Kim Harding Art

“Vintage Pony”
60 x 90cm oil on canvas

We had two ponies as kids, this one was supposed to be Misty, but technically, she was a white stock horse…

The background pattern was inspired by the old lounge chairs we had at the time, from memory they were large pale pink and cream roses - Woops - I accidentally got all overexcited about the colours and went totally off piste with my vintage floral interpretation…

I know my dad is quietly confused about why I keep on putting horses indoors and why they can’t just have a landscape and blue sky behind them… but for whatever reason, this is what needed to come out…!

I hope you enjoy this one no matter the loose interpretation! This painting will form part of my upcoming show with @akbellingergallery later this year

#oilpainting
#horsepainting
#equestrianart
#vintagefloral
#ponypainting
fabricpattern ...

If anyone wants to know what would really float my boat in terms of being an artist, I would have said to be part of a community of artists, to learn from others, be inspired by and talk to people who have a common and genuine interest not just in making art, but in the lived experience of what that is truly like.

My sister and I were talking about women the other day and how wonderful they are at creating community, making something out of nothing, supporting each other.

@harriet_links_art has created this for me with her thoughtful curation of an online exhibition “In Good Company” featuring the works of nearly 40 amazing artists. I am really so very happy to be included in this mixing pot of talent and inspiration. Thank you Harriet.

In Good Company brings together a diverse group of women artists working across disciplines, geographies and perspectives. The exhibition centres on the idea that creative practice does not exist in isolation, but is shaped by connection, through dialogue, support and shared presence.

Each work stands as an individual expression, while also contributing to a broader conversation grounded in mutual respect and a sense of collective strength. Without compromising difference, the exhibition creates space for artists to exist alongside one another, distinct, yet firmly connected.

In this context, being ‘in good company’ speaks not only to who we are surrounded by, but to the conditions that allow creative work to flourish. Generosity, visibility and recognition of one another’s practices.

Together, these works form a network of voices, independent yet undeniably stronger together. All work will be available via Harriets website from this Friday the 5th of June – I will make sure to post the details for you 😊

I have posted a couple of works that caught my eye to tease you - but be ready for the complete launch this Friday

#ingoodcompany ...

I spent the weekend teaching 11 fantastic and talented women hosted by the unstoppable and joyful Tina @myruralretreat running a two-day portrait painting workshop.

Congratulations to all the participants, a portrait is probably one of the hardest subjects to master and some of you were first-timers! Outstanding.

I seriously enjoy this work. But it has little to do with the painting aspect and more to do with the type of people who seem to attend. Every time I run a workshop, I find it is attended by the most humble of individuals, they laugh at themselves, they share with each other and they all show incredible support across the board. No one was competing, just genuinely interested in learning for themselves but also for each other.

You guys are amazing and despite some wobbly moments, the standards were very high.

I am home now, alone in my studio with a whole pile of warm and happy memories to sustain me until next time. ☺️🩷

Thank you everyone.

#myruralretreat
#portraitsarehard
#portraitpainting
#warmandlovelypeople ...

I had a very exciting speed-visit to this year’s Archibald at @artgalleryofnsw - always such a thrill to see the final lineup of incredible paintings - a couple of favourites in this post, but really, they were all wonderful and the carousel would have been too long if I included them all...

Congratulations to all the finalists and the prize winners. Outstanding.

Also, a pic of me having the hard conversation with myself when I arrived home with my unsuccessful self-portrait about how we can do better next time…. ☺️

#archibald
#hardtogetin
#portraitpainting
#thebestofthebest ...

This self-portrait consumed most of February and a big chunk of March.

I gave this year’s Archies another solid crack, but it wasn’t my time.

Still, every creative effort counts, progress happens in the trying. I learned a couple of lessons and am already excited for next year’s attempt.

For now, more puppies, ponies, and plenty of fabric paintings coming your way 😊

#SelfPortrait #AustralianArtist #ArchibaldPrize #OilPainting #PortraitPainting ContemporaryArt SydneyArtist WomenArtists ArtistLife FigurativeArt ...