Glad to be Painting

It's gladioli time in the shops and I love their tall stems and angular flowers.

Glad to be Painting
oil on paper

Two' s Company

It's been five months since my last post , I have been painting, not as much as I would like to.
Daily painting is still something I would dearly love to get back into and the good thing about blogging is that everything is still here waiting.

So todays painting is fresh off my easel and really my favourite subject, still life.

Two's Company
oil on paper
 

Spring Bouquet

I love how tulips move when you're not looking. : )

Spring Bouquet
oil on paper

Collage Fun

I've been meaning to work on a collage for ever such a long time and finally today I actually did it. It was great fun and a learning tool .

Collage Fun
Newspaper on board

A Spring Sketch

In a world of uncertainty a simple bunch of daffodils appear as a comfort and joy.

A Spring Sketch
seawhite sketchbook

Take me to the River

This was an experiment in an imaginary landscape. I enjoyed it, and actually felt free to create without the restrictions of reality.
The title is also a song by Al Green, which I love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGD8aQ2GKr0&list=LL2yMZnud0wPTVMBH1rlkn2Q

Take me to the River
oil on paper

Tea and Flowers

Both are my oldest and still my favourite subjects.

Tea and Flowers
Oil

Walled Garden in Stockwood Park

This is one of the few paintings I did last year.

Walled Garden in Stockwood Park
oil

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Sense Euphoria

It's not easy having flowers at home with Minnie. She will have a sniff and then  attack them and sometimes knock over the vase. It doesn't matter if she's naughty though she makes me smile so many times a day.

Sense Euphoria
oil on box canvas

Suburbia II

Any day now blossoms are about to open all over the town, always such a joyful sight.

Suburbia II
oil on box canvas

Flowers on the Table

Something I love to have in my home, flowers on the table.

Flowers on the table
oil on paper

Suburbia

This scene is common in Bedfordshire and lifts my heart every time I see these beautiful trees.

Suburbia
oil on box canvas 40cmx50cm
 

Rain or Shine

Rain or Shine
oil on box canvas
30cmx30cm

I've just had a look at all the artists that I have been following over the years and you are all truly inspirational!! So many of you have kept going with your art and blogging.
 It's time to get back to daily painting. I know that it was daily painting that helped me to progress the most and over the last four years there have been too many gaps of not creating. That time cannot come back , but I can do better . So, rain or shine I do need to paint and there is no time like the present.

Back to Blogging

Hi everyone, I hope you have all been well.
 It's been too long and I know I've resolved to get back to blogging like I used to, but painting has been almost non existent over the last four months. There hasn't been a day I haven't thought about painting and feeling terribly disappointed at the end of every wasted day. It's funny how one can love doing something so much and yet not be able to do it.
What I have been doing is working through The Artists Way by Julia Cameron, she helps blocked artists and I think working through her book has finally lifted the fog I've been in.
So , I've just finished this little still life, really what I love doing best . As I was painting last night I actually felt the energy come back .
Over the next few days I will be catching up with what all you have  been doing.

Back To Blogging

Up Towards The Sky

The chasm between what I want to portray and what I actually do is there for a reason. That reason is so I keep painting and keep trying.

Up Towards The Sky
oil on oil paper
12"x 10"

Let it Go

I've realised that I hang onto things, for dear life. Afraid to leave the shore, whereas if I let go, there might even be an improvement.
I suppose what I'm trying to say with this painting is the red car is any hot topic or issue that needs to be let go of. Watch that car disappear over the hill and lighten the load, there , I feel better already.

Let It Go

oil on oil paper

12"x 14"

Blossoms in the Rain

Henry Matisse said "creativity takes courage" and I'm inclined to agree with him. I'm pushing myself to paint what's in my head, but translating it is not so easy. Time, practice and determination are needed, all which are in short supply at the moment, however I refuse to give up. Every day is a new chance.

Blossoms in the Rain
oil on oil paper
12"x 10"

Saturday Night Sketch

I have a new favourite rose, I don't know what its called , but it has pale green leaves on the outside and a warm cream colour on the inside.

I spent most of today sorting out all my materials and cleaning my brushes. I've found that biological washing powder will remove stubborn oil from stiff brushes and make them soft again.

Now I feel ready to resume my art journey and it feels good.

Saturday Night Sketch
fine line pens and watercolours
seawhite sketch book

Blossoms in the Rain

This is the best time of year and I am in awe every time I am outdoors. I have a tonne of photos to work from and I am planning on going out there and paint plein air, before the blossoms disappear.


In the last year I have lost two men who meant a great deal to me. Shelley Ryde was my first supervisor in an admin role for Ross Youngs. He was a father figure and even after I left work he was always there for me.
 Roy George was our family solicitor, he dealt with everything when we settled in the UK, he helped us buy our houses over the years and even after he retired I kept in touch with him. He was the first person to encourage me to start painting eight years ago. I want to ring him and tell my art news and I know he's not there anymore and it feels like a part of me is missing.
Rest in peace  Shelley and Roy, you were both golden guys.

Blossoms in the Rain
Seawhite Sketchbook

River Lea

This is painted from a photo taken along a footpath that runs parallel to the river Lea. I don't know if I love it or hate it, but I think if I don't post  and get past it I will just stop and ponder over it forever!!!

 

 

 

 

River Lea
Oil on oil paper
12"x 10"