GingerMum

Southwold Beach Huts

2012-02-14T13:04:00.000Z

Acrylic on canvas

30cm x 30cm

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012-01-03T11:56:00.000Z

Having painted just twice since Summer (busy with new job & family...) my
New Year's Resolution is to spend more time at my desk
(or with my lovely new Pink Pig sketchbook)

EXHIBITION

2011-07-25T21:05:00.004+01:00

I shall be exhibiting the following four paintings in the Beccles Society of Artists Annual Exhibition.

Public Hall, Beccles

Saturday 30^th July - Saturday 6^th August 2011

Open Daily 10am-4pm

(Except...Sunday 31^st July: 11am-3pm & Saturday 6^th August: 10am-2pm)

"Covehithe"
"Charles Jeffrey" Award for Acrylics 2011
SOLD

SOLD

Inspired by Red Valerian, Aldeburgh Beach

2011-07-20T15:46:00.001+01:00

Back in April I accidentally painted this scene in an abstract way. I then went on to paint a larger & more thought through version in June, I have now worked over the original canvas to refine it.......

Acrylic on canvas

30cm x 30cm

SOLD

MoRe SuMmEr MaDnEsS!!!

2011-07-07T21:30:00.001+01:00

This selection of framed acrylic paintings are currently available for

only £75 each!

Frames measure approx 43.5cm x 53.5cm

(size of actual painting approx 25cm x 35cm)

1. "3rd Hole, Southwold"

(no longer available)

2. "Dovecote"

3. "June Sunshine"

4. "Red Valerian, Aldeburgh Beach 2"

5. "Red Valerian, Aldeburgh Beach 1"

* 6. "Dunwich Dunes"

"Dunwich Dunes" only £50

* frame measures approx 38.5cm x 48.5cm,

size of actual painting approx 16cm x 25cm

ALL OF ABOVE ARE SOLD FRAMED & READY TO HANG

Delivery can be arranged (additional charges may apply)

My other artwork, not included in this offer,

is available for sale - prices available on request

SuMmEr MaDnEsS!!!

2011-07-06T14:24:00.002+01:00

The following selection of original, acrylic paintings on canvas are currently available for

only £40 each or any two for just £70!

1. "Tulips"

2. "Tulips Too!"

3."Red Tulips"

4."June Sunshine 2"

5."Autumn Colour"

SOLD

6. "Autumn Leaves"

SOLD

each of the above canvasses measure approx 23cm x 30 cm (1.5 cm deep)

7. "Autumn Sunlight"

this canvas measures approx 24 cm x 30 cm (3.5 cm deep)

ALL OF ABOVE CANVASSES ARE SOLD UNFRAMED & READY TO HANG

Delivery can be arranged (additional charges may apply)

My other artwork, not included in this offer,

is available for sale - prices available on request

Aldeburgh, Red Valerian

2011-06-15T11:09:00.001+01:00

Inspired by my 'accidental abstract' painting at the end of April, I decided to develop the style I discovered using my lovely 1.5" brush (I have also invested in an utterly lovely 2" version!) and attempt a more thought through version.
I have worked on a much larger canvas than I have used previously.

Acrylic on canvas

40cm x 51cm

Southwold Dunes

2011-06-08T11:15:00.001+01:00

This little canvas has been patiently waiting on my desk for 3 weeks to be finished off...I think it's finished now...

Acrylic on canvas

30cm x 30cm

SOLD

Covehithe, Suffolk

2011-05-18T11:36:00.001+01:00

Such a peaceful beach to spend a couple of hours....

Acrylic on Canvas

30cm x 30cm

SOLD

More Red Valerian!

2011-05-04T15:38:00.000+01:00

This is the painting I started last week when I got sidetracked...I have tried to work in some of the rectangular brush marks I enjoyed so much on my 'absract' version of the same subject.

Acrylic on Watercolour Paper

24 x 34 cm

Inspired by Red Valerian, Aldeburgh Beach

2011-04-27T12:21:00.000+01:00

Not having painted much over the past two months I decided that today I would warm myself & my brushes up by working on a familiar subject I really enjoyed painting last year.
I was working on watercolour paper but when I found I had squeezed out too much Yellow Ochre, rather than waste the paint, I decided I would quickly underpaint a canvas which I could paint something over some other day...

