Horses at Holkham

Back again after a long absence...

I have been painting lately and the "Sacred Cow" is going to be as (or better) than the pig (I think). At least it is as pleasing to paint. The background so far is a tie- dye effect and it is so yummy! I was showing the "Ball Dog" to some of my colleagues at the art school and my friend asked me why I am painting animals (as if it was naff). He went to see the pig in the gallery this summer so he is not trying to insult. I told him that I liked to spend time painting things that I like. If you're going to spend so much time on a painting then it should be something that makes you feel good. I have thought a lot about it since he asked and I know that I am really uncool art wise, but I really like my subject matter and I really like when I get that photo realism type effect. The backgrounds are a little surreal so maybe that will help me from being considered a total loser. I really don't like abstract art that much and the pre-Raphaelites are my heros. I like to look at my paintings and think how I could kiss them. That sounds weird but when the pig left the studio I had to touch it and when I look at it, I can't believe that I painted it!

My pic today is called "Horses at Holkham". It is a photo that I have played with in Photoshop using watercolour brushes and a parchment layer. I really love the effect. It is going to be a thank you card for our friends who hosted us that weekend. I think they will love it because they have a lot of local art that shows the beauty of the area.

Well, I am back at the studio tonight so TTFN X

Another week goes by..

OK, I haven't been very good at the whole blog thing lately. I seem to only manage it about once or twice a week. I think that will have to do during term time. I guess I spend too much time with my mouth going and I have run out of things to say by the time I get time to post. I am not as active with the art thing either. I did try to paint the little boy the other day and it was not going well at all. I hope I can manage it as the sketch was so good that the family is expecting a really good likeness. That is a lot of pressure!

I am really excited to get to the "Sacred Cow" painting as the background is soooo lovely. It looks like tie dye. I can't wait to work on it! I am also going to do a triptych of some roosters as I have 3 lovely little canvases that a friend gave me. I need to sort that out in my head a little more but that is where I am going with them. I also want to do some pen and inks of roosters. This is all for the Battersea Arts thing.

I still have some felting plans but I don't know when I'll get to it.

That's all for the moment. I guess I don't have a lot to say these days. I need to get some artwork finished!

My pic is from Norfolk it is obviously some deer. I have some great pics from that trip. Some are horses and I may do something with them too. I am thinking of what to have for my booth.... I actually need to book it this week too.

TTFN X

One week later...

This blog thing isn't going so well lately... I have not been myself this autumn. I don't know why. I think it may be that I have so much to do and I am overwhelming myself by thinking I need to get it all done. I need to do one thing each day and then I will feel better. I was supposed to go to the studio today but Mark came home early and he doesn't feel well. I haven't felt well either. I have a headache that just won't go away. I am now thinking that maybe I will go tomorrow and today I will draw at home. I have wanted to draw a picture of a little girl who we spent time with a couple of weeks ago. Her parents are friends and I have some great photos. I also need to draw a pic of a couple that I know as she asked me to do it. They are related to a little boy that I drew a while back. I am not very enthused by that particular project but I will do it if I have some time as I said I would. I also have to make my mom a handbag and do something for my little sister for her bday.

Little things to remember... Parking needs to be sorted tomorrow latest... I need to book and pay for my BCAF booth... I need to pay my student loan... my eyes need to be checked and my teeth need to be cleaned. I am just listing it to myself to make myself feel less overwhelmed...

My pic today is boring. I just like the fact that there are carnations every here and there in the garden. Oh yeah, that's another thing... I need to get the garden cleaned up for the season so I don't have to worry about it. See how full of worry I am???

I do have some good pics from Norfolk. That trip did me a lot of good! It was clear and bright and quiet and I loved it! I could spend a month up there I think.

I will up load a photo or 2 when I get around to downloading them.

Well that's my lot for today... It was a bit of a venting more than a blog but that's what it's all about anyway. I need to put it down here to get it out of my head.

I don't think anyone ever reads it anyway :)

TTFN X

Norfolk boats

We are going to Norfolk tomorrow for the weekend. I can't wait to take more photos as it is sooo beautiful! It's also very relaxing. We will sail if it is nice and have dinner at the sailing club even if it isn't. We have friends...

I have been accepted to show at the Battersea Contemporary Arts Fair and that is pretty exciting. It will be up to me to hang and sort everything out as it is my own stand. Scary! Oh well, one day at a time and next time I'll be an expert. It's not till May so I will have some time to get a lot of work done. It helps to have a goal. Maybe more will come up between now and then too. It will be difficult to leave work for the Royal Academy though as they keep it for a month during that time. Maybe the timing will work out -who knows...

