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.  :  )