The Shooting Star

This painting was made to celebrate the life of a friend, who passed away recently.
It was commissioned by his sister and given as a gift to his daughter.

She had seen a shooting star on the night he passed and informed her aunt that the star was her dad.

This is the painting that commemorates that incident.

The Shooting Star

Painted in watercolour on Saunders Waterford paper. 

Freedom

I love visiting the sea, watching the waves and feeling the spray. There's a sense of wildness and freedom about it.
I also know there are many creatures below the surface, who have a freedom of their own.

Here's one such, in watercolour...

Freedom

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140R paper.

Talullah

Today I am delighted to show you my latest dog painting.

She will soon be winging her way over to the USA.

The darling Talullah.

 11" x 7"
painted on Saunders Waterford paper, using Winsor & Newton watercolour paint.

The Evolution Series, a collection of primates

When I painted the first of these primates, a good friend suggested I should called the painting "Evolution" .

I liked the name and it also inspired me to paint a couple more, using different techniques. So here you have the complete "Evolution Series"

I hope you enjoy them.

P3

 P2

P1

Painted on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140R paper, using Winsor & Newton paint

The Lone Tree

Recently I painted the view at Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond - and I though it had a bit of an Oriental feel to it - so I decided to paint the scene again and this time try to really push the Oriental feel.

Hence I now have this painting:

The Lone Tree

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140R paper , using Winsor& Newton paint. 

15" x 11"

 

My version of a Highland Cow.

Everywhere we go in Scotland, we see images of Highland Cows (Coos)
I fancied painting one, but wanted to make it a little different.
So here is my version of a Coo..

Coo1

 
thanks for looking! 

Wedding breakfast and Milarrochy Bay

This morning we have a two watercolour painting post, Wedding Breakfast and Milarrochy Bay.

Wedding Breakfast
painted specifically for a friend, Clare, who was thrilled with it...

and Milarrochy Bay

painted from a recent holiday we took in Scotland

Both on Saunders Waterford paper and both the same size.
Presentation mounts were done by Elite Framing, Cupar.

The Old Stone Bridge, St Andrews

St Andrew's is a short drive from where we now live - and one of the most famous things that happens there, in the sporting world is - Golf.
I myself am not interested in golf, but I like a good walk. On a Sunday, no golfers play this particular course and everyone is free to walk around.
This old stone bridge is quite famous amongst the golfing fraternity (the Swilcan Bridge) but I liked it as a nice focal point for a painting.

I hope you do too

The Old Stone Bridge

Painted on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford paper. Size 15"x11"

A painting of Otis, from the Scottish Deer Centre

We recently had a day visit to a local attraction - The Scottish Deer Centre.
What a wonderful place to spend a few hours. at one point, we sat and watched the birds of prey display.
We were allowed to take photographs, so I did.
From one of these I created this painting.

On St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford paper.

Blue Otis

If you ever get the chance, do go for a visit. If you love nature and wildlife, you'll enjoy your time there.

Fly Away

Here's a painting of a crow on the wing.
He was just taking off from a wall, when I snapped the pic, on a recent visit to the coast.

Fly Away

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140lb rough paper. 8x11 inches

P1, this painting needs a name!

Sometimes you create something different in art, just because you want to be different.

This watercolour and ink is one of those. Different.
Also, I struggled to think of a name for this painting, so all suggestions gratefully received! Until then, P1 (for primate) will do.

P1

 the painting is on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford Paper - and is 8x11" in size.

K2, the Water Kelpies.

In Scotland, there are some magnificent horse sculptures called the Kelpies.
When we went on our Loch Tay cruise, we were told about the Water Kelpies, one of whom was said to live at the bottom of the Loch. They take the shape of horses.

Although I'd painted water kelpies previously, I'd recently got some new art supplies, so I painted them again. This time using ink and pearlescent acrylic ink.

It's hard to see the subtle sparkle on the screen, but as the light changes, so does the way this painting appears.

K2

Even though it was a different medium to watercolour, I still used St Cuthberts Mill Saunders Waterford paper - and it behaved, beautifully. 
I hope you enjoy this painting.

Paddy on holiday, Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond.

On a recent holiday to Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond, I took my painting implements.
The weather was so beautiful, I painted en plein aire.
Of course, I had a model who was at hand all the time - and so I painted a portrait of him, as well as taking photos and making sketches for further paintings.

Here's the portrait:

Paddy on holiday

 and here are a few pictures of the place we stayed, so you can see some of Scotland's beauty.

Loch Tay Cruise, Scotland

While we were on holiday in April - we had a 90 minute cruise on Loch Tay.
We had to go separately, because dogs weren't allowed on the Rib .. so whilst Paul was on his trip, I took some photos and made a few quick sketches, whilst Paddy slept at my feet.

