Come and meet Sir Percy!

I'd like you to say hello to Sir Percy!

I had some free time over the Christmas break, so headed to the summerhouse - and Sir Percy is the result of Graphik Line Painters meeting black paper/card.

Sir Percy

hope you're having as much fun in your break!

Christmas Party at Holly Tree Farm

Hello friends!

I had some free time and decided to have a little fun with paint.
The result - this...

Christmas Party at Holly Tree Farm 

on Bockingford Not 140gm

Christmas Eve is a week today, so I'm pretty sure this will be my last blog post before Christmas. 

Wish you all the joy of the season. Look forward to seeing you again next year.

Have fun. God bless.

I interrupt the painting...

I'm interrupting the painting to tell you some news!

Leaves for Chloe is now on sale

Click HERE to be taken to a list of suppliers.

Thank you for your support!

In a little pond

I've a new painting to show you!

I went back to an instructional DVD by Lian Quan Zhen, and from his instruction, I painted this.

I hope you enjoy it.

In a little Pond 

Saunders Waterford 140Rough

15 x 7 inches

I've also written a long post on my other blog HERE  which will tell you what's been happening with me this year. Thanks for your patience.

A Seaside Garden

On one of our recent camping trips in our folding camper, we visited the coast.
Whilst there, I saw this beautiful garden - not what one would normally expect for a garden, but it felt just right, in that location.

So I took a photo - and now it's painted.

A Seaside Garden

For the painters amongst you, the paper is Saunders Waterford 140 Rough and the paints are Winsor & Newton Artist Quality watercolour.
The painting is 15" x 11"

Dabbling Duck

After I'd painted the duck in the pond, I thought to try a different version.
I use Derwent Graphik Line Painters for this version and simply had fun!

Meet the Dabbling Duck

and if you go to my other blog HERE, you can see some of hubby's woodwork, read the latest news on my second novel, 'Leaves for Chloe' and see my latest pics of Paddy.

Have a fabulous week, whatever you're up to!

Ellie in the meadow, simply having fun!

This morning I'd like to show you my latest dog painting.
This is Ellie, a Bedlington Lurcher.
She belongs to Kath, of Hillside House (here) 
Ellie runs in heaven's meadows now, but still loved as much as she ever was.

Ellie

Saunders Waterford 140 Rough

15x11 inches

The woodpile, Julia's flowers and the last rose of 2014

Good morning all,

winter is fast approaching and that can mean just one thing, painting wise!
I am starting to paint my Christmas cards. Every year I hand paint about a dozen cards, that go all around the world.
Of course, those you will not see until after the Day. None of us would like to spoil that surprise, would we?

So blogging gets a bit patchy from here... but I do have a couple of smaller paintings to show you. Both on cards for different reasons. These have been received, so I'm good to show.

Firstly, the Woodpile

and then Julia's Flowers

and this, I had to show you. There's no doubt there will be a future painting of this beautiful rose from my garden - the last one of 2014. It's a David Austin, Shropshire Lad.

Nice weather for ducks, the old saying goes.

When it rains, there's an old saying in England, "it's nice weather for ducks."

So when it rained - a lot- recently, I painted a duck!

Here he is, dabbling in the local pond.

Dabbling

Saunders Waterford 140Rough

 8 x11 ins

A holiday, painting inspiration and the handsome Paddy

Recently we took a little holiday.
Four days of enjoying the countryside with my two loves; hubby and Paddy.

The photos from the trip are HERE

and little Paddy looked so cute when he placed his paws on the door of our folding camper that he inspired this painting:

Paddy

On Saunders Waterford paper, 140lb rough

15" x 11"

Star Bright

I've been painting with Derwent's Graphik Line Painters again.

This time, I picked a starfish and came up with this:-

Star Bright

Bockingford not 140 lb

15" x 11"

October, the Big Draw and Happily Ever After

In October, the Big Draw events happen.
If you're in the UK, you can see the list of free events HERE

I always try to do at least one drawing in October.
It helps keep my eye in - and truthfully, you get absorbed in drawing to the point it's almost meditative.

This year, I wanted to do a portrait - and the very lovely Miranda Dickinson,author and singer ( website HERE ) said that I could use her photo as a reference.
So I drew this portrait of Miranda's mum and daughter, hoping that I could capture the feeling of love and ease, between the two generations.
For those of you who know Miranda, you will also find the title of her latest release in the pile of books...

Happily Ever After

For the curious amongst you, this was done on Winsor & Newton paper, Medium Cartridge 70lbs, using a Derwent Graphic Designer pencil, Grade F.

