Last painting of the Old Year, on to the New!

If you've been following my personal blog HERE you will know that we've moved to the beautiful Kingdom of Fife in Scotland - moving further into the countryside was a long cherished dream of mine. I'm grateful that 2015 brought that opportunity to me.

We bought a house that needed a little work.
The first work was to install a new kitchen - and what will a new kitchen need? Apart from the obvious, new artwork!

Wrapping paper Paddy from the previous post was the first, this new painting of a field with poppies is the next.

That's my last painting of 2015 - on to 2016; where my hope is to be out more in this beautiful countryside, to paint more, sketch more and to write more too!

Here's to 2016 - may it be a great one for you.

Arty fun with recycled Christmas wrapping paper

Christmas comes and there are presents, covered in wrapping paper.
This year I decided to recycle some of my wrapping paper, in an artistic way.

Firstly, I tore the paper into strips

and then I took a cheap canvas, which already had a picture on it - and painted over that with white emulsion.

Once that was done, I took my strips and applied them in a random way to the canvas, using PVA glue.

Just LOOK what the end result was!

This was great fun to create - and an inventive way to recycle my wrapping paper!

Christmas card and wishes

Good morning friends!

Time seems to be hurtling towards Christmas.. and so today I thought I'd share a card with you, to wish you all a very merry Christmas.
I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Christmas Card 2015

Grandmother's Delight

Here is a recent commission, which I couldn't show you until after the person had received it.
I'm pleased to report that they are delighted with it.

Grandmother's Delight.

I'm currently painting Christmas cards, so it's not possible to show those either!
It's a strange time of year for my blog, but normality will return next year.

The Old Ticker - a foray into Steampunk

Recently, someone was talking art with me, and said he'd love to see what I could paint in the Steampunk style.
After using my friend Google to be absolutely clear as to what Steampunk entailed, I searched on the free photo sites to find a photo I could use as a basis for a painting.

This is the resulting painting - painted on Bockingford paper, and one eighth of a sheet in size. Watercolour and Graphik Line Painters

The Old Ticker

This was an enjoyable foray into something different. You all know how I like to paint different .. :-) 

One rose, fixed in memory.

Back in the garden that I left behind, was one of my favourite roses.
Before we left, I took some photos of it - and this painting was created from one of them. It's now fixed firmly in my memory, because I can see this painting, daily.

The rose is a David Austin - and the type is "A Shropshire Lad"

My painting is quarter sheet size - that's 15" x 11" --and is painted on Saunders Waterford 140lb rough paper.

Peachy Pink

 

Coming back to life!

Good morning friends.    
Today's painting came about from an idea I had when I visited the beautiful city of Dundee. Once there, I was struck by how much public artwork is in place. It seemed to me that if you turned a corner, you would find another piece of sculpture. As an artist, I found the city a delight to visit.
the idea which germinated was that I would photograph the settings these artworks were in, but then paint the sculptures as if they were alive - hence the title - The Awakening. It's number II because this is the second such I've done.
The first is HERE 

As you know, we moved house recently - and I have to say that the Kingdom of Fife is a landscape painter's dream location. If you'd like to see some recent pictures, visit my other blog HERE 
We have been made so welcome, it has been like coming home to family who love you.

Now on to the painting..

The Awakening II

I hope you've enjoyed viewing it.

Unconditional love, good friends and a gift.

Painting is therapeutic to me. Whenever I feel stressed or impatient, painting grounds me. No subject more so than painting a dog. There is something about these most loyal companions that brings a smile to my face. That something is probably the unconditional love they have.

In alignment with this unconditional love, I painted a dog portrait as a gift, for someone who is trying their hardest to make things right in my world.

Thank you, my friend.

Here is Oscar

 Painted on Bockingford Extra rough, size 15" x 11"

Fun with Sun

After painting the last two intricate sunflowers, I decided to paint a fast and loose, fun sunflower.
This is on Bockingford Extra Rough and was created using watercolour, Graphik Line Painters and Ink.

