New paintings and regular art updates.
Continuing the travel theme for the panto. I finished a picture of the pyramids and the angel of the North.
The photos I’m working from are good because they have lots of contrasting orange and blues.
I’ve got the panels propped up on a chair with a cloth over it. This means it’s hard to get at the bottom of the boards
Anyway 5 down, lots more to go!
I have just learnt of the sad loss of one of the nicest people I ever met.
Enos Lovatt was born in 1937 and died yesterday of pneumonia after being diagnosed with alzheimers disease a few years ago.
He was a contemporary of and studied painting in the same group as David Hockney.
I wish I knew more about him. He was a lovely person and I had the luck to have him as one of my tutors at the North Staffs polytechnic. I think he was on the interview panel that offered me a place on the Fine Art course there.
Enos was then living in Wolstanton and on one occasion I had the privilege of visiting his house with other students. The house was full of wonderful, colourful paintings. I remember some of them being stacked up the stairs.
I lost track of him after finishing college but he continued to paint and I went to see an exhibition of his painting a few years ago at Burslem School of Art. It was there that I heard he had been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. I know he then moved away to be closer to his family.
I regret not talking to him more. He, like another of my tutors, Arthur Berry, was an inspiring teacher. I am sad to hear that he has passed away.
The painting in the photo is one of his still lives. I’m glad I have it as a memory of him.
Blue has been chosen as a theme for an exhibition at Spode in the new year. The plans are only just in the pipeline. But the theme means that artists will only be using a true blue, no turquoise or violet.
Other colours allowed are white, grey and black.
I have plans, I have an image in mind. Possibly two, and in totally different directions. I’m also thinking of going large.
I think it will be fun and challenging. Once I find out more I will post more information.
This was my stall at our makers market today. Lots of little pictures and glass necklaces for sale plus cards and prints.
I had a lovely time until I came to put everything back in their boxes… 3 tiny paintings were missing.
I’m peeved but I have to accept I can’t watch the stall all the time. But at least someone will get pleasure out of them so I don’t feel upset, just peeved.!
The astronomy bug has truly bit, and painting pictures like this get my mind working. As I paint I feel happy and enthralled It is like a drug to me. I get my fix out of painting. I can’t describe how I feel. Is it that thing called “flow”? The world goes on and I lose track of time.
Something pushes me to try harder to create or copy an image. The challenge of seeing it and trying to relay it on the canvas or computer. Some people can create photorealism. I’m not that good.. But I try.
This was a painting I did last year but I wasn’t satisfied with the result so today I have added white to the clouds. Sorted out the curve of the earth and added shadows below the clouds to try and create a more 3d effect.
It’s half past midnight and I’m having a rest .
Just to show what I can do when I’m trying to paint realistically. This took about 4 hours. I saw a photo of it on an envelope. I’m taking it to the two craft fairs so I can try and get a commission or two.
Size about 6 inches square.
I’m going to charge a reasonable price. I usually undercharge but I will never get anywhere if I don’t try and ask for a decent amount ( not hundreds). I’m trying to make a small living at this so I have to be fair and friendly. But I cannot keep giving things away which I have done in the past …
Life……
Let me just say. I have strange ideas sometimes. I’ve already painted a cat fish, and by looking at this painting of a dog fish you can probably guess what it looks like!
Continuing with my Green Man idea I have also painted another free figure. I decided to use a more graphic style for both of them.
The tablet I use is getting very slow and this bit of typing is taking ages so I will leave it at that for tonight .
x
Depending on the weather in Britain we sometimes have snow in winter, or not. It depends on whether you live in the north, or are high up as the temperature falls the higher you get. This is a painting I did when I first moved into my studio at Spode, I think it was so cold in there that I didn’t have to think hard to imagine this image.
It’s based on an idea I had of hills in Yorkshire or the lake district , I think it needed more depth so I added the shadows.
I tend to talk to myself when Im painting, reminding myself where the guttering should be or how light would reflect into the shadows at the side of the house.
I like using my imagination. Exercising my visual memory. It’s worth trying to think through how something is put together. It helps you understand how it works.
One from the past,
a favourite painting,
Cat on the window ledge,
At the top of the stairs.
So long ago,
that plant has grown,
6 ft tall,
out grown the hall.
Now outside in the garden,
The cat is there too
Laid to rest
Favourite of pets.
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