Chicken Licken II

Painting birds of any description is a real pleasure.These hens belong to some friends of ours and they are treated like beloved pets.This one struck a pose for me so how could I not paint her.

Chicken Licken II
Oil on canvas, 5"x7"
SOLD

Chicken Licken II
Watercolour on watercolour paper 5"x7"
Available

My confidence is building,I don't feel such a fraud when anyone calls me an artist.I don't look around to see where the artist is! I have hope in my heart that one day I will be a full time artist and make a living out of this occupation that is the most wonderful of obsessions.

Pidgeon

I love pidgeons,I love their iridescent colours.Each bird is different and they are fascinating to watch.Even better they are fantastic to paint.I painted them in both oils  and watercolour with a drypoint pen.

Pidgeon
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

Hen and Poppy

Hen and Poppy
5"x7" Watercolour on paper.

Again I find myself pushed  for time so something simple and quick.

Wild Snapdragon

Wild Snapdragon
Oil on canvas board 7"x5
SOLD

These snapdragons are growing so beautifully, and freely in between the paving in my front garden.I have a particular passion for wild flowers,I'm sure you've noticed!!

Orange and Blue

Orange and Blue
Oil on stretched canvas 12"x9"
SOLD

Painting flowers in glass jars is something i am having alot of fun with at the moment.

I'm wondering where my travelling chicken is at the moment.It always gives me a buzz to hear news of its travel.

Cherries

Cherries
5"x7" Oil on canvas board
SOLD

I'm feeling much better now that I've started to paint regularly again.These cherries were a delight to paint.

Wild Ones IV

Wild Ones III
12"x9" Oil on stretched canvas
SOLD

When ever I'm out I  find myself drawn to all the gorgoeus wild flowers that are gracing this beautiful country.These courageous,brightly coloured flowers will grow anywhere...roadsides,balconies,building sites,in between paving.Surprisingly they have the most heady fragrances too and I can't get enough of them.

Sweet and Simple

Hi everyone,i hope you are all well and enjoying summer.

Thankyou so much for all your comments,I really appreciate it when someone takes time out to do that,it makes my day!

Ever since my long break after the craft show in June its been quite hard to get back into the habit of painting daily.There are always distractions and plenty of work of course,and yet none of that is an excuse.I've been so incredibly busy in the past and still found time to do a small painting,so I am pushing myself to get back to this very important habit that has finally set me on the road to becoming a serious artist.

Sparrow
5"x7" Acrylic on stretched canvas
Available

This little bird is something simple  and quick just to ease me back into daily painting.

Chicken Licken

Chicken Licken
Oil on canvas board 5"x7"
Sold

I just used to love the classic fairytales and childrens stories ,I could'nt get enough of them.What made them really special was the illustrations,they set off fireworks in my head because I found them so beautiful.

This painting is from photos of three hens that belong to friends of ours.If anyone would like to use the photos I will email them to you,or your welcome to copy them.

Single Pink Rose

Single Pink Rose
Oil on canvas board
5"x7"
Available

This is the last rose of this bunch i bought a week ago.I've managed to keep this one going by cutting the stem really short,it seems to revive cut flowers for another day or two.

Pink Roses in Lime Jug

Pink Roses in Lime Jug
Oil on stretched canvas
Sold.

I left this one a bit late and the roses have faded,so I decided to carry on and do a more impressionistic version.I still find it hard to let go so there is still more control and the brushwork could be much looser,but I will let it be for a few days and then see how I feel.

A huge thankyou to everyone who has commented on the previous post and all the others.Your comments tell me when i am heading in the right direction and give me motivation to keep painting.
Bless you All. xx

Pink Roses in Glass Jar

SOLD

I can't see beyond roses at the moment,at least until this bunch fade anyway.

I hope you all have a great weekend and find joy in life and painting.

Rose in a Glass Jar

SOLD

It does'nt matter how many times I paint roses I don't get tired or bored.However they don't come easy and each time it feels like I could do better.So ,I keep trying.....

Wild Ones III

Wild Ones III
7"x5" Oil on stretched canvas,no need to frame
SOLD.

