Something Cool

We're in the middle of a heat wave and I felt like painting something cool.

Something Cool
oil on oil paper
5"x 7"

Retro Rose

I've been meaning to go back to painting teacups for quite a while now, and it makes a nice change from glass. Also I've been appreciating the foliage as well as the flower.

Retro Rose
oil on oil paper
8" x 10"

Painted on a Rainy Sunday Morning

Total bliss, time to paint, beautiful gentle sound of summer rain.


Painted on a Rainy Sunday Morning
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Photo of Minnie spark out

Kindness

I am blessed to have good neighbours, and they are cottoning on to the fact that I paint roses. :  )

This rose was very kindly given to me, an incredibly sweet smelling rose.

Kindness
oil on oil paper
10" x 8"

Home is Where the Heart is

I am most definitely a home person, and I love houseplants, they look beautiful and they purify the air.

Home is Where the Heart is
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"
 

Take Rest

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  ~Ovid

Take Rest
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Time Out

Time Out
Oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

 

Last week I was invited to stay at a friends in Brighton, it was only for two days, but it gave me time out and an opportunity to take plenty of photos.

 

 

Canterbury Bells

How hard can these flowers be!  I had to scrape three times before I was happy with the result.

Canterbury Bells in Glass Vase II

Canterbury Bells in Glass Vase
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Then I went a little mad and painted another three versions.

Canterbury Bells in Glass Vase III
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Canterbury Bells Close Up
oil on oil paper
8"x10"

View From a Train

I take photos every time I'm on the train to London and I've been promising myself that I will make use of them. This one has been sitting on my easel for nearly a week and I couldn't see in my mind how to paint it. When I first began painting I could only work from photos, now I find it easier to work from life than a photo.

My artist friends,  once you begin a painting do you feel you have to finish it before you can begin another? If you can't see your way through it, does it become a block?

I've been listening to Nelson Freitas, Still Feel 4U , very chilled out and did help me to finally finish this landscape. :  )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5RDs9KTKNQ

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

Limitless II

Still enjoying exploring the world of close up flowers.

Limitless II
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Making Lemonade

I do so love the shape of this lemonade bottle.

Pink Carnations

Pink Carnations
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

A quick sketch in oils, something I want to do much more of. It feels very liberating to paint in this way.


Limitless

The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.

Quote by Paul Strand

 

 

Limitless
oil on oil paper'
8"x 10"

 

Freesias with Apricots

A work of art is above all an adventure of the mind.

Eugene Ionesco

I think this guy knows what he is talking about, it is exactly how I feel every time I pick up my brushes.

Freesias With Apricots
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Freesias in a Jar

Since I began painting I have cut back on all expenses such as clothes, shoes, handbags, make up, everything that I can do without. In place of all of that I allow myself the necessary materials and my one bunch of flowers once a week. However, it has never felt like a sacrifice, I feel blessed that I can choose to spend on what I want, what is essential to me.
This small bunch of freesias were calling to me and their scent has got to be one of the sweetest scents ever.

Freesias in a Jar
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Dahlia

Its good to lose myself in the petals of a Dahlia. With Ben Howard, even better.  :  )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADP65wbBUpc

Dahlia
Oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Thistles and Mums

These thistles and chrysanthemums have been sitting in this vase for about two weeks. They looked so lovely when they were fresh and normally I would have thrown them away long ago. Now, I watch the flowers change colour and form as they get to the end of their life and find myself appreciating each stage more and more.

I left parts of the painting unfinished, almost a sketch, I'm trying to get away from crossing all the t's and dotting the i's, so to speak. :  )

I've been listening to Soul II Soul Back to life, I hope you enjoy it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB54dZkzZOY

Thistles and Mums
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Home

Painting flowers in glass is as familiar and comforting as coming home after a long tiring day.

Home
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Chrysanthemums

Another ink and wash, I am really enjoying working in this medium.

Chrysanthemums
ink and wash on cartridge paper
 

Varnishing Day at the RA

The big day arrived today at the Royal Academy!!
Originally varnishing day was for artists to retouch their paintings and varnish for the exhibition, now its a celebration for the artists who are exhibiting. We were greeted by a steel band and then London traffic was stopped so we could walk to St James Church where there was a service and blessing for the artists. Then we were walked back to a refreshments, to look at all the paintings and also prize giving. I caught sight of a few celebrities...Una Stubbs, a well known English actress and Harry Hill.
As there were no guests allowed I did make a few friends and exchanged numbers.
I feel thrilled and honoured to have my painting hanging where great artists of the past such as Turner and artists that are at the top of their career now.

Steel Band in the courtyard

Me in front of the RA, behind the installation by Conrad Shawcross called Dappled Light of the Sun.
 