Fun with Sun

I hope you enjoyed seeing it.  To see all my paintings on one place, go HERE

Sunkissed

On my last blog post, I explained how I'd painted the sunflower in stages; that those stages reminded me of life.

Painting in stages was quite relaxing, so I did it again - and yet again chose to paint a sunflower.

This one is painted on Bockingford Extra Rough paper - and is a quarter of a sheet in size. (15 x 11inches)

Sunkissed

I hope you haven't minded waiting!

Face the Sun

The last few Sundays, I've set aside a little time to do some painting. Not enough time to complete a whole painting, but the last three together have meant I have one finished painting to show you.

Little by little this painting has come together - and it's been really interesting to paint it that way, rather than painting and finishing all in one go.

It struck me that it's almost like life. Build up the achievements, little by little, until you've reached your goal. Then, you set yourself another goal, and little by little, you'll reach that too.
Hopefully, your life will be just like this painting, that if you turn your face to the sun, the darkness will be behind you.

Face the Sun

 I hope you've enjoyed seeing this picture... by and by, there'll be more to come. Until then, enjoy whatever you're doing.

Still Waiting

I couldn't wait to get stuck into my new DVDs and one of the books I bought at the All About Art event.
Watercolours Unleashed was the first book & Dvd combo that I devoured from cover to disk!

Then I had a little experiment, all of my own...

and this, Still Waiting ... is the result.

Painted on Bockingford High White, it's a quarter sheet in size, and it was created using watercolour, Winsor & Newton inks, FW acrylic ink and W&N Texture medium...

oh it was fun to do! I hope it's fun for you to view...

It's all about art

Thursday, a good friend, Sara - and I, went to the Art event "It's All About Art"

See HERE

We met at the train station, where my friend said I looked like a new woman, more relaxed and happier than ever. I'll let you in to a little secret... I had followed the Dr's advice re my husband - and sought legal advice. It has made all the difference  - and that's all I can say on that matter now.

So, onto the day... we had both checked out the list of events and we had our eyes on different areas, workshops and demonstrations we wished to watch.
We'd both set ourselves a limit as to how much we were prepared to spend. Having been previous years, we knew how easy it would be to get carried away!

We watched Sharon Hurst, Jeremy Ford, Geoff Kersey and Charles Evans paint; we wandered around The Artist of the Year Exhibition and The Sketchbook Challenge exhibition, we stopped at Trade Stands for Derwent, Pebeo and Sculpture Canvas & Blocks.

I bought quite a few instructional DVDs, which were on my shopping hit list, plus one book.

We laughed, we discussed the various paintings and techniques, we sat and had lunch, talking as friends do.
We travelled most of the way home together, only separating for the final leg of our journey. In that time we spoke about our upcoming art projects - and which of our goodies would be the first to be opened!

for me, it was the watercolours unleashed book - swiftly followed by the accompanying DVD... and I can't wait to get the two latest paintings finished and posted, so I can get on to experimentation.

It was a lovely day with a good friend, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! 

A Celebration for Paddy.

Today I'm showing you a painting that you've seen before - but it's all because of a very special celebration.

We adopted Paddy a year ago, so I'm indulging myself and showing you my favourite painting of him so far.


Paddy "Listening with Intent"

Out of the Shadows

Hello, my blog friends!
I've been amongst the missing for a while and for that I apologise. Life is still quite difficult at the moment.

Leaving that behind, I have a painting to show you.
It's called Out of the Shadows and it even has a short story that goes with it.
You can find that HERE

painted on Saunders Waterford, 140lb rough paper.

I hope you enjoy the painting - and I hope you go read the short story too!
See you again, soon.

A Dream Comes True

Hello friends!
I know it's been a while since I blogged - and after this post it will be a while again yet, because life is a little topsy turvy here.
However, I wanted to write and tell you a heart warming story.