I may go to the studio later but I don't know-what with the leaving for the weekend and all...

Back next week... TTFN X

Antherium

It's been a few days since my last blog. I haven't been in the mood for some reason. I don't know why but I think I have the September blues. This is rare for me as I love September. I usually start new things in September and there is always a sense of a new year. I think that is many years of study that has influenced my autumn feelings. I haven't anything concrete to look forward to this year. My classes are kind of same old thing. Even Christmas remains unplanned.

I have started my new painting "Sacred Cow" and I am very happy so far. I am waiting to get back into the sculpture thing until we move back to Putney Art. It is too much trouble in the new set up and even the kilns are on a lean schedule. Once we get back to the old building I will finish what I am working on and carry on with the new look sculptures. I wanted to take a sculpture course at Heatherleys but didn't get around to it. In the meantime, I am in painting mode...

The pictures I have posted are sort of a before and after of a jpeg I have. I want to get a table at the Battersea Contemporary Arts Fair so I need to get some work together by Monday. They want 4 jpegs of work and a CV. I have more work to show but I think that these are some of my best paintings. I only had a rubbish pic though so I lightened up the background and changed the colours using Camera Raw. It now resembles the actual painting. The one on the right is the good version. I am torn as to whether or not to use the Goose Girl and it is a copy (ish) of another painter. It does show that I know what I am doing however. Then I will have the "Ball Dog" and "Pink" (the pig). that is 4. I need to decide between the Goose Girl and my "Ginger Pie" which is of Wandsworth Common. I do have a series going with these and I know people love to have local area paintings... I don't know. It is not super likely that I will get in anyway but I have to keep trying. I may get in because they charge for a table but they don't say how much... hmmm... questions... Oh well... feet first...

I am busy the next 2 weekends so I will not get a lot done art wise but I will be in Norfolk next week and some of my best photographs come from there. Always something to do visually :)

Now back to work...

TTFN X

So here are some pics of the "Ball Dog". I don't love the name but it will work for now and a my friend thought of it so I may keep it. I still have some shading to do on the balls but it is pretty much finished and I am on to the next one. I wish I was brave enough to fool around with the background a little more but it is so pristine that I would hate to f*%& it up. It is actually a much more green colour in the back so it looks better in person.

I bought a very big canvas yesterday and I am very pleased with the background so far. It has a very tie dye- hippy effect so far. I have been doing a work-up in Photoshop and I think it is going to look great! I will try to be freer with this one as I am growing in confidence. I have now visualized 2 paintings that seemed like they would be pretty difficult to pull off and they have both worked out. Every time that happens, you gain a little more confidence. Also, the more you paint, the more experience you have and the easier it is to work through the problems. I want to put a lot of energy into this next painting.

I also need to get the "Shea" painting going and I need to put "Richmond Park" together.

I also wanted to get some more felting done before it is too cold...

I also need to do the other millions of little things that you have to do in September. We are away next weekend so any painting will have to be done in the week.

I am making myself overwhelmed so I will just go back to one day at a time...

This Battersea Art thing will have to be done on the strength of works that I have already. I doubt they will accept me anyway as I don't have a strong painting CV. They want people with a proven sales record and that is so not me :( Ah well! "If you build it they will come". Some day people will begin to like my stuff I hope. In the meantime, I like painting it.

TTFN X

fireworks

A quick blog today as it's late...

I have posted a pic of fireworks and a friend who was setting them off. I have loads of these and many are better but my favorites are the ones with the little girl in a yellow dress. Some of them are good but vertical so they need to be worked on and rotated. I haven't done anything to the photos yet. I just don't have anything else to post today and I actually love all of the firework photos (even the blurry ones are cool). I was playing with the exposure and so some are a little abstract but like I said, they are all really nice.

I was at the studio until late last night and the dog painting is pretty much finished. It just needs some last touches and I need to work on the black balls. It is harder to shade from black then from lighter colours like yellow. I have to work on it and I was getting tired so I stopped. I have a great name for it thanks to a friend... "Ball Dog". I will post a picture when I get one.

I am thinking about the calf painting now and I need to get a canvas. I want to go big again so it may take a while.

Well that's about it for the day. I went to yoga and took the dogs out but otherwise a quiet one.

TTFN X