A Dozen Pink Roses Challenge

I bought a bunch of pink roses on Saturday morning, they are gorgeous big headed, large petals in the most delightful pink shades.  Every time I buy a bunch of flowers I feel guilty that this is an indulgence and I have to justify my purchase, so I have decided that from this bunch I am going to make thirty paintings. I'm going to have fun with whatever medium is available and any style from realism to abstract. I might end up frying my brains but I think I will enjoy this challenge.

If anyone wants to join me by buying some flowers and really taking your imagination to the next level please do have a go and tell me about it as well.

I've already made a start with two paintings in my usual style.


Pink Rose in Creamer
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD
 

Pink and Purple
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Summer Sun III

You never know what's around the corner. It could be everything. Or it could be nothing. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, and then one day you look back and you've climbed a mountain.”
―  Tom Hiddleston


Summer Sun III
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
SOLD

Summer Sun II

I'm afraid it just doesn't follow that if you paint something well once you can do it again!!!  This one took me most of the day to get near to being happy with it. 

Summer Sun III
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Summer Sun

These bright big flowers are always such a welcome sight over the summer months.

Summer Sun
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Roses of Yesterday

“I feel as if I had opened a book and found roses of yesterday sweet and fragrant, between its leaves.”
―   L.M Montgomery, Anne of the Island.

 

I've been so busy the last few days that 


Roses of Yesterday
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
SOLD
 

 I've left it till the last moment to paint these roses, they are not at their best but still smell so sweet.

Indian Onion

It doesn't matter what artists paint, you can be rest assured that they lay their heart and soul in every brush stroke.

Here's a song I have loved for a long time, I hope you enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu7AR0-FRro

Indian Onion
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Urban Oasis

Most cities and towns have parks and they are wonderful places to get away and breath air that is that little bitter fresher. Its been raining on and off for the past week and everything is so lush and green.

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

Growth

Most local grocery stores are selling these onions that have been imported from India. They are much milder than the darker variety and the colours are just amazing. 

Growth
Oil on canvas 7"x5
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Limitless

The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.
Quote by Paul Strand.

Limitless
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Levitation

Wanting to defy gravity is something that man has a deep fascination for. To be able to float without a care even if its for a short time and I guess painting does that for me. When I'm in the middle of a painting I am completely lost,  in that short time all worries and cares are left by the wayside.
A friend of mine who has supported me since I began painting urges me to put feeling into my work. This sunflower floating in the vase goes in someway towards that goal of conveying my feelings.

Levitation
Oil on canvas board 7"x5"
SOLD

Pepper and Onions

Pepper and Onions
Oil on canvas board 5"x7"
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

My friend invited me to a day out to St Albans which is an old market town that dates back to before the Romans. I've taken some interesting pictures I hope you will enjoy.


Watch Tower

Door on the side of watchtower says "Commit no Nuisance"

Just loved the look of this spiral staircase.

Rani in Costume

Well here it is ...my first attempt at painting a horse. I'm pleased with some bits and of course practice makes better.

Rani in Costume
Oil on canvas board 5"x7"
Available on DPW auction

Rose Bud

I have the great privilege of receiving membership to Artists Network Bedfordshire recently and they are organising local exhibitions from September. I am very happy to be a part of these exhibitions ,not only for the opportunities to promote and sell my work but also to meet local artists.
I will have to get down to serious hard work to produce enough paintings for three exhibitions by September, but you know me, I am always up for a challenge!
I will keep you posted on my progress.

Another exciting thing happened.....yesterday I was on my way to post a painting and came across the most beautiful horse all dressed up for an Asian wedding. The owner was also in costume and was so kind to let me take some photos of them both. The owner was called John and the horse Rani which I think means queen. I've never painted a horse so that's another challenge for me. If anyone would like to use any of the horse


Rose Bud
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
SOLD
 

John and Rani
all the way from Birmingham for an Indian wedding

Beautiful Rani

 photos please feel free. Now I think I'll put a wet cloth over my head to calm down, the excitement is just too much ....lol  :  ))

May Blossoms

May Blossoms
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

I took this picture last month and I miss all those blossoms .

Blue Sky in June

 I am definitely in love with painting outdoors!!

Blue Sky in June
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

A Gift

This lovely little bunch is a present from my daughter.

A Gift
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
SOLD

Wardown Park Boathouse

Guys, I finally plucked up courage and headed out to the park today. The weather was just perfect, it began cloudy but the sun came out and stayed for the afternoon. I painted for about three hours with plenty of interuptions from curious kids and their parents. A lovely pensioner who shared memories of when the park actually had boats that were hired out onto the lake.

