Christmas wishes and a Winter Visitor, painted.

My lovely friends, Christmas is nearly here and there's just time for this blog post before the season begins.

I'd like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year.

I'd also like to show you this lovely visitor, painted as a Christmas card on a painting exchange. It was painted on a quarter sheet, folded in half to make a large card!

Winter Visitor

Have a blessed Christmas, one and all.
 

Artwork at Sean's, framed by Elite Framing and hanging on the wall!

All this week, I've shown you my paintings which are now hanging at Sean's Coffee Shop in Cupar.

Today, I thought you might like to see them framed and in situ.

the framing was done by Elite Framing, Cupar.
they're a Fine Art Guild Commended framer and all is done to conservation standards.
His Facebook is HERE  and his Twitter HERE

 This is how the lounge at Sean's looked prior to the paintings hanging.

and here it is with all the paintings in situ

and each painting individually

and in the rest room, the floral painting.

Photos were taken using a mobile, so the colours aren't exact, but you get the idea!
I hope one day you'll be able to visit Sean's and see them in person - as well as sample his delicious cake!

Until then, do pay his Facebook a visit, HERE  - or his Twitter, HERE 
Thank you.

Blossoming at Sean's, in Cupar, Fife, Scotland.

Today we have not a cake painting, but a floral painting.

This one too is hanging in Sean's Coffee Shop, but in the rest room.
Something beautiful for you to look at, rather than bare walls and the functional sink.
It's been called Blossoming at Sean's, because not only is it a flower, but because it seems my art has done just that. Blossomed at Sean's!

Blossoming at Sean's.

This was painted on Saunders Waterford 140R paper and framed by Elite Framing, Cupar.
Tomorrow I will show you all of the paintings, framed and hanging in position.
If you want to visit Sean's virtually, his Facebook is HERE and his Twitter HERE.

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!
 

Green Tea Cake at Sean's.

a little while back, I posted a painting called Green Tea Cake at Coffee and Kilts.

The owner Sean liked my painting so much he asked me to paint some more for his shop re-branding launch!


Today, Coffee and Kilts became Sean's.
Still the same divine food, but a new logo and five of my paintings hanging there.

I'm going to post those paintings one day at a time, so you have something to look forward to :-)

and if you'd like to take a look at Sean's Facebook, it's HERE
and twitter HERE 

and the painting that started it..

Green Tea Cake ... at Sean's!

Winter Fox

I recently saw a beautiful mixed media piece of a fox, with poetry and collage included. It was a large piece and at £600, out of my price range.
So, I thought, I'll paint a fox for myself. I searched a few photo websites which are copyright free for creatives and I found an image which attracted me. I changed a few things about it it - grasses, background and snow - and this is the result.

Winter Fox

I was painted on Saunders Waterford 140lb rough paper and was framed by Elite Framing, Cupar.

It's now hanging on my wall.
The image is sharper in real life, it seems resizing for the blog has made it a little fuzzy - but the eye follows you around the room!
If you click on the image, you see one that's a little sharper. 

BookWeekScot and a Reading Dare

All of this week is #BookWeekScot and here on their website you can find out all the book related events that are occurring throughout Scotland.

I used their Book Generator to get three recommendations. One of them I'd already read, so promptly reserved the other two in my local library!

I also accepted a Reading Dare challenge - and my challenge was to recycle a book, either by sculpture, bunting, jewellery or collage.

Of course, I decided collage - and this is it...

Great fun - and a wee message too... :-)

Water Baby

Every now and then you see a photo that you simply have to paint.
This lovely girl looked like she was having such fun, enjoying her holiday by the sea.
I asked permission from the parents who took the photo - and away I went!

Water Baby

Using Saunders Waterford paper and Winsor & Newton paint, this lovely girl is on a quarter sheet - size 15" x 11"
 

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.

The Garden of Magic

Here's another of my paintings  - this one from my imagination!

The Garden of Magic

On Saunders Waterford 140 Rough.

Original at Elite Framing

Prints and Products at Redbubble

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

Green Tea Cake at Coffee and Kilts

In the market town of Cupar, Fife, Scotland - there is a divine little cafe called Coffee and Kilts.
The owner, Sean Elder, bakes the most amazing cakes, which I've always thought were a work of art. One day, we took home a slice of mate cake (green tea cake). It was so beautiful that I took a photo of it, before hubby ate it - and in my own humble way, tried to produce a second work of art.

