Mums and Plums

Mums and Plums
Oil on canvas,8"x8"
SOLD

I was feeling the colour purple today. So I searched around the house and found this delicately tinted purple glass vase,I already had some plums and these really cheerful looking chrysanthemums.The rest ,I wish I could say  was a piece of cake (although I have been indulging in some cake in between brushstrokes) but non the less I loved painting this.

Basket of Apples ( After Cezanne)

Karen d' Angeac Mihm has created a new blog  ...http://paintingfromthemasters.blogspot.co.uk/
I'm so happy about this blog because, much as I push myself to copy famous paintings i don't do it often enough and this is a perfect opportunity to take up the challenge every month...thankyou so much Karen!!
Artists can join in and paint the monthly challenge,for February Karen has chosen a painting from one of her favourite artists...Basket of Apples by Cezanne.

Basket of Apples ( after Cezanne)
Oil on oil painting paper.
6"x8.5"

I found this a real challenge but I did my best,although there are plenty of errors I feel I know Cezanne's process a little better.You can look at a painting but unless you copy it you don't really get the feel of how it was done.

Breathing Room

What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit.
Quote by John Updike.

Breathing Room
Oil on canvas board, 4"x4"
Available,please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

When I began to paint daily it was tough to maintain ,two years later it feels so different. When I pick up a brush or whatever tool I use it feels like I have been holding my breath and I can let go  and breath.


Thankyou so much guys for all your wonderful comments,I always appreciate them and love reading them.I was asked if I'm left handed...yes I am. : )

Winter Sun

Winter Sun
Oil on canvas board  8"x8"
SOLD

This is Blundell Park ,a square little park tucked away inside rows of houses.Its a great place to go for a little fresh air and quiet time.

Daffs and Plums

Daffs and Plums
Oil on canvas,6"x6"
NFS

A bunch of daffodils are a pound in the local shops ,how could I resist  . : )

Royal Mail in the Snow

Royal Mail in the Snow
Oil on canvas board
8"x8"
SOLD

This road is very familiar to me ,its a little hill and my friend lived there from when we were eight until her family moved away twelve years later.One day on our way to college I fell just next to that post box ,it had snowed and then iced over the night before.Its funny ,at that age it didn't even hurt .

We're still friends but living in different towns makes it a long distance friendship.Everytime I pass this road my heart feels a little pain ,I miss those times.

The Empty Bench

The Empty Bench
Oil on canvas board
8"x8"
available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

I looked at this bench and felt a sense of zen like calm.There was a stillness in the air and unblemished snow.......

L'Amour Dans la Niege

L'Amour Dans La Niege
Oil on canvas board,4"x4"
SOLD

In other words...Love in the snow

Left and Right

Left Hand Strawberry
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
SOLD

Right Hand Strawberry
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
SOLD

This weeks DPW challenge is the non-dominant challenge by Christine Holzschuh.I painted strawberries one with my usual left hand and one with my right.This challenge was a real eye opener and I recommend everyone try this out.Its funny that I strive so hard to loosen up my brushwork and with my right it came naturally!!

Piette's House at Montfoucault,Snow Effect (After Camille Pissarro)

Piette's House at Monfoucault,Snow Effect (After Camille Pissarro)

I looked at a picture of this painting , I loved it and I also thought it would be easy.How wrong could I be !!

Fruitful

SOLD

It has been a fruitful day.I recieved a call from the Wardown Park Museum telling me that one of my paintings had been sold and could I go and pick up the cheque!!

Fruitful
Oil on canvas board  6"x6"
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

This one is a combination of brush and palette knife .

Red Car in the Snow III

Red Car in the Snow III
Oil on canvas board,8"x8"
SOLD

This is a view from the top of my road.

Going Home in the Snow

Going Home in the Snow
Oil on canvas board,8"x8"
SOLD

This guy looked like he was on his way home.The red jacket stood out like a beacon in the snow.

Tulips and an Apple

Tulips and an Apple
Oil on canvas board,6"x6"
SOLD

Another painting ,another step on this journey.