...however I soon became quite fascinated by the marks I was making using my lovely 1.5" brush.
By using the same colours I have used throughout my original painting (as yet unfinished) I appear to have created my first 'abstract' painting based on the sky, sea, beach and red valerian blooms at Aldeburgh!

Acrylic on canvas

30cm x 30cm

Easter Exhibition

2011-04-18T14:26:00.000+01:00

I am entering some of my work in the Bungay Black Dog Arts Easter Exhibition in

St Mary’s Church, Bungay

from Saturday 23rd April to Sunday 1st May

(10am to 4pm daily)

Free entry!

Daffodils & Yellow Jugs

2011-03-23T13:06:00.000Z

I wanted to paint something with more colour than my recent work, so I chose these pale yellow daffodils which were in a yellow jug my Grandma once gave me.
I tried various other objects to complete the still life arrangement, and, once I'd settled on these items I realised that the small jug on the left was once my other grandmother's and my Mum gave me the small yellow one at the front of the compostion!

I discovered that it is very difficult to paint shadows on yellow objects without losing the yellow, as a result I don't think this has as much light and dark contrast on the objects as I would have liked to acheive...

Creative Recycling

2011-03-13T19:31:00.001Z

For a variety of reasons I have not had time to paint for the past four weeks, however I have found some time to be creative in other ways...

2 old pairs of curtains = a revamped headboard, 2 floor cushions and a throw

in our recently re-decorated spare bedroom!!

Hoping to be back at my desk this Weds...just looking for some inspiration!

Southwold Common

2011-02-09T15:41:00.001Z

Acrylic on Canvas

30cm x 30cm

(not available for sale)

View from No 54

2011-02-09T13:00:00.003Z

I have been working on this in secret for a few weeks, it is a birthday present for my husband, it is one of his favourite views...from the window of his Nan's house in Yorkshire.

It has proved especially difficult to paint early morning mist...I might go back to it but don't want to risk overworking it.

Now I need to finish off the painting that I've been working on at the same time so that he doesn't wonder what I've been doing with my days off!!

Acrylic on Hand Made Watercolour Paper

35cm x 25cm

(not for sale!)

More Dunes...finished!

2011-01-13T09:06:00.002Z

I thoroughly enjoyed creating the texture on these and am really interested to see how, despite using the same blue/greens/browns on each, the colours take on a different appearance depending on the base colour. I have allowed some of the underpainting to show though on both, but especially like the purple...

Purple Dunes

Acrylic on canvas 25cm x 25cm

(not available for sale)

Yellow Dunes

Acrylic on canvas 23cm x 30cm
(not available for sale)

More Dunes...

2011-01-12T13:57:00.002Z

Having added the skies to both canvasses I find I particularly love the purple/blue colour combination.
I have often loved the slightly abstract effects I have created at the early stages a lot of my recent work but which is gradually lost as the paintings have developed, I might aim to keep more of the underpainting than usual on this occasion......

Art-time on a Saturday!!

2011-01-08T15:49:00.000Z

Thanks to my wonderful children wanting to cook tea today (homemade burgers & home baked bread rolls!!) I am free to play in my art room sooner than expected.

Having not painted for about a month I am warming myself up with a familiar subject that I have enjoyed painting before (dunes/grasses) and after underpainting the white canvasses, I have been having fun experimenting with texture gel & silk thread in advance of putting paint to canvas.....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-07T16:44:00.002Z

My exhibition has finished and I would just like to say thank you so much to all my friends and family who visited and for all your very kind comments, I really appreciate your support.

Following a very relaxing Christmas-time with my family we are all now back at work/school and I am looking forward to my first day off of 2011 to START PAINTING AGAIN!!

Autumn Leaves

2010-11-25T09:04:00.000Z

Another painting inspired by the many photographs I took during Autumn.