As always, this can be found, along with all my other paintings and drawings, on my gallery site Pat Elliott Paintings - HERE

A sunshine break, some inspiration and The Ragged Moth

A little while ago, we all went on a weekend break to a place called Tolleshunt D'Arcy.
Nearby is a Nature Reserve, where we walked, sat, enjoyed the views and the sunshine. You can see a few pics on my other blog HERE

I used one of the photos as inspiration for a painting.
You can see that I left some things out and added others.
We artists have a thing called 'artistic licence' which means to me, I can choose to add or subtract anything to my painting!

So here is what I did. The actual photo is on the other blog.

The Ragged Moth

Painted on St Cuthbert's Mill paper - Bockingford Not 140lb

Used Winsor & Newton AQ paints

Size: 15 x 11 inches

A time for experimenting, with paper, paint and pears.

I've had some fun, experimenting with paper, paint and pears.

The paper was my sample pack from the very lovely St Cuthbert's Mill.
I usually use their Saunders Waterford Rough paper for my watercolours, but these are all versions of their delightful Somerset Range.

The paint used was delivered by the amazing Derwent Graphik Line Painters.
One of the following pears was painted in traditional watercolour. I'm sure you'll be able to tell which it was.

The pears were from photos kindly provided by Kay Smith. You can see her blog HERE

Why post experimentation? Why not just the worked up paintings?
I believe it's because in experimentation we grow as artists - and for people who follow and view my blog, perhaps you'd like to see that there is a period of simply playing with paint, followed by growth. It might encourage you to try that yourself and not to be shy about it.

So here, you see me experiment and play. I hope you do the same too!

and if you'd like to see them all together, here they are:-

You can see which version of Somerset paper I used in the larger pics.
I hope you have enjoyed looking at these - and I hope you're inspired to go experiment too!

The Big Draw happens in October ~and here's my Dreamtime!

October in the UK sees the festival called 'The Big Draw' happening.
All over the country, events are put on to encourage people to draw.
Many are free.
If you're in the UK, you can access the information HERE - THE BIG DRAW

I'm going to try to go to at least one!

I love drawing, it's such a relaxing activity, it takes you to another time and place.

In this piece, I have combined my love of drawing with my love of painting - using background washes for the sky and drawing the figure with a technical pen.

Dreamtime

A love of music, a love of painting ~ and a love of experimenting!

I love music, painting and experimenting - and in this painting they all came together!

I took a sheet of Bockingford Not paper, glued a page of sheet music to it - let that dry overnight, then painted the image that the music brought to my mind.
Mostly watercolour, but a few touches with the Graphik Line Painters too. 

Here's the result, I hope you enjoy it.

Candle

Would love to hear your thoughts!

A challenge given - and the resulting Preserve the Moment

Over on Painting Friends forum (new members welcome, join HERE)
Mollie Jones, a talented artist from Texas, took some photos of a glass and fruit set up - and challenged each of us to produce an art work from one of the photos.

I chose one photo and adapted it to my vision. I didn't include everything in the photo, I left out a dish with extra fruit, I added in more sunshine and a bright background - and generally tried to make the thing my own.

Here is the painting that I created:

Preserve the Moment.

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140Rough, 

size 15" x 11"

The Sentinel

In a little pond, local to me, there is a metal sculpture.
The pond itself is nothing extraordinary, but I really liked the sculpture, so I decided to paint it and try to give the pond a magical feel.

This is the result.

The Sentinel

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140lb Rough paper, using W&N artist quality paints; it measures 15" x 11"

I hope you enjoy looking at it.

Archie makes a return, he's the Toothbrush Monitor!

Do you remember little Archie, from earlier in the year?

He makes a return in this painting and this time he's in the bathroom!
I have a feeling he could become his own little series, all around the house, being helpful. 

Archie, Toothbrush Monitor

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140 Rough, size is 15" x 11"

The Chameleon Shed and a return to blogging

Good morning friends.

If you've stuck around while hubby and I have gone through our 'horrible year', I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
For those who have contacted us and offered support, thank you. Your help and information have been priceless and helped us navigate a minefield.
Hubby is now well on the mend and his doctor has been so pleased with his progress, that this week he has been able to return to work on a phased basis.

So, back to painting and blogging.

I created this painting after taking inspiration from one of Joanne Harris' shed tweets. In a previous post, I'd said how she posts about her writing 'Shed' and each day, it changes aspect, depending on Joanne's fertile imagination.

The quote that inspired me this time, was:

This morning the Shed is a giant trunk, covered with labels from all over the world.

And the painting I created has been called:


The Chameleon Shed

I hope you enjoy viewing it - and I hope to visit you soon.
Thanks again for your support.

A new look for my painting room

I decided to remodel my summerhouse, where I paint and write.

Out came the white emulsion paint - and the transformation began.

The theme is Beach...

I painted this little fellow as a fun addition... using Derwent Line Painters

 and a little puffin on a baby canvas

 

the easel & painting corner

 

the writing & drawing corner

 

the thinking & reading corner

 

and a little fun picture.... Paddy pretending to be a neck warmer! 

