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