Acrylic on Canvas

23cm x 30cm

Upstairs Gallery

2010-11-24T15:00:00.000Z

Exhibition ~ 16th November-14th December 2010

'Sheepgate' gallery, on the 2nd floor of The Upstairs Gallery, Beccles

Exhibition ~ 16th November-14th December 2010

2010-11-12T15:00:00.000Z

I will be showing a selection of my paintings for 4 weeks from 16th November in the 'Sheepgate' gallery, which is on the 2nd floor of The Upstairs Gallery, Beccles

Autumn Colour

2010-11-03T14:54:00.000Z

Inspired by some photographs I took on a beautiful crisp, sunny, Autumn day recently.....

Acrylic on Canvas

23 x 30 cm

Exhibition

2010-10-29T12:16:00.001+01:00

I will be showing a selection of my paintings for 4 weeks from 16th November in the 'Sheepgate' gallery, which is on the 2nd floor of The Upstairs Gallery, Beccles

Dunes

2010-10-28T15:34:00.001+01:00

Acrylic on Canvas

25cm x 25cm

SOLD

Autumn Sunlight

2010-10-14T08:59:00.004+01:00

After an uninspiring morning's painting yesterday, I started (& finished!) a painting on canvas after lunch, working from a photo I took of my husband and daughter whilst out for a walk last Sunday afternoon.

The contrast between the shadows and the afternoon sunshine streaming through between the trees was so striking......

acrylic on canvas

24cm x 30cm

Les Voisins 2

2010-10-13T12:06:00.002+01:00

Hmmm...started this one last week, nearly gave up on it before I'd even started this morning, but persuaded myself to persevere with it.
It's not quite right but I'm not entirely sure what I don't like about it....

Might return to this one another day with a fresh pair of eyes!

Les Voisins

2010-09-30T15:40:00.000+01:00

It's taken me a few weeks to get my paint brushes 'warmed up' again after the summer hols but finally I have something to show for my days off!

We spent a week in a (tiny part of a) french 'chateau' this summer and I loved the texture and slightly run down look of the flaking paintwork with much greenery growing all over, so hope to work some more paintings from my photos, but continuing to try to capture the contrast between light & dark.........

Acrylic on watercolour paper

25cm x 35cm

Halesworth Gallery Open Exhibition

2010-09-08T14:56:00.002+01:00

I have entered two of my paintings into the Halesworth Gallery's 2010 Open Exhibition, 11th ~ 29th September.

.....3rd Hole, Southwold

Red Valerian, Aldeburgh Beach 1.....

Summer Hols...

2010-08-27T15:30:00.001+01:00

I haven't had time to paint over the school summer holidays, but have been snapping away with my camera wherever I've been, so hope to get inspired and back into the swing of things once everyone is back at school/work!

Lavender in my Garden

Beccles Society of Artists' Annual Exhibition went well at the beginning of August, some fantastic work on display/for sale this year by all members (unfortunately mine didn't sell this time...)

Big Picture...Little Picture

2010-07-22T14:08:00.002+01:00

Continuing to work from my photographs taken recently at Aldeburgh, Suffolk, whilst the Red Valerian was in flower, this time I worked on a canvas which allowed me to apply more texture to the foreground.
For fun I worked on a minature version at the same time on a small canvas I was given with it's own easel!

Red Valerian, Aldeburgh Beach 3

Acrylic on Canvas

24cm x 30cm

5cm x 7cm

Exhibition

2010-07-21T11:36:00.000+01:00

What's in a name?

2010-07-21T10:37:00.000+01:00

I chose the, not very artistic, name 'Gingermum' for my blog before I decided I would use it to record my efforts as an artist (see Jan/Feb 2009 for how it came to be!)

...I wonder should I change it for something more 'sensible'...or 'artistic'...?

Beccles Society of Artists Annual Exhibition

2010-07-14T14:42:00.000+01:00

Public Hall, Beccles, Suffolk

Saturday 31st July ~ Saturday 7th August 2010

I will be entering these 4 paintings...

Red Valerian, Aldeburgh Beach

2010-07-07T16:15:00.000+01:00

Red Valerian, Aldeburgh Beach 1

Acrylic on Watercolour Paper

25cm x 36cm

Red Valerian, Aldeburgh Beach 2

Acrylic on Watercolour Paper

25cm x 26cm

'Boy Fishing' & 'Girl Fishing'

2010-07-01T09:01:00.000+01:00

I have been really happy with my recent work but wanted to try to keep the finished work a little less real this time as there's something about the underpainting that I find quite appealing but that has been getting totally lost by the end. I worked on these two pictures at the same time and find it interesting that somehow one turned out more realistic than the other.

