Hearts and a Flower

Today I have decided to try something different .They say a change is as good as a rest and in this case its certainly true.I painted this rose without drawing it first,straight from the brush and it was certainly an excercise worth trying. The hearts I added just for fun and after all it is Valentines in two weeks.

Chocs 'n' Cherries

I saw these chocolates at the local store and my eyes lit up. I don't know why but my edible subjects taste especially good once I've completed the painting .  : )      The cherries were extra juicy and the chocolates were praline filled and amazing. Am I making you hungry?

Tea and Cherries

Its been such a busy day,but still without my daily painting its not complete.So I started this around nine and just finished it.I've painted this teacup before but I love the design so much I had to paint it again.As I was painting I was listening to The Floaters-Float On,I think that might have had an influence on the background.Its such a chilled out song I could just listen to it for ever...and ever...float on...float on....

Orange Threesome

I left this one a bit late to finish but I still want to post it,and its in keeping with the style that is emerging. I want to get away from the neat and tidy style and follow a more dramatic and spontaneous approach.

Glass and Grapes (Donated to Community Needs)

I've given Ann back all her wonderful treasures today.Its been a great challenge because I would not normally have picked such difficult subjects.With each challenge its a learning process that sometimes comes easy and sometimes comes incredibly hard.A wonderful artist called Yasha Sharma ,who has been commenting on my work recently,has given a list of websites that provide challenges for artist.I will certainly be joining some of them as soon as I have time.

Espresso and Biscotti

Today has been a grey,drizzly and dull  day.So has been my mood,we are allowed a few of those along the way.Anyway I'm back and painting again and its a good refuge.Cares and worries fall by the wayside to make way for colours and shapes and shadows.Wonderful!

Glass and Rose

I gave myself a holiday yesterday.Sometimes you can get painted out and need some space to feel that love  again.After a day I felt I could go into this wonderful occupation refreshed.Ann showed me this glass and laughing said "this will drive you mad"!.....It did! Believe me even three months ago I would not have even entertained the idea of trying to paint such a thing. I do feel I have  made a fair attempt.Roses are the most difficult flower to paint,but I think with practice I will improve.

Capuccino and Croissant

SOLD(Buyer donated money to Japanese Red Cross)

Ahhh..In the grand scheme of things what is a croissant?!! No big deal right? This croissant was a big deal.I almost gave up but being stubborn I persevered to the end. Its not perfect but at this stage and time of day I DON'T CARE. Well actually I do ,but it felt good saying that in capitals.  :  )
Oh by the way this mug is from a box full of ceramics and glassware lent to me by Ann.Thankyou so much.xx

Bird and Seeds

I have to say thankyou to my great friend Ann who has provided me with this beautiful ceramic bird.She has been so supportive and thoughtful,I want to say how much I appreciate her friendship.It was an absolute joy to paint.The pomegranate seeds were quite fun and surprisingly easy.

Green Vase and Pink Lady

I was all over the place today,and so I could only grab a few minutes here and there.Whether that has affected the quality of my painting I will leave you to judge my dear friends.This fabric has quite a busy design on it and I had to stop myself  from over doing it.I  bought this vase about two months ago , but it almost scared me because there's glass and then there's coloured glass....With glass especially ,every brushstroke needs to count otherwise you can lose the transparency very quickly.

Tea and a Clem

A friend of mine suggested I try painting a different type of hot drink and that was the plan,but the green tea did'nt quite work out.So it ended up as a very dark tea instead,its how I like it though with very little milk.I think I will need a bit of practice before I attempt that again.This mug was given to me about ten years ago and I hardly ever use it because I'm afraid of breaking it.Is it just me or are people generally feeling low?  Might be the winter dragging on.

Tea and a Bakewell

Man! How hard is it to differentiate between two dark objects!What was meant to take two hours took me three and I'm still not happy about the elipses.I do want to post it and may at a later date try to correct it.

Leafy Clem

This is another two hour challenge I set myself.I find that if I take longer I just end up making more mistakes.Ever heard of Edgar Degas?Whe he first started his paintings he kept going back to redo them even after selling them! He painted the most beautiful ballet scenes,he is one of my favourite artists.

After every painting I feel I could do better,but I suppose thats part of being human,always striving for that perfect painting.Ahh well......

Tea and a Biscuit 2

This teacup and saucer was given to me by a very dear friend of mine.She's had it in her family for over twenty years and thought it would make a good subject for a painting.It was actually quite fun to do.The shape of the teacup is quite unusual which makes it more interesting.The detail on the china was so tiny,but I loved every minute of it.Biscuits are my comfort food and since I've started painting them I see them in a whole different light.Its not just the taste anymore,its colour and textures and shapes,I could go on and.............

Scarf and Apples

I think you might have gathered that I love Granny Smiths,not only do they taste good,they have an especially shiny coating that just begs to be painted.My sister-in-law very kindly gave me some lovely pieces of material,they make fantastic additions to my compositions.The acrylic paper I am using now is working out better,it has a  finer texture and there is a shine to the painting. Painting everyday or as often as possible is giving me plenty of practice,and although art  in any medium is a life long learning process,the process itself is getting easier.

Apple Floral

I set myself the challenge of completing a painting in two hours.This is it.

Chilli Eggplants

Sometimes its hard to get past a painting.I hate to abandon one thats not working ,but can't start another one until I finish the one I'm struggling with.!!? Does that make sense?Maybe its a bit late in the day. Finally I had to change the background,although I think it worked out in the end.Phew...I found these really cute very small eggplants at my local grocers and could'nt resist painting them.Roasted eggplants with garlic and chillies...delicious!

Lunch at the park 2

Its a bit late in the day but I've just finished this painting and could'nt wait to post it.I wanted to keep it loose and I think I managed to do that.I went to see 127 hours with a friend today,its a great story of strength and a struggle for survival against the odds.I did find a certain part hard to watch,I won't say any more in case anyone has'nt seen it yet.I would definitely recommend it though.

Crisp and Sweet

I speak from experience when I say these apples were crisp and sweet.Yes I did have the flu and more besides..I was up at 1am painting these apples,I could'nt sleep and what better therapy than painting.

Cream Dream

We're dropping like flies with flu at the moment so don't be surprised if I go off the radar for a few days.What I really need is more china to paint.Maybe a trip to a few charity shops once this dreaded flu is over.Such a simple piece of cake but it was not a piece of cake!For some reason I really struggled with this.Well its done and a few lessons learnt on the way.

Hot Salsa

I finished this very late last night so I did'nt have time to post it.For a short time I made celebration cakes,but realised very quickly how physically demanding they are and had to give up due to tendonitis.But I still get pushed into making the odd one and thats what I spent the better part of the weekend doing.Plus there is man flu in the house!Anyway enough of the excuses,the tomato in this painting caught my eye because of the green in it.The onion and chillies I think complete the picture.