Green Tea Cake at Coffee and Kilts

Products featuring the cake, HERE


If you are ever in the vicinity of Cupar, take a trip down Lady Wynd to Coffee and Kilts - and treat your tastebuds.
Sean also serves gluten free food - and the cafe has a dog friendly zone, in case your best friend is with you!

London River Thames: Summer Cruise

Today I have adapted one of my photos of the Houses of Parliament to produce this painting

London River Thames: Summer Cruise

When I look at a photo, I try to see what can happily be left out and still have the painting work.
In this one, I left out the bridge that crosses the river, the buildings to the left and the actual sky and water reflections.

Every single photo I take can be adapted. Not all of them are, because sometimes I am fortunate enough to take just the photo I want to paint. I used to paint only what was in front of me, but now I tend to pick and choose. The result is a somewhat more creative painting.

I can't remember who said it, but someone did - and what they said was: What you leave out is as important as what you put in. Good advice!

If you'd like to own a print, sticker or totebag with this image on it, please check out my Redbubble page. Click on the word "HERE"

London River Thames: Evening Cruise

Like many artists, I have a huge file on my computer containing photos I might one day paint.

I decided it was time to do some clearing out - and whilst doing that, found a couple of London ones I still fancied painting.

These were taken during a walk beside the River Thames and I got a little experimental with the painting - but then, you wouldn't expect anything less!

Here, Boudicca's statue with the clock tower housing Big Ben in the background..

London River Thames: Evening Cruise

Painted on Saunders Waterford paper, 140lb rough and measuring 15"x 11"

Baby

I have a good friend, Debra, who recently moved into a home of her own.
She loves elephants and bright, bold colours - so I painted this for her.

Baby

Wish you and Baby many happy years in your new home, Debs!

I See You ... yes, I do!

I See You

My lovely little boy.. Paddy.
Love it when he has his "laughing" face on, and the bright colours enhance that feel of lightness and happiness. My precious boy.

Paper: Saunders Waterford 140 Rough
Paint: Winsor & Newton
Size: 15" x 11"

Place: On my wall!

A universal pawprint and a new friend!

Two new paintings to show you in this post.
These were created for the man who runs our dog training classes, on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

He's been so helpful with making my OH feel comfortable - because trainer had also suffered bullying at work and ended up with work related depression. Having overcome his, he is sympathetic to helping my OH.
It's sad that someone else has been through the same awful experience, but helpful for my OH to see that you can come out of the other side! 


We've been very fortunate to find so many helpful, decent people along the way. I try to show my gratitude in appropriate ways - and for this chap, these dog theme paintings seemed appropriate!

Universal Pawprint

Paul's New Friend

For the painters amongst you, they are painted on Saunders Waterford 140lb rough, and using Winsor & Newton artist quality paint. Both are 1/8th of an imperial sheet, in size.

Rainy Day in Rio

Good afternoon friends!

I've been busy painting and entering exhibitions! I can't show you those paintings yet, but here's a little fun one I did, just for me.

Rainy Day in Rio

I hope you've been enjoying the Olympics  - and if like me - you haven't been watching - I hope you've been enjoying life!
 

Views, dogs, mixing up the painting and inspiration!

Good morning friends,
how are you all?

I've been visiting so many new places here in Scotland, garnering so many ideas for paintings that I am printing photos as I go now, in case I lose track of them all. Currently I have seven drawn out and sitting in paper stretchers, waiting for the watercolour magic to begin!

Firstly, let me show you a painted view of the beautiful Lomond Hills.
View

You may notice it isn't quite as realistic as previous paintings, because I am trying to convey an emotional response also. I hope you enjoy it.

Also, a new acquaintance wanted a portrait of her dog painted, so this is Blackie

after I drew that portrait, I drew a second of the same dog, so that I could experiment a little. I love exploration, whether it be travel or  painting!
Here is my experimentation, and it's a mixture of ink and watercolour.

Blackie Ink 

 
I'll have a quick run round some blogs, then I'm off to explore some more.
Have a great day!

(as always, all painted using W&N paints - and on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140 rough paper.)

Relax, blow some bubbles - and paint!

This is a painting I made to go in my new reflexology room here in Fife.

I wanted the colours to say calm, the bottles to spell out the message of "relax".

The bubbles were painted to remind the viewer of a time when they knew no worries. How many of us have blown bubbles? I have and had a whale of a time blowing, then chasing them before they popped!

The bubbles include some small paintings showing what I do to relax.
Being at a loch, being by the beach, gardening, reading, painting and of course, reflexology! 
Have I included your favourite way of relaxing?

