Finding a Way Out

Yes, there was a time when I had fire in my soul and I have been ground down. However it is never too late. This song by U2 says it all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgwvqO-_luM

Finding a Way Out
oil on paper

Wisdom

We all have something inside of us that makes us get up every morning, something that brings us joy. God in his wisdom has given each of us a reason to live , not only to live, but live happily. Sometimes I lose sight of the fact that I simply love to paint. In all the struggle to earn money, to be recognised, to leave my mark on the world.In this all too brief life that we live, maybe its just enough to live an artists life.

Wisdom
oil on paper

Needs Must.....

For years I have been craving to get out and paint plein air. So, I started from a safe position, our front garden and this is what I managed to achieve in three hours in the freezing cold. I can't tell how much I enjoyed, what I am really looking forward to now is painting blossoms, out there for real.

Needs Must
oil on board
10"x 8"

Day 2 Sunrise

Today I looked out the window and saw this sunrise, not as good as the real thing , but its my version.
I painted this in gouache which is quite hard to work with , brush needs to be fully loaded or it doesn't flow.

Day 2 Sunrise
gouache in Sketchbook

Another Day One

Yes, another day one. I will, hopefully be sketching everyday as a response to how I am feeling and what is inspiring me at the moment. Not creating is seriously affecting me, so to try and shift things I am start at the beginning. This is a sketch that has been sitting in my sketch book for months and it was a good place to start, to add some colour and line to.

Day One
Sketchbook

For the Love of Autumn

And so begins a series for the love of , of which as all artists know there are many.

For the Love of Autumn
oil on paper
8.5"x 8.5"

Finding A Way

I have been finding a way to paint abstract landscapes,  I think I am making headway. There is a long way to go, these challenges we set ourselves are never easy, but the harder it is the better the satisfaction at the end.

My path to becoming a professional artist has so far taken me just over seven years and I feel that I am nearly there. The hard part has been finding the time, I work fulltime as a self employed caterer, its physical hard work and long hours, which leaves me with little time or energy for what I love to do best. Still, I count my blessings everyday, my kids, my husband, my cats, a warm home. Art is a bonus, a huge bonus, it keeps me sane when I worry too much about anything, gives me hope that there will come a time when I can get up in the morning and just paint. Just the shear joy of being inspired by a bunch of flowers in a vase, how the light shines from the water and how day by day the flowers change colour and drop petals.
I have my bad days. when I can't move forward with what I am trying to paint, or I'm not being paid what I think I deserve, or huge delays in payment, if I was dependent on my art alone I would have starved long ago. Its not fair that people who work are paid a regular wage and yet they can delay paying you just because its art. Not being valued does affect me, however much I try to not let it. It knocks my confidence and, because I rely on what I sell to finance anything art related, such as materials, entering competitions, visiting galleries and museums.
Anyway, that's enough griping for today. : )  I hope you all have a great week.

Finding A Way
oil on paper

Gratitude

This is the view from our back garden and I am grateful for this view everyday.

Gratitude
oil on canvas board
8"x 10"

Rest 1 and 2

I have called these paintings rest because painting them felt  peaceful and totally chilled out.

This song reminds me of school days, not the best time in my life, but the music was good.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37w42Bfsv3E

Rest
oil on paper
10" x 10"



Rest 2
oil on paper
10"x 10"

A Net of Love Day 4

Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.

Quote by Mother Theresa

Bouquet of Flowers
watercolours
seawhite sketchbook

Unripe Figs, Fallen Leaf on Day 3

I'm not following World Watercolor Group challenge to the letter , but I am enjoying creating a sketch a day.

Our fig tree is preparing for autumn, the leaves are falling and the second lot of figs have not ripened, I don't think the UK is warm enough for a second harvest. I thank God for this climate everyday, I love how it changes and I particularly love the rain.

Inripe Figs, Fallen Leaf on Day 3
Seawhite sketchbook

Sweet Pomegranates

Day two of this watercolour challenge run by World Water Color Group  for November.

