Romance

Romance like a ghost escapes touching; it is always where you are not, not where you are. The interview or conversation was prose at the time, but it is poetry in the memory.

Quote by George William Curtis

 

Romance
Oil on wrapped canvas 8"x8"

 

Delphiniums and a Rose

How did twelve days go by without posting!!! Work, and flagging energy I think are the main reasons, but I have not let that stop me in the past, so I vow to do better.
This is painted on wrapped canvas and a little larger than I am used to.

Delphiniums and a Rose
Oil on wrapped canvas 12"x 9"

Summer Rain

Isn't rain beautiful!! Especially summer rain where everything cools down and washed clean.
I've not had time to paint, but I did take a few photos of puddles.  :  )  I think I must have been a tree in a past life. Lol

Photo of a puddle.

Sunny June With a Cream Background

Thank you so much for all your comments, I love receiving them and I appreciate the time you all take to send me your encouragement.

The very nice buyer has asked me to change the background to a cream colour to tie in with her décor. Other than that she loves the roses as they are. In fact I think it looks better than before, what do you think?

Sunny June
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Sunny June

Its a beautiful day, quite cool with plenty of sunshine. I've just finished this painting, which is a commission, I haven't shown the buyer yet but I'm hoping she likes it. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed painting it, the colours are just so cheerful and uplifting.

Sunny June
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"

Strength

This Japanese proverb sums up how I feel about my work. There are times when I think I am doing ok, I'm standing up, but  many times I feel that I fall short of the picture I have in my head and what I have achieved on canvas. However I do think that I have come a long way and slowly, bit by bit I am nearer to my goal of becoming a professional artist.

 Fall seven times and stand up eight. –Japanese Proverb

Strength
Oil on canvas board 10"x8"

Fragrant Roses From Tracy's Garden

These roses have the most sweetest fragrance.


Fragrant Roses From Tracy's Garden
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
SOLD

Flowers and Fruit

Thank you so much ladies for all your comments, especially since all I seem to paint lately is roses. :  )

Flowers and Fruit
Oil on canvas board
8"x8"
SOLD

Bliss

Its a beautiful sunny day, I had some time to paint.

Bliss
oil on canvas board 8"x8"

Starting Anew

All the fun and hard work, where the weddings are concerned is over. My best friend treated me to a day out in London, we went to see the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, I enjoyed the whole experience, the company, the paintings and just being in London lifts my spirits.

I feel as if I am starting from the beginning, I bought  some new brushes, my old ones have definitely seen better days. The difference is shocking really, the brushes glided over the canvas and the painting almost painted itself.
 Thank God for good friends.

Starting Anew
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD
 

I have plenty of flowers left over from the flower arranging and the break has left me with a hunger to paint more than ever.

Wedding

My niece was married yesterday and I have been super busy making bouquets, centrepieces, and cakes. With all of this going on we have been carrying on with our work as well so you can imagine how tired I am at the moment. It has been a happy family occasion and emotional to see my wonderful niece happily married.

 I am hoping now to get back to my normal routine of painting everyday, and also catching up on what everyone else has been doing on their blogs.

I have been taking plenty of photos, here are a few.

The party the night before, kind of like a hen party.

The bride and groom.

 

 

 

Clarity Of Mind

Sometimes in order to make life less complicated you have to clear your mind and look at the bigger picture.

Clarity of Mind
Oil on canvas board 7"x5"
SOLD

Moving Forward

Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward.

Quote by Victor Kiam

Moving Forward
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Cherry Oh Baby II

This is one of those forgot to post paintings, I painted this back in February. It has sold and is on its way to Londonderry in Ireland as I write.
We had some torrential rain yesterday with the largest hail I've ever seen, I certainly enjoyed watching the drama from a safe place indoors, I just hope everyone out found shelter.

Cherry Oh Baby II
oil on canvas board 4"x4"
SOLD

Apricots and Pink Roses

I'm back in my groove again, I bought a small bunch of these little pink roses and I'm enjoying watching them open. The apricots have this sweet fragrance and compliment the roses and blue creamer.

I've been listening to the Bee Gees.... You Should Be Dancing.....I love it!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JoZS6LgqYI

Apricots and Pink Roses
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"

Breaking Free

This is my first painting after nine days and I wanted to paint something that represents that moment of breaking free and the shear joy of coming back to something you love.

Breaking Free
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Peace in a Rose

A simple jam jar and a small pink rose and I find myself at peace.

Peace in a Rose
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
SOLD

 

Hanging On II

This rose has been blooming in this vase for over two weeks, I've just been so busy with finishing off the final touches to the house. My family are all back from their travels, I feel truly blessed.
I did promise photos so here are a few.

Hanging On II
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
SOLD

Peachy

Peach is definitely my colour this year.

Peachy
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Colours of Life

If you change the way you tell your own story, you can change the colour and create a life in technicolour.
Quote by Isabel Allende.

Colours of Life
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Happiness Shared

Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.

John Harrigan

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/flower_3.html#QMILr6jxT4m7e8CR.99

Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/flower_3.html#QMILr6jxT4m7e8CR.99

Happiness held is the seed;
Happiness shared is the flower.
Quote by John Harrigan.

Happiness Shared
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Pear and Bluebells

This little blue glass vase was a bargain buy from a charity shop, I fell in love with the colour. The bluebells are all over my garden, happily they grow without any input from me, since I am not exactly green fingered.

