The Westport Burger

Another food painting, from a meal served to my husband in 1B Westport Cafe.

The Westport Burger

I am delighted to say that this, together with The Westport Club, The Westport Oyster and the The Westport Special will soon be hanging in 1B Westport Cafe, in Cupar, Fife.

painted on my favourite watercolour paper, Saunders Waterford, by St Cuthbert's Mill. 

The Westport Club

There's an award winning cafe in Cupar, Fife called 1B Westport Cafe.
This is one of their most famous lunch dishes, the club sandwich, painted in watercolour, by me!

The Westport Club 

If you visit Scotland, be sure to drop in to Cupar and try one for yourself!

painted on Saunders Waterford 140R paper, from St Cuthbert's Mill.
 

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

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.

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.

Enzo by the Lake

Here's a painting I've done of Sean's Westie, Enzo.

Sean is the coffee shop owner, Enzo is his Westie and the shop mascot. He's such a lovely wee boy!

The painting isn't hanging in the shop - it's gone home with Sean!

Enzo by the Lake

Painted on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford Paper and framed by Elite Framing, Cupar.
If I get a pic of it hanging in situ, I'll share it later on .

Mint choc chip muffins at Sean's

Are you still with me? Are you famished for cake yet?
Today we have some individual cakes -

Mint choc chip muffins at Sean's.

Absolute little beauties they were. Are you ready to visit Sean's yet?
If you are ever in Cupar, Fife - he is just off the High Street (Bonnygate) in a street called Lady Wynd. Doesn't Cupar have the most delightful street names? It also has the most delightful cake in Sean's Coffee Shop!

Or you can view remotely, by visiting Sean's Twitter HERE or Facebook here

Again, framed by Elite Framing and painted on St Cuthbert's Mill SW140 Rough paper.

Rose petals and walnut cake at Sean's.

Yesterday we went to the official relaunch day at Sean's.
We had a lovely time, the coffee shop was crowded and there was a joyful buzz about the place. Sean has created a lovely shop, great atmosphere and heavenly food.
He took time to come and tell me that people had been admiring my paintings, which was such a kind thing to do, on a busy day! We also met his Mum, who was great fun, very youthful looking - and immensely proud of her boy. Rightly so!

Today's painting is:

Rose Petals and Walnut Cake at Sean's

Sean's Twitter HERE 
and Facebook HERE

As always, framed by Elite Framing Cupar and painted on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140lb Rough paper.

Key Lime Pie at Sean's

Today's painting is

Key Lime Pie at Sean's

Sean's is the dog friendly cafe in Lady Wynd, Cupar.
Facebook here
Twitter HERE


This painting was framed by Elite Framing Cupar and you'll be able to see all the framed paintings in one post, at the end of this painting bonanza!

All of the paintings were painted on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140lb Rough paper . They produce the most wonderful papers for all types of creatives!
 

Brotherly Love, Fife Art Exhibition, Elite Framing, Keiko Mukaide and Simon Ward .

A little over a month ago, I entered one of my paintings into the Fife Art Exhibition.
That painting was Brotherly Love

It was expertly framed by Elite Framing

I didn't win a prize in the judging - but because I'd entered, I had the opportunity to partake in some workshops, gratis. These were paid for by the sponsor, Shell.

The first workshop I attended was on with the renowned glass artist Keiko Mukaide.
Under her tuition, I produced these two pieces.

The first is a leaf shape, within which is contained the blueprint of the adult tree. The second shows a leaf shape changing with the seasons - to show us nature is not frightened of change - and nor should we be.

The second workshop was with the acclaimed ceramicist, Simon Ward.
In this workshop we learned how to create a design and transfer it to china.
I did this on a mug, using the words "Come Home" and showing one prodigal koi returning to his friends.

These works too are now in the exhibition, which has another week to run.
If you are visiting Fife within the next week, pop into the Lochgelly Centre - and you will see a stupendous exhibition with much talent on display.



My painting was created on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford Paper, using W&N paint.

Moving to Scotland, Elite Framing and Waiting for Teresa

A little over a year ago, we moved to the beautiful Kingdom of Fife, in Scotland. The area has some amazing countryside and some amazing beaches. It also has a market town called Cupar, in which there are some wonderful human beings. One in particular owns a shop called Elite Framing. I have taken a few of my paintings there, to be framed, so they can hang on my wall.

Kenney, who owns the shop, asked if I'd like to have some of my paintings hanging, for sale, on his gallery wall. Would I like it? After hubby picked my jaw up off the floor, I happily agreed.

So now, if you wander into Cupar, Fife - search out Elite Framing - and you'll see some of my paintings hanging there.

This is the first to be framed, hung and hopefully sold! The beach is a local one at Dysart.

Waiting for Teresa

Painted on St. Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140 rough paper, using Winsor Newton Artists Quality paint, framed using conservation standard materials.
Prints and Products available at Redbubble 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!