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.