<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Smart Coconut]]></title><description><![CDATA[Fine art inspired by weatherboard homes, curiosity and tropical Queensland, Australia.]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 06:07:28 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Finalist x Petite Pieces: Top 100, 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[This little 30x30cm painting has been selected as a finalist in Aspire Gallery's Petite Pieces: Top 100 show in Paddington, Brisbane! Inspired by a visit to Brisbane's Botanical Gardens, in retrospect it might have been more appropriate to put a bin chicken (ibis) on the roof of this building rather than a blackbird! What I liked about this image was the three rooftop whirly birds that are already on the roof, and then a real bird has come along to join the party, making it four. The building...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/finalist-x-petite-pieces-top-100-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a5ef3306adee9ecb1627915</guid><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:29:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_2dd065bce5a24482bc6df27d9695b215~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Beware Strathmore heavyweight paper now has a new texture]]></title><description><![CDATA[As a half-French person, it pains me to say this, but if you're buying Strathmore watercolour paper, you're best off getting the ones that are made completely in the USA and not in France. I know, I know, it's very unpatriotic of me, especially these days when we need to be careful about what we buy from the USA, but hear me out. On the front of the watercolour sketchbook, the belly band says it is: "Made in the USA with materials from France". You'd think this wouldn't make a difference, but...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/beware-strathmore-paper-made-in-france</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a5ee9f03357dd2c74347ec3</guid><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:58:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_a1226e9b156d485d807e03ffbb9f3242~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_801,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From little beginnings]]></title><description><![CDATA[Before working on a really large painting, I usually like to create a mini study to get an idea if the composition and colours will work together. It also gives me something to reference (and reassure myself that things will pan out ok in the end!) if I have a smaller version on hand. The following are examples of what the mini study (painted with acrylics on paper) looked like first, before painting on polycotton canvas. The same brand and colour paints are used, so that I can accurately mix...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/from-little-beginnings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692652198c513b4f5180bcff</guid><category><![CDATA[Artistic Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Art]]></category><category><![CDATA[Design]]></category><category><![CDATA[Painting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Materials]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:28:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_97cf513354d446ccbb7988283565f97d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finalist x Lethbridge Small Scale Art Award 2025]]></title><description><![CDATA[I'm very excited to announce that this painting, "Harmony" has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious annual Lethbridge Small...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/finalist-x-lethbridge-small-scale-art-award-2025</link><guid isPermaLink="false">689d2da77fbeba54803db875</guid><pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:37:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_5987238649c84dd8aebf4715bbce49b1~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Laguna Lookout / acrylic on canvas]]></title><description><![CDATA[Laguna Lookout, Noosa Heads // acrylic // 51x51cm (available from Montville Art Gallery) One of the highest points in Noosa Heads where...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/laguna-lookout---acrylic-on-canvas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68182bf819b29b6e847c263e</guid><pubDate>Mon, 05 May 2025 03:23:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_776c437528714e8b923afb2f60f7ec67~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Boathouse, Noosa River / acrylic on canvas]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Boathouse, Noosa River // acrylic // 51x51cm (available from Montville Art Gallery) Although I have seen this view countless times...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/the-boathouse-noosa-river-acrylic-on-canvas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6818277319b29b6e847c166a</guid><pubDate>Mon, 05 May 2025 03:02:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_0f0a0b8a3b8a4d15bcca143139f377d8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rickys, Noosa - acrylic on canvas]]></title><description><![CDATA[51x51cm original painting of iconic Noosa restaurant "Rickys" viewed from the Noosa River. Although one of the most special views of the...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/rickys-noosa-acrylic-on-canvas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67ef613acbac1441ac396b66</guid><pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2025 04:34:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_160ff4b254c24e32a14232c203b65412~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Noosa Main Beach, acrylic on linen]]></title><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/noosa-main-beach-acrylic-on-linen</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67ef5d53cbac1441ac395f75</guid><pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2025 04:28:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_6d11802456a3458580435b938e57ccf1~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA["Ephemeral I" // Artist's Thoughts]]></title><description><![CDATA["Ephemeral I" // 91x91cm // Artist: Julie Lucht de Freibruch These are the thoughts of artist Julie Lucht de Freibruch on the painting...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/ephemeral-i-artist-s-thoughts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67c1344a97ad83d76d97f657</guid><pubDate>Fri, 28 Feb 2025 04:27:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_27d579928ef742c69c53b2066180897b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_650,h_651,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA["The Old Coach House" // Thoughts by the artist]]></title><description><![CDATA[We were walking through Brisbane a couple of years ago, I forget where we were heading now, but it involved parking a long way from our...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/the-old-coach-house-thoughts-by-the-artist</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67bff58e989d8654a6687aef</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Feb 2025 05:38:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_55b55ee7d02d4638a1cd32b6bb04e019~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_697,h_694,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Artist Profile // Cressida Campbell]]></title><description><![CDATA[I've only recently discovered the artwork of Cressida Campbell, a prominent Australian artist. Her unique way of creating art appealed to...