Friends

MARY

The task today, at the WA, was to draw each other, a 20 minute sitting each. Penny asked me to give a few pointers, as I do portraits, but the the others generally don't. I decided to demonstrate, but did my usual thing of concentrating on the job in hand and forgetting to talk!
I chose a carbon pencil because it looked like mostly everyone else had pencils. I prefer charcoal, though, as I find it easier to work and far quicker to get a good result.

IRIS

JUDITH

PAT

A jolly enjoyable afternoon, as agreed by all, even those who found the subject difficult, and we vowed to do it again. I would like to meet outside one week and do a landscape. Now, THAT would be a challenge for me!

Idea!

I have been thinking about the HUGE painting for the hospital and this sketch was my first idea. I felt that even coloured in it would not be happy enough! Ilike the idea of balloons and a figure, so......

This is the very rough sketch of of the next idea. I wanted to keep it simple, but attention grabbing! On the balloons, which isn't very clear, will be depictions of ice cream, jelly babies, cats + dogs, dolls, ballet shoes, things that create happy memories. If I go with a boy it would be scoring a goal, boating, trains, skateboards, etc. Maybe both? I would very much appreciate feedback. Do you think it will translate to huge? Would cartoon depictions on the balloons be better than realistic? So much to think about and I really want it to be GOOD!
Happy painting!

Re-visits

UNSURE 16" x 20" Oil

No theme at the WA yesterday but painting for the exhibition we are having in September. I took 'Unsure' to liven it up a bit as I had felt it was tonally dull. I am happier. It was a weird afternoon, everyone was totally silent, totally engrossed in their work.... there is usually someone chatting, or asking for guidance. Then the kettle went on and it was all change...everyone talking nineteen to the dozen! That's better. No cake though!



AT CAMBRIDGE STATION 9" x 14" Oil

Remember this from last year? I had painted it on very smooth board and the paint had not adhered very well. I painted it over it, today, which reminded me of painting by numbers, but it certainly is better for it.
I did think I would tiddle up some of the paintings I have already started for the several exhibitions looming, but I am having second thoughts. I find it very difficult to go back. Sometimes I don't see what got me excited in the first place, and to rekindle past feelings is impossible. You can end up with a totally different painting, so you might as well start fresh anyway! So all the paintings have gone back in the shed and a naked ( should that be bare?) canvas on the easel.
Thanks for your visit, and I appreciate all comments, good, bad and indifferent!
Happy painting.

Star 20" x 30" Oil

The theme at the WA was 'skies', so I took this with a view to making the sky a little more interesting.
But I couldn't concentrate because I had spent the morning meeting with Deborah, who is a doctor at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, looking to fill the walls with artwork in the newly refurbished Delivery Suite. She is a delightful young woman who knows what she wants and it was sheer pleasure to discuss the possibilities. The plan initially is to provide a huge (4' x 6' maybe) painting for the reception area and three more smaller (but still 3' x3') paintings for the main corridor, to be on permanent display. Then there is more corridor space, separate rooms and nooks and crannies galore to be decorated. I am so excited...what a project! Watch this space.

My Weekend

LANDED

GLEE
On Saturday I went to Hertford to submit my paintings for the annual exhibition. This year I got to stay and watch the proceedings. There were three judges who each awarded an 'A', accepted, 'D', doubtful, or 'X', out, for all of the paintings, hundreds of them, which we paraded in front of them one at a time. The judges were very generous, not many 'X's' and not a single 'XXX', but this meant that the paintings awarded 'ADD' had to be whittled down again. The prizewinners were chosen from all the paintings awarded 'AAA'.

After lunch, which was scrummy, the paintings were assembled on the floor in approximation of the final exhibition. I was unable to watch this as I had to go catch a train. The day was a revelation and very enjoyable although it was quite exhausting!

My two paintings shown above were accepted.

Yesterday, wonderful Roy bought a new PC, which I am spending hours trying to transfer programmes, files and folders, etc. from my old one. I shall paint again soon, though, there are lots more exhibitions coming up!

Flight 12" x 10" Oil

The theme at the WA today, was 'flight', encompassing balloons, bees, aircraft, kites, etc., This is my effort, using a photo found on the internet this morning.

The main business of the day, though, was to choose the best five paintings from the club. A local Art Shop/Gallery has an annual exhibition for any/all of the local art groups to submit five paintings, and a winner is chosen by the public. (I think) Last year the winning art group was .......The Wednesday Afternooners! So we have our reputation and standards to maintain!

We had 39 paintings to chose our favourite 10 from, which were then voted on again to find the final 5.

I have to say that I found it difficult as there was a nice selection of styles, subjects and mediums and who can predict if small will do better than large, or loose better than tight?

I am very happy to report that one of mine made the final 5!

In Sunlight 20" x 16" Oil

And now for something completely different, for me. I had a fancy for experimenting today, so I took a photo of my reflection in the television. I completely covered a canvas board with black, then wiped it off, pushed it around with my trusty tools, fingers, and added some blue, red and white until I emerged. I had wanted a painting more abstracted, less stark, but I'm happy for now, because it was such fun!

I started this painting this morning and took it along to the WA this afternoon, where I got a lot of questions and puzzled looks, and a comment from Mary, " I usually feel happy seeing what you have done, but not today". She has a fair point, I think I also prefer higher key work.

The cake today.......Penny you have to stop........was utterly delish! Cherry and almond! I had seconds and brought some home!

Lara 10" x 12" Oil

I have had a fabulous morning. Mary liked the painting of Ellis and asked if I would paint her sister, Lara. They are delightful girls, a pleasure to meet and with the bonus of painting them from life, I was happy as Larry! Thank you, Mary.

