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.

Pale Pink

I was seventeen when a friends mum gave me an outfit in this pale pink colour,the material was like a shimmery tulle and I loved it and I had some happy times in that outfit.I think its one of nicest things I have ever recieved.

Pale Pink
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
Available,please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

My artist friends,is there an outfit in your life that will always stand out  and why.

Swan

Swan
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
Available,please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Yesterday was a bright,clear sunny day and just perfect for taking photos.I now have quite a few more to paint from which is always a good thing.

Persimmon Trio II

Persimmon Trio II
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

This fruit has such an interesting shape and the leaves are the challenge because their shape defines whether this looks like a persimmon or not.

Tea and Fruit

Tea and Fruit
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

I have a set of cups that stack into each other and fit into a stand .They are all different colours and by far my favourites practically and aesthetically.

Life

The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again since it is life.”

Life
Oil on canvas board,7"x5"
SOLD

― William Faulkner

Pears and a Plum

Pears and a Plum
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

Two very different textures,both quite hard to capture.

Roses and Lily vase

Pink Roses and  Lily Vase
Oil on canvas board.12"x10"
Available,please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

I try to walk past these roses without buying them but sometimes I fail!!

Cabbage II

Cabbage II
Oil on canvas board,10"x12"
SOLD

This was easier than I expected,I have been looking at this cabbage for three days before I picked up the courage to have a go.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

Getting the seeds of these fruits has been a mission over the years until I saw a cookery programme where it was cut in have and tapped with a wooden spoon over a large bowl to catch the seeds.What a time saver!!!

Brussel Sprouts

Brussel Sprouts
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

Not everyone's favourite vegetable but sure was fun to paint.

Yellow and Orange

Yellow and Orange
Oil on canvas board,7"x5"
SOLD

Both the vase and the roses were presents from friends and I could'nt be happier than recieving things I can paint! : )

Pear

Pear
Oil on canvas board,7"x5"
SOLD

Painting means bliss,escape,joy and so many other positive emotions.Its been nearly two years since I started painting daily, blogging and having contact with all the wonderful artists has saved my sanity ,as these two years have also been very testing times.Just the act of picking up a brush and beginning a new painting creates a little oasis of forgetfulness where I can lose myself.
So,my artist friends,I would like to ask how long have you been painting and blogging and what has it meant for you?

Flown the Coop

Flown the Coop
5"x7",oil on canvas board
SOLD

Our neighbours had family over from Ireland and she came round and bought this painting from me.She is a wonderful person,so full of life and warmth.

Pink Roses& Creamer

Pink Roses&Creamer
Oil on canvas board,7"x5
SOLD

A change from my usual style,I feel like scraping it and starting again!!! I wont though,maybe there is a charm about it???

Solitary Clementine

 



Solitary Clementine
Oil on canvas board,7"x5"
SOLD

“I see myself forever and ever as the ridiculous man, the lonely soul, the wanderer, the restless frustrated artist, the man in love with love, always in search of the absolute, always seeking the unattainable”
― Henry Miller, Stand Still Like the Hummingbird

Solitary Rose

Solitary Rose
Oil on canvas board,12"x10"
SOLD

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.
Twyla Tharp

Solitary Persimmon

Solitary Persimmon
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
Thomas Merton

Henny and Penny II

Things are slowly getting back to normality of sorts.Thankyou so much everyone for your thoughts and prayers,you guys are my lifeline in dark times.

Henny and Penny II
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

I was lucky enough to take some pictures of these chickens about three weeks ago.All being well I will be painting my way through them.

Henny and Penny

My thoughts and prayers go out to all that have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.I will be donating a painting on DPW as soon as I am able.
You may have noticed a break in painting,there has been illness in the family.Thank God he is recovering well,but  it has left me completely drained and frightened of what the future will hold.It does look like we will have to give up our work as it is the main cause of stress.Being self-employed is very tough,there is no sick or holiday pay.With the recession we were just getting by anyway.
All things considered though so long as there is life and health there is always hope.

Henny and Penny
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

As I painted this today I felt some sort of normality return,it felt good.

Aubergines and Pepper

Aubergines and Pepper
Oil on canvas board,12"x10"
SOLD

Today has been the first really cold day of the year,its been windy,the leaves flying everywhere with sunshine and rain.I thank God for warm clothes and a warm home.I wish the same for everyone in the coming winter.I can enjoy the best of this weather,the beautiful colours and the fresh,bracing air,I am so grateful.

Aubergine

Aubergine
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

In retrospect I think I would have painted this aubergine at more of an angle.I have painted a second one which is a bit more lively but it fell face down when I was trying to take a picture outside.Its a case of  toast always falling buttered side down!! Anyway, the painting looks perfectly fine , I will take a photo more carefully tomorrow,hopefully it will be less windy.

Pink Rose in Glass Vase

Pink Rose in Glass Vase
Oil on canvas board,12"x10"
SOLD

This little vase is my latest bargain buy. It was £2.50 and I love it and I hope to use it many times.I must confess my husband actually took me shopping for clothes and this is what I came home with,I must be mad!!

Pink Roses in Blue vase

Pink Roses in Blue Vase
Oil on canvas board,7"x5"
SOLD

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
William Shakespeare

Black Grapes in a dish

Black Garapes in a Dish
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

These grapes and this dish seem to be made for each other.

Chinese Cabbage

Chinese Cabbage
Oil on canvas board,7"x5"
SOLD

Full of vitamins A and C, and such a graceful looking vegetable.

Summer Meets Autumn

Summer Meets Autumn
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

Painting these blackberries was challenging but I think I got there in the end.

Chrysanthemums in Lily Vase

Chrysanthemums in Lily Vase
Oil on canvas board,12"x10"
SOLD

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
Thomas Merton

Orange Rose in Blue Vase

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

I have to go back to painting roses,I cannot stay away. I'll be known as the mad woman that tried to paint roses.Lol!!!

Fun

Fun
Oil on canvas board,7"x5"
SOLD

I had great fun with this one!