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/artist-profile-cressida-campbell</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67bfedc9989d8654a66862de</guid><category><![CDATA[Artistic Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Art]]></category><category><![CDATA[Books]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 27 Feb 2025 04:57:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_251dfb917eae4f6c992af079ce4f820a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When a landscape can feel more like a portrait]]></title><description><![CDATA[How creating a likeness in a landscape painting can be a very similar process to painting portraits]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/when-a-landscape-can-feel-more-like-a-portrait</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67bd636b593af992b6e50fd4</guid><category><![CDATA[Perception]]></category><category><![CDATA[Painting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Art]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2025 06:51:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_b4f13836b5dd4de39f3fb44910aef806~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finalist for The Noosa Art Prize]]></title><description><![CDATA[Find out more about the inspiration behind this artwork that was a finalist in the Noosa Art Prize 2024]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/finalist-for-the-noosa-art-prize</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67bd5f2cae4be7e3155c20de</guid><category><![CDATA[Art]]></category><category><![CDATA[Painting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Art Prize]]></category><category><![CDATA[Exploration]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2025 06:27:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_bbb9244ae1424c44972c8ee0bb9959c0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why I Don't Use A Stay-Wet Palette]]></title><description><![CDATA[The number one disadvantage to using acrylics is that they dry so fast it's hard to get a decent blend between two colours. On the other...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/why-i-don-t-use-a-stay-wet-palette</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66c3f43057de02d5dda9c75b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 Aug 2024 02:11:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_0a4d396b7c214d0bae38bd495cb7bcde~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Process Insight - the steps involved in making (my) art]]></title><description><![CDATA[1. Gather inspiration  daily, consciously, unconsciously, subliminally, deliberately… take photos, browse Pinterest, look at magazines,...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/process-insight-the-steps-involved-in-making-my-art</link><guid isPermaLink="false">663f4d373997df5c8382bece</guid><pubDate>Sat, 11 May 2024 10:52:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_83f81c2a7ee64b80a67b8bfc975fae86~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Do you worry what people think of you?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Worrying about what other people think of you can affect how well you can create art]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/do-you-worry-what-people-think-of-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">661e15c8b9496a8938c151de</guid><category><![CDATA[Perspective]]></category><category><![CDATA[Exploration]]></category><category><![CDATA[Psychology]]></category><category><![CDATA[Creativity]]></category><category><![CDATA[Perception]]></category><category><![CDATA[Meaning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Emerging Artist]]></category><category><![CDATA[Connections]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 06:59:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_2409274ae2514d4f8afdfff82adef17f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Weatherboard as a sign of care and attention]]></title><description><![CDATA[I have an obsession with weatherboard buildings. There. I've said it. I don't know where it comes from really, perhaps it's from holidays...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/weatherboard-as-a-sign-of-care-and-attention</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65f3d10bccb4a556176e76f0</guid><category><![CDATA[Curiosity]]></category><category><![CDATA[Art]]></category><category><![CDATA[Meaning]]></category><category><![CDATA[Painting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Exploration]]></category><category><![CDATA[Psychology]]></category><category><![CDATA[Connections]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 15 Mar 2024 04:55:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_fb8bb4fab6df4adbb3a9aac816cc3e13~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finalist for Local Contemporary Art Prize, Sunshine Coast!]]></title><description><![CDATA[I'm thrilled to announce I've been selected as a finalist for the Local Contemporary Art Prize from Caloundra Regional Art Gallery. As...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/finalist-for-local-contemporary-art-prize-sunshine-coast</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65dfd8d4c9ef57eccffddef5</guid><pubDate>Thu, 29 Feb 2024 01:12:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_104fe17d45ef4f9c945a8015dd9ab81b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Any Blue Won't Do]]></title><description><![CDATA[Changing the blue I used for the paintings from Prussian Blue to Primary Cyan really helped capture the atmosphere of FNQ]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/when-any-blue-won-t-do</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65c460647315162dc12e89c4</guid><pubDate>Thu, 08 Feb 2024 05:21:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_10a463db264d4e1c853a78dd8651c8ad~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Which acrylic varnish is best? Brush-on or Spray?]]></title><description><![CDATA[For many years now, I've been using brush-on varnish. Not because I'd tried a spray varnish before, but because I figured it would get the best coverage and be less of a hassle to apply. However, those of you who've been following me for some time, will have seen that I've tried lots of different brush-on varnishes, with varying success. So, what I'll do, in the interest of brevity, I will list out those varnishes below and let you know what I thought of them. And, I will also say, that I've...]]></description><link>https://www.smartcoconut.com.au/post/which-acrylic-varnish-is-best-brush-on-or-spray</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6552f8abeb47011730424b23</guid><pubDate>Tue, 14 Nov 2023 05:06:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/238d22_ddf72b17f01f4fdca0c2c16c7c8c6f41~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_960,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jules</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>