AI thoughts

Posted on September 1, 2026 Posted in Fine Art, Memories, UncategorizedTagged AI, algorithms, Art, computer learning, Learning, Opinion, plagiarism, real, Thinking, uncanny valleyLeave a comment

The question of AI came up in an art group I am part of. I wrote this as a suggestion :

When you think People using photoshop and other illustrative tools to create cartoons and images these tools are quite recent. If AI is used for that purpose then it’s probably OK. Artists also change original art, for example surreal changes to the Mona Lisa by Salvador Dali. What I am concerned about is people taking art and altering it and passing it off as their own. Plagiarism is not OK. As long as that doesn’t happen I can see a place for it. Thinking about the shock of the new book I can see we could be on the edge of a revolution like the impressionists and the changes they unleashed
I think things like extra fingers and and anatomically incorrect bodies take us into the so called uncanny valley. But perhaps artists can use this to our advantage. Creativity boosting AI imagery if we are lucky?

Movement

Posted on August 23, 2026August 23, 2026 Posted in Memories, Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Art, black pen and biro drawing on paper, Drawing, Horse, Horses, Life, Memory, School, sixpence, Sketching, TV programmes1 Comment

Movement was the prompt and it brought back memories of my childhood. I learnt to draw horses. They are such powerful and beautiful and intelligent creatures. I only occasionally saw them in real life as I lived in a town. But I had the book black beauty, and watched folly foot, a TV series about horses, and was always singing the theme tune to something else “on white horses”, plus champion the Wonder horse and the lone ranger.

It’s no wonder that I loved drawing horses from an early age. When I was a kid at school I used to draw horses over and over again. I even sold some to other kids in my class for sixpence. I loved drawing dappled greys. I was better at it then than now x

Miniatures

Posted on August 21, 2026 Posted in Fine Art, Memories, UncategorizedTagged Art, Etruria Industrial museum, Fridge magnets, Life, miniature paintings, Painting, sale4 Comments

I have a few miniature paintings for sale at the Etruria Industrial museum. They are pictures I painted a few years ago that I had left over. If they don’t sell I could glue magnets on the back of them and varnish them to be used as fridge magnets.

I have a small painting someone gave me which has built in magnets, that’s where I got the idea from.

I want to try and do something because I feel like my art life is ending… And I don’t want it to.

In situ

Posted on July 6, 2026 Posted in Fine Art, Memories, UncategorizedTagged Acrylic on canvas, Art, Criccieth Castle, decor, dining room, Fine Art, Home, in situ, Life, Painting6 Comments

Here is my painting, finally finished and hanging in my friends house. It’s colours really match the decor.. I’m so pleased I painted this it took ages but it works well. I can still paint!

A bit more

Posted on July 2, 2026 Posted in Fine Art, Memories, UncategorizedTagged Acrylic on canvas, Art, Criccieth Castle, final alteration, Fine Art, Painting, vegetation2 Comments

Improved the right hand side of the painting. It looked a bit bland and needed some more interesting vegetation… More work, but worth it.

Choir sketch

Posted on June 7, 2026 Posted in Memories, Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Art, biro in notebook, Choir, Drawing, event, in harmony, Singing, Sketching, Village hall4 Comments

I was at the village hall finding out about what groups were doing there (woodcarving, yoga, slimming world, writers group, theatre, and more) when a flash mob of choir members came in singing the Spice girls song “if you want to be my lover” in a really choral way. All their voices were beautifully integrated. They were called ” In Harmony” and really were.

As they sang I sketched them, I did a biro drawing in my notebook. I could only draw their backs because of where I was sitting. I showed them the drawing and they were very pleased. I’m so glad I have this talent.

Penkhull Church built in 1842

Posted on May 22, 2026 Posted in Memories, Sketching, UncategorizedTagged 1842, Acrylic on canvas, Art, banner, Church, Life, Memories, Painting, Penkhull Church, women's rights4 Comments

St Thomas church in Penkhull was built in 1842. I painted this banner in about 2017 or 18 I think. Only 175 years later.

Things have changed for women over that time. We got the vote. There is is now a woman Archbishop of Canterbury. We have more control over our bodies our health our education. We have even been around the far side of the moon! And we have had female prime ministers and Presidents. Some countries are trying to remove our rights. We will not give them up without a fight!

Got to finish this.

Posted on May 8, 2026May 8, 2026 Posted in Cat, Fine Art, UncategorizedTagged Acrylic on canvas, Art, catfish, Fine Art, Goldfish, Painting, Wip, Work in progress1 Comment

The closing date for entries for a local open exhibition is the 25th of May. I’m wondering if it’s even worth trying but you’ve got to have a go haven’t you?

I’ll see what I can do to improve this WIP. Working title, Catfish. Acrylic on canvas. X

Cat cards

Posted on April 29, 2026 Posted in Cat, Memories, Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Art, Art group, Cards, Cat, Felt pens, Fun, Illustration, Life, Patterns, sketching drawing2 Comments

Drawing a few cards for an art group I go to’s summer fair. I decided to use cats with patterns as a design. There is a cat in a hat, a sleepy sort of leopard style one and a couple sitting together.

I did quite a few last week of just cat heads and shoulders. It’s nice to just do a bit of relaxing illustration. The pens are a bit dried out so I’ve had to be selective with the colours. X

My friend painted this

Posted on April 22, 2026 Posted in Memories, UncategorizedTagged acrylic on cardboard, Art, creepy cave, Design, Fun, Painting, Play, Scenery, Sign1 Comment

I really like this, my friend Julie painted this sign for part of the scenery for the play we are doing in May. It definitely gives a feeling of rusty metal, although it’s just painted in acrylics on a piece of cardboard. She’s definitely given it a spooky feel.

Mallaband-Brown

Tag: Art