Snapdragons,dandelions,clover and a few I don't know the names for are all happily growing wild in my garden,without any help from me.Its just as well ,I am a hopeless gardener anyway!

Wild Ones II

SOLD

Its taking me a bit of time to get used to posting everyday again.One thing I have noticed is I want to take more time over each painting than before.Not necessarily more brushstrokes but thinking about each mark I make and trying to make them count.


I found  these flowers growing wild in between the paving and I felt I wanted to give them as much importance as any cultivated flower.

Cherries

Cherries
5"x7" Acrylic on stretched canvas.
Available £20 plus £5 post within UK,outside UK £10 shipping.

With this little painting I tried my best to loosen up and leave the rough edges.There is definitely freedom in doing that.What I've decided to do is paint in oils if I have time during the day(so I can take a good photo in daylight),if I don't get time until the evening then I will paint in acrylics so I can scan the painting.Also keeping both mediums going I think will keep me on my toes .

Pom and Plum

Hi everyone!!  I can't believe so much time has gone by without posting and in fact no small paintings at all in that time.As soon as I decided to take time off  I was pulled in so many directions my head has'nt stopped spinning.I had one large commission ,a 30"x40" canvas of a basket of fruit,and a smaller single rose painting.I completed those two weeks ago,the family absolutely love them, and in between our usual work I had cakes and centrepieces for weddings as well.

I missed blogging,but I believe everything happens for a reason and the time has been well spent.I feel refreshed and ready to carry on with my small paintings and I am so looking forward to catching up with what everyone has been doing.
I know our American friends have been suffering with heatwaves recently,I hope its cooler now.

I planned to try out new techniques but I did'nt get any time at all,now I hope I will make time for some exploration.
Todays small painting has been a joy to paint,its like coming home.

Pom and Plum
5"x7" Oil on stretched canvas.
SOLD.

I wish you all well and joy in your lives and your work,in fact everything I would wish for myself.xxx

Knebworth House Craft and Design Fair

Hi Guys!! Well,its over and I'm so tired but on the whole I'm still standing.

Knebworth House

Dylan who makes beautiful leaded decorative mirrors.

Mike makes wooden toys.

Tricia makes handbags and fabric accessories only I did'nt catch her at her stall!

Sold!!!

I sold a few of my large paintings and some cards  so it was'nt too bad.Unfortunately the weather was terrible, and the event clashed with the Queens Jubilee celebrations,also this was a new venue for this crafts fair.What more can I say except that it was an experience and I'm glad I did it.I met and made friends with some amazing talented people.

I've decided to take a week or so off from blogging and really think about what direction I want to go in.I'm not giving up but I need  some time out,recharge my batteries.I do it with reluctance because daily painting has become an essential part of my life ,but I need space to take my art to the next level or a different  direction.I will certainly be keeping myself updated on what everyone is doing.

Best wishes to everyone,I love you all.xxx

Blue Tit II

As promised I've tried my loosening up exercise.

Blue Tit
5"x7" Oil on stretched canvas
Available £20 plus £5 post within UK,outside UK £10 shipping

I would just like to take this opportunity to say how much I appreciate all your comments.Its what makes blogging such a brilliant experience. : )

Blue Tit

I've decided to do a little experiment.I'm posting this picture and then I'm going to paint on top of it in a much more impressionistic style which is what I admire most.My intention every time I start a painting is to loosen up but I guess old habits die hard.

Blue Tit

Also I'm adding a few pictures of a recent trip to London.I love what someone wrote on this notice board and the underground on a quiet day!

Pink Rose

Pink Rose
Oil on stretched canvas,5"x7".
SOLD

I've been preparing for a craft show which is running for four days next week.I have to show my paintings and also demonstrate , hopefully sell a few as well.I've managed to paint a small one this evening just to remind myself that its the process of painting that I love.If I could pay someone to market and sell  them it would be money well spent!!

Fruits and fabric

Fruits and Fabric
5"x7" Oil on stretched canvas,no need to frame
Available £20 plus £5 post within UK,outside UK £10 shipping.

