New paintings and regular art updates.
I love pattern so when I painted this I thought I was happy with it. THEN I decided to put it through a filter and add texture. Now I think I will paint over it and emphasise the curves and patterns. Making the most of the Holly and Ivy leaves and concentrating on the various greens. I could see it as a card or a notelet. I do love green men.
A self portrait I did aged forty but filtered to obscure it. It’s twenty years old and I can’t remember why I did it. I think I was experimenting with photoshop at the time. It’s me wearing a reuse, recycle, repair tee shirt (which I still have somewhere). My hair was in a short bob and I painted the book covers on the bookcase with the titles of all my favourite books. Maybe I will use a different filter and see how that affects the painting. I seem to do a self portrait every ten years, so a while to go till the next one. X
This question from an American friend made me laugh, then think. I guess the answer is that some of the subjects I take photos of are picturesque. That is to say, fit the ideals of what a painting should look like. But I guess I cropped this to improve how it looks, and I chose to take a photo of it. I saw other views that I could have photographed that would not have looked as nice.
Some of my scenery painting from a couple of years ago. I had to paint the backgrounds but also one of the stars of the show climbs into a mangle (that squashes clothes to get the water out) and he comes out flattened, a bit like a Tom and Jerry cartoon. I also painted the back of him on the other side so if it came out wrong way round it would also work. Behind me and the actors portrait is a bit of my scenery. It shows an old market or bazaar where Widow Twankey has a stall. If I can I’d like to try and do the same again if my arm and shoulder improves.
A funny little painting of a yellow glass bowl with blue feet shaped like ammonites or snail shells. I loved the bowl and was really upset when it got broken. I created this picture so I would have a memory of it. Some people collect things, others hate clutter. I’m on the collecting side. Mostly because it helps when creating art. If I want to paint a little rabbit skull I have one I found on a walk, or I have ammonites found on the beach. Glass ware and ceramics. I don’t think anything is worth much money, but I do like collecting objects (and dust!)
When you stand under a tree remember to look up. You might be surprised to see the pattern the branches make and how the leaves don’t always overlap so they can absorb as much light as possible. Spreading out towards the light (phototropism) is where plants bent their stems to move towards the light. Look at the different shaped trees make, depending on the species. Some even have nicknames. Ash trees are supposed to have branches like witches fingers. This was one of my paintings from about twenty years ago.
Before my arm started shaking I was doing paintings like this. (for the last year and a half or so my left arm has been gradually getting worse with increased shaking ) Then I had to see the doctor and mentioned the problem. He said it was above his pay grade! I am waiting for tests. The thing is that art and particularly painting mean everything to me. I don’t know if lockdowns have knocked my confidence? Plus illness gets to you. Making it more difficult to complete work. I’ve got myself into a situation where I will do quick pictures and sketches, but I feel nervous of doing anything more substantial. I don’t usually talk about how I feel mentally, but I’m feeling down today. I will probably be OK tomorrow?
A few years ago I did a series of paintings of pottery that were displayed in a local hotel on the Spode factory site. It was great to see my work on show in different venue to a gallery. The hotel staff were very friendly and welcoming. I liked the fact the works were hung on rough brickwork. It gave it more of a feeling of industrial heritage. I’d like the opportunity to do it again.
A few paintings and cards at the Waiting Room gallery. I was thinking of doing a craft fair stall soon, but it’s too far away if I have to drive on my own. Since my arm started shaking I won’t drive far without my hubby. Not because I can’t but because I get very tense and my shoulders ache. I might try and get involved with something closer to home. In the meantime I need to work towards the end of my MA and also an exhibition I should be having in the spring or summer.
Just been up to the Waiting room gallery in Longport, Stoke-on-Trent. They have hung my tryptich of Jupiter and it is for sale if anyone wants to contact me about it. I’ve said I would sell canvases individually but I think it’s better if it was sold as all three canvases. The image is based on a photo of Jupiter’s surface including part of one if its poles. I’m not sure which? Taken by the Juno mission a few years ago. Acrylic on canvas. It’s hung horizontally but it could be hung vertically or even diagonally. Is there an up and down in zero gravity? Just imagine being there, what a fantastic sight it would be!
Mallaband-Brown