I like both in their own ways but 'Boy Fishing' is more what I set out to achieve.

'Boy Fishing'

Acrylic on Watercolour paper'

25cm x 16 cm

'Girl Fishing'

Acrylic on Watercolour paper

25cm x 16cm

Dove Cote

2010-06-23T19:01:00.001+01:00

Acrylic on Watercolour Paper

25cm x 35cm

Dove Cote

2010-06-23T11:56:00.001+01:00

Continuing to experiment with underpainting in red/purple to highlight the greens & to attempt to block in light/dark areas in colour first off...the first stage of this is certainly interesting...but does look a little bit mad!

Flower Pots

2010-06-17T19:40:00.001+01:00

This is part of a larger painting that didn't quite go how I wanted, but I rather like this part as it is...

Acrylic on watercolour paper

33cm x 13cm

June Sunshine 2

2010-06-09T13:27:00.003+01:00

Since watching an inspiring demo last week (see below) I have been desperate to get painting & try out some of the artist's tips...so I have hidden my Paynes Gray, used less water, coloured my canvas red before starting (to enhance the greens & to show through in places rather than work on a scarily shiney white canvas!), built up blocks/layers of colour leaving my (slightly off-) white until the very end

I have worked from a photo I used before (see my post 15/07/09) as I am interested to compare techniques/style...

Finished painting...

Acrylic on Canvas

31cm x 23cm

Beccles Society of Artists

2010-06-03T12:08:00.000+01:00

A fantastic demo in acrylics at BSOA meeting last night by Hashim Akib.
Feeling very inspired and keen to get painting now as I picked up some useful tips....ditch the Paynes Grey, get some even bigger brushes, try using less water, think of light and shade as colours not just tones....all I need now is some TIME to paint!!

'The Cedars' revisited...

2010-05-26T12:43:00.002+01:00

When I started work on my recent commission to paint 'The Cedars' I took the precaution of starting two paintings of the same scene until I was sure which foreground I preferred (call me paranoid!!)

As I still had one unused/unfinished foreground I thought I'd have some fun playing around with it...firstly sticking on the actual photo I'd been working from, then incorporating it into the painting....

Acrylic & Collage

26cm x 35cm

Dark Skies, Walberswick Beach

2010-05-26T10:45:00.000+01:00

Acrylic on Watercolour Paper

36cm x 25cm

Dark skies, Walberswick Beach

2010-05-12T10:56:00.002+01:00

I often photograph my paintings as I work, I find it helps me to 'frame' them as I go along, and to view them in a different way, similar to taking a step back, when I have been working up close.
I thought it might be interesting to show my current painting in stages as I go along...

I am experimenting with a base colour of yellow to make the greys
shine out (top tip from Mary Spicer!)

Dark sky...

That's all I've got time for this week...!

Beccles Society of Artists

2010-05-06T08:42:00.001+01:00

My painting of Southwold Golf Course (see below...24/3) is hanging in the reception of Beccles Hospital for the whole of May...my prize for winning 'Picture of the Month'!!!!!!!!!

What a difference a mount makes...

2010-05-05T12:53:00.001+01:00

...definitely complete!

(sold)

The Cedars

2010-05-02T18:16:00.002+01:00

Commission complete...I think!

Acrylic on watercolour paper

35cm x 25cm

The Cedars

2010-04-28T16:01:00.000+01:00

Despite family distractions & ailments, along with a confidence crisis, I feel as if have finally started to get somewhere with this commission...good job it's a long weekend and I get an extra day off (to paint...) next week!

The Cedars

2010-04-21T14:37:00.000+01:00

I was hugely flattered to be offered a commission to paint this lovely house...have made a good start today, but how to make all that grass look interesting....

Southwold Golf Course

2010-03-24T12:12:00.003Z

I took some photos some time ago whilst walking around the golf course with my husband and decided it was time to see what I could do with them!
I really like the contrast between the bright, manicured green and the roughness of the common on the foreground (but he doesn't...he only likes the golfy bit!!!)

