Where the Heart is.

I think the title of this, my latest portrait, speaks for itself..

Where the Heart is

Hope you've enjoyed watching me try out this new technique.

I will definitely be adopting it and combining it into my usual style.

and I just had to show you this darling picture of my two sitting next to me on the sofa..

Companionship

I may be writing lots more than ever before, but I haven't forgotten how much I love to paint, also.

This weekend just gone I had a day with an artist, who was teaching me loose techniques.
I watched, copied and absorbed.
Then I painted alone, using a pot of parsley and some apples to create a still life, trying to put into action the earlier instruction.
This is the first - and I've called it  " Companionship ".

Portrait of a Gentleman

Good morning friends,

this is the portrait I've been working on.

I'm very pleased with how he looks - and more importantly so is the man who asked me to draw his relative !

This has been keeping me out of mischief recently - as has writing my novel. I have much respect for anyone who writes a book - the sheer volume of writing takes such time - and I'm only a third of the way through the expected word count of a book of my genre.
I hope life's been treating you well - I've been visiting your blogs as and when I can. x

Beauty, of Farplace Animal Rescue

Over on Twitter, I follow a rescue called Farplace Animal Rescue. (here)

Recently they found a dog abandoned on the moor, the poor girl was starving and trying to eat roadkill.
Farplace took her in and gave her food, medical treatment and love.

They named her Beauty.
She only stayed with them for three weeks, because she was found to be suffering from advanced cancer.
When the time was right, they let her go.

The rescue are fundraising to complete a barn they will name in her memory and this drawing will go in there.

Beauty.

Quench

October is the month of The Big Draw, see HERE

so at art club this week, I started a drawing and finished it yesterday.

Here it is, hope you like it :)

Quench

You'll find it, and all my other works, on my gallery site HERE

Missy, Piggy ~ and some news

Today I've been visiting your blogs and such talent all across the world. It makes me feel quite humble in this community of artists.
I had quite a lot of visiting to do, because I've been a little busy here.
I've been writing a lot since I took part on the creative writing course for short stories. The tutor's end of course critique told me I should be writing novels - so that's what I've been doing. I've even entered a competition and am awaiting the results. (Due in Nov) .

I haven't totally abandoned painting. Here is one I did in art club just last week.

Piggy

Now I had this on my dining table on Thurs (day after art club) because I'd just signed and photographed it.  Then I had to start work - and the first person in saw it and wanted it, to give as a Christmas present to her auntie, who collects pigs. (let's hope she doesn't read this blog!) Because the lady involved was a friend, I didn't want to charge her, but she wasn't comfortable just taking it to give away, so we came to an agreement - and she is sponsoring a kennel for a year, at the shelter from whence Missy came HERE

Missy of course is never far from my heart ~ or feet ~ though when she sees me get the netbook out to start writing, this is where she heads for :) 

Hope you've enjoyed this post, as I've enjoyed all your blogs and friendship.

xx

Summer Squall

Inbetween the drawings, I am still trying out some new papers.
This painting was made on Saunders Waterford NOT 140lb and I'm pretty impressed how its standing up to wet washes.

I did the background washes and let them dry overnight ( I was busy!)  The next day I added the figures, foliage and statue - and there it was - a Summer Squall !

Hope you enjoy it, as I did painting it!

This painting - and all my others - are permanently on display on my gallery website HERE