St George's Gate

I am falling rather behind with art stuff at the moment as I have had a lot of architecture work on over the last couple of weeks, and I went inspiration collecting for a couple of days in the Brecon Beacons, but I will blog about that later.

I am starting to get frustrated, as I have paintings lined up that need to be painted, and I was hoping to have finished a bit more of my website by now. You know when you have those, 'I'll sort it out in the New Year deadlines / expectations' that suddenly turn into how the hell is it almost March?!?

Yes, I am on that page currently.

On the plus side, I have just put a new painting online for sale that I shared on the 13th of February. This is a good indication of how behind I am, as new paintings normally get put online across all my galleries within a couple of days, not two weeks later! But never mind, it is up!

There is no particularly exciting story to this painting, it is in fact one that I would consider to be a quick fix cheat. I was in the mood to paint the other day whilst simultaneously being exhausted. This usually means there is no option but to try and find something to paint that won't kill me in the process. So I chose this composition of St George's Gate, in Windsor Castle - a place I have to been before and have experience of, not too complicated, and a small size.

It's a win, win; I get my 'I need to paint or I am going to go crazy' off my chest, can finish in time for an 'early' night and have something shiny and new to share.

I am currently hoping that this weekend I will be able to have a go at painting one of my Brecon Beacon photos, at a slightly larger size than the one above. Let's hope that I am both inspired, awake, and not hungover on Sunday! 

(As always, my new painting is up for sale on my website and can be found by clicking here!)

An Art Class

Post number 4 of 2019, is that more than last year put together? I don't think so, but it doesn't feel like that much of an exaggeration. I think this means that I might be doing slightly better at remembering to note my meandering thoughts down for everyone to pretend they haven't read.

Are you ready?

I recently held an art class for a lovely bunch of Ladies that are in a club I belong too. It was quite a learning experience and had a dramatic start as it was almost snowed off. I was 50/50 about whether that would have been a good thing or not but in the end, 10 people turned up, with the promise of running another class later for the 6 or 7 that couldn't make it.

So I learnt, that actually they were all pretty good! I also surprised myself that my instructions made sense and I do actually know how to mix colours, and what I am talking about. This may seem like a stupid thing to say, but I do everything without thinking, so I can't always remember what I did when I look at the end product. I have a couple of paintings I can look at and be impressed that I did them. Me. Somehow I did draw that and pick those combinations, and didn't mess it up. Me. Are you sure?

I also learnt that it would have been easier if I had painted along with them. There was a latecomer so I let her take my space as it was already set up, which was fine to begin with but then got a bit more complicated when it came to the 'stones' and the tree.  But we managed.

It was also interesting to break my painting down into easy to do sections, if I am honest, it made it seem like there wasn't much to it. I suppose there isn't really, but copying cuts down the thought process and the trial and error and the mistakes so I guess it makes it seem easier than it is. At least that is what I am saying to myself.

I also learnt that I am a very indelicate painter. Watching everyone leisurely, gently use small brushstrokes across the canvas made me realise that a). I paint like I am angry b). I paint like I am in a rush and c). I definitely do not paint delicately, which might explain the condition of some of my brushes! :-O

But anyway, a thoroughly enjoyable experience, so thank you Maidenhead Ladies Circle for having me. I would happily teach you all again, and I think you all might have surprised yourselves with your hidden talents! 

Blackhead House

I was just about to say 'look at me! Three blog posts in January' but I just realised it is now actually February. It is funny, getting busy creeps up on you without you noticing. I remember when I started out and I had no emails coming in and not much work on and lots of time to paint, blog and market myself. I also had very little money. So a lot of improvements but also a lot less time.

But anyway, I came online this evening to partake in my annual submission into the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. I think this will be the 5th time I have attempted to get my work displayed. So far I haven't managed to make it past the first round, and judging from this years topic of 'work responding to the contemporary world' I don't fancy my chances this time either. I need a topic about vibrancy, or optimism, or colour. It seems like it is unfashionable in the art world to be positive. But that is OK, there are many well known artists that never managed to make it into the Summer Exhibition so it is by no means the be all or end all. It would just be a welcome boost. I am determined to keep entering, until either they let me in, or I make them look bad for always refusing me. Here is to hoping. Good luck Blackhead House!