Sweet Pomegranates
watercolour challenge for November
Seawhite sketchbook

Green Park

I have never taken so much time over finishing a painting, was it worth it? I think so, I am satisfied that I have given this subject my best. However, what I really want to do now is paint in a way that is new, a new song, in a manner of speaking.

Green Park
oil on board
8"x 10

Windfall

Its a new month and I feel motivated to start sketching again.

Windfall
watercolour sketch

Purpose

   

“How tragic it is to find that an entire lifetime is wasted in pursuit of distractions while purpose is neglected.”

 

This quote is by Sunday Adelaja

 

Purpose
oil on paper

 

Getting Back to the Essence of Me

Today I needed to remind myself that this is what makes my heart sing to paint.

Busy Bees

They are always busy living their lives, doing what they are meant to do.
I have always felt that if I am not drawing or painting I am not being true to myself.

No Promises is a song by Icehouse, an Australian group from the 80's , I have loved their music .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o9BCQP0cns

Busy Bees
pen on cartridge paper

Stocks in Watercolour

If you get tired, learn to rest, not Quit.

Quote by Banksy

I guess this is where I go wrong, when I am tired I do give up, for days, sometimes weeks. I aim to accept rest as rest not as failure.

Watercolour flowers
 

Narcissus Sketch

Narcissus Sketch
watercolour and line

Its Autumn and I'm already looking forward to these delightful spring flowers.

All Things Scottish

From experience I have found that the longer I leave a painting without finishing, the higher the wall becomes. In order for me to finish something I have to visualize it first and at the moment I don't see how to finish the Green Park oil painting.

This Aberdeen Angus is a painting I sold months ago and realised I hadn't posted it. I have become a huge fan of Outlander, so this is my homage to all things Scottish.

All Things Scottish
oil on board
5"x 7"

Teacup and Roses

Yesterdays oil painting is still sitting on my easel, I'm trying to see a different ending to it.

 In the meantime this is one I painting a few months ago, one of many I never got around to posting.

This song by Andra Day is one I listen to often, gives me strength to cook for a living everyday when I would much rather be painting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNKu1uNBVkU



Teacup and Roses
watercolour and pen

Green Park

I was on a recent trip to London and  I love to take photos of people under their umbrellas . This is what I have been working on in the last few days from one of the photos. I fix a canvas board to a piece of hardboard using blue tack, this makes it easy to work on the whole surface and allow it to dry without getting finger prints on it.

I heard this golden oldie on the radio this morning, that sax is amazing!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sY8qTDMSFc

Rainy Day in Green Park
oil on canvas board.
8"x 10
 

Blues

My advice to artists is not to sell your work for less than you think its worth. This way leads to lack of confidence, feelings of being devalued and ultimately an artists block.
A very good friend of mine, Adebanji Alade , who is a brilliant artist, recently gave me a piece of invaluable advice. He said that it doesn't matter if your work took five minutes or however long it takes, count the number of years its taken you to learn to get to this point.

Blues
watercolour on heavy paper.

Free Your Mind

Hi guys, I suppose you all must be used to me disappearing for months on end. Its been nearly three months this time!! Now I am going to try again and see if I can find that daily painting buzz I used to love so much.

I heard this song by Sub Focus on the radio recently and it is motivational, he sings to not be about the trouble, free your mind and  it actually freed me to open up my blog again. It's so easy to lose focus just trying to get through each day, being a woman in this day and age is tough. We are too hard on ourselves and sacrifice our own freedom and passions far too often. This blog is my passion and I am so grateful for this connection to the outside world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjDS20Qy9aI

Free Your Mind
oil on cartridge paper
5"x 5"

Teacup and Pink Rose Day 4

I love collecting teacups, new, old, vintage , most are from charity shops. I don't have a huge collection, I have enough trouble finding space for my art materials, but one day I will have a studio and plenty of room for props too.

Teacup and Pink Rose
Day 4

Teacup and Pink Rose Day 3

Another last minute dash to beat the deadline!!

