Experiment in Colour II

I'm feeling that experimentation is the key for this year, depending on how brave I can be. :  )

Experiment in Colour II
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Trust II

Trust II
Oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

I believe if you keep your faith, you keep your trust, you keep the right attitude, if you're grateful, you'll see God open up new doors.

Joel Osteen

Trust

Trust
oil on oil paper
 

Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go.

Natalie Goldberg

Fruit

Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.

Khalil Gibran

Fruit
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"
 

Peace

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.

Jimi Hendrix

Peace
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Daffodils IV

Its been very spirit lifting painting these fragrant, cheerful flowers, but I think this fourth version is enough for now.

Daffodils IV
oil on oil paper
10" x 8"

Daffodils III

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Confucius

 

 

Daffodils III
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

 

Daffodils II

It snowed for all of five minutes and then melted. I won't be getting my outdoor easel out of mothballs just yet. Lol

Daffodils II
oil on oil paper
8" x 10"
 

Daffodils

He that has two cakes of bread,  let him sell one of them for some flowers
of the Narcissus,
for bread is food for the body,
but Narcissus is food of the soul. 

~ Mohammed (c. 570-632 AD)

 

Daffodils
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

 

Growth

Growth
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.” Kurt Vonnegut




Orange Rose

I would like to dedicate this painting to David Bowie, he died today after a long illness. May he rest in peace. This is my favourite song by him called Sound and Vision.

Orange Rose
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoDamvrfUbQ

Family

I believe the world is one big family, and we need to help each other.

Jet Li

 

 

 

Family
oil on oil paper
8" x10"




 

 

Fields and Forest

I always assumed that abstracts would be easier than realism, that is not the case. Painting abstracts is so  challenging that I am hooked, for now anyway. :  )

Fields and Forest
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Bloom

And like a colorful bloom of temporary lights in the sky, you will shine.”
― Chad Sugg

Bloom
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Nectar

Nectar
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Work without hope draws nectar in a sieve, And hope without an object cannot live.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Poinsettia III

I have found that the more I explore a particular subject the freer I get. Anyone who has seen Billy Elliot will understand when I say its like electricity, whatever it is you create, be it dance, music, or a painting.

 

Poinsettia III
oil on  oil paper
8"x 10"

 

Poinsettia II

Its so great to get back into the swing of things. Thank you all so much for your encouragement!!

Poinsettia II
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"
 

Poinsettia

As soon as these beautiful, vibrant plants appear in the shops I buy one. They don't usually last very long, but this one seems to be hanging on.

Poinsettia
oil on oil paper
8"x 10

Happy New Year!

Hi everyone, I hope you are all enjoying the holidays and have seen the New Year in with health, good fortune and peace.

 My heart goes out to the flood victims here in the UK, they have suffered terribly over the last few months and in the last few days. I hope that with the help of the authorities and the kindness of strangers they get their homes and their lives back soon.

Its a steely grey day today and rain has just begun to fall at three in the afternoon. I've painted this landscape with colours that speak to me of a quiet new years day.

 I have set myself a challenge of posting a painting everyday for the rest of the year. A tough challenge indeed, but I have been finding excuses galore not to paint this past year and I feel I need to pull myself up.

Happy New Year!
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

The Storm Will Pass

I took a photograph last year around March time, the clouds were heavy, a few drops of rain just starting to fall. Finally its painted and I feel much happier.

I heard this song yesterday on Radio Lab, its Ben Howard  and its called Rivers in Your Mouth, love his voice and that guitar is sublime..




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4vX6Uo9BO8

The Storm Will Pass
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Roses Roses III

Its a drizzly, grey Sunday, perfect for painting.

Roses Roses III
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Roses Roses II

"Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love.”
― Rumi

Roses Roses II
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Roses Roses

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.”
― Rumi

Roses Roses
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Act of Kindness

 

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Aesop

 

Act of Kindness
oil on oil paper
10" x 8" 

 

View From a Train

On my trips to London I like to take lots of photos as the landscape speeds by. I love London and the joy I feel begins as soon as I step on the train. Painting this landscape felt pretty good too.

