'Man Studying Painting'

 12"x 10"

oil on canvas panel

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I re-worked parts of 'Man Studying Painting' today as I didn't feel it was quite there. By strengthening the tonal values and livening up the brushwork, the painting has now taken on a new vitality. Now I'm happy with it :)

'Lilies'

'Lilies'

12' x 10"

oil on canvas panel

I enjoyed painting this today. I feel I've been tightening up recently so I gave myself

permission to paint freely and without restraint and to paint what I feel and not necessarily what I see..very liberating and very satisfying to be more expressive again. The lilies were making a statement in themselves as they were huge and the most wonderful cerise pink. I wanted to record them while they were in bloom and at their peek. It was exciting looking at them and I wanted to express that in paint. 

'Man Studying Painting'

'Man Studying Painting'

12" x 10"

oil on board

This painting took me most of the day to complete, only because I seemed to be on a go-slow today! I took my time, enjoyed the paint, stopped for a cup of tea or two, hardly looked at the clock because I knew I had all day...brilliant!  I'm enjoying these gallery paintings, I have one more planned. The subject in this painting is one of my class members and this was just after we had hung the work. 

'Man Studying Drawing'

'Man Studying Drawing'

10" x 12"

oil on board

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 One of the first visitors at the exhibition when we opened on Monday, was the man in my painting. He took alot of time going round and studied each piece with great interest and intent. I loved the way he was standing with his foot turned inwards and head tipped to the side at the same angle as the image in the drawing. I decided then and there that he would become my next subject! 

Wow...what a night!

These are some pics at the start of our exhibition do yesterday evening and as you can see we had a great turn out with more people arriving later. Thankyou to everyone who came for making it such a successful evening and a special thankyou to Steve who did a sterling job as bar person on the wine table, making sure everyone had a glass in their hand! There was a real party atmosphere as you can see from the big smiles on our faces! We've had some wonderful and much appreciated feedback and comments about the high standard of work achieved and the quality of the exhibition so many thanks for that too. The exhibition runs until Saturday, do come along if you can.  

Exhibition up and running!

It was hanging day today of my groups' show. I had a great team helping me hang the work and all went very smoothly. So well done and thankyou to everyone. The show looks amazing I'm delighted to say. You can see from the image what a lovely space it is at the library and we've had lots of visitors already. We're now busy preparing for the private view tomorrow!

Exhibition of work!

My groups' show begins on Monday at the Lincoln Central Library in Free School Lane, Lincoln.  For the Sturton group it's their first exhibition ever and I'm very excited for them! We are holding a private view Tuesday 11th June 5.00pm - 6.30pm. Those of you who live in the vicinity are cordially invited to attend and will be very welcome...the more the merrier! There will be approximately 50 paintings and drawings in the show to view plus sketchbooks and loose leaf drawings to look through.  The groups have been working very hard all year and I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of their labour framed, hanging and looking wonderful in a well-deserved show! 

'Pot, Brush and Fruit' cont...

'Pot, Brush and Fruit'

12" x 16"

oil on stretched canvas

I chose this ceramic pot to paint because of the complicated pattern. I thought it was going to be a challenge and I wasn't wrong!! When painting a pattern like this it's too easy to become pre-occupied with the intricacies of the pattern and subsequently overwork it.  I knew I had to call it a day when I found myself faffing with detail...always  a good sign to stop! 

Some news...I have a painting appearing in the June issue of Leisure Painter (out 21st June) The painting is part of a feature on the LAS (Lincolnshire Artists' Society) Sales site. The painting is 'Delicious Biscotti'.

New painting

12" x 16"

oil on stretched canvas

Staying with the mirror and reflections theme, I began a new painting this afternoon on a larger canvas so I can work the objects pretty much life size.  I only had an hour to spend on it but I'm happy with it thus far. I used  my little viewfinder to find the right 'crop' and to help place the composition quickly on canvas. I find using a viewfinder can save alot of time. I painted a ground of pale violet being the complementary colour of yellow, the predominant colour in the composition. I'm also using violet in the shadow areas as it will enhance the yellow and help make it 'zing'.