Greetings Cards

I've managed to sort out the cards for Stockwood Park and Wardown Park,so I will be delivering these tomorrow.Of course our kitten Tony has to be part of the action,and we love him for it.

A Shared Lunch

This sketch is from a photo I took in the park in autumn,and the hyacinths are still giving off a heady fragrance. I 've been wanting to paint the goose and pidgeons  but have not got around to it.One very positive benefit I noticed since I started blogging is that I am  never lacking inspiration.There never seems enough time for all I want to paint.It is a most happy state to be in. : )

Blooming II

We have the lovely fragrance of hyacinths in our living room.

Flowers leave some of their fragrance in the hand that bestows them."
- Chinese proverb

TipToe

"Tiptoe through the window
By the window, that is where I'll be
Come tiptoe through the tulips with me

Oh, tiptoe from the garden
By the garden of the willow tree
And tiptoe through the tulips with me

Knee deep in flowers we'll stray
We'll keep the showers away
And if I kiss you in the garden, in the moonlight
Will you pardon me?
And tiptoe through the tulips with me"

Written by Al Dubin

Apple of My Eye

SOLD

"The flowers of the apple are perhaps the most beautiful of any tree's, so copious and so delicious to both sight and scent." -- Henry David Thoreau, Wild Apples

Blooming

Love is like the wild rose-briar; Friendship like the holly-tree. The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms, but which will bloom most constantly?
Emily Bronte

Fruit of the Vine

I had planned on painting the hyacinth bulb, which is now fully flowered ,but I've had such a tiring day that I decided to paint something less challenging.Although I had just as much fun doing these very sweet grapes.I'm still sketching happily in spare moments.

I wish you  joy in all your creative pursuits. : )

Hearts and Flower IV

"Beauty is not in the face; Beauty is a light in the heart."
~ Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)

Red Rose III

"The heart has its  reasons that reason knows nothing of."

Blaise Pascal.

Hearts and Flowers II

I have been asked to design some more cards for Stockwood Park Museum and also some paintings with a Valentines theme for a local shop.I went out today and bought some red roses and this is the first.Although I might change my mind tomorrow and change it.

Emerging Hyacinth

Scatter seeds of kindness everywhere you go;
Scatter bits of courtesy - watch them grow and grow.
Gather buds of friendship, keep them till full-blown;
You will have more happiness than you have ever known. Amy R. Raabe

Summer Heat

This weeks challenge on DPW is to paint using "Tangerine Tango".Ever heard the song by Style Council...Long hot summer???? It always brings back wonderful memories of school art lessons spent in the fields.........

Lunch among the Daisies

Geese are one of my favourite subjects to paint and I'm lucky that we have a park about twenty minutes walk away.The lake is always full of ducks,geese,seagulls and even pidgeons.

Geese Sketch

Last week I was looking through http://adebanjialade.blogspot.com/ and I felt inspired to finally start sketching on a daily basis.I wrote a comment on his blog saying that he had inspired me to sketch and he replied that he would send me a sketch book and the type of markers that he uses!! He was as good as his word and sent me not only the sketch book and markers but also some drawings which he signed. It was such an amazing gift and I am now on the road to sketching at last!

Pink Tulips II

Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.
- Earl Nightingale

Pink Tulips

Slowly getting back into the routine of things.I thought that by taking a break from painting I will come back refreshed and possibly paint better.Actually its been counterproductive and I really have to push myself to start anything.My lesson from this is to push through and keep painting and not to take long breaks!!

Two's Company

”Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” -- Picasso.

An apple a day II

 I have submitted another apple painting to web.mac.com/micheloosterhout/anappleaday/about.html.This is something I posted on the 17th of February 2011.

"May the dreams of your past be the reality of your future."

Fresh Start

In the past I've been able to control my sugar cravings for months and even years by completely giving up refined sugar.So I've made a fresh start and enjoying,guilt free sweet natural foods such as strawberries,raisins,dates,persimmon.Breakfast today was strawberries to start with and then porridge with raisins.
I've entered this for this weeks Paint your breakfast challenge on DailyPaintworks.

Three Figs on a Dish II

" Even if you stumble ,you're still moving forward."

Three Figs on a Dish

Yesterday I tried pastels and acrylics on the fireworks painting.I found that I did'nt like using them ,especially the feeling of powder on my fingers.I also found I did'nt have as much control with this medium as I do with acrylics.

Today I did a quick study in watercolour and its a whole different ball game!! I've had this set of watercolours for about fifteen years ,I did use it but did'nt really take to it as I have acrylics.I certainly will persevere with watercolours as there are some inspiring watercolour artists out there ,such as Kathy Los-Rathburn and Nora Mcphail whose style I absolutely love.I also love the  poetic florals by Sidmar.

Auld Lang Syne

To old frienships and new.Cheers,I could'nt have done it without you!

I've no idea why there are bands going across the scan I took,but the actual painting does'nt have them.This is the first time I've had a problem using the scanner.I will try again tomorrow and see if I can fix it.

A New Beginning!!

Boy!! Am I glad to close the door on 2011. My wish for myself and everyone is that 2012 is the best yet,and we achieve everything we set out to do and enjoy ourselves in the process.Along the way I want to extend a hand to those less fortunate,sometimes all is needed is a kind word,some encouragement,if my finances allow I will also try to help in that way too.Sometimes the chasm between the haves and the have nots is too wide.If I have good fortune I know I would want to share it.Success would taste that much sweeter for it.

