New paintings and regular art updates.
This was a painting I did a few years ago. I think it’s from Bovisand Bay looking out over Plymouth sound across to Cornwall. I wish I could go back. I live the place. It’s just the cost and the length of the drive. I want to just have one whole week somewhere nice. We’ll we will see. Perhaps I will sell some paintings, enough to go there. X
She sat at the top of the stairs
Sitting proud on the ledge,
Peeking out
From behind the foliage,
Staring at me.
She was loving and gentle.
Liked the sun,
Bathed in light.
Gemma was my best friend.
This was our garden about ten years ago. The trees are a lot bigger now and there is a lot more shade. There is a buddlea that is touching the side of the house about the quarters of the way up. The picture is an acrylic on canvas. It’s a bit blurry I’m afraid. I took the photo at my sisters house and was rushing when I took it.
I painted it in situ, sitting on a garden chair and holding the canvas so I had to paint speedily. It’s about 12 x 8 inches, so not very big.
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I’m at Etruria in Stoke-on-Trent today, at the warehouse along the Trent and Mersey canal from the Etruria industrial museum. It’s at the point where two canals meet. The Trent and Mersey and the Cauldon canal.
If you want to find me I’m next to summit lock 40 of the Trent and Mersey. To get in you either have to walk up a steep cobbled surface then walk down some steps, or walk through a work yard which is currently partially blocked by two big palettes of coal. We are not well signposted. I might try and rectify that!
A poem based on my painting of Earth,
Earth
Spinning in space,
Tipped slightly
So we have seasons
Without the moon
We would spin out
Of control.
Earth
Pale blue dot
Clouds flying
Tides swelling
Faults cracking
Volcanos spewing Ash,
Life growing,
Earth
Green and blue and brown
Earth.
I can’t remember where this is! It may be on a tor on dartmoor or it could be somewhere up high in the Yorkshire dales. I know the figure is a friend of mine, but he’s lived in Devon and Yorkshire so that does not help. Looking at it I’m not even sure of what the stone is. I know it’s been weathered by the wind to created the distinct layers in the stone. I’m not sure the colours are accurate. But I like the photo, there is a feeling of distance and atmosphere. Perhaps I will see it again sometime.
I’m playing with paintings again. The idea is to do tiny paintings that people might like but won’t cost much to have. They are about the size of a small matchbox. I’m trying to do new designs. There are giraffes and butterflies, an owl and a skull. Hearts, a panda and I’m trying to paint a little sailing boat.
Well I’d better get on as they need finishing by the morning.
This was what I was painting at 2am this morning. Bit more to do. I just liked his cheeky look. The background is a bit weird but I might leave it.
Next is a painting of either Mars or Earth. I’ve already done a couple of Jupiter so it would be interesting to paint something different. I just need a decent photo to work from.
Small painting of a clematis flower. Just wanted to do something pretty and still interesting. This may be finished. I haven’t decided yet. So far I’ve started six paintings for the craft fair on Sunday. I’d like to be doing more art to be shown in a gallery, but I also think art is for everyone, and if this is a way to get it out to people?
The problem is deep rooted, artists rarely earn much, and often people want their work virtually for free. I’m a fast painter and I enjoy experimenting with art but that should not make what I do different. I guess it depends on the quality of the work? Also as an artist you can become very self critical. Questioning what you are doing. It’s a difficult thing to deal with. Anyway I keep doing it because I love doing it.
Tiny painting for the craft fair. I’m experimenting again. I’m doing normalise things but also things to catch the eye. Tiny paintings need tiny brushes, and my eyesight is not as good as it was. Shaky hands, holding my breath. Sometimes it’s hard to get the effect you want.
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Mallaband-Brown