Teacup and Pink Rose
Day 3

Vintage Teacup and Chrysanthemum Day 2

I'm starting to loosen up with this subject and really enjoy the process.

Vintage Teacup and Chrysanthemum
Day 2

Teacup and Rose Day 1

It's been a long day, but the highlight is finding time to sketch.

Teacup and Rose
Day 1

Tibby and Minnie Together Day 30 !!

Well, I've made it through this challenge!! It was a challenge indeed, but again, I am so glad I set myself the small window of  creativity. Life is full on and yet just these little sketches kept me from the misery of not finding the time to sketch or paint.

Today is this rare occurrence, Tibby and Minnie sitting  next to each other, reminds me of me and my sister in law, hahaha.
I hope you like this song.....another golden oldie.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqZc7ZQURMs


I've already decided on my next 30 day challenge. It is to sketch/paint teacups, flowers and small birds, I am looking forward to this one especially.

Tibby and Minnie Together
Day 30

Scratching Post Day 29

Minnie scratches all our furniture, Tibby usually finds a discreet corner of the carpet. We are not house proud though, so either way its ok, cats have to scratch.

Scratching Post
Day 29

The Look of Love Day 28

This is Minnie giving me that look and purring away in my lap.

The Look of Love
Day 28

8 Pm Cuddles Day 27

Its 8 pm and Tibby wants attention.

8pm Cuddles
Day 27

Minnie Asleep Day 26

Cats are supposed to sleep 18 hours of the day and they do it so well.

Minnie Asleep
Day 26

Minnie Stalking a Beetle Day 25

Minnie keeps bringing in these poor beetles that she plays with, but doesn't eat. I don't like to interfere with the normal cat behaviour.

Minnie Stalking a Beetle
Day 25

Tibby Scent Marking Day 24

Tibby has a list of items that need scent marking, everyday.

Tibby Scent Marking
Day 24

Minnie Playing Hide and Seek Day23

Tibby has her moments, but most of the time she sleeps. Minnie likes to play.

Minnie Playing Hide and Seek
Day 23

Minnie Birdwatching Day 22

My husband built an enclosure made of chicken wire for our cats. Just before dark we close the door and they can come into the house through the conservatory. They both have seats and will often watch the birds in the garden. When its hot they can sleep in the cool night air in relative safety.

Minnie Birdwatching
Day 22

Minnie Feeling the Heat

It's starting to heat up and Minnie is wilting again.

Minnie Feeling the Heat
Day 21

Minnie is Not in the Mood Day 20

We all have those days when we need a little space and Minnie is no different.

Minnie is not in the Mood
Day 20

Minnie Kills a Sock

Today Minnie came in meowing like she does when she's brought in a butterfly or mouse, only it was a sock!!!

Minnie Kills a Sock
Day 19

Minnie Day 18

Often Minnie will just look at me as if to say " do something, I'm bored!!" If I don't come up with something she usually starts to knock things off the shelf or attack my vase full of flowers.

Minnie
Day 18

Tibby and that Look

This is the look I get when Tibby wants dreamies, how could I resist. : )

Tibby and that Look
Day 17

Minnie Scent Marking Day 16

Minnie loves to scent mark my ruler, regularly!!!

Minnie Scent Marking
Day 16

Tibby and the Unmade Bed Day 15

Who has the heart to disturb a darling cat when she's all settled to sleep for the day.

Tibby and the Unmade Bed
Day 15

Minnie Asleep Day 14

It's what cats do most of the day, in fact they are supposed to sleep about eighteen hours a day!!

Minnie Asleep
Day 14

Tibby's Me Time Day 13

It's 8pm and Tibby like's to have some attention.

Tibby's Me Time
Day 13

Minnie Caught a Butterfly Day 12

Minnie's favourite snack at the moment, butterfly!!

Minnie Caught a Butterfly
Day 12

Minnie at Play

Minnie loves this yellow feather toy, shows she is still a kitten at heart.

Minnie at Play
Day 10

Minnie Grooming Day 10

A very important part of a cats life.

Minnie Grooming
Day 10