Hearts and Flowers II

I have been asked to design some more cards for Stockwood Park Museum and also some paintings with a Valentines theme for a local shop.I went out today and bought some red roses and this is the first.Although I might change my mind tomorrow and change it.

Rescued Rose 2

I should call this blog "keeping myself entertained when i can't sleep" ! Its now 4am and I've been awake for the last two hours.Tonight though, or this morning I thought I would paint instead of trying to sleep.I think I should practice painting roses more often as I find them the hardest and most frustrating.If it were'nt for all the fantastic comments on the previous post I might have given up on this thorny subject for a while.

Backgarden Sunset 3

Most evenings I have the camera ready,if there is a spectacular sunset I run out to the back garden and take some pictures.

"I remember a hundred lovely lakes,and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees.The trail has strung upon it,as upon a thread of silk,opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets."

A quote by Hamlin Garland

Sunflower Trio

I painted these sunflowers to "There's nothing like this" by Omar which always relaxes me and I hope has had a positive effect on my painting as well. : )

Owl Sentry at Stockwood Park

There are a few parks dotted around Luton but Stockwood and Wardown stand out as the biggest and best.This wooden owl is near the entrance to Stockwood and looks stern as if to ward off anyone who does'nt treat the park with the respect it deserves.

Strawberries and Spice

My lovely friend Tracy bought this spice jar for me,and I've finally plucked up the courage to paint it.The brown spidery looking things next to the strawberries are called star anise and they are lovely added to basmati rice or my personal favourite in a cup of green tea.If you have a cold its especially good for warding off infections.Just pop one in your tea and enjoy the aniseed flavour.

Nevertheless 2

In spite of these lilies being past their best they are still beautiful and still fragrant.Although whether I have done them justice is another matter. : )

"Very whitely still The liliesof our lives may reassure Their blossoms from their roots,accessible Alone to heavenly dews that drop no fewer;Growing straight out of mans reach,on the hill.God only,who made us rich,can make us poor."
Elizabeth Barrett Browning quote

Jean's Challenge

I've been meaning to paint this challenge set by Jean Nelson on The DailyPaintworks for the last week.It was fun and very relaxing,I am finding that I enjoy landscapes more, perhaps because I keep the details to a minimum.

Blue Rose

This last week was dominated by blue flowers for a wedding and I could'nt resist holding onto one to paint.Apparently they stand them in blue ink to get them this colour,I tried finding a bottle of ink locally and it was mission impossible.The world has changed!!

Boat House

This is a scene from our local park and the small building used to house boats that we could hire out on the lake.I don't know why but they don't allow anyone on the lake anymore...at a guess health and safety people might have something to do with it.Anyway as usual after a break from painting its always a joy to get back in the swing of things doing something I love and maybe be successful at ......one day ...hopefully sooner rather than later. : )

Pleasure of Giving

Is'nt it wonderful when you give a gift and  make someones day.

A Pear and some Strawberries

I've finally managed to paint this composition.I'm not entirely happy with it but it's such a relief to be painting again and that is a reward in itself. : )

Where's Lunch?

My entry for this weeks Dailypaintworks challenge is a ceramic trinket holder.Did I have a hard time with this!!! The idea is to use only black and white if painting with acrylics and have a dominant value,a secondary value and just a touch of the third.My dominant value is dark,mid value is secondary (I think?!)and a small amount of light.Maybe I need to practice this a few times.Certainly to create a three dimensional image this is crucial so its well worth doing.

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road"

I tried to keep this as loose as possible and to make each brushstroke count.Parts of it I did achieve that ,but its so hard not to try to put in detail.Anyway I made myself stop.This is my second entry for this weeks http://www.dailypaintworks.com/  challenge.This was set by Carol and the brief was to paint from two photos and to edit details.

Cup of Gerbera

What I have been trying to do all along is to give my work movement and rough edges and a sense of drama.I think I'm getting there,but the saucer......................will I be able to resist correcting it!

Red Apple on Green Scarf

The artist is nothing without the gift,but the gift is nothing without hard work. This is a quote by Emile Zola.I feel I have alot of work ahead of me !

Sugar'n'Stripes

This is my entry for this weeks http://www.dailypaintworks.com/ challenge.Its called the colour of white challenge and its to paint a white object on patterned material .

Forsythia in Glass Jar

"Happy are the painters,for they shall not be lonely .Light and colour,peace and hope,will keep them company till the end of the day."  Winston Churchill

Artichoke 4

I think thats enough of the artichokes,for a while anyway.I've enjoyed painting them because they do have such a strong structure and great colours.I've bought a bunch of tulips in four colours which will hopefully keep me busy for a while.Although I did want to do one more forsythia painting before they disappear for another year.