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.

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"

Thank God for Friends

I dedicate these paintings to a dear friend who not only let me bend her ear yesterday, she  also gave me a gorgeous tube of Schmincke Atrament Black. Its a wonderful greeny black and I've had fun using it today.

Thank God for Friends
oil on oil paper
8"x10"

Thank God for Friends
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Thank God for Friends
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Sunset

Sunset
oil on oil paper
10" x 8"

When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.

Mahatma Gandhi

Heatwave II

Sometimes its good return to the familiar, my favourite glass jar, which I've painted countless times. However I have kept it to minimum and broad brushstrokes.

Heatwave II
oil on box canvas
40cmx40cm

Open to Ideas

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

Quote by George Bernard Shaw

This quote sums up this new painting. I have been trying to leave the safe shore of realism and explore a mix of what is real and imagination and heading towards some abstraction, its an exciting prospect. :  )
I have been painting small for so long I thought that going larger would be hard but actually its  liberating to have more room to move the paint around.

Open to Ideas
oil on box canvas
40cmx40cm

Heatwave

I bought this bunch of gladioli last week and have been watching each flower open. I desperately wanted to paint each stage, but lots of things have been happening. Kittens with stuck hairballs, daughter getting engaged, you know everyday things. :  )

After all the excitement I've finally found time to settle down and paint.

Heatwave
oil on stretched canvas 40cmx40cm

Nostalgia

I've been listening to Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark. I was a teenager when that song came out and I dreamed of being  the girl that was pulled out of the crowd to dance with the Boss!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129kuDCQtHs

Nostalgia
oil on oil paper
8" x 10"

Lift

Ever get that feeling when your spirits lift? It happens every time I paint.

Lift
Oil on oil paper
10" x 8"

Poppy Field

Its been nearly a month since my last post, sometimes you have to step back in order to see the bigger picture and I now feeling much better about where my art is going. I'm excited to keep trying different styles and subjects.

Poppy Field
oil on oil paper
10" x 8"

Snow White and Rose Red II

Its been a while since I painted the first version, always meant to paint more in this theme.
These roses are from my garden, from one bush, my husband has a new hobby... grafting as many different coloured roses onto one bush. At the moment we have yellow, white, red, lilac and pink, all growing at the same time.


Snow White and Rose Red II
Oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Hope

Without a doubt, its hope that keeps us going and keeps us moving.

Hope
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

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