Relax

For the painters amongst my viewers, the paper is Saunders Waterford, the type is 140lb rough, and the size is a quarter sheet. The paints are Winsor & Newton artist quality.

A mischievous little sprite

Here in my painting world, I sometimes get little "fancies" of what I'd like to paint.
Because I don't paint solely to commission, I can happily indulge myself - and this is what I've done here.

A mischievous sprite, whose background details are made of stylised leaves, trees and bark, ( you might have to look closely) this is Tink

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140lb rough paper, using Winsor & Newton paints, Graphik line painters, Schminke Aqua Bronze "rich gold". Size 15" x 11"

Spring painting, garden inspiration and some sketching.

To plant a garden is to have an endless source of inspiration, when you like to paint.
I have been busy creating both a front and a back garden here in my new Scottish home. I have not been so busy, that I haven't had time to paint.
Once the work is done and the plants are growing, I take some time to sketch and to paint. This way, not only do I work in my garden, but I take some time to enjoy it also. Physical work is good, as is feeding the soul. Gardens and painting do both for me.

The painting is from my front garden - and I call it "Spring"

and the sketches come from my back garden, which is still being created. You can follow that progress, if you'd like to see it, HERE

Sketch one is a metal trellis of leaf and birds and two was the beginning of a trollius (globeflower) . That will have to be finished another day, because the sun was so hot, the paint dried before I could complete my wet-in-wet washes!
Both will eventually become fully worked up paintings - these quick sketches are pleasurable to do and help me decide if I want to go further with them. 
Saunders Waterford paper was used throughout. I like my sketch paper to be the same as my painting paper - and Saunders suits me down to the ground!

Until the next time, happy painting, happy sketching, happy gardening!

Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland, Fife

On a trip to Burntisland in Fife, I had the pleasure of having Sunday lunch with friends at the Kingswood Hotel. Staff and management were very kind and helpful.
I had arrived much earlier than my friends, so I took a coffee and biscuits into the garden, which was simply delightful. Within the garden was a little building, not in use, but surrounded by greenery, so enchanting that I had to make a little painting.

Meet Kingswood  and make up your own story of who lives behind that red door!

PS: Sunday lunch was delicious and highly recommended!

Paisley, the puppy.

Where I take my paintings to be framed - Elite Framing, Cupar - the owner has a new puppy - the most delightful little girl - Paisley.

I couldn't resist having a photo sent to me and a little paint up...

Paisley

Hope you enjoyed seeing her, too! 

Painting with Charles Evans, via Watercolours in a Weekend

Recently I bought a book by Charles Evans, called Watercolours in a Weekend.
Although used, it was in good condition - and I had no other books by Charles, so I decided to purchase it. Aimed at beginners, to encourage them to pick up a brush, I nevertheless bought it and decided to paint the projects.
My reasoning was, it never hurts to go back to basics, does it?

So, here's the book..

There are nine projects in total, within the book.

In between days out, working around the house, garden and visiting my soon to be workplace, I have painted three projects so far.

Walking with Charles

Painting with Charles

Charlie's Beach

The book so far - is it suitable for beginners? Oh, absolutely! It's written in such a style that it feels quite possible to pick up a brush and paint a picture. For Saturdays, you have painting exercises to do - and on Sunday, using the techniques you've learned, you paint a complete picture. I have only shown you my completed pictures.
For someone like me, who has painted for a while, was it worth picking up?
Absolutely, again! It reintroduced me to a way of working that I haven't used for a while - and in doing so refreshed my ability. It made painting someone else's picture fun. That's quite a knack Mr Evans has - he makes painting fun.
At any stage of painting ability - isn't that what picking up a brush is about?

I have some paintings of my own in the pipeline now, but I will undoubtedly come back and tackle the remaining six projects in the book.
As ever, I used Saunders Waterford paper, and Winsor & Newton Artist Quality Paints.

Have fun with your painting, too!

Snow Day, a painting of glass and figures.

I love Snow Globes. Shake them all and all the "snow" falls softly around the figurines encased in glass.
At Christmas time I have a few that are specific to the season, which come out solely at that time. This year I took some photographs and decided to paint one.

The one I selected is represented here in "Snow Day"
So called because the little girl isn't at school, but being read to, by her friend, the Snowman.

Snow Day

Painted on Saunders Waterford paper, 140lb Rough. 

I hope you enjoy seeing it.