Back home, I made this painting to reflect the dreaminess of the scene and the dreaminess of actually living in a place as beautiful as we do.

The small black blob in the middle is the boat Paul was on, as it disappeared away up the Loch. Can you see him waving? Me neither!

Loch Tay Cruise 

 

A three painting post, watercolour and cyanotypes

I've been so busy, I've really neglected my blog.
So I'm trying to bring everything up to speed.

There are three paintings in this post - one watercolour and two cyanotypes.
I was so fortunate to have been gifted a day at a printing works to learn how to make cyanotypes - a process used in making blueprints.
You can use all sorts of papers to make cyanotypes - and I chose to use watercolour paper, so that I could paint some details in watercolour afterwards.

The Sun Always Rises

 Harvest Time

and finally, a watercolour commission of a lovely rescue boy

Tanner 

I thought, for interest, I'll also show you the cyanotypes as they were hanging up to dry, after coming out from the wash tray, in which any excess chemicals were removed.

and for those on you on Facebook, I now have an artist page HERE

An Angel Calls

I had such fun painting this one!
A friend of mine was moving to a new home - and I offered to make a painting for a housewarming present - and this is the result.

An Angel Calls 

Painted on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140R paper, and twice the size of my usual paintings at half sheet size. 15" x 22"

and here, you can see the painting framed by - and hanging at - Elite Framing, Cupar. 

 

Holidays, lochs, woods, deer and dogs!

We've been on a holiday, exploring our new country of Scotland.
We visited lochs and woods and had a boat trip on the newly launched Iolaire, run by Loch Tay safaris, owned by Highland Safaris.
We panned for gold, found gemstones and generally had a wonderful time.
There are many paintings, waiting patiently now for me to get my brushes wet!
A few pictures for you - and then a couple of paintings. The dogs were a prize donated to a raffle to aid rescues and the stags were from a photo I took at the Scottish Deer Centre.

and now, the paintings

Welcome

Two Friends

both painted on Saunders Waterford 140lb rough, my favourite paper, made by St Cuthbert's Mill.

Foggy Dog Walk

After the Misty Mountain Cottage, we're progressing to a foggy dog walk!
Both of these paintings were inspired by a foggy picture taken by a friend in the US, which I then adapted to look as if it could have been part of our new life here, in Scotland.

Foggy Dog Walk

Painted on St. Cuthbert's Mill SW140R paper, 15"x 8"

Misty Mountain Cottage

I've been a busy little bee recently and my poor blog has been left alone, whilst I'm still trying to find a new routine. Perhaps routine is not for me any more! Perhaps I need to be a little more scheduled in my attitude. One day, I'll figure it all out!

In the meantime, here's another painting.

Misty Mountain Cottage. 

on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140 rough paper.
15"x 6"
 

Hart of the Universe

I love star gazing. Just last night I was out watching the night sky. It was beautifully clear, although very windy, but the stars!
There's an attraction in the firmament and a feeling of being watched over, cared for. Whenever I spend time stargazing, I always come away with lifted spirits.

Not always can I be outside - sometimes it's not practical, so I painted this picture for myself. I can see myself painting a series of universe pictures.. each one with a different animal. For the moment, here's the stag (hart) . Indicative of my new life in Scotland, which I love.

Hart of the Universe

 On St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140lb Rough Paper , 15" x11"

Ollie, a recent commission

I was recently approached to paint a beloved dog - and this is the result.
Black, brown and curly fur! He was fun to paint. 

Ollie

Then the painting went to Elite Framing, to have some mounts cut and to be posted to the other end of the country!

I'm pleased to say that the person who commissioned me was delighted with the painting.
Created on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140Rough paper, size 15x11 inches pre mount.

Bookmaking and Japanese Stab binding at The Old Printing Works.

On a Saturday workshop at The Old Printing Works, Thornton, I learned the art of Japanese Stab binding for making notebooks/sketchbooks and any other kind of book you'd like to call it!
We also learned how to create a protective hardcover for our book set. The easiest way for me to describe it, is to show you.
Here, from opening to closing, is my very own effort at making these beautiful pieces of art. Artistic, they most definitely are!

The closed book

first flap open

both flaps open with books inside

both flaps open with books removed

the three note books

a close up of the stab binding on each

back in their protective cover

and flaps closing

all snug as a bug!

I hope you've enjoyed this visual tour of my latest piece of art.. a deviation from painting, but oh so useful for me to create sketchbooks!

Thanks to Marion Archibald from The Old Printing Works, Thornton for such a wonderful, creative day.
If you'd like to see their website, go HERE