEST’S exhibition AROUND TOWN is her response to the environment in which she now lives. Internationally exhibited West is predominantly an ‘en plein air’ painter, with most of this exhibition’s works having been painted on site.

“I see the harbour and Sydney through different eyes now as an adult and mother, I now crave to capture them as a painter”. says West.

West’s current exhibition is a documentation of her favourite places that she has found in Sydney over the past 6-12 months.

The paintings feature a series of extremely thick, swirling brushstrokes full of wonderful texture, Many of the works are full of vibrant colour and dynamic composition, remarkable images of  the sea or landscapes, including Crown Road, Study From Berry’s Bay,  and Double Bay to Darling Point. The iconic Sydney Opera House is painted from above.

This was an exciting exhibition with special appeal for canine fanciers and landscape lovers.

This current exhibition is on display at the Traffic Jam until 25th May.