Sunkissed

On my last blog post, I explained how I'd painted the sunflower in stages; that those stages reminded me of life.

Painting in stages was quite relaxing, so I did it again - and yet again chose to paint a sunflower.

This one is painted on Bockingford Extra Rough paper - and is a quarter of a sheet in size. (15 x 11inches)

Sunkissed

I hope you haven't minded waiting!

Face the Sun

The last few Sundays, I've set aside a little time to do some painting. Not enough time to complete a whole painting, but the last three together have meant I have one finished painting to show you.

Little by little this painting has come together - and it's been really interesting to paint it that way, rather than painting and finishing all in one go.

It struck me that it's almost like life. Build up the achievements, little by little, until you've reached your goal. Then, you set yourself another goal, and little by little, you'll reach that too.
Hopefully, your life will be just like this painting, that if you turn your face to the sun, the darkness will be behind you.

Face the Sun

 I hope you've enjoyed seeing this picture... by and by, there'll be more to come. Until then, enjoy whatever you're doing.

Still Waiting

I couldn't wait to get stuck into my new DVDs and one of the books I bought at the All About Art event.
Watercolours Unleashed was the first book & Dvd combo that I devoured from cover to disk!

Then I had a little experiment, all of my own...

and this, Still Waiting ... is the result.

Painted on Bockingford High White, it's a quarter sheet in size, and it was created using watercolour, Winsor & Newton inks, FW acrylic ink and W&N Texture medium...

oh it was fun to do! I hope it's fun for you to view...

It's all about art

Thursday, a good friend, Sara - and I, went to the Art event "It's All About Art"

See HERE

We met at the train station, where my friend said I looked like a new woman, more relaxed and happier than ever. I'll let you in to a little secret... I had followed the Dr's advice re my husband - and sought legal advice. It has made all the difference  - and that's all I can say on that matter now.

So, onto the day... we had both checked out the list of events and we had our eyes on different areas, workshops and demonstrations we wished to watch.
We'd both set ourselves a limit as to how much we were prepared to spend. Having been previous years, we knew how easy it would be to get carried away!

We watched Sharon Hurst, Jeremy Ford, Geoff Kersey and Charles Evans paint; we wandered around The Artist of the Year Exhibition and The Sketchbook Challenge exhibition, we stopped at Trade Stands for Derwent, Pebeo and Sculpture Canvas & Blocks.

I bought quite a few instructional DVDs, which were on my shopping hit list, plus one book.

We laughed, we discussed the various paintings and techniques, we sat and had lunch, talking as friends do.
We travelled most of the way home together, only separating for the final leg of our journey. In that time we spoke about our upcoming art projects - and which of our goodies would be the first to be opened!

for me, it was the watercolours unleashed book - swiftly followed by the accompanying DVD... and I can't wait to get the two latest paintings finished and posted, so I can get on to experimentation.

It was a lovely day with a good friend, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! 

A Celebration for Paddy.

Today I'm showing you a painting that you've seen before - but it's all because of a very special celebration.

We adopted Paddy a year ago, so I'm indulging myself and showing you my favourite painting of him so far.


Paddy "Listening with Intent"

Out of the Shadows

Hello, my blog friends!
I've been amongst the missing for a while and for that I apologise. Life is still quite difficult at the moment.

Leaving that behind, I have a painting to show you.
It's called Out of the Shadows and it even has a short story that goes with it.
You can find that HERE

painted on Saunders Waterford, 140lb rough paper.

I hope you enjoy the painting - and I hope you go read the short story too!
See you again, soon.

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.