Monday 21 December 2015

The Storm Will Pass

I took a photograph last year around March time, the clouds were heavy, a few drops of rain just starting to fall. Finally its painted and I feel much happier.

I heard this song yesterday on Radio Lab, its Ben Howard  and its called Rivers in Your Mouth, love his voice and that guitar is sublime..




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4vX6Uo9BO8


The Storm Will Pass
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Sunday 13 December 2015

Roses Roses III

Its a drizzly, grey Sunday, perfect for painting.
Roses Roses III
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Friday 11 December 2015

Roses Roses II

"Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love.”
Rumi
Roses Roses II
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Thursday 10 December 2015

Roses Roses

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.”
Rumi
Roses Roses
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Thursday 3 December 2015

View From a Train

On my trips to London I like to take lots of photos as the landscape speeds by. I love London and the joy I feel begins as soon as I step on the train. Painting this landscape felt pretty good too.


View From a Train
oil on oil paper
8" x 10"

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Carnival

Then there are days when you want colour, lots of colour.


Carnival
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Monday 30 November 2015

Close

Painting roses is hard enough, painting them close up is a mission. It took a few attempts before I was reasonably happy. I think because they are such a challenge, I can see myself painting roses until I'm very old.  :  )


Close
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Sunday 29 November 2015

Quiet

However much I love colour, sometimes I feel that less is more. Which brings me to a song I love, its called Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGSKrC7dGcY

I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday.

Quiet
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"
 



Sunday 22 November 2015

Pink Rose in Blue Creamer

I tried to keep it simple with as little brushstrokes as possible.


Pink Rose in Blue Creamer
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Saturday 21 November 2015

With or Without

With or Without
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"
After painting colourful flowers for the past five years I find myself really looking at the foliage that comes with them. I am amazed at how beautiful leaves can be so decided to paint without the flowers. Which brings me to the song that is my personal all time favourite, so far anyway.....With or without you by U2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmSdTa9kaiQ




Saturday 14 November 2015

Blitz

I met this delightful dog last year when I went to see my friend in France.

 My heart goes out to all the people who have suffered the atrocities in Paris.

Blitz
Ink and wash on watercolour paper

Friday 13 November 2015

Sunny Day

Today we've had rain, winds and now beautiful sunshine. I feel blessed to have a warm home and the health to enjoy all the drama of English weather.

Sunny Day
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Wednesday 11 November 2015

Chrysanthemum Sketches

The sun is out, after about a week, and I have time to sketch/paint.  :  )

Chrysanth Sketch
watercolour, ink wash on cartridge paper

Chrysanth Sketch II
watercolour, ink wash on cartridge paper

Wednesday 4 November 2015

More Pages from my Sketchbook

I'm still having a great time making use of my sketch book from our local Tiger store where I bought my little travelling chicken. She is still happily enjoying the hospitality of artists around the world and having some amazing portraits painted in the process.




Sunday 1 November 2015

Wednesday 28 October 2015

A Page From My Sketchbook

I've been playing around with pen and watercolour. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to experimenting with a combination of mixed media.

Pansies
pen and watercolour
 

Monday 26 October 2015

Be Present

You might think that you need to be in the right frame of mind or have the space to be creative. You don’t, all you need is to be present.

Azra Iqbal

The Royal Academy of Arts asked me for my advice as an  exhibiting artist and the above was my contribution.

Be Present
oil on oil paper 10" x 8"
This is something that I need to remind myself from time to time. :  )

Monday 19 October 2015

Tulip Fields

This was a challenge simply because there was so much colour.


Tulip Fields
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Thursday 15 October 2015

Grove Farm

I've been painting while listening to this album, love her voice..Part of the Process by Morcheeba


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwi1UEPPlkI


Grove Farm
oil on MDF
8"x 12"


Wednesday 14 October 2015

Mixed Flower Sketch

I began this three days ago and finished it today.

Mixed Flower sketch
pencil on cartridge paper.

