Copper workshop

Just painted a volcano, possibly Fuji, I did this today, at a painting on copper workshop. The copper sheet is glued to a foam board backing. I used metallic acrylics. But the paint broke up into cells on the surface This allowed the copper to show through. It was hard to get it to spread but it made for an interesting textured effect. I used paintbrushes, rollers and palette knives. When you try and take a photo you can see lots of reflections. I’m quite pleased with the outcome.

Buddha

I went to art group for the first time in weeks and picked up a small, 6×4 in canvas.

I haven’t done a painting for ages, my Parkinsons is bad and looking close up is difficult because although I’m cataract free,  they also cured my short sightedness and I find it hard to focus on close objects, basically closer than about a foot things get blurred. I need to get some ordinary reading glasses because the ones I’ve got are too strong.

Then I saw a tiny, gold painted, plastic Buddha. Of all the things that I could choose to paint, this seemed like the right karma. The brushes were a bit rough and not easily pointed. It was hard to see the details, but in about an hour I managed to paint him. The best thing? Someone in the group said they really liked it. So I gave it them.

In other news, I know I haven’t been here much lately. I miss my cat so much. It’s another loss I’m struggling to come to terms with. Love to you all.

Random cat

A website I used to use to create abstract images on has now changed so radically that I’ve lost my understanding of how it works. Instead of an art site it’s become much more of a portrait filtering site.

To say I’m disappointed is an understatement, it used to be far more interesting. Now it limits the options I can use and a lot of the tools are behind pay walls.

Anyway I will keep trying to get used to it again.

Before I go to bed

Let me draw again

Give me inspiration

Let me take charge of my dreams

Create new images

Restore my life

Secure my vision.

Help me to be free

And end fear.

Dazzle myself as well as others.

Imagine anew what I drew before

(this digital drawing is eight years old and was drawn in Artrage, I wish I could remember how I did it,)

Hubbys cat painting

He didn’t paint much, but this painting was one of our first cats, he also did a tornado shaped painting in many colours, and a sunflower painting (all acrylics on board). These were his efforts at creating some exuberant pieces of art.

He also made drawings which he did in an A4 sized hardback blue book. It’s crammed with notes and thoughts. Often quite disjointed, he was by training a chemist/physicist. That didn’t stop him enjoying the artistic side of life. I will always miss his thoughtfulness and quirky creativity.

My friend painting.

Quick sketch, crafty group, I wasn’t well so just did this. Pencil on cartridge paper. I think I still have my skill in drawing but Parkinsons makes it harder. I still hope to get better medication and reduce the dopamine breaking down in my brain. I love art and hate the way this disease is making me “stick”, or  shaking uncontrollably.

I’m trying hard to keep going, I do not enjoy how things are. But I realise my life is a lot better than some peoples lives. I’m lucky to live in a country with a universal health service. My eternal gratitude goes to the NHS., without which I would be stuffed!

Violin sketch

At the Beehive pub in Honeywall on Wednesday night. I don’t go very often to listen to the Boatband and their cajun and folk music. But it was the day before the 2nd anniversary of a very sad occasion and I wanted to take my mind off it.

The thing was someone had given me a pencil to make some notes with and I had some scraps of paper in my bag, so I decided to try and do some drawings. This was one of them.

I loved the sinuous shape of the violin and the way the musician held it and the bow, and I was transported back 40 years to my younger self drawing and sketching. I’m rather pleased with the result despite my shaking hands.

Two years (almost)

If I wait a day or two

My tears will flow

Again

Two times around the sun.

Millions of miles away from me.

Energy evaporated

Thoughts dissipated

My memory is all

That holds you

A ghostly shape

3d nothingness

Grasping for you

In my sleep.

Such a robust person,

Lost and gone.

No more conversations…

Gone.

Gon

Go

G

….

Old self portrait

Painted in 1991? that was when I flirted with getting my first studio, but one of the three people sharing it enjoyed playing loud music too much. Eventually it drove me out. I just wanted to paint in quiet and peace.

The cat was one of the first cats I had when I came to live in Stoke on Trent. She was extremely intelligent and followed me everywhere or rode on my shoulder. I was in my early thirties when I painted this. It was acrylic on canvas. Called familiar friends.