Red Car in the Snow II

Red Car in the Snow II
Oil canvas board,8"x8"
SOLD

Its funny how when you concentrate on one colour and suddenly you see it everywhere.

Lady With a Parasol ( After Claude Monet)

Lady with a Parasol (after Claude Monet)
Oil canvas board,4"x4"
NFS

Its funny how at the beginning of the year motivation is high and before January is over most of the resolutions fall by the wayside. I set myself two goals ...one was to draw the town I live in and the second was to copy famous paintings.I want to renew my resolve to do both things starting with this little 4"x4" of Monet's Lady with a Parosol.

In the Moment

Cherries
Oil on canvas board,4"x4"
SOLD

Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control: now.
Denis Waitley

Nightlights

Nighlights
Oil on Daler-Rowney oil painting paper
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

I know its a bit late for the "Make it Move" challenge on DPW ,but I've had this idea for a week and I only just painted it.I took a photo of a moving car at night and this is my attempt.



Purple Tulips

Everything seems to come earlier and earlier.Christmas comes to the stores months before.As soon as the festivities are over holiday adverts are  everywhere.Spring flowers such as tulips and daffodils are already on sale.Every season has its delights but we don't have to wait anymore.


Purple Tulips
SOLD

Red Car in the Snow

Red Car in the Snow
Oil on Canvas Board,8"x8"
SOLD




Having a painterly style is my ultimate goal ,hopefully this year I will achieve that goal,oh, and of course to make a living from my paintings.

We have Snow!!

Snow is beautiful when it first falls .

I've been feeling a little lost at the moment,in need of inspiration.What I do in these times is declutter and clear out space.I've managed to fill about ten bags for charity and about the same of rubbish.I got together all my magazines and gave them to our local doctors surgery.

Many of the art books I've accumulated over the years have gone to charity.I've kept all my books on Van Gogh,Mary Cassatt,Jack Vettriano,Turner,to name but a few.Deciding whether to keep something or give it away underlines what is still important and stuff that you have outgrown.

I think I'm ready to paint tomorrow starting with these two photos.If anyone would like to paint them also, please feel free to use these photos.

A huge thankyou to everyone for commenting on my work,I always appreciate each and every one.

Roses and an Apple

I've been trying out different supports and sizes.

Roses and an Apple
Oil on Daler -Rowney Oil Painting Paper
5.5"x7"
Available,please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

This was painted on paper that is specially designed for oils.I must say I loved the surface,it was much smoother than canvas,the brush fair glided over the surface!

Something Small

Something Small
Oil on canvas board,4"x4"
SOLD

I bought some 4"x4" canvas boards and this is my first painting.I used both brush and palette knife.

Letting Go in Watercolours

Watercolours ,I think are the hardest meduim,but so much fun!


Letting Go in Watercolours
6"x6"
SOLD

This was painted to another of my all time favourites,this music takes me to another world !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dywBa-rlqw

Letting Go

Letting go of control is probably the hardest thing for an artist.
As individuals we all have to maintain control of our lives in so many ways,especially if you have a family to bring up.

Letting Go
Oil on canvas board,8"x8"
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

So when it comes to letting go of the brush to move around the canvas with freedom its hard but infinitely satisfying when on rare occassions I do manage it.

Patience

"Patience is bitter,but its fruit is sweet"

Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Contemplation

Its that time of year when we all find ourselves thinking about the year thats leaving and how to improve in the coming year.

Before starting my blog two years ago I had spent years without painting a single picture.Now I make time to paint through good times and bad.It has been the saving of me in many ways.Picking up a brush is the continuation of a journey and I am very fortunate to have found companions only an email away who are on the same journey.

It seems the more I paint the more I feel I have so much more to learn.It can be frustrating,lonely at times but the joy of painting is always there.

For 2013 I plan to, with God's grace to learn by copying famous paintings more often.I also plan to start a sketching group and go to landmark places around Luton.I still don't sketch as much as I should and this will hopefully give me the motivation.

Contemplation
Oil on canvas board,8"x8"
SOLD

Thankyou so much to everyone for all your kind comments and support this past year,you are all an essential part of my life.