Due to the power of kindness, Lottie's dream has come true.
Not only have we raised enough funds for a scooter so she can walk her dogs again ( see HERE )
we have also raised enough money to buy her a lightweight wheelchair, so that - at the age of 27 - she can dance again! (see HERE)

I am so grateful to all who cheered on the fundraising efforts, so grateful to all those who commissioned a painting, so the money could go to fulfilling a young lady's dream; so grateful to all who bought one of my books, so that I could give the royalties to Lottie.
So grateful for my friends at Sparkling Jewellery HERE, who posted all the paintings gratis, so that every penny raised could go to Lottie.
So very grateful for my artist friend, Kim Lintern HERE who read Lottie's story and offered art for sale to help.
You are wonderful human beings, all. I'm proud to know you. 
Because of all of you and the kindness you've shown, Lottie will dance again - she's even entering into a Wheelchair Dance competition. You have given her that part of her life back.

Thank you so much.


For the painting lovers, these are the ones that were painted to benefit Lottie's fund.

Rock Star

Maybe 1

Maybe 2

Rio

Kami

 

 

There are three more paintings which I can't show you yet, because one hasn't reached the new owner - and two more I am waiting on photos, before I start painting. As soon as I can, I will share those too. 

Dog portraits - and Lottie's Wheelchair Fund.

I have a friend called Lottie Bennett, who is just 26 years old.

She suffers from Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome. 

Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome is a rare condition affecting 1 in every 20,000 to 40,000 people. It affects each sufferer differently. 

For Lottie, it causes chronic and acute pain, mobility difficulties, internal bleeding, thrombosis and chronic fatigue. 

Lottie has to use a wheelchair in everyday life, and she has recently discovered Wheelchair Dance. Being the positive person she is, she has taken part in her normal wheelchair, but will need a dance wheelchair to continue. 

It gives her such joy, that I wanted to help. 

I am offering anyone who wants a dog portrait, the chance to have one painted by me, for £100. 

This is a painting I made for Lottie a few years ago, but you can see more dog paintings on my gallery site.

There are other ways to help Lottie - and if you'd like to help, her wheelchair fund raising site is Lottie's Wheelchair Fund

To order a dog portrait, you need to do that through Lottie's site. 

Thank you for reading.

Listening with Intent ... and a little break.

Good morning friends!

I thought you'd like to see my latest painting - of the darling Paddy.

Listening with Intent

 Painted on Saunders Waterford paper, 140lb rough. Size 15" x 11"

This will be the last painting I pop on here for a little while, because I am taking a little break. Not from painting, but from my online presences.
Last year was very draining for me ( see HERE )  and to regain my energy fully, I'm stepping away from the computer, to concentrate on resting and recovering.
(For those who don't know, I have kidney problems and stress exacerbates them.)

I will still post any paintings I might create on my gallery site HERE , so if you'd like to see them, just sign up to the mailing list.
I'm hoping that it's not long before my batteries are fully recharged. 

Thanks for your understanding and patience.
love, Pat xx

When your vase is filled with flowers, paint them!

Good morning friends.

In the last post I told you to look down if you needed inspiration - and today I'm saying if anyone gives you flowers - once they are in the vase - paint them!
That way, you get twice the pleasure from one bouquet.

Which is what I did when my darling OH brought me flowers.
Funnily, when he was buying them, he was asked what he'd done wrong, that he needed to buy flowers for his wife. Isn't it a shame that was someone's first thought? He was told, nothing wrong, it's because I love her and she loves flowers, so I buy her some!

In this painting, I experimented with a few different techniques.
All great fun  - and very important to experiment, I feel. It makes you grow as an artist.
I hope you enjoy looking at this painting; painted on Saunders Waterford and measuring 8x11 inches.

Gratitude

If you are wondering what to paint, look down!

If you ever struggle with 'what shall I paint next?' then there is no better recommendation than to look around you. If you love painting flowers, look down!
Even the humble weeds can be inspiration for a painting.

Here is my version of a common weed in the UK,

The Happy Dandelion

Painted on Saunders Waterford, 140lb Rough paper, using W&N Artist Quality paint. 

