Being too literal

Posted on June 9, 2020June 9, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Drawing, Eye, I, I-deas, Learning, Semiotics?, Thinking, What is thought?, Work2 Comments

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I’ve started a course in illustration and I can see that I’m too literal. I did an illuminated letter I. I will share a photo of it later. But I think I was too literal, especially when I compared it with other people’s art. Perhaps I need to do more preparation and think around the subject instead of going straight to the point.

In the drawing I’ve included I’m there, but hidden. Maybe I could have used that idea. Or as someone else did I could nave played with words and created an eye. At least I can understand what they are saying. I have the opportunity to expand my thought.

I ache

Posted on April 23, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Garden, Gardening, Manicured, Physical exercise, Plants, Poem, Poetry, Potting up, Tired, Work2 Comments

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The world is growing fast

But I ache

More things to do,

I ache..

Plants to tend and pot up.

I hurt.

Too much tending,

Too much weeding,

Too much trimming and pruning.

Using sinews I forgot I had.

Back aches,

Shoulder aches.

Hands hurt.

Don’t overdo things?

After years of neglect

My garden is being manicured,

And I ache.

Abstract art

Posted on April 5, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Abstract, Art, Decisions, Design, Digital art, Fun, Pattern, Selling, WorkLeave a comment

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A feathery or furry picture in blues. I would like to set up a service where I can print things off for people, but I’ve always been a bit nervous of etsy and shopify. I almost dipped my toe in last weekend, but the cost of it, in these difficult times, put me off.

It’s difficult to find a balance between art and selling. I really think I need a manager. At the moment I do things myself. That’s the reality, I have to try and get things right……

I did have contact with a company a few years ago who offered to take my designs and pay me 25%. But when I looked into their practices I found out they were slow paying artists and the things they made were sometimes of a oor quality. That was another thing that put me off.

Cheering myself up

Posted on March 20, 2020March 20, 2020 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Art, Blogging, Distraction, Fun, Home, Kettle view, Kettle?, Life, Self isolating, Sketching, Urban sketching, Washing up, WorkLeave a comment

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I’ve joined a group on Facebook where the idea is to post cheerful things, and not mention the virus.

One of today’s challenges was to post a ‘kettle’ view. I think I took it too literally, this is a view of my kettle.

I posted it, then saw beautiful pictures of kitchens, or views out of the windows of neat and tidy houses.

On a seperate page the urban sketchers challenge was to draw ‘working from home’ as I’m semi retired I’m not really doing that. Craft fairs and exhibitions are off for the time being, and I genuinely have not felt that creative this week. But I wanted to do the challenge, so I drew this.

Washing up waiting to be done..

It’s still waiting…

Fairies flitting

Posted on February 11, 2020February 11, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Fairie, Fairies, fairy folk, Fun, Humour, Poem, Poetry, Rhyme, Sculpture, Staffordshire, Stoke-on trent, Trentham Gardens, Verse, WorkLeave a comment

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Leap up and fly

In the sky

Searching round

About the grounds

Of ancient house

Or garden, green

Faries fly.

They’re rarely seen…

They find the flowers,

Chase the wasps

Feed the bees

Have fairie tasks

Grooming beetles

Catching frogs

To ride around

The lake and ponds.

Never seen by mortal men.

They live in a fairie glen.

Enough of whimsy

My tale is done

The story, flimsy

But lots of fun.

(sculpture of a Fairy at Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent)

New painting plans

Posted on November 30, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Acrylic on canvas, Art, Craft fair, Design, Fun, Ideas, Painting, Sketching out, Work2 Comments

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I sold a few pictures today so I need to replenish my stock… So I’m planning to paint a few more tiny pictures tonight! I’ve sketched out a few ideas. If I’ve got the energy I will start painting after I’ve had my evening meal.

Wish me luck!

Ideas for paintings

Posted on October 20, 2019October 20, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Acrylic on canvas, Acrylics, Art, Cat, Ceramics, Designs, Landscape, Life, Painting, Pottery, Preparation sketches, Work9 Comments

Sketching designs for winter paintings that can still be good to have on the walls all year round. I’ve seen a painting with a pottery in the snow, so I’m going to do something similar with Holly and Ivy. The second idea is a cat on a windowledge with a blue and white vase next to it.

Will try and get them painted this week.

Busy, doing nothing…

Posted on October 8, 2019October 8, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Blogging, Future, Staying in touch, WorkLeave a comment

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The future is endless, now I’ve finished work. (for the moment anyway). But I need some structure. I miss some of the banter and challenge and sorting things out. But things crop up when you are semi retired. I’ve been very busy today… Back later…

I’ve been up 20 hours and I ache too much to sleep

Posted on May 3, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Anticlimax, Blog, Blogging, Democracy, Election, Life, Voting, WorkLeave a comment

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Well, that was a day I stood in a local election. I didn’t win.

I walked around about half the ward today. I talked to lots of people. I had some good responses but I was not well known so I understand why I didn’t get the vote. I will have to try and help more there perhaps. At the moment my knees and ankles are aching so much I can’t move. I wanted to help. I hope the person they selected is able to help.

Must sleep

Painting again today.

Posted on February 14, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Acting, Art, Blog, Blogging, Design, Fun, Gretna Green, Humour, Life, Need a rest, Pantomime, Reflections, WorkLeave a comment

I’ve just finished these two boards for the panto They may be the last ones I do. If they are sold afterwards the proceeds will go to the Penkhull village hall although it’s not clear whether they will be kept or not. Its been hard work but great fun painting these.

Gretna Green is a Scottish village where people used to elope to get married if they did not have the permission of their parents.

The second picture is an impression of Big Ben and the houses of Parliament situated in London on the River Thames.

The idea is that the images should be clearly visible even at the back of the hall.

Mallaband-Brown

Tag: Work