New paintings and regular art updates.
Twenty minute sketch at a life drawing day with the Orme Art Group. The dark areas are grey and brown felt pens. The light brown, red, orangey brown and white were pencil crayons. When you draw or sketch quickly you need to get all of the figure down, so I do a basic outline and then try and fill in with blocks of colour. I work out where the shadows and light falls. I think I need to start doing it more regularly. Is it sketching or fine art? Not sure….
An Owl painting I did a couple of years ago. They are intriguing birds. Their ears are set at different heights underneath all their feathers so that they can differentiate which side their prey is on. Their wings are silent as they fight through the air, making it hard for animals to know they are being hunted. Sharp talons for gripping and hooked beaks for tearing into their prey make them a top predator. Beautiful but deadly.
Nine years since I painted this poppy with a white centre. I think that makes it look fresh and cool. Poppies have paper thin, crinkled petals. They look so delicate. I have lots of yellow, Welsh poppies in the garden, but not as many red ones that seem to need more sunlight. This was an acrylic on canvas and I think it sold quite quickly? But after almost a decade I still love it.
Here is a better photo of my mural that was destroyed in a fire at the Leopard Hotel in Burslem earlier in the year. The landlady was said to have come over from the Caribbean and married an English man. She then ran the hotel. The trouble is I painted this in 2006? I honestly can’t remember the story I was told and now the hotel is gone.
Lots of small and tiny paintings, jewellery and prints were also for sale today at the exhibition. The ginger cat at the front centre found a new home. I was only charging a small amount so it was good to sell a few. I even discounted them more. Sometimes you need space to create new things.
Two boards I had paintings on today. I also had a table with small paintings, jewellery and prints. I sold a few pieces which was good and I think I got a good reception from people. Overall most people in the group seemed to have a good day. It was quite busy all day from when we opened to the last few minutes. It was also good chatting with artists and finding out bit more about their work. I’m tired but happy.
When you have problems with shaking it’s difficult to paint details. This canvas is about 2 inches by 3 inches and the Jay in the central window pane is less than an inch high. I tried hard to paint the details. I think I did OK but it’s not perfect. But hopefully it will be a nice little gift…
Getting ready for the exhibition tomorrow. Painting, adding wires to the back of the paintings. Retouching edges of canvases where I missed bits of paint (painting edges is called ‘gallery wrapping’).
The exhibition and sale is only for one day so I want to make it as good as I can. I have other small paintings to take plus cards and jewellery. I hope I actually sell something.
Two versions of a work in progress. The top one is the original and the bottom is a digitally manipulated version. I think I will change the colours and add dark areas between the tree trunks. I might add some texture to the trees too. Size is 6 inches by 4. Acrylic on canvas.
This Saturday, around eight artists will be exhibiting at the Whitfield Community Centre, Whitfield Avenue, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire. Eleven till Four.
It should be good. Crafts and jewellery as well as paintings and drawings will be for sale. It will be interesting to see how many people come out. Hope the weather is fine. I will be wearing a mask, hope no one minds!
Mallaband-Brown