3rd hole, Southwold

Acrylic on Bockingford

27cm x 36cm

Self Portrait

2010-02-24T12:20:00.007Z

Something I've fancied trying for some time, portraits are definitely not my strength and trying to figure out how you look to other people is REALLY hard...apart from the obvious ie ginger hair, specs & green jumper...!!

It only took an hour or so & there's a lot wrong with it (not least it doesn't look quite like me!!!) but I've had fun doing it so thought may as well share it...

...but I actually
prefer this half
of the painting...

I think this is something I'll attempt again in the future

Red Tulips

2010-02-24T11:54:00.000Z

Acrylic on canvas

30cm x 23 cm

Tulips Too!

2010-02-10T14:26:00.000Z

These gorgeous tulips have lasted a week and a half, in addition to bringing a touch of Spring into the house whilst it is still grey & snowy out, they have inspired me to get painting again!! (THANKS should go to our recent dinner guests!!)

Acrylic on canvas

30cm x 23 cm

Tulips

2010-02-07T16:39:00.001Z

A chance to paint on a Sunday afternoon meant that I decided to work faster & bolder than usual...I rather like it!

Acrylic on canvas

30cm x 23cm

Waves

2010-02-07T16:34:00.000Z

This is something I worked on in January...

Acrylic on canvas

30cm x 40cm

New Improved Pip!

2009-12-01T19:54:00.003Z

(sold)

Pip improvements...

2009-11-26T19:40:00.002Z

...something is not quite right and I haven't been able to work out what but it has just come to me...I need to adjust the angle/depth of the back of her neck, it needs to be slightly steeper/thicker...

Pip

2009-11-25T11:07:00.002Z

I am happy with the painting, but need to check with Pip's owners for likeness!

Pip....

2009-11-05T08:51:00.002Z

....so far

Getting to know Pip...

2009-10-21T12:26:00.003+01:00

...is very tricky!

Trying to familarise myself with her for a commissioned painting after half term...not quite there yet...more work required!!!

Drawing Fruit...

2009-09-30T14:37:00.001+01:00

...is better than doing no drawing at all

Nanny

2009-09-23T11:52:00.007+01:00

Worked in charcoal from a photo taken by my brother ...

...been thinking of attempting this for some time & seems that a labour of love was just the thing to get me working again after a bad case of 'artists block'

Back to work...

2009-09-09T18:52:00.002+01:00

...after NINE WEEKS of no art, I was really looking forward to getting started again, but have found it really hard to focus today, think I'm just very out of practice, must try harder next week...

Exhibition

2009-07-15T13:52:00.009+01:00

BECCLES SOCIETY OF ARTISTS
40th ANNUAL EXHIBITION
Public Hall, Beccles
1st ~ 8th August

Dunwich Dunes

'Highly Commended' (!!!)

Winter Sunset from Southwold Common

Sold

All of the above will be on display (& for sale!)

That's All Folks!

2009-07-15T09:36:00.009+01:00

I would usually paint today BUT I have one child off sick and the other home because Middle School is closed due to flooding caused by yesterdays downpours!

Seeing as school breaks up at the end of this week I don't expect to get any serious work done over the next 7 weeks but will try to fit in some sketching.

Hopefully I'll be back with some work in September!!

June Sunshine

2009-07-15T09:27:00.005+01:00

This one took me a couple of weeks to paint but has been sitting, finished, on my desk for over a week now...

Acrylic on Watercolour Paper

36cm x 25cm

Queen Nefertiti

2009-07-01T09:09:00.002+01:00

Something different...a little help for 'Tiger' with her Ancient Egyptian Project!!!

Dark Skies, Southwold Beach

2009-06-18T15:39:00.004+01:00

I realised the problem with this painting was the composition, too much sea & sky with nowhere for the eye to focus on.

I have cropped it and really like the compostition now, I feel it draws more attention towards the textures/marks I have used on the beach....

Acrylic on Watercolour Paper

25cm x 20cm

Southwold Beach

2009-06-17T15:26:00.005+01:00

One photo inspired two pieces of work today...at the moment I prefer the graphite sketch, I don't know what I can do to make the painting more interesting/atmospheric...??