Strummin' 30" x 20" Oil Progressing

Ellis 10" x 12" Oil

Strummin' 30" x 20" Oil

What a fabulous afternoon at the WA! Ellis accompanied her grandma, Mary, (school hols) and agreed to sit for me. What a treat, and she was so good, a natural, and quite beautiful. Thank you, Ellis. Everyone thought it a good likeness.

After that, I made a start on the painting I took to do this afternoon, of my son again, copying his dad.
I have to say that I much prefer to work from life. One reason is that there is an added pressure to get it done before you lose the model and I know that I produce better results under pressure. Mainly though, a living, breathing person is infinitely more exciting than a photograph.

Oh, yes, and the chocolate cake was SCRUMPTIOUS!

Swing*2 18" x 26" Oil

Swing *2 18" x 26" Oil

Do your own thing at the WA today, so I started another 'swing' painting. Everyone seems impressed by how fast I turn them out! I think that is one of the benefits of painting every day.
When I started this blog, inspired by the daily painters, I decided I would have to paint smaller to get one finished every day. Recently, I have become aware that I hate painting small paintings and I feel I don't do them very well. Without that experience, though, I wouldn't now be able to paint a larger work with the speed that I do, i.e. 'Untitled' took me two afternoons and a ten minute fiddle. A year ago it would have taken weeks!
Today we had home made, by the wonderful Penny, Easter Cookies! Wonderful! Next week we are promised CHOCOLATE CAKE! But I really do go for the company.

Untitled 20" X 30" Oil

Stuck for a title for this one! All ideas welcome and greatly appreciated............ please.

First Jump 9" x 14" Oil

Two Finished

Eyeball 20" x 16" Oil

Fishing 14" x 14" Oil

I keep doing it...and I hate it! I see nothing remotely artistic in copying a photograph. I can see the creativity in setting up a photo with a view to painting, but this, it's not what I want to do. It's only virtue is the practise in actually painting, and I now have lots of paintings of my beautiful son!

What do you think?

Fishing 14" x 14" Oil WIP

The brief today at the WA was to paint anything you like, but in tones of only one colour. I have painted 'Fishing' with Red Transparent Oxide on smooth, slippery board and it reached the stage when no more paint would go on. More tomorrow on that then. To use the time I made another jump sketch.

I seem to be starting a lot of paintings this week!

Two More

Somersault 16" x 20" Oil In Progress

Made a start on a new 'trampoline' painting, but seemed to be getting in a muddy mess, so...

Eyeball 20" x 16" Oil In Progress

Made a start on this, too.

Swing 16" x 20" Oil

Fiddled with this some more today, and it is getting to be a good copy of the reference photo, but that is not what I want! I shall put it away for a few days I think.
Good news today.... I have had 'Reference' accepted for the Eastern Open Art Competition. 648 pieces submitted with 180 selected for the exhibition. I feel quite chuffed. Prizes are awarded on opening day so I have to sort out some glad rags, or is that asking too much?

Happy Birthday, Roo!

Swing 20" x 16" Oil in progress

The initial blocking in....but you see already I am picking out detail. I have to keep this as loose and impressionistic as possible or lose the movement. A way to go then!

If only I could wish Andrew a happy birthday, he would have been 31 today. There is no reality in that number as he will be forever 9 years old. Cheeky, funny, quiet, football mad, the memory sustains me, how glad I am to have known him for nine years.

Jump 16" x 20" Oil

WA day today, where the theme was 'patterns', but I did my own thing. I love the trampoline subject, but I'm not completely happy with the B + Ws I've done. They just don't convey the feeling of jumping in the air. I like this much better ....so far!

Eastern Open

FIRST MARK 24" x 24" Oil

REFERENCE 19" x 18" Oil

STAR 20" x 30" Oil

I have been getting ready to submit paintings to the Eastern Open exhibition, held annually at the Art Centre in King's Lynn. I had frames already for these paintings so that decision was easy! It is a juried exhibition, so fingers crossed! I've not seen any previous exhibitions so have no idea of standard, size, etc. One feature I've never come across, is that they send out three postcards to all artists to submit 'mini-art' to sell. Boy, oh, boy painting and drawing tiny is sooooo difficult, but I have had a go. And, again, I have no idea what is expected.

Landed 20" x 16" Oil

Philip 12" x 16" Oil

Watching TV while eating my breakfast this morning, the thought occurred to me that here was an endless supply of faces to practise with! So I did.

Star 20" x 30" Oil

I took this to the WA today. I think it is finished.

Congratulations, Liz!

My painting of Kate has been won by Liz Pearson, who appears to be absolutely delighted. I couldn't wish for a better home for her!

HAS Saturday

One of my drawings from the life drawing session at Hertford on Saturday. To see more, go check out my Sharon Elaine blog.

Landing 20" x 16" Oil

Unsure 16" x 20" Oil

Beach Huts 12" x 8" MM

I had a wonderful time at the WA today, slapping on the paint and ink with pen, brush, twigs and leaves...oh, and fingers. And we had cake, AGAIN! Scrummy!
Don't forget to leave a comment on my previous post.....you could be the proud owner of an original Sharon masterpiece!

KATE 20" X 30" Charcoal + Pastel

This is the very first picture I posted on my blog when I started it TWO YEARS ago. To celebrate, it is giveaway time again. Post a comment here and the first name out of the hat at 8am next Monday gets the painting.

Star 20" x 30" Oil

Can't leave this subject alone and besides I didn't want to leave Stephanie out!

Double Take 20" x 16" Oil

Flying 20" x 16" Oil

WA day today and I had a wonderful, splendid afternoon. This was one of those that just flows from the brush