I begin this year with Cezanne's Ginger Jar and Fruit.Its not an exact copy,I've left  out some of the detail in the background but overall its one of my favourites and I always meant to have a go painting it.

Cake Mode

A few very sweet friends have been asking me why I hav'nt been posting in the last week.I've been in "cake mode" as Karen Boe phrased it.  : ) 
It was only a two tier cake and I used fresh flowers for decoration,I made this for our neighbours and we were also invited to the wedding so that kept me busy for a few days.Our daughter is involved with a charity called Community Needs and I was also helping out.I donated a few of my paintings ,so I was busy getting them framed and ready.I  donated the hire of my vases and silk flowers for their charity event on Sunday. I think they raised about £1200 for Africa.Alot of the work was carried out by local kids of all backgrounds,its given them skills and a huge boost to their confidence.Not to mention keeping them out of trouble.
 So I've had quite alot going on this past week,its all been good ,but I've also been doing some soul searching about which direction my art is going in.I think I'm on the right track ,but I also want to explore different mediums from next year and possibly  enrol for some short courses running in and around London.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a great time over the holidays and health and happiness for the New Year.Cheers and thankyou for all your kindness,support and wonderful comments over the past year.

Sweetness

My husband bought me these sweet sweet ,gorgeous fruits because he knows i  love them.

Love is....

I bought this little ceramic elf  a few weeks ago to paint and what better time than now.Remember the comic strip ??  This just reminded me of that.

Backgarden Sunset IV

I took a photo of this sunset back in spring and its been on my to do list.I must admit it was harder than the previous sunsets because of  those rays coming through,but I think the challenge was well worth it.

Poinsettia III

My poinsettia is shedding leaves at an alarming rate,so I'm trying to paint a few more before it disappears!


"A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament"

Oscar Wilde  quote.

Courage

When flowers open  into this world they  have no idea for how long they will bloom,will the sunshine,will they be admired for their beauty or ignored,cherished or not.Yet they bravely bloom for all they are worth........

Hearts and Flowers

This is something I painted over a year ago,my style has changed a bit since then,learnt a few lessons along the way.

Blushing Apple

You know how it is...you're in the kitchen cooking and something catches your eye.....

These apples are called Egremont Russet and they are heritage apples.I absolutely love the taste,very sweet with a hint of pear flavour.

Nevertheless IV

The lillies I bought  eleven days ago are now past their best but still beautiful.
I find with  flowers if you cut the stem really short it makes them last at least four days longer.

Self in the style of Matisse

This weeks DailyPaintworks challenge is to paint in the style of an artist we admire,and it was hosted by Gloria Zucaro.

I thoroughly enjoyed painting this because it was fun and has helped me to see things differently.

Luton Cricket Pavillion

This is where our son spends most Sundays playing cricket or football.It was a crisp early autumn day,the sky was so bright and free of clouds,just perfect for a photo.

Poinsettia 11

My present mood is taking me into  a direction that is opposite to my usual style.I have gotten looser over the last year but its hard to relinquish control normally.With this its more about emotions,I'm letting go of rules and allowing myself to make mistakes ,just to see where it will take me.As artists I don't think we ever stop searching for that perfect interpretation of our inner vision,in the process we find success at the most ,or at the least ,release from this constant need to express ourselves.

Fun

I had fun painting this,I'm not sure if its a success ,I'll leave that for you to decide.Today has been one of those steely grey days with a bite of frost.I felt like bringing some warmth and colour into the day.  : )

Apple and Toaster

This weeks DailyPaintworks challenge is to paint your toaster and reflections.Most of my toaster is white so  I chose to paint the top part.

A Walk in the Park

I painted this from a photo I took in Battersea Park.It was early autumn ,there was a slight chill in the air,the leaves were turning golden.It made me wish I had some plein air painting buddies.

Poinsettia

I buy a poinsettia every year and always try to keep it going for as long as possible,but they don't last very long.I wonder if anyone has any tips on keeping these colourful,festive plants going all year.

An apple a day

Maria Baluishttp://mariabaluis.blogspot.com/ mentioned two weeks ago on her blog that she was entering her toffee apple painting onto this website
http://web.mac.com/micheloosterhout/anappleaday/homepage.html

 Michel is collecting apple paintings or drawings,his goal is to collect 365. Anyone is welcome to join,so I now have this painting on the website.Its one I posted back in March, but consider it to be one of my best.

Lily

“Therefore, to be possessed with double pomp, To guard a title that was rich before, To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice, or add another hue Unto the rainbow, or with taper light To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.”

William Shakespeare quote

Fresh Cream Cake

I've been super busy today and dinner is at my Mums so it does'nt look like I'm going to have time to paint.This is a cake I made last year.The best part is decorating with chocolate strands,strawberries,icing, sugar flowers and the edible glitter to finish off the look.

We All Have Wings

I'm borrowing a line from a song by Michael Hutchence from the group Inxs.The song is called" Never Tear Us Apart" ,Michael died when he was thirty seven and I think the world lost a huge talent and he is sorely missed.

This painting marks the end of my first year blogging.I've learnt so much and made some wonderful,kind and supportive friends.Before I started the daily paintings I spent more than half my life procrastinating,I did have small bursts of creativity ,but it never lasted.There were always good excuses too,and yet this past year has been filled with road blocks,frightening events and sadness too and yet I have kept on going.If there is something inside you that says paint then you can't ignore it,if you do it will make you miserable,so give in to this need to create,whatever it may be.

"We all have wings,but some of us don't know why." We are the lucky ones ,we know why .Onwards and upwards. : )