Tuesday 13 October 2015

A Lesson Learned is a Lesson Earned

I painted this pear composition over two years ago and did not post it because I thought it was not good enough. Today I just happened to be going through some storage boxes and saw this painting. I looked at it and thought, actually this is worth keeping. I'm so glad I didn't tear it up at the time, I think this is why you should reserve judgement on your own work for at least a year or so before you decide to destroy it.
A Lesson Learned
oil on canvas sheet
8"x 9"

Monday 12 October 2015

Boardwalk Babes

A beautiful sunny day, perfect for taking a stroll on the boardwalk....


Boardwalk Babes
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Friday 9 October 2015

Cherry Brandy Roses II

Its a beautiful autumn morning, the sun is out and I'm painting again. :  )

Cherry Brandy Roses II
oil on oil paper
10"x8"

Thursday 8 October 2015

Cherry Brandy Roses

A beautiful bunch of the most amazing roses were given to me nearly two weeks ago and I've been eyeing them longingly, but I just could not pick up my brushes to even start. Today I gave myself a good talking to and here is the result.  :  )
Cherry Brandy Roses
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Wednesday 23 September 2015

Addiction

“Creativity is a drug I cannot live without” – Cecil B. DeMille




Addiction
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Monday 21 September 2015

Memories

Sometimes  you catch the edge of a scent from the past
, or a combination of colours that remind you of a childhood dress that you loved so much. This painting is a celebration of those memories.

Memories
oil on oil paper
8"x10"

Saturday 19 September 2015

Pears and Roses

My pink/green/white roses are still going strong and the pears were a gift from a neighbours garden.

Pears and Roses
oil on oil paper
8"x10"

Thursday 17 September 2015

Pink Roses

I have this beautiful bunch of pale pink and green roses, I could be a while with these.

Pink Roses II
oil on oil paper
8"x10"

Pink Roses
oil on oil paper
8"x10"

Tuesday 15 September 2015

Very Plum Plums

Sweet, juicy and the most beautiful colours, I just had to  interrupt what I was doing and get back to painting still life again. Has anyone seen The English Patient??


Very Plum Plums
oil on oil paper
8"x10"

Monday 14 September 2015

Change

“Half of me is filled with bursting words and half of me is painfully shy. I crave solitude yet also crave people. I want to pour life and love into everything yet also nurture my self-care and go gently. I want to live within the rush of primal, intuitive decision, yet also wish to sit and contemplate. This is the messiness of life - that we all carry multitudes, so must sit with the shifts. We are complicated creatures, and ultimately, the balance comes from this understanding. Be water. Flowing, flexible and soft. Subtly powerful and open. Wild and serene. Able to accept all changes, yet still led by the pull of steady tides. It is enough.”
Victoria Erickson

Change
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Friday 11 September 2015

Thursday 10 September 2015

A Beginning

Every day is a beginning, what a blessing to wake up to a new day.

A Beginning
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Tuesday 8 September 2015

Make Each Day Count

Something I have to remind myself, otherwise one day melts into another.

Make Each Day Count
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Sunday 6 September 2015

Peace

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
John Muir, The Mountains of California

Peace
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Friday 4 September 2015

Poppy Fields

Not exactly obvious, but the fun in an abstract is to get it just right. Have I achieved that my friends??

White Ladder by David Gray is one of my top ten albums, I must have listened to it a million times and it always sounds good.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsDMjet0fyo&list=PLQGX2r3T1iMtsewsns3UkHMy43FU3hgxB&index=1


Poppy Fields
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"



Monday 31 August 2015

Painted on a Rainy Day

Today has been wall to wall rain and I love it. I love the sound of rain, I love walking out with a umbrella looking at the puddles and reflections. I love the raindrops on the plants and windows. I have yet to paint an urban scene with people and umbrellas and all, but its  one of my dreams to do so, one day.
Painted on a Rainy Day
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

This painting is however nothing to do with the rain, but adds to the joy of hearing the rain in the background.

Saturday 29 August 2015

Letting Go

In my experience I have found that the minute I let go of all expectations, things happen, good things happen. So I'm trying to apply that principle to painting. Just having fun, enjoying the experience of letting go.

Letting Go
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Letting Go II
oil on oil paper
10" x8"
 

Letting Go
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"