Graphite on cartridge paper

38cm x 28cm (approx)

Acrylic on watercolour paper

35cm x 25cm

Kicking Stones, Southwold Beach 2

2009-06-10T14:45:00.008+01:00

I was very flattered to be asked to paint another version of this painting (original sold in Beccles Society of Artists Summer Exhibition 2008, and won the prize for best acrylic in show)

It has been very challenging as I have been working from a photo of my first painting and also the photo that inspired the original piece of work, whilst hopefully improving some areas as well as capturing the spirit of the original...

Acrylic on watercolour paper

33cm x 23cm

Commission

France

2009-06-03T14:42:00.003+01:00

Actually found time for some quick sketching whilst on our hols, the children had a great time exploring and fishing in the lake by our cottage...

Foot Square Show

2009-05-18T13:35:00.007+01:00

I have decided to hang on to my 'Hellebores' as I feel too attached to part with it, but my other 3 square canvasses will be entered into...

THE FOOT SQUARE SHOW
LOWESTOFT ARTS CENTRE
Triangle Market Place - North Lowestoft
1st-27th June 2009

(THANKS Mum for delivering them whilst we are in France!!)

More Lemons

2009-05-18T13:14:00.005+01:00

Back to my usual sized paper with pen & watercolour for a change...

...less paint, less time, more lemons, more reflections.

IS LESS MORE?!?

Lemon & Glass

2009-05-06T15:43:00.013+01:00

Spent more time on 'loose' sketching/painting (above) before working on painting (below)

I think it helped but is tricky to know when to STOP!

Acrylic on watercolour paper

25cm x 17cm

Self-Criticism...!

2009-05-06T09:07:00.003+01:00

Whilst my last two paintings are not unsuccessful, they are just not quite what I wanted.
I have managed to get some good light/dark contrast, but they are not loose enough....this could be because I am attempting to work on a much smaller size than usual or just that I am trying too hard...??

Strawberries

2009-04-29T16:06:00.005+01:00

Acrylic on Bockingford watercolour paper

25.5cmx17cm

Strawberries

2009-04-29T14:32:00.005+01:00

Continuing with same ideas as last time...am still working on painting but rather like this very quick sketch I did beforehand!

I gave up on the half strawberry and ate it...delicious!

Aubergine

2009-04-22T12:47:00.007+01:00

I have been inspired recently by an american artist who's blog I discovered by chance - I love the simplicity & light/dark contrast of his still life paintings.

So today I have attempted painting on a smaller scale than usual and to use less water with my paints....

Acrylic on Bockingford watercolour paper

25cmx17cm

The Foot Square Show

2009-04-22T12:37:00.006+01:00

I will be entering some or all four of my recent square paintings...

THE FOOT SQUARE SHOW

LOWESTOFT ARTS CENTRE

Triangle Market Place - North Lowestoft

1st-27th June 2009

Blue Flowers, Wine & Reflections

2009-04-22T12:33:00.002+01:00

Acrylic on canvas

30cmx30cm

It's a start...

2009-04-16T18:38:00.004+01:00

Managed to fit in some sketching whilst the family played football on the beach...not great but not too dreadful either!?!

Still haven't managed to get back to last painting BUT have had a lovely hols with family!!

Blue Flowers, Wine & Reflections

2009-04-09T11:27:00.002+01:00

I did paint last week but as I want to make a few final adjustments I haven't taken a photo yet...not sure when I'll get time to do this now that it is the school holidays!

I am very pleased to say that I have actually painted once a week since half term (AND my ironing is done & my house is clean!!)
I have also spent a bit of time browsing other artists' work on the internet & have found some of them really inspiring.
After the Easter holidays I will do my best to keep up my weekly painting, but would also like to try to squeeze a bit more time in to get working in my sketchbook...

Reflections & Hellebores

2009-03-25T15:30:00.007Z

Finally finished & quite satisfied (I think...have just had to make myself stop 'tinkering'!)

Acrylic on canvas
30cmx30cm

Mother's Day

2009-03-22T15:40:00.005Z

I spent a lovely & very messy morning with my children painting in the style of the author of one on my all time favourite children's picture books - The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
They loved being allowed to use my acrylic paints, inks & pallet knives and I'll be using all the coloured sheets to make a Hungry Caterpillar window at work for the Easter holidays!

