Hertford Art Society Annual Exhibition

All the work is in....ready for the off.

The judges, Geoff Hunt, Martin Smith and Jean Noble, scrutinising one of mine and reaching for the X!

Gallery owner and good friend Stephen Lowe waiting in line with my painting to be judged.

It bombed!

Sculptor Paul Bainbridge with one of his works.

Stunning!

Paul judged the 3D work and declared Kathy Burman the winner with her abstact piece. (in the middle here)

The judges perusing the best pieces to pick the prizewinners.

Best in Show 'What's in the Bucket' by Christine Spence

and also my favourite piece.

Best abstract.

Another prizewinner.

As usual I had a fantastic day. It is so, so interesting to see the way it all works. The judges seemed to be rather harsh this year, with very few pieces awarded AAA,  one of which was one of mine, though...woohoo! Something to be proud of, as I saw so many stunning pieces in the reject pile, and many disappointed friends. Best friend, Stella Green, had all four of her submissions accepted. I'm very proud of her, and that has given me something to aspire to next year. I got two out six accepted.

I would recommend seeing this exhibition...it is always excellent and always inspiring.

WA - Still Life

Tools   18" x 14"  Oil

I went to the art club this afternoon with every intention of painting more boats, as I need one more painting to submit to Hertford at the weekend. I thought the topic was something else, which I hadn't prepared for, so when informed it was Still Life, well, inspiration struck! If I'd had all morning to think about it I know I wouldn't have done this. As it is I had a wonderful afternoon and I'm chuffed with the painting....so far! The burning question.....leave as is? ......or try and set it up again to continue? Over to you, fans.....

Sarah Too 16" x 16" Oil

Finished...as good as it's going to get!

Next!

As Yet Untitled  18" x 18"  Oil WIP

Made a start on the next painting and it was just flowing off the brush. I didn't want to stop! I'll bet it doesn't continue so well tomorrow.

Jeff 10" x 12" Oil

My brother Jeff, a gift for my Mum. Happy birthday, Ma!

Coast Too 16" x 20" Oil

Fancied just slapping some paint about, fast and thick, and I loved this image the first time I did it.

WA - Portrait of a Famous Person

Hepburn  16" x 16"  Charcoal

Maybe a few tweaks required, but that went well, I thought!

Panic!

Cromer  16" x 16" Oil

Posed  16" x 20"  Oil

I've been fiddling with these paintings this week. I have given all the paintings that were earmarked to go in the Hertford Art Society Annual Exhibition to the Out of the Box Independent Curators to show at the Rampant Horse in Gayton. Consequently I am in a panic as the deadline approaches! And neither of these will do, I fear.

WA - Charcoal

Sarah  16" x 16"  Charcoal

I didn't need telling twice to get the charcoal out...I love it! Rubbing, erasing, swishing it about with a brush, getting my fingers in and pushing it every whichway! This is from a photo taken at a HAS life drawing session, of the delectable Sarah. Needs a little tiddling yet, but I shall post her here when done.

Happy painting, everyone!

I have been fiddling with this all day, and now I am fed up with it!

Blakeney 20" x 16" Oil

Finished! 

Waiting 12" x 10" Oil

It didn't need much tiddling, after all!

Waiting 12" x 10" Oil

Some refining of shapes to do, but you get the idea?