Do you love Jupiter?

Jupiter, biggest of the planets. If it had a bit more mass it might shine slightly as a brown dwarf star? In the story 2001 a Space oddessy it’s converted to a second star in the solar system. That would make the solar system a binary star system

How would it affect Earth? More light, more heat? It depends on its solar output. It might make plants grow more, but it might add to current global warming. Birds are being affected by the light pollution from streetlamps, imagine having the extra light of maybe a full moon when Jupiter was close to us in its orbit. Someone can probably work out the ramifications. I think in the original story in the book was set at Saturn and the aliens that turned it into a star wanted to heat the moon Europa as it was supposed to have organisms living in an ocean below it’s frozen crust.

Have a read of the books (it’s a series) or watch the film. I think Arthur C Clarke was a very interesting writer.

No

Was today typical?

No, it wasn’t, but not everyday is. A typical day for me would have been when I was at work. Now I do things for myself I can be running all over the place. Or sitting still.

I had to get this photo taken again because I had sent it off in the wrong format. The deadline was midnight. I had to go out to my studio to take the picture. But I’d hurt my foot (I’m using a walking stick). I had to find out the code for the doors in the ground floor of the studios so I could use the lift. Panicked email to the manager to arrange. I managed to get the photo done.

A friend rang asking for help, but I had to say no for once, I’m in too much pain and I had to prioritise. Then I couldn’t get the shopping done. Hubby came to my rescue. No it wasn’t a typical day…..

Jupiter tryptich

I just went to my studio to take a photo of this tryptic. I’m afraid the light was bad, so I don’t think I’ve captured the exact colours on the paintings, but to be honest I’m walking with a stick and everything feels a bit “off” so this was the best I could do. I’ve adjusted the colour balance, contrast and brightness.

Afternoon views

A few views of where I set up to paint along side a family, gran, mother and daughter who were all painting. I really enjoyed the company. It’s good to be finally involved with other artists. We were at the top of the slope looking down at the Hall. Other people arrived and some went on to paint the lovely garden. I’ll post a few more photos later.

Ford Green Roof

Watercolour painting done today, mostly of the roof of Ford Green Hall. I started over to one side so it’s a bit squashed up on the left. I was just finishing as the rain started to come down so we went inside the cafe there for a brew and a cake.

This was a plein aire (spelling?) with the Orme Art Group. Our last session until we start up again in September.

I really enjoyed being out in the fresh air, although there was a noisy motorbike (2 stroke) zooming around and being very annoying. Ford Green Hall was built in the 15th century. Brilliant place to visit and there is a nature reserve at the back.

On display at the cafe

My paintings still on display at Etruria Industrial museum today. The bottom painting has just been added. It’s called Phil, morris man/cyber punk and it’s for sale.

The museum is holding steaming days tomorrow and on Sunday 30th July 2023. The beam engine ‘Princess’ will be in steam and running the grinding pans that used to break up flint and bone for use in the manufacture of fine bone China.

I love painting images that are based on pottery manufacturing, but also poppies are a favourite flower and there are two paintings there that incorporate them.

Maybe you will get a chance to visit? Have a great weekend. X

Small painting sold!

Bit of a bad photo but I had some good news today!

Great to hear I’ve sold this which was on exhibition at Etruria Industrial museum. It was only a small painting of the governor on the Princess beam engine at Jessie Shirley’s bone and flint mill at Etruria, Stoke on Trent. I took another painting up which was also based on a photograph that I’d taken at Etruria at its last steaming event.

Today I went to a breathing workshop, I’d been invited by a friend. It was good, I was with other people who had different health problems to me, but I felt welcomed. We eventually sang some songs and the participants and although they were not a choir as such they were really good!

My friend had asked me to bring my small paintings so we could raise some money for the organisation she volunteers with. I was only selling tiny paintings, so I donated £1 per painting (between 20% and 50% of the prices). But it didn’t matter because they were wanted and liked. It was a good morning.

Old work in progress

This is my phone screen saver. It just cheers me up to see it. I only have it because someone asked me for a copy of a painting I did forty years ago.

You can see how I’ve laid the scene out and started filling in the image. I don’t tend to underpainting but go straight in with colour. I rarely sketch in the image, but because this was going to be a copy I had to fit the buildings on properly and also it helped with the perspective.

This is about four years old. I can confirm its new owner was very pleased with it.

Orme summer challenge

Orme summer challenge is to copy a section of a Renoir and aDegas painting. Then they will be joined together. It’s a challenge because we have to try and accurately match up with each others squares, but it’s up to the group members to choose what medium to complete the task in. These are my chosen sections. I will post my resulting drawings in the next few weeks.