Artists being led out of the RA

Stopping London Traffic!

Entrance to St James Church

Another art installation leading to the exhibition halls

Me with my teeny tiny painting at the top.  :  )

In Earnest

In Earnest
oil on oil paper

Whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do it well; whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself completely; in great aims and in small I have always thoroughly been in earnest.

Charles Dickens

 

Having read most of the works by Charles Dickens, I believe he meant every word and what a wonderful and inspirational way to live.

Dahlia Sketch

Dahlia sketch
ink and wash

I've been listening to The Cure, one of the best 80's groups, this song is in my opinion their best. I hope you enjoy it.  :  )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYtYe9K6zv4









Beetroot Sketch

Its one of those glorious wet days, I love English weather, I really do. :  )
Just perfect for sketching indoors.

Beetroot Sketch
 

Sound of The Sea

I think I will be painting a larger version of this and hanging it to remind me to take a few deep breaths and relax. :  )

Sound of the Sea
oil on oil paper
 

Rose Sketches

I did these sketches to compare the look between pencil and ink.

Pencil sketch

Ink and wash

Seagull Squabble

A scene that is a little closer to home, well, a couple of hours train ride away.

Seagull Squabble
Oil on oil paper
 

Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition

 I have been accepted into the RA Summer Exhibition, this, I believe is the 247th year its been running. The earliest artists to exhibit at the RA include Reynolds, Constable and Turner.
There were 12000 entries and about 1200 have been picked. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/summer-exhibition-2015
 It has been a dream of mine to have my work in this place so full of history. I received the email today, the first thing I did was tell my husband and then I ran  screaming through the whole house and garden!!!
There have been some disappointments over the years, but it has been so worth it to get to this point.
Thanks for all your encouragement my friends, especially to my friend Tracy who urged me to enter in the first place. xxx

Rush Hour in the Pouring Rain
Oil on oil paper
5"x7"

Lazy Days III

We've had hale, heavy rain, sparkling sunshine, pretty sunsets, I love how the British weather changes all the time. However I would also enjoy some time off to lie back and read a good art book with Alexander O'
Neal in the background. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbW313T9xRY

So if the universe is listening....... :  )

Lazy Days II

More wishful thinking.  :  )

With Alexander O'Neal playing in the background.....bliss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTSOKrJDEeo

Lazy Days II
oil on oil paper
8"x10"

Lazy Days

Maybe there is a little wishful thinking with this painting.
 I have been struggling with everything, it all seems a chore, physically I feel the most tired I have ever been. There is a but coming though, I can still paint, I can still feel the magic.  :  )

Lazy Days
Oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Little Bit of Good

Little Bit of Good
oil on oil paper

 

Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” ~Desmond Tutu

 

This quote is one of my favourites.

 For the last two weeks I have been cooking meals for our neighbour who is a retired mechanic. He went home to Ireland and came back with pneumonia, he was struggling to make meals for himself. I am happy to say that he is back on his feet, his breathing is normal and he looks great. I am grateful to be able to help him when he needed us the most, he has been a wonderful neighbour to us over the last sixteen years, and hopefully for a long time to come.

 

 

Trust

This one is drawn/painted from a photo given to me by a friend. I am really enjoying working with this medium, its fast and there is not as much control, which makes for surprises.

Trust
ink and wash on cartridge paper.

It'll All Come Out In The Wash

As I go through my painting process, the doubt always creeps in to some degree, but slowly I'm learning that trying is the only way through.

Chrysanthemum
ink and wash on cartridge paper.

Freedom

A kitten longing to be out.

Freedom
Oil on oil paper

Daisy Like

I thought this would be fairly straight forward, a simple flower, but it took several attempts to get it to this point.

Remember vinyl records? This song by Icehouse is still a firm favourite.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o9BCQP0cns

Daisy Like
Oil on oil paper
8"x10"

Life

“Life: composted lessons for our hearts to blossom into our souls.”
― Soul Dancer, Pay Me What I'm Worth

Every year I see these amazing blossoms and yearn to be able to capture their beauty and mostly I feel that I would not be able to do them justice. Today I had to listen to my heart and its need to paint blossoms however they turn out.

Thank you guys for all your wonderful comments, I feel truly blessed to be on this artists journey with you. xxx

Life
acrylics on watercolour paper

Homage to Pink

"I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart."

Quote by Vincent Van Gogh

Speed

I enjoyed painting horses so much I thought I would have another go at a horse composition.

I would like to thank everyone for your good wishes and name suggestions, we have finally decided on a name, well, my kids have, she is now called Minnie the Minx, this suits her character as she is very mischievous. :  )

Speed
Oil on oil paper