Contemplation

Its that time of year when we all find ourselves thinking about the year thats leaving and how to improve in the coming year.

Before starting my blog two years ago I had spent years without painting a single picture.Now I make time to paint through good times and bad.It has been the saving of me in many ways.Picking up a brush is the continuation of a journey and I am very fortunate to have found companions only an email away who are on the same journey.

It seems the more I paint the more I feel I have so much more to learn.It can be frustrating,lonely at times but the joy of painting is always there.

For 2013 I plan to, with God's grace to learn by copying famous paintings more often.I also plan to start a sketching group and go to landmark places around Luton.I still don't sketch as much as I should and this will hopefully give me the motivation.

Contemplation
Oil on canvas board,8"x8"
SOLD

Thankyou so much to everyone for all your kind comments and support this past year,you are all an essential part of my life.

Happy New Year and God Bless You All.

Lifeboat Commission

Lifeboat at Hemsby
NFS
The painting on the left is the donation.

Thankyou so much for all your comments guys!!!




A very nice buyer got in touch with me and asked if I could paint a lifeboat scene for her son who is a lifeboat man.i was delighted to accept.I have agreed to donate this painting to the lifeboat station in Norfolk and also I will hand over the copyrights so they can print postcards for the charity.They run entirely on donations and save so manylives every year  I am only too glad to help.Her son has also asked for a smaller painting for himself which I am in the process of doing now.

Wardown Park Museum Luton Art Awards Evening

My paintings on display

This is one by a friend of mine Janet McNally
A knitted collage

One of my favourites

Made out of stamps

The Winner
Andrew Naish

The Luton mayor giving a speech and handing out awards.

I had a great time this evening at the museum.The Luton Mayor handed out some prizes for different age groups for children and awards for adults.
I did'nt recieve anything but I felt lucky to be picked for display.Especially as I had'nt prepared for this competition,these are paintings from last year and were already framed.
It felt good to be among like minded people and to appreciate work by other artists.

Rose Dance

Rose Dance
Oil on canvas board,8"x8"
SOLD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQpcp7ZfSjw  Brian Ferry ;Don't Stop the Dance

This song is one I listen to often when painting.

Orange Rose and Blue Vase II

This is another version of yesterdays painting but with a different background.

Orange Rose in Blue Vase II
Oil on canvas board,7"x5
SOLD

Orange Rose in a Blue Vase

My thoughts and prayers go to the tragedy that has occurred in Connecticut.

Orange Rose in a Blue vase
Oil on canvas board
SOLD

Any life lost anywhere in the world is a loss to the world.

Luton Art Exhibition

Wardown Boat House
Acrylic on acrylic paper
6"x8"

Wardown Lakeside Geese
Acrylic on acrylic paper
6"x8"

Two of my paintings have been accepted on a juried exhibition!!This has come as a much needed boost and an invitation to a private viewing with prizes given out by the Luton Mayor.Something to look forward to.All being well, I will share some photos of the event.

Henny & Penny III

Henny&Penny III
Oil on canvas,5"x7"
Available,please contact me on
azraiqal2000@hotmail.com

I still have a few photos of chickens I can paint from.I love painting them,I get flashbacks to the illustrated childrens books that used to blow my mind as a kid.

Sweet to Eat

Sweet To Eat
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

The best thing about painting food is you get to eat it it after and it tastes that much sweeter.

Red Apple and Carnations

Red Apple And Carnations
Oil on canvas,12"x10"
SOLD

My red carnations are still going strong and the apple is still shiny.
I'm a little older though!!

Wild Ones Winter Edition

Wild Ones Winter Edition
Oil on canvas board,12"x10"
SOLD

I had great fun during the summer painting wildflowers and I thought that was it for this year until I saw these.I have no idea what they're called but they looked so pretty against the frost.

Apple Therapy

Apple Therapy
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

Not only do apples keep doctors away they are very good to paint after a few days break and you need to ease your way back into a daily habit.

Red Pepper With a Green Spot

This pepper caught my eye because it still had that bit of green colour before it became completely red and orange.

Red Pepper With a Green Spot
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
Available ,please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.
Vincent Van Gogh

Red Carnations

Red Carnations
Oil on canvas board,7"x5"
Available,please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

All the seasonal colours are in the shops,this time of year always brings back memories of making cards at school with lots of glitter and parties.Happy times. : )

I've been busy the last few days joining DailyPaintWorks to sell and also auction my paintings through them.I am so not good with technical things ,it took me hours to set it up ,listening to all the tutorials they have.The last thing is the DPW widget and for some reason blogger won't allow me.I must be doing something wrong.This is where I need your help guys.Any advice would be most welcome.

Thankyou so much for all your comments and sharing your memories with me ,especially on the last post.All the answers have been so sweet,my favourite being the red tennis shoes from Darla McDowell.