Got to paint more

I’ve been asked to paint some of my small paintings, bees, birds, cats, maybe dogs, flowers. But I might add a few small mechanical paintings too.

How can I know my audience? Mainly by what has sold before, but also what is liked on social media. I cannot paint exactly what someone wants without getting a description of a commission from them, but I can try to get an inkling of what is interesting. For instance I have been painting more abstract images, but I feel they are more fine art subjects. If someone buys a tiny painting is that more of a craft piece. I need to know because if I carry on I need to earn a crust or two, even if it’s only a crumb sized one! We will see.

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Another memory.

The Leopardess at the Leopard Hotel in Burslem. She was supposed to be a mixed race woman that married the owner of the hotel and came to England to run it. I was told several tales by the landlords of the Leopard while I was painting murals there and I really wish I had written them down. But you know what it’s like. You are standing on top of a set of stepladders and chatting while you paint. You have ideas for each mural and have to fit in with what the owners want you to paint. Sometimes I was in the Arnold Bennett suite on my own for hours (I’d go up after work), listening to old creaking timbers and odd noises. It could be spooky in there. My memory isn’t what it was.

Skyline

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was skyline.  I’ve been trying to see the perseid meteor shower that is currently happening but the moon has been too bright and has drowned things out with its light. I was hoping to see something because it’s been warm enough to stand outside late at night.. Felt pen drawing filtered in Photodirector.

Lion

I’m in another group of artists who come u with challenges to post to every week. The pictures don’t have to be recent (thankfully). This was for #safari, I painted it about four years ago and it went to the local ‘Lions’ club which is a local charity. What else can I say? It’s acrylic on canvas, about A4 size. I don’t paint every single hair or piece of fur, but I try and get an impression of how the animal looks. I generally do cat and dog portraits but am not too bad at most animals x

Have we forgotten?

Despite all the things that are happening in Europe (drought, fires, evaporating rivers) and the rest of the World, more fire and drought. There is still a war in the East of Europe in Ukraine. The danger from their action is real. The Russians have recently been sending shells near zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. They hold the plant and the technicians there are being held by Russian troops. There is a serious risk of damage to the plant which could lead to a release of nuclear material or worse. Imagine Chernobyl only worse. The war has to end. The danger is real. Meanwhile Russia still calls this a special operation and denies it is waging an unfounded war on its neighbour…

Bright

Colourful patterns swirling round and merging. It could be alien or insect. Maybe a design for fabric or a stained glass window. I like complexity, I don’t know if something like this would be a good idea for printing onto a note card?

I have talked about doing this before but have never been organised enough to do it. I have lots of ideas but I think I need some expert advice. Which are the best sites to get things printed at? I need quality prints, but not too expensive. I found a shop that might do it but I haven’t got the money to do it yet…

Curves

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was curves. I drew random curves with a few felt pans taped together.  Then I used Masking tape to block out lines.  Finally I coloured in the uncovered paper,  then removed the Masking tape and coloured the rest I’m slightly differently.  I left the pad on the floor after taking a photo and the cat who had wet paws from sitting in the water that had spilled out of the hanging basket came snd sat on it and smudged it badly.  So I added more colours to define the patterns again. That’s why there are two photos.

I love steam

Small painting from 2018 that was on display at Etruria Industrial Museum. I used an image off the Internet to work on. I think it was from a photo of a pumping station in Derbyshire? I loved trying to get the metallic reflections. I looked at the price and I wad only selling it for £25! The amount of work I put in means I constantly undersell myself, but people just don’t seem to have money for art these days. As to what it is I think it’s a regulator? Ith weights hold the arms down if it starts to spin too fast?