OHLALA Mag

AUSTRALIA / MATTHEW MITCHAM IS SUCH A POSER!

Olympic gold medalist diver, Matthew Mitcham recently modeled for artist Ross Watson. Here are some photos taken just a couple of hours ago in Australia. In these exhibitions Ross Watson explores the themes of mentoring and isolation, whilst celebrating Australia's greatest and most respected gay role models.



It is the first ever painting of Matthew Mitcham, and Watson invited Mitcham to choose his favorite classical reference from a variety by different artists before the modeling session. He chose the The 'Fall of Phaeton' by Sebastiano Ricci, which is regarded as one of the first examples of true baroque art in 17th Century Venice.



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+ Ross Watson Official Site

AUSTRALIA /MATTHEW MITCHAM by ROSS WATSON

Olympic gold medalist diver, Matthew Mitcham, recently modeled for Ross Watson. In this forthcoming exhibition he explores the themes of mentoring and isolation, whilst celebrating Australia's greatest and most respected gay role models. The paintings reference classical masterpieces, including Caravaggio and Vermeer, which provide the settings for the narratives and contemporary subjects.

It is the first ever painting of Matthew Mitcham, and Watson invited Mitcham to choose his favorite classical reference from a variety by different artists before the modeling session. He chose the The 'Fall of Phaeton' by Sebastiano Ricci, which is regarded as one of the first examples of true baroque art in 17th Century Venice.

"Matthew is a great example of a number of high profile subjects who I've painted, and who are are strong role models for the gay community. It continues to sadden and concern me that same sex attracted youth are 4-6 times more likely to take their lives compared to their heterosexual peers." Ross Watson

"The National Portrait Gallery's Curator, Dr Christopher Chapman, says that "the National Portrait Gallery is very pleased to acknowledge Matthew Mitcham’s contribution to sport and to the gay community by including his portrait in the collection. The painting is terrifically dynamic and I am sure it will be immensely popular with our visitors when it is on display here."



"Isn't it marvellous! I'm incredibly flattered to have been depicted like this in such a stunning scene." Matthew Mitcham

Check out two nude photos of Matthew Mitcham by Ross Watson AFTER THE JUMP.

+ Ross Watson Official Site
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MARCO DA SILVA by ROSS WATSON

Marco Da Silva is better known as Kylie Minogue's dancer. This German hunk was featured on OhLaLa for the first time a couple of years ago [Marco Da Silva by Pedro Virgil - Marco Da Silva by Joan Crisol] Today he was captured as a Caravaggio hunk by the brushes of Ross Watson.

When Da Silva modeled for this painting in Berlin, he had begun preparing for another tour with Kylie Minogue, and here Watson refers to the sometimes lonely and isolated existence of performers whilst touring - a metaphorical offering of close and trusted friends.

This painting is actually available on Ross Watson Official Site. Below a picture of Marco (left) and Ross in Berlin.

CLASSIC DE NOVO ROSS WATSON

'Love conquers all; let us all yield to love!': In his second reference of Caravaggio's 'Victorious Cupid', Watson's superb feature-painting for his upcoming Berlin exhibition explores the notion of the disposable and the sustainable in today's society. Depicted life-sized, contemporary German model Marcel holds a digital camera and stands in the foreground of the 17th Century scene. Watson produces just one painting of this size and calibre each year.

"On my many visits to the Gemaldegalerie I have felt a strong connection with Carravaggio's paintings, being struck by the almost photographic naturalism of his technique. The candid expression of cupid here is a perfect example. In Caravaggio's era everything was hand-crafted, cared for and kept, unlike so much today including many digital images which are discarded. I decided to paint Marcel lifesize to increase the level of realism".

This painting after Caravagio 1603 (Oil on board, 75 x 85 cm / 30" x 33") was sold to a private collection in London for US$21,500. Paintings included in the forthcoming Berlin exhibition may be pre-purchased, and will be available for shipping ex-Berlin July 1.

+ More Ross Watson on OhLaLa
+ ROSS WATSON Official Site

OHLALA ROSS WATSON'S MODELS!

It is always a pleasure to see Ross Watson's models on the canvas but if we can get them in the flesh ... we won't say no ;-) On the painting above, Luca, in a painting inspired by Georgione's meditative youth, and below, Luca.



'Evening Landscape with Two Men' below after Friedrich's painting with Jad, who was kind enough to take off his shirt for the picture. Thank you Jad and Thank you Ross :-)



+ Ross Watson Official Site
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AUSSIE SWIMMER GRANT HACKETT BY ROSS WATSON

Ross Watson's recent artworks feature Olympic gold swimmer, Grant Hackett. Hackett holds the 1500 meter freestyle world record, and is being keenly watched during the 2008 Bejing Olympics. Watson has depicted him as if on the starting blocks, and poised to dive. A jet fighter aircraft sits sleekly on the beach behind him, creating a metaphor for speed and a formidable opponent.

+ Ross Watson Official Site