I did feel quite daunted to start with but kept going and pretty soon I was lost in the whole process. I managed to keep detail to a minimum and for a first attempt plein air I think it was a very positive experience.

My first plein air painting

Wardown Park Boathouse
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Fishing Boats on the Beach After Vincent Van Gogh

This is my entry for this months Painting from the Masters challenge run by Karen D'Angeac Mihm to paint Van Gogh's Fishing Boats on the Beach.
It was fun to do and seeing through the eyes of a master is a great way to learn.

Fishing Boats on the Beach After Vincent Van Gogh
Oil on wrapped canvas 5"x7"
NFS

Pink Rose

This is from a photo I took the last time I painted these roses . I have such a huge collection of photos now so I am never stuck for inspiration or subject. I am still waiting for my outdoor easel, it should arrive sometime next week. If  anyone has any tips on painting outdoors I would much appreciate them.


Pink Rose
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
SOLD
 



Tea and a Strawberry

Its wet,

Teacup and a Strawberry
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

windy and glorious, how better to spend a rainy afternoon than painting a teacup and a strawberry!

Fruit and Flower II

Fruit and Flower II
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
SOLD

One of my new years resolutions was to paint outdoors. I can't believe its the third week in May and I still haven't attempted it. So today I got the ball rolling and bought myself an outdoor easel and painting transporter combined. I always try to justify any money I spend on myself, I think thats a woman thing!! We always put ourselves last on the list. Anyway this was an essential buy and I can't wait for the delivery. Then I really will have no excuse and hopefully I can embark on the next step of this fantastic journey.  :  )

Faith

Faith
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

 Every brush mark that an artist places on the canvas is an act of faith.

Purple Tulips in Glass Vase

I was fortunate to find this poem, its definitely a keeper!!

Purple Tulips in Glass Vase
SOLD

  Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.”
― Christian D. Larson, Your Forces and How to Use Them

        

Pink Geraniums

I painted this from a photo I took last year at a friends house,  I really do take my camera everywhere.

Pink Geraniums
Oil on canvas board, 6"x6"
SOLD

Golden Years

This apple has been sitting on my painting table for a while now and the colour has deepened to this gold colour. The colour made me think of this song by David Bowie. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pSw6Dz3-8E&list=RD026IJsAuUgSgc

Golden Years
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
SOLD

Spring Chicken

Much as I love painting flowers I felt a change was needed.

Spring Chicken
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
SOLD

Lewsey Road Blossoms

This road is  about ten minutes drive from us and there is a whole parade of  these gorgeous trees ,they're like cheerleeders with  pom-poms!

Lewsey Road Blossoms
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Fringe Benefits

My hobby of arranging flowers for weddings doesn't pay enormously well, but the fringe benefits are I sometimes get my centrepieces back, with flowers intact. At the moment I have a bucket  full of roses and chrysanthemums ,they are so beautiful I could eat them.

Fringe Benefits
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Wedding Flowers

Expression of Love

Expression of Love
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

“Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing.” ~Marc Chagall

Inspiration

Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model.
Quote by Vincent Van Gogh.


I think I would do better to write this quote somewhere prominant as a reminder.

Inspiration
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
Available please contact me on
azraiqba2000@hotmail.com

Story of a Lily

There are great treasures to be found in charity shops and it feels good to help a good cause as well. I bought a pair of these small vases for a couple of pounds and hope to use them many times over.

I don't think I will ever tire of watching lilies open up and marvel at each stage of their awakening.

Story of a Lily
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Story of a Lily II
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
Available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Story of a Lily III
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
Available please contact me on
azrziqbal2000@hotmail.com

While the Sun Shines III

I've had these lilac roses for ten days and they are still going strong so I will continue painting them or "make hay while the sun shines" Lol.

While the Sun Shines III
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

While the Sun shines II

Today the weather has been magnificent!!  Still very fresh, blossoms everywhere and the promise of rain....bliss

While the Sun Shines II
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Luton  4/05/2013

While the Sun Shines

On the whole I think I am pleased with this one, not too much fussing and expressive.

While The Sun Shines
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
SOLD

Lilac Rose in Purple Tinted Vase

Lilac Rose in Purple Tinted Vase
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"
available please contact me on
azraiqbal2000@hotmail.com

Imagine my delight when my next flower order was for lilac roses and white chrysanthemums !!

Wedding table Centrepiece