Happy New Year and God Bless You All.

Lifeboat Commission

Lifeboat at Hemsby
NFS
The painting on the left is the donation.

Thankyou so much for all your comments guys!!!




A very nice buyer got in touch with me and asked if I could paint a lifeboat scene for her son who is a lifeboat man.i was delighted to accept.I have agreed to donate this painting to the lifeboat station in Norfolk and also I will hand over the copyrights so they can print postcards for the charity.They run entirely on donations and save so manylives every year  I am only too glad to help.Her son has also asked for a smaller painting for himself which I am in the process of doing now.

Wardown Park Museum Luton Art Awards Evening

My paintings on display

This is one by a friend of mine Janet McNally
A knitted collage

One of my favourites

Made out of stamps

The Winner
Andrew Naish

The Luton mayor giving a speech and handing out awards.

I had a great time this evening at the museum.The Luton Mayor handed out some prizes for different age groups for children and awards for adults.
I did'nt recieve anything but I felt lucky to be picked for display.Especially as I had'nt prepared for this competition,these are paintings from last year and were already framed.
It felt good to be among like minded people and to appreciate work by other artists.

Rose Dance

Rose Dance
Oil on canvas board,8"x8"
SOLD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQpcp7ZfSjw  Brian Ferry ;Don't Stop the Dance

This song is one I listen to often when painting.

Orange Rose and Blue Vase II

This is another version of yesterdays painting but with a different background.

Orange Rose in Blue Vase II
Oil on canvas board,7"x5
SOLD

Orange Rose in a Blue Vase

My thoughts and prayers go to the tragedy that has occurred in Connecticut.

Orange Rose in a Blue vase
Oil on canvas board
SOLD

Any life lost anywhere in the world is a loss to the world.

Luton Art Exhibition

Wardown Boat House
Acrylic on acrylic paper
6"x8"

Wardown Lakeside Geese
Acrylic on acrylic paper
6"x8"

Two of my paintings have been accepted on a juried exhibition!!This has come as a much needed boost and an invitation to a private viewing with prizes given out by the Luton Mayor.Something to look forward to.All being well, I will share some photos of the event.

Henny & Penny III

Henny&Penny III
Oil on canvas,5"x7"
Available,please contact me on
azraiqal2000@hotmail.com

I still have a few photos of chickens I can paint from.I love painting them,I get flashbacks to the illustrated childrens books that used to blow my mind as a kid.

Sweet to Eat

Sweet To Eat
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

The best thing about painting food is you get to eat it it after and it tastes that much sweeter.

Red Apple and Carnations

Red Apple And Carnations
Oil on canvas,12"x10"
SOLD

My red carnations are still going strong and the apple is still shiny.
I'm a little older though!!

Wild Ones Winter Edition

Wild Ones Winter Edition
Oil on canvas board,12"x10"
SOLD

I had great fun during the summer painting wildflowers and I thought that was it for this year until I saw these.I have no idea what they're called but they looked so pretty against the frost.

Apple Therapy

Apple Therapy
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
SOLD

Not only do apples keep doctors away they are very good to paint after a few days break and you need to ease your way back into a daily habit.

Red Pepper With a Green Spot

This pepper caught my eye because it still had that bit of green colour before it became completely red and orange.

Red Pepper With a Green Spot
Oil on canvas board,5"x7"
Available ,please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.
Vincent Van Gogh

Red Carnations

Red Carnations
Oil on canvas board,7"x5"
Available,please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

All the seasonal colours are in the shops,this time of year always brings back memories of making cards at school with lots of glitter and parties.Happy times. : )

I've been busy the last few days joining DailyPaintWorks to sell and also auction my paintings through them.I am so not good with technical things ,it took me hours to set it up ,listening to all the tutorials they have.The last thing is the DPW widget and for some reason blogger won't allow me.I must be doing something wrong.This is where I need your help guys.Any advice would be most welcome.

Thankyou so much for all your comments and sharing your memories with me ,especially on the last post.All the answers have been so sweet,my favourite being the red tennis shoes from Darla McDowell.