8" x 11"

Making and painting a card using Saunders Waterford paper

Do you still write letters, or do you only stay in contact via email?
I still like to write a letter every now and then.
So when I do, I paint a little card to go along with it, to make it extra special.

I take a piece of Saunders Waterford paper 140lb, Rough. Size wise - about 8x 11inches.
Fold it in half and run a ruler down the fold line to make a proper crease, that works like a hinge. Then the card will sit flat when you pop it in an envelope - and stand up like a bought card when the recipient opens it.

Once that's done, I tape it down to my drawing board, like so

The reason for this, is once you paint the card and take the tape off, it leaves a lovely neat edge which enhances the painting.
The tape is low tack masking tape, specifically designed for painters. 

Something like this:

and somewhere in the world, someone will be opening a card like this, very soon.
Why not make your own and send it out in the world? I know it'll be appreciated. 

After the demo, incorporating negative painting into a picture.

Good morning friends,
after demonstrating the hearts, I thought I'd show you how you can incorporate some negative painting into a picture.

So here is my painting - if you look closely, you will see where the negative painting has been applied. Remember, negative painting is where I paint the area around the object and not the object itself.
Or you could just sit back and enjoy the view.

Queen of the Lilypad

Painted on Saunders Waterford, 140lb Rough.

Always - a demonstration of hearts and negative painting, ahead of St. Valentine's Day.

It seems such a long time since I did a step-by-step demonstration.

Here though, is one for a hand painted card, made up of hearts, in time for St. Valentine's Day.
Go on, give it a go, and surprise that special someone in your life with a handmade card!

This is what the card will look like when it's finished:

'Always'

Here is how to get to that finish, step by step.

Firstly, take a piece of watercolour paper, 8" x 11" and fold it in half.
I use Saunders Waterford 140lb Rough.
Then tape it to a board, with half an inch of the paper covered, like so:

Line up your palette, with three washes, one yellow, one red, one blue.
Mine were winsor yellow, cobalt blue and rose madder genuine

Then you wet the whole of the paper with plain water. Dip your brush in one wash then apply to the paper, with a random swirl, while the paper is still wet. Do the same with each wash.
Here is how my random swirls came out:

Then draw your first few hearts, with a pencil:

Using just the yellow wash, paint around the hearts and all over the background. This will give one unifying wash under all the others to follow.
Never paint over the hearts! We are painting the space around them. This is negative painting.

When the painting has dried completely, go back in with your pencil and draw a few more hearts.This time, use the yellow, blue and red wash in  line with how they appear on the under painting. Don't worry if they fizz in together as you paint. Never paint over the hearts you have drawn.

Then when completely dry, add some more hearts.
Once this level is completed, it should look like this.
This is what I call the ugly stage - but don't panic! It is simply a stage - it will get better. Persevere! 

This time, we're going to take the blue and red washes, and mix them together.
With this new lavender/purple wash, you are going to paint all around the hearts again, remembering not to paint the hearts.

Now, we could have stopped here, but it didn't feel finished to me. I wanted to go wild with hearts - so we draw in some more!
You might have to look closer to see these. Click the image and it will come up larger. 

For this next background wash, we are going to take the mix of blue/red and add in a touch of Payne's Grey.
Then make sure you don't paint over any hearts, simply the space between them.

When you have painted every space in between the hearts, you should have a card that looks like this, before you remove the masking tape.

and once you remove the tape, here is the card your beloved will enjoy on St Valentine's Day.

What a great way to express your love! Much better than a card from a store.
I hope you tackle this project - and get as much enjoyment from it, as I did.

Thanks for following along.

Lunchtime in Suburbia, a study of fish

Hello friends,

today I show you a painting I made over the recent holidays.
It's a study of koi fish, which are kept in a garden pond.
I hope you enjoy viewing it.

Lunchtime in Suburbia

Painted on Saunders Waterford paper, 140lb rough
approx 15" x 8"