Pear and Bluebells
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"

Pink Rose in Jam Jar

This is one I painted a few months ago but completely forgot to post. It sold yesterday and is on its way to a buyer in Norfolk.

Pink Rose in Jam Jar
oil on canvas board 7"x5"
SOLD

At the moment I am busy putting furniture back, which is so much easier with the extra space created but de-cluttering. With the different colours on the walls I can now do the fun part....accessorizing. :  )

Grape Hyacinths in Warm Spring Sunshine

The weather has been stunning compared to this time last year, the sun is shining, the garden is full of spring flowers and even butterflies are gracing us with their presence.

Grape Hyacinths in Warm Spring Sunshine
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
SOLD

Hanging On

This is my first painting after about two weeks, these roses were given as a present about two weeks ago and they've hung on almost as if they were waiting for me to record their life on canvas.
Most of the house is finished, just our bedroom and bathroom to go, its been tough but also quite liberating and therapeutic.

Hanging On
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Pink Tulips

A week later and I've finished painting downstairs, the walls and ceilings are done. I've chosen peach and a warm yellow, it makes a change from the duck egg blue we've had for the last four years. The colours are warm and welcoming and I am looking forward to accessorizing with throws and cushions. I'm on a tight budget so the furniture and carpets are staying put for now, its wonderful that I've had the energy, resources and time to give our home some TLC.
I painted these tulips nearly a week ago, I had thought to add to it a bit more, but I think its done.

Pink Tulips
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Pansies in the Morning

At the moment I am in the middle of redecorating, new colour scheme and complete spring clean. I've donated about twenty bags of clothes and books for charity and thrown out a whole lot of stuff that is no good to anyone. Its amazing how much we hoard and getting rid is great therapy, I feel lighter already and once all the decorating is done, I am hoping it will give my creativity a boost.

Pansies in the Morning
Oil on canvas board 6"x6"
SOLD

The Sunflowers After George Braque

The Sunflowers After George Braque
Oil on paper made for oils
10"x8"

I painted this for  http://paintingfromthemasters.blogspot.co.uk/
This months challenge was my choice and very kindly posted by Karen d'Angeac Mihm.
I have left it a bit last minute but I can tell you I really enjoyed trying to copy this amazing, flamboyant masterpiece. I did rush some so its not accurate but maybe that's how he painted it, there is a wonderful looseness that I love and crave to be able to put in my work.



Memories

“It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone... but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.”

Kahlil Gibran


I had some quiet time to myself and found myself with a lot of memories.....




Memories
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"

Be Happy

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it's all that matters.”
― Audrey Hepburn

        

Be Happy
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"

Patience is a Virtue

Its been over a week since my last post, I've been so busy with work that painting had to take a back seat. patience is indeed a virtue since I struggled to get the work done, but still could not make time.
I picked up my brushes last night and it felt sooo good! :  )

I also repainted this one, I felt the background did not help to make the daffodils stand out.

Daffodils and Clementine
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
 

Patience is a Virtue
Oil on canvas board 7"x5"
SOLD

Warmth

The background is like a warm blanket wrapped around on a cold winter afternoon.

Warmth
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD
 

Sunny Sunday

I was up early on this beautiful sunny Sunday to paint this.

Sunny Sunday
Oil on canvas board 7"x5"

Daffodils and Clementine

Daffodils and Clementine
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"

 “The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes, and, ironically, the more real.” Lucian Freud

Pink on Blue

Happiness is not something readymade.  It comes from your own actions. –Dalai Lama

Pink on Blue
oil on canvas board 6"x6"

Opening Up a Little More

I actually painted this after the first daff painting but it needed some changes. I've been working on it today and I think its at a stage where I can call it finished.

An update on the John Singer Sergeant painting project started by Richard Robinson......the deadline was the end of last month, but I suppose if one painting is to be completed by eighty artists there are bound to be hitches, life can get in the way, with all the best of intentions. My piece is No.78, please check out the painting, I think all the pieces look amazing.


http://thecompleteartist.ning.com/page/group-painting

Opening Up A Little More
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
SOLD

Cheer Up

This composition kind of fell into place, mainly because the pear refused to stand!!

Cheer Up
Oil on canvas board 5"x7"
SOLD

Opening Up

Over the last three years I have come to love the work of so many artists. At the moment I am fascinated by the work of George Braque who was a 20th Century French artist. He was known for cubism, modern art, fauvism and analytic cubism. I particularly like his limited colour palette, especially in his still life paintings. A note to Karen d' Angeac Mihm,  I would love to paint one of Braque's still life paintings for this or next  months challenge, no pressure of course. :  )
http://paintingfromthemasters.blogspot.co.uk/

Opening Up
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"

Fruit and Rose

The sun is shining, its about 18C and I've just finished this painting. Oh, and its a Sunday, what could be better!!

Fruit and Rose
Oil on canvas board 8"x8"
 

Plum Trio

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. –Confucius

This quote sums up how I feel at the moment....determined to keep going.



Plum Trio
Oil on canvas board 4"x4"

Roses Roses

Either you run the day, or the day runs you. –Jim Rohn

There have been so many days when there is no control, there is precious little spare time and if that is not made use of, then " the day runs you". So when I do paint it is a joy, a privilege, and I feel satisfied that I made use of the gift of time.

My obsession with roses is still in full force, I see a bunch of roses and I just want to take it home and lose myself in the colours and shapes.

Roses Roses
Oil on canvas board
8"x8"
SOLD