Kingfisher

I watched a wonderful series on television which featured kingfishers and since then I have been mesmerised by these little birds. Their flashes of brilliant colour brighten riverbanks and add a irridescent magic to the leafy green world of water and trees.

Hoopoe

It's such a pleasure and honour to be asked to do a commission for someone - an old friend asked if I could paint a hoopoe for her to give to her husband for Christmas. An easy choice to say yes on two counts; she is an old friend and I love hoopoes. I grew up in Kenya and these birds were everywhere and more recently when we lived in Pakistan, I rediscovered them. There striking colouring stands out and their elegant headress of feathers is worthy of an Ascot hat!

Rosehips

I recently saw an exquisite botanical painting of a single rosehip - it was perfect! You could have picked it up off the paper, it was so realistic. On my weekly foray to the florist, I found that they had sprays of rosehips. So this week's floral paintings are inspired by one perfect rosehip.

Landscape sketch

I've been very lax this week, very little painting has been going on in my mini-studio. But I do have an excellent excuse. My son is getting married and I have been working hard at the sewing machine making bridemaids' outfits and my own dress.

I did manage to do this little sketch which I am hoping is going to become a large painting. I've been longing to get back to landscapes and this really appealed to me. The colours of the heather and the late summer fields and the contours of the hill.

Hydrangea

While I was shopping for Lisianthus at the florist, I was seduced by the most gorgeous hydrangeas. I love these flowers with their big blousy heads in a range of colours from white through pinks to bright turquoise blue - my favourites! After painting the first couple of petals, I began to think that madness might lie in hydrangeas!

Lisianthus

Lisianthus - such a delicate flower, unfurling it's petals like a twirling skirt.

Walking to an appointment with my physio, it struck me that these upright flowers might lend themselves to a different format ........

After receiving several enquiries, I am working on having my artwork produced as prints and cards - more info coming soon.

Cymbidia Orchids

Continuing with the floral theme this week, I've had a flush of pink in my palette from painting a commission of cymbidia orchids. It's such a joy when someone reaches out and asks you to paint a picture for them. This is the first of two commissions I have lined up.

A couple of warm-up exercises to test out shades of pink .........

Eryngium

There is something about these plants that I love - but I can't decide if it is the colour of spiky blue flowers or the silvery grey and green foliage.

Sand dunes

While we were in Denmark a few years ago, I was struck by the beauty of the sand dunes. I have found few landscapes more peaceful than the undulating sand with whispy grasses blowing gently in the sea breeze, shadows playing on the pale sand. I took a number of photos and then forgot about them as life ploughed on with it's distractions. Wanting to find a way back into artwork I was searching through my photos looking for something that would inspire me and came across a number from that day on the beach - the painting that followed is a mixture of fact and fiction.

"Dunes" - Watercolour

Botanical influence

While I am happy to admit that landscape is still my passion, I have been tempted to dabble in a few botanical subjects of late.  Not really the best subjects for someone wanting to loosen up, especially when they have a tendency to go for teensy weensy details given the slightest provocation.

I love the colour of Physalis and the little lantern-like pods hanging from the stems.

New Beginnings

It has been a very long time since I have posted on my blog. 

No excuses!

Well, a minor one - I couldn't get into my blog! I don't know what happened but I could not log in until today. 

We have moved to Vienna so I am now surrounded by wonderful architecture and art. Culture is seeping out of every alley so I have no excuses not to be producing bountiful amounts of artwork! I am also enjoying being unemployed and having plenty of time to start getting to grips with art. I've been exploring and playing with subjects and styles in watercolour and in oils.

One of the last pieces I did before we left Germany was this portrait of my nephew, Sam.  Painting someone that is near and dear is quite an unnerving experience as their face appears out of the paper. 

The Watcher

The Watcher
Charcoal on Paper
April 2012

"I will not be just a tourist in the world of images, just watching images passing by which I cannot live in, make love to, possess as permanent sources of joy and ecstasy."
Anais Nin

Charcoal Jug

Charcoal on Rives.

Charcoal Pot

Working with charcoal to revitalise a flagging artistic spirit.

Meadow

Meadows bordered with trees, filled with wild flowers, the warmth of the sun and smell of grass filling the air - my idea of heaven!

Getting to Grips

Amazed to find myself painting for the second time in one week - this is beginning to become a habit! Its so nice to wake up in the morning and find myself really looking forward to working on something.

“It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.”

Old Chinese Proverb

Landscape

Oil on Canvas, 16" x 16"

Finding my feet, slowly .....................

Trying to learn to be patient, not only with the paint, but also with myself. Suffering from that one two steps forward, one step back but hoping that taking it slowly will bring greater rewards.

Trees as usual causing me heartache.

"Patience is the companion of wisdom."

Saint Augustine (354 AD - 430 AD)

June and Another Month Gone and a New Blog

So I haven't posted for a month - great excuses coming up - new blog with just sketches on (so I have been posting, just not here), been on holiday for a week in Bavaria (gorgeous) and I have been preparing for a new piece coming up which is a bit like climbing a mountain!

A Year? Already? Well, almost!

"Pestle and Mortar"
Charcoal on Paper

I can't believe it's nearly a year since I last posted on here. I've been suffering from major loss of inspiration and drive but am determined to strap on my pencils/brushes/pastels, climb back into the saddle and face that blank paper/canvas.



The only thing that I have done in the past few months apart is a little vague doodling and reworking of some past paintings.

Baby Boy

Watercolour on Paper.

A small commission for a friend. Fun to do. Waiting for a verdict before I decide on a background. I find watercolour quite frightening as it feels as if I have little to no control over this medium. As a result I am not as experimental as I would like to be. Terrified of creating a disaster. Would love to be much splashier. Of course not having the environment to splash around in either doesn't help me to be freer with the paint.