View From a Train
oil on oil paper
8" x 10"

Carnival

Then there are days when you want colour, lots of colour.

Carnival
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Close

Painting roses is hard enough, painting them close up is a mission. It took a few attempts before I was reasonably happy. I think because they are such a challenge, I can see myself painting roses until I'm very old.  :  )

Close
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Quiet

However much I love colour, sometimes I feel that less is more. Which brings me to a song I love, its called Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGSKrC7dGcY

I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday.

Quiet
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"
 

Pink Rose in Blue Creamer

I tried to keep it simple with as little brushstrokes as possible.

Pink Rose in Blue Creamer
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

With or Without

With or Without
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

After painting colourful flowers for the past five years I find myself really looking at the foliage that comes with them. I am amazed at how beautiful leaves can be so decided to paint without the flowers. Which brings me to the song that is my personal all time favourite, so far anyway.....With or without you by U2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmSdTa9kaiQ




Blitz

I met this delightful dog last year when I went to see my friend in France.

 My heart goes out to all the people who have suffered the atrocities in Paris.

Blitz
Ink and wash on watercolour paper

Sunny Day

Today we've had rain, winds and now beautiful sunshine. I feel blessed to have a warm home and the health to enjoy all the drama of English weather.

Sunny Day
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Chrysanthemum Sketches

The sun is out, after about a week, and I have time to sketch/paint.  :  )

Chrysanth Sketch
watercolour, ink wash on cartridge paper

Chrysanth Sketch II
watercolour, ink wash on cartridge paper

Harvest

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

Quote by Robert Louis Stevenson

Harvest
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"

Never too Late

It is never too late to be what you might have been. 
Quote by George Elliot

 

 

Never Too Late
oil on oil paper
8" x 10"



 

More Pages from my Sketchbook

I'm still having a great time making use of my sketch book from our local Tiger store where I bought my little travelling chicken. She is still happily enjoying the hospitality of artists around the world and having some amazing portraits painted in the process.

Gladioli

Some more loose flowers in acrylic, ink pen and pastel.

 

 

 

 

A Page From My Sketchbook

I've been playing around with pen and watercolour. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to experimenting with a combination of mixed media.

Pansies
pen and watercolour
 

Be Present

You might think that you need to be in the right frame of mind or have the space to be creative. You don’t, all you need is to be present.

Azra Iqbal

The Royal Academy of Arts asked me for my advice as an  exhibiting artist and the above was my contribution.

Be Present
oil on oil paper 10" x 8"

This is something that I need to remind myself from time to time. :  )

Tulip Fields

This was a challenge simply because there was so much colour.

Tulip Fields
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Grove Farm

I've been painting while listening to this album, love her voice..Part of the Process by Morcheeba


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwi1UEPPlkI

Grove Farm
oil on MDF
8"x 12"

Mixed Flower Sketch

I began this three days ago and finished it today.

Mixed Flower sketch
pencil on cartridge paper.

A Lesson Learned is a Lesson Earned

I painted this pear composition over two years ago and did not post it because I thought it was not good enough. Today I just happened to be going through some storage boxes and saw this painting. I looked at it and thought, actually this is worth keeping. I'm so glad I didn't tear it up at the time, I think this is why you should reserve judgement on your own work for at least a year or so before you decide to destroy it.

A Lesson Learned
oil on canvas sheet
8"x 9"

Boardwalk Babes

A beautiful sunny day, perfect for taking a stroll on the boardwalk....

Boardwalk Babes
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Cherry Brandy Roses II

Its a beautiful autumn morning, the sun is out and I'm painting again. :  )

Cherry Brandy Roses II
oil on oil paper
10"x8"

Cherry Brandy Roses

A beautiful bunch of the most amazing roses were given to me nearly two weeks ago and I've been eyeing them longingly, but I just could not pick up my brushes to even start. Today I gave myself a good talking to and here is the result.  :  )

Cherry Brandy Roses
oil on oil paper
10"x 8"