New paintings and regular art updates.
My walls are plastered with pictures. I don’t decorate because they are in the way. Some are my pieces but there are other artists work too. They include prints, photos, paintings and scraper board art. Then there are ornaments on the mantlepiece. I have what can only be called eclectic tastes. This was going to be a photo of one of my cats, but he moved!
Why do you blog?
I like to share my art and ideas. I’m quite eclectic, a Jack of all trades. When I was little I was always getting bored, wanting to do interesting things. I was the one who held the snake and the tarantula when they were brought into school to show us what they were like. I used to climb up ropes and hang upside down from the top bar of the swings. I was very competitive and enjoyed running, then eventually cycling. Art was my main interest, and I’ve done many paintings and murals, but I also love science. I guess I should have been a teacher as I’m enthusiastic about explaining things. I guess that’s what my blog is about. Looking into nooks and crannies, finding things out. I’m possibly not as interesting as I think I am! But I hope people enjoy it.
I’m going to a spode Open day tomorrow, when I went to the studio I realised how much art I have. It’s a case of loving painting too much, but not being a salesperson! If you see anything you like let me know I guess? You could always visit me. I will be in Spode studio 21 if the wooden cat is outside my door!
What would your life be like without music?
To be perfectly honest I don’t really listen to much music. I have not been to many concerts or watch much on TV or radio.
If there are quiz questions on TV I can sometimes get answers about classical music, but I’m useless at pop music bands or songs. I don’t know why, it just doesn’t engage my brain. I know the music from my youth, I could even name some of the groups, Ultravox, Blondie, Elvis Costello. They are linked to me becoming an adult, but after that there are very rare songs or music that stir me. Maybe Bowie, or the band Queen. After that, grunge, hip hop, garage, trance? They are all just noise.
I will listen to Desert Island Discs to hear the choice of eight records a celebrity would take with them if they were marooned on an island, but that’s more about finding out what they are like rather than the music itself.
I get irritated with loud background music on TV and radio. Sometimes it’s really distracting.
I would say I have an eclectic taste in music, just not a strong taste. But the fact that I love singing, that I love being in a choir, does mean that music has somehow got a hold on me!
Something has happened! I’ve decided I need to try and do craft fairs again. I have asked to do a couple, over two weekends. I don’t think I’m ever going to make money at it but I hope to cheer people up with my little paintings. I only charge a few pounds for them, but they don’t take up too much space and they can get placed on shelves instead of having to be hung on walls… Now I just need some more small canvases.
For the first time in about 18 months I put a few paintings up for sale on my craft stall. These included the paintings I did yesterday and some from the last few years. There are a lot of varied images and ideas. I used to be able to paint almost anything but since I’ve developed a shake in my arm I’ve found it more and more difficult to paint accurately. I’m frustrated but I won’t give up yet. Maybe I will get some treatment? Hope so.
I looked at all my book cases and realised how eclectic my reading must be. I’m not sure exactly how many booked I have but I gave up counting after I reached over 1000.
Sci-fi, science (biology, chemistry, physics) novels, biography, art, graphics, illustration, history, old books, new books, even magic Eye books from a couple of decades ago.
Can your reading be too chaotic? I’ve got a book about chaos theory… There are a few cookery books and travel books. There are books that were Christmas presents, birthday presents, and ones I bought for my college course. Too many? I don’t know….
I’ve been painting a lot over the last few days. I was up till 5am, went to bed but then got up at 11am so I’m really tired. I thought I would take a photo of what I’ve been doing. You can see the contrasts in size. When I took this photo I didn’t know the kingfisher would be sold two hours later. It’s now at a good friend’s. I’ve been asleep half the evening. I wish I had more energy.
As you can see my ideas are many and varied. I was going to do a craft fair this weekend but decided against it as I don’t think it’s safe enough and I’m not happy to risk being out in public. Hopefully I will be able to do another one. Also it’s not a good idea to sell you stock prior to an event. I’m going to do some more but I need a decent night’s sleep!
Value pack. When you are creating art it’s good to use quality paints but I don’t spend too much on canvas. I’m not being mean, the stretched canvases are serviceable. It’s just that I’m not made of money but I want to paint.
Plans for future pictures:
Green men and women,
Winter men and women (images within trees)
Astronomical objects from moons and planets to novae and Galaxies.
Animal and human portraits, perhaps integrated with nature.
Architecture.
As you can see I’m planning to use a lot of canvas…..
My final solo show day at the waiting room gallery is tomorrow, 22nd September 2019. Its open from 12noon to I think 5pm.
Im hoping people that couldn’t get to the opening will come along tomorrow.
It’s near Longport Station (which is being restored) and is a great new artist led gallery. I’m hoping to sort out some prints with them so they will have artwork for sale with them after the show has ended.
So that’s The Waiting Room Gallery, Longport, ST6 4ND. Maybe see you there. x
Mallaband-Brown