I don't think I've ever been so tired as I have today but as soon as I picked up a brush I felt better.

Blossoming

Blossoming
7"x5" Oil on stretched canvas,no need to frame
Available £20 plus £5 post within UK,outside UK £10 shipping.

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun. Care for those around you. Look past your differences. Their dreams are no less than yours, their choices no more easily made. And give, give in any way you can, of whatever you posses. To give is to love. To withhold is to wither. Care less for your harvest than for how it is shared and your life will have meaning and your heart will have peace.”

Quote by Kent Nerburn.

Dream House

This is my dream house, unless I win the lottery or a very rich collector goes mad for my work there is no chance at the moment of me affording this house.
It was a rainy day and I only managed to take a couple of photos from the car,but this gives you an idea of the wonderful design.I've just googled "art deco house on Old Bedford Rd ,Luton" and some brilliant pictures came up.

Oh well ,I can dream.........

Reds

Reds
12"x10" Oil on canvas panel,ready to frame.
SOLD

The reds in this composition called to me.

Spring On A Branch II

Spring On A Branch
5"x7" Oil on stretched canvas
SOLD

These beautiful little birds have a nest in the tree in front of our house.Last year about this time a nest was blown out of the tree and two chicks were hopping around our garden.We kept them in a box over night in case the cats got them.During the day I had to run out a few times to chase the magpies away,they are partial to these little birds.The parents kept them fed and by the end of the next  day they were ready to fly and left.
After the chicks had flown both parents sat on our fence and gave us a little song as if to say thankyou for looking after our babies!

In The Pink

In The Pink
Oil on stretched canvas,no need to frame
SOLD

There is no greater pleasure than to paint on a rainy afternoon.Reading a good book with the sound of rain outside come a close second.

Wild Ones

Wild Ones
7"x5" Oil on stretched canvas,no need to frame.
SOLD

I have a small patch in my garden that I have deliberately left to grow wild.There is mustard,dandelions,clover,bluebells and many other little flowers that are beautiful and surprisingly fragrant.This patch is a haven for bees and butterflies.I try to grow bee friendly plants as much as possible.In Luton and probably many other towns I have noticed that front gardens have been replaced by paving to make room for cars. It is still possible to keep pots of bee friendly plants like lavender,they do very well.

Art Deco Rose

My favourite era is art deco and if I had the money I would buy this beautiful house about ten minutes drive from us.Its on sale at the moment and it is a dream,the windows and exterior are all art deco.I think I will take a photo one of these days to show you.

Art Deco Rose
7"x5" Oil on stretched canvas,no need to frame
SOLD

I am still valiantly painting roses that I had left over from last week.I decided to try a slightly different style,I think Tamara De Lempicka might have approved of this one.

Fruity

Fruity
5"x7" Oil on stretched canvas, no need to frame
SOLD

A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.

Saint Basil

One green bottle

One Green Bottle
9"x8",Oil on canvas,ready to frame
Available £20 plus £5 post within UK,outside UK £10 shipping

I find myself obsessed with trying different techniques for painting roses.This style is very close to how Carol Marine does it ,only she does it ten times better!

Strawberry Season

Strawberry Season
5"x7" Oil on stretched canvas
Available £20 plus £5 post within UK,outside UK £10 shipping

The British strawberries are something else,they are sweet and just melt in your mouth.

Lily on Scarf

This is something i painted about six months before I started my blog which makes it about two years old.Looking back to how I tackled fabrics then and now I feel my style has changed quite a bit!!

12"x10" Acrylic on canvas,no need to frame.
Lily on Scarf
Available £20 plus £5 post within UK,outside UK £10 shipping.

Fruit 'n' Flowers

Fruit 'n' Flowers
8"x9" Oil on canvas ,ready to frame.
Available £20 plus £5 post within UK,outside UK £10 shipping.

I've painted this piece of fabric a few times before in my compositions .For this composition I thought it has just the right colours to compliment the pears and grapes.

Chillin'

Chillin'
8"x9" Oil on canvas,ready to frame.
SOLD

When I saw these two chili peppers my eyes lit up.They curled together in the most relaxed way,there was only one name for them.