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. 

Freedom

I love visiting the sea, watching the waves and feeling the spray. There's a sense of wildness and freedom about it.
I also know there are many creatures below the surface, who have a freedom of their own.

Here's one such, in watercolour...

Freedom

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140R paper.

Talullah

Today I am delighted to show you my latest dog painting.

She will soon be winging her way over to the USA.

The darling Talullah.

 11" x 7"
painted on Saunders Waterford paper, using Winsor & Newton watercolour paint.

The Lone Tree

Recently I painted the view at Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond - and I though it had a bit of an Oriental feel to it - so I decided to paint the scene again and this time try to really push the Oriental feel.

Hence I now have this painting:

The Lone Tree

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140R paper , using Winsor& Newton paint. 

15" x 11"

 

Wedding breakfast and Milarrochy Bay

This morning we have a two watercolour painting post, Wedding Breakfast and Milarrochy Bay.

Wedding Breakfast
painted specifically for a friend, Clare, who was thrilled with it...

and Milarrochy Bay

painted from a recent holiday we took in Scotland

Both on Saunders Waterford paper and both the same size.
Presentation mounts were done by Elite Framing, Cupar.

The Old Stone Bridge, St Andrews

St Andrew's is a short drive from where we now live - and one of the most famous things that happens there, in the sporting world is - Golf.
I myself am not interested in golf, but I like a good walk. On a Sunday, no golfers play this particular course and everyone is free to walk around.
This old stone bridge is quite famous amongst the golfing fraternity (the Swilcan Bridge) but I liked it as a nice focal point for a painting.

I hope you do too

The Old Stone Bridge

Painted on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford paper. Size 15"x11"

A painting of Otis, from the Scottish Deer Centre

We recently had a day visit to a local attraction - The Scottish Deer Centre.
What a wonderful place to spend a few hours. at one point, we sat and watched the birds of prey display.
We were allowed to take photographs, so I did.
From one of these I created this painting.

On St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford paper.

Blue Otis

If you ever get the chance, do go for a visit. If you love nature and wildlife, you'll enjoy your time there.

Fly Away

Here's a painting of a crow on the wing.
He was just taking off from a wall, when I snapped the pic, on a recent visit to the coast.

Fly Away

Painted on Saunders Waterford 140lb rough paper. 8x11 inches

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.

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!
 

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. 

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.

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

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"

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.

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.)