Two galaxies

Two galaxies in line of sight. Taken by the hubble space telescope. They are not colliding but are completely separate, (like the moon going in front of the sun).

Imagine how big the view of one galaxy would be from the other one? If we were onĀ  a planet there half the sky would be dazzling and full of stars, the other half facing the dark of space. It could be amazing!

Got in!

Just got a phone call. I’ve got my barn owl painting into the Brampton Open exhibition. I’m very pleased. I’ve got to pick the other one up but that’s OK, they were completely different styles so it gave me a bit more of a chance depending on what the selectors wanted. It will be up at the Brampton Museum and art gallery in Newcastle under Lyme from 24th September 2022 for a month.

Black and white films

Oh I love a good black and white film noir film. Lots of riddles to solve. Not too much actual violence. Tension rising, suspenseful music (we sometimes have the subtitles on for hubby and it will say ‘suspenseful music’, ‘door creaking’ and other remarks). The films often have a moral point that makes it impossible for the victim to make a bad decision, like killing the suspected murderer before they themselves are killed. Usually they seem to have to go through great distress and danger before surviving/escaping their fate.

What I like is, despite being farfetched, they are less violent, less verbally abusive, and more thought provoking. In other words its not like watching a film that is more like a video game. I think I prefer a time of old fashioned films, real Hollywood a listers and less ‘celebrity’.

Night sky

My owl painting has a grey background like moving air. But today someone suggested adding a starry night sky. I decided to digitally change the background and I have to agree. The paints are coming out and I will change it. Its good to have someone else looking at your work. It can change your opinion. I think you have to be open to other ideas. But also you have to stick to your guns if you don’t feel it will better. I hope that makes sense.

Above

What is Above? Is it only sky? I have a prompt to draw for and I’m trying to think what to do. I can start with tree branches or tall buildings towering over me. They reach up above me. Basically as I’m short anything above 5ft 6 inches is above me, so that includes kitchen cupboards! Upstairs? That too….

Then the blue sky and clouds are above us. The clouds could be white and fluffy or dark and threatening rain…but mountains can also tower above us. Even hills. The Blackpool tower?

Follow that with planes, satellites, space stations….

Asteroids, meteors, comets, planets, the moon, the sun, stars, the Oort cloud, cosmic rays, the milky way, galaxies, the universe.

I’m starting to feel rather small….

Mural in Stoke

Watch out, there’s a Leopard about. Take a walk in the wild side of Stoke, down a side street, off the main road. Strong colours against a black background. Stars shine out from the painting. I want to find out if this is finished or whether there is more to come. What is it painted in? Will it be permanent or will it flake and fade in a few years. It’s painted directly onto the brick so I imagine it will weather and peel.

Local murals

Round the back of B’arts are a series of three murals. I think they may be constellations? I know there is a star group called Draco but I’m not sure about the Leopard or the Hare /rabbit? Anyway it’s a random piece of art but I do like it. There are chalked in letters above each animal so I’m guessing it’s not finished yet? Whatever, I love the movement in the animals. Good to see colourful art in the area.

Flags

Peeling paint filter over duplicated flags. I have tried to create an image that you might have found on an old billboard, perhaps in the states although the pattern is not correct (I’m not sure what country it represented, and as I have duplicated its more difficult to recognise). I might try and paint it as an abstract image.