Bottled Sunshine and a holiday!

I've been amongst the missing again, after having another holiday in Scotland.
This time we went to Inverewe Gardens, Poolewe.

Here's a pic of wee Paddy in our camper.

and a new painting...

Bottled Sunshine

Hope you're all well - and I'll be visiting soon - as well as posting some more holiday pics.
 

The Patchwork Dog

Here, using my own sweet jack russell terrier as a model, is a child's toy...a patchwork dog.
I hope you like him.

The Patchwork Dog

The Sansevieria Series: II

In this version, I used watercolour and a medium called aquapasto, made by Winsor & Newton.
When used in conjunction with watercolour, it increases the viscosity of the wash - and the resultant effect is like painting with oils.

For someone who can't use oils, this is a fabulous medium.

Sans II

The Sansevieria Series I

I wanted to see how different mediums affected how an item was portrayed in art. I picked a sansevieria (mother-in-law's tongue) as my subject, and set about experimenting.

This first painting is in watercolour and ink - a pen and wash.

Sans I 

I've decided to have a series of three. Do come back and see the others.

Cara

My husband asked if I would paint a picture for him. He wanted an abstract, galaxy type of painting, with bright colours in it.

This is for you, dearest.

Cara

 Unusually for me, it's a full sheet of watercolour paper!

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. 

The Westport Club

There's an award winning cafe in Cupar, Fife called 1B Westport Cafe.
This is one of their most famous lunch dishes, the club sandwich, painted in watercolour, by me!

The Westport Club 

If you visit Scotland, be sure to drop in to Cupar and try one for yourself!

painted on Saunders Waterford 140R paper, from St Cuthbert's Mill.
 

the heart of infinity

This is a watercolour painting from my imagination, of a galaxy in space.
I put in a heart and the infinity symbol, intending to give it to my husband as a Valentine's present - but he surprised me by asking for a bright coloured painting!

So there'll be another one to show you soon.

The heart of infinity

Sam and Shannon

Today's paintings were created as a present for a young lady, Shannon.
She owns a spaniel called Sam.

The first painting is something a little different, in that the outline of Sam the dog is made up of his name, but the nose, eyes and heart are made up of Shannon's! Painted in watercolour and ink.

The second is Sam painted in a more traditional painting, created in watercolour.

The Shooting Star

This painting was made to celebrate the life of a friend, who passed away recently.
It was commissioned by his sister and given as a gift to his daughter.

She had seen a shooting star on the night he passed and informed her aunt that the star was her dad.

This is the painting that commemorates that incident.

The Shooting Star

Painted in watercolour on Saunders Waterford paper. 

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.

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.

P1, this painting needs a name!

Sometimes you create something different in art, just because you want to be different.

This watercolour and ink is one of those. Different.
Also, I struggled to think of a name for this painting, so all suggestions gratefully received! Until then, P1 (for primate) will do.

P1

 the painting is on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford Paper - and is 8x11" in size.

A three painting post, watercolour and cyanotypes

I've been so busy, I've really neglected my blog.
So I'm trying to bring everything up to speed.

There are three paintings in this post - one watercolour and two cyanotypes.
I was so fortunate to have been gifted a day at a printing works to learn how to make cyanotypes - a process used in making blueprints.
You can use all sorts of papers to make cyanotypes - and I chose to use watercolour paper, so that I could paint some details in watercolour afterwards.

The Sun Always Rises

 Harvest Time

and finally, a watercolour commission of a lovely rescue boy

Tanner 

I thought, for interest, I'll also show you the cyanotypes as they were hanging up to dry, after coming out from the wash tray, in which any excess chemicals were removed.

and for those on you on Facebook, I now have an artist page HERE

An Angel Calls

I had such fun painting this one!
A friend of mine was moving to a new home - and I offered to make a painting for a housewarming present - and this is the result.

An Angel Calls 

Painted on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140R paper, and twice the size of my usual paintings at half sheet size. 15" x 22"

and here, you can see the painting framed by - and hanging at - Elite Framing, Cupar. 

 

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.

Foggy Dog Walk

After the Misty Mountain Cottage, we're progressing to a foggy dog walk!
Both of these paintings were inspired by a foggy picture taken by a friend in the US, which I then adapted to look as if it could have been part of our new life here, in Scotland.

Foggy Dog Walk

Painted on St. Cuthbert's Mill SW140R paper, 15"x 8"

Misty Mountain Cottage

I've been a busy little bee recently and my poor blog has been left alone, whilst I'm still trying to find a new routine. Perhaps routine is not for me any more! Perhaps I need to be a little more scheduled in my attitude. One day, I'll figure it all out!

In the meantime, here's another painting.

Misty Mountain Cottage. 

on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140 rough paper.
15"x 6"
 

Hart of the Universe

I love star gazing. Just last night I was out watching the night sky. It was beautifully clear, although very windy, but the stars!
There's an attraction in the firmament and a feeling of being watched over, cared for. Whenever I spend time stargazing, I always come away with lifted spirits.

Not always can I be outside - sometimes it's not practical, so I painted this picture for myself. I can see myself painting a series of universe pictures.. each one with a different animal. For the moment, here's the stag (hart) . Indicative of my new life in Scotland, which I love.

Hart of the Universe

 On St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140lb Rough Paper , 15" x11"