Hellebores

2009-03-18T14:06:00.006Z

Todays subject is proving very challenging...these lovely flowers that looked so beautiful in the garden this morning are very difficult to paint!

Reflections & Daffodils

2009-03-18T13:58:00.007Z

Continuing working with reflections, but having noticed that most of my work uses a lot of Ultramarine Blue, Raw or Burnt Umber & Paynes Grey, I wanted to achieve similar light/dark effects but introduce more colour to my work.
I still used plenty of Ultramarine but NO BROWNS and only the tinest bit of Paynes Grey....

Acrylic on Canvas

30cmx30cm

Reflections

2009-03-01T15:55:00.014Z

In an attempt to get myself sketching/painting again this year I started by setting up some relatively straightforward (but uninspiring!) still lifes...I always prefer my work when I have achieved a strong light/dark contrast, so I gradually developed the idea of setting my objects up on a mirrored surface with a strong light to one side...I found I was more interested in the reflections than the actual objects!

'Reflections 1'

This was my first painting - Acrylic on canvas (another change for me as I am used to working on watercolour paper)

I really enjoyed painting the bottle/reflections...

'A Quiet Night In'

I spent much longer on this, my 2nd attempt - I found the book/newspaper/cork very challenging (successful??) compared with the reflective qualities of the glass which I just love painting!

Interestingly, I recently came across the photo below, it is my first completed painting from when I returned to painting 5 years ago (after a 10 year 'break'...)

Coincidence?!

ART

2009-02-24T11:00:00.010Z

Half Term is over (and we had a FAB week off!) and now I really must try to concentrate on my ART on my day off...
To give myself an extra incentive I have decided that seeing as I have created this blog I may as well put it to good use...I am going to try use it as a 'sketch blog' (apparently it's what real artists do!!) so pop back sometime to check up on whether I really have managed to ignore the ironing etc for long enough to pick up a pencil or paintbrush!!

ps Having just browsed a load of 'sketchblogs' I now feel partly intimidated & partly inspired...

Open to All...!

2009-01-29T09:15:00.000Z

I'm curious to know if anyone who does or doesn't know me finds themselves here either intentionally or by chance...please leave a comment!

Decision Made

2009-01-26T15:01:00.000Z

Yes 'Tiger' is allowed her own Blog, she understands the rules and it will be private, only available to people she invites.
We're going to work on it next weekend...she is extremely excited!!

Thanks...

2009-01-25T11:43:00.001Z

...to Tomsk for my super portrait!

Art

2009-01-24T15:20:00.001Z

Following some very kind feedback I have added some of my art - maybe knowing that other people can see it will help with my recent lack of inspiration...

Is it any good...?

2009-01-23T17:58:00.000Z

Well, my children approve of my Blog (when I say approve what I actually mean is that they are ridiculously excited by it...I never thought I'd notch up so many 'Cool' points when I started looking into all of this!!)
I have to say I have really enjoyed playing around with the graphics/colours etc (THANKS Joel for your help!!)
I think it is time to test it out on some of my friends & see how they rate my new found skills....

My First Blog!

2009-01-23T14:51:00.000Z

It is important that our children are as safe as possible inside, as well as outside of our home. They need to be aware of the possible dangers and how to conduct themselves on the Internet as well as when crossing roads, playing in the park, at school or out in the big wide world in general.
Before allowing my daughter to create her own blog I wanted to find out as much as possible myself first to enable my husband & I to make an informed and sensible decision. I always find I learn new things more easily by trying them for myself...hence the reason for creating MY OWN BLOG!

I have satisfied myself that there are PRIVACY SETTINGS available as well as applying some common sense rules:
NO PERSONAL PICTURES
NO REAL NAMES
NO CONTACT DETAILS
GOOD MANNERS ONLY
So unless you are already one of my elite group of friends or family I'm afraid my true identity must remain a mystery...!

All that remains for me to ask about blogs is...WHY?? The more thought I have given the matter, the more I have found myself wondering at the vast amount of information the must be floating around out there...does anyone really read it?!
So the second reason for my blog is just that...it is currently only available to people I invite...once I've got the hang of the whole thing I will make it PUBLIC to find out whether anyone else out there is in the least bit interested in my ramblings about my happy but ordinary life....