 

So now, I'm all ready for the painting season to start in earnest in September.
Look forward to seeing you again then.

Fun with Missy, one last time.

In my art folder, I had a drawing of Missy that I had wanted to paint for a little while.
Then she passed away and I couldn't bring myself to paint it.
After visiting the All About Art show in Islington, and falling in love with Derwent Line Painters, I decided to use them to paint Missy's drawing.

So off I went to the summerhouse and took the drawing with me.
My new little companion, Paddy, came too, but for some reason, he left me to it, coming back into the house.
So I had fun with Missy. Just me, her and the paint, in the summerhouse, one last time.
It did me good. The Line Painters are such fun; while I painted, I remembered the fun times the Chief and I had together.

Here we are then,

Fun with Missy

and little Paddy, here he is -

The summerhouse is getting a remodel - to go with this new chapter in our lives. When it's finished, I'll post some pics.
Hubby is almost back to his old self - and I hope to return to regular blogging in September.
For all those who've stuck with me on the blog - and kept us close in thought and prayer - Thank You.

Picking up a brush again - at It's All About Art

Since we lost our darling Missy, I hadn't picked a brush up at all.
There was no joy in painting for me, as my heart grieved for my faithful companion.

A good friend, Sara, had asked if I'd like to go to the It's All About Art show. I was hoping it would give me some inspiration.

We perused the shopping experience, stood and watched some demos - and then found ourselves at the Derwent trade stand.
They had these new products, called Line Painters. We watched as the man showed a few techniques, had a wee scribble with some - and promptly fell in love with them.
The man pointed out the artist next to him, who was demonstrating in a mini workshop, just how these Line Painters worked.

That artist was Sharon Hurst. She kindly agreed to us playing with the LPs, while she was at lunch. While she was away, I painted this feather, using her drawing as inspiration:

I called it 'The Lightening Feather', because it lightened the grief and let me enjoy painting again.

When Sharon returned from lunch, she started demonstrating again  - and most voted to be shown the feather, though I asked for the drawing of the lady.

I got this far, while the demo was playing out

I thanked Sharon for her skill at teaching and for making it enjoyable for me to paint again. She was most kind and gracious, giving me a blessing.

I purchased the LPs - and a couple of days later, picked them up to finish
'The Painted Lady'

If you would like to see some of Sharon's work, or find out about her painting holidays, please go HERE

And if you'd like to meet our new companion - go take a look HERE

MissyChief

Yesterday, we lost our darling girl, Missy.
See you again in Heaven, sweetheart.

Love is a magical potion, the antidote to evil.
Treasure Love, wherever you find it.
RIP, MissyChief.
Xmas 1997- June 2014

Showtime

From one of the flowers in my garden

Showtime

on Saunders Waterford paper, 140 Rough - and size, 15" x11"

It's a wonderful time of year in the garden, flowers are blossoming and there's beauty all around. When I need to be quiet, I sit outside and the garden offers me calm. I've needed that since the beginning of this year and I'm delighted to say that hubs continues to improve. Thanks to all of you for your continued good wishes.

Today, the Shed.....

My latest painting has the title, "Today, the Shed"

It does sound quite a strange title, especially once you see the image.
So, here's the explanation...

On Twitter, I follow quite a few authors. One of my favourites, Joanne Harris, tweets about her writing Shed. It is a structural chameleon, changing its appearance daily, in response to Joanne's fertile imagination.

I love reading her Shed tweets, because Joanne has such a magical way with words, that instantly the picture forms in my mind. I had always promised myself, that one day, when the easel was empty and I was ready to paint, that I would try to capture one of the Shed's incarnations.
Recently, I said as much to Joanne and she kindly replied 'Be my guest.'

I checked a few of the Shed tweets - and this one spoke to me, the loudest.

Today, the Shed is a rice-paper lantern drifting across the morning sky. On it, in impeccable calligraphy, the symbols for “courage” and “tea”.

Here then, is the painting, Today, the Shed  as I saw it, in my imagination.

The calligraphy may not be impeccable, because I am not Chinese, but the symbols do indeed portray Courage and Tea.

Today, the Shed

.....and for those of  you who have been so kind as to stay following me throughout my husband's illness, I can tell you that he is progressing remarkably well - and the doctor thinks he may be back to his old self within the next four months. Thank you for all your concern, you have helped uplift me through a troublesome time. You all know why the words Courage and Tea spoke the loudest to me.

A chuisle ..... and a novel giveaway

Good morning friends,

I haven't been around much, but wanted to show you my latest and pass on some news about a giveaway.

This is my latest painting

A Chuisle 

painted on Saunders Waterford 140Rough, size 15 x 11

and the Giveaway news is this:

If you go HERE there is a chance to win a copy of my novel All in the Leaves

Good luck - and if you don't want to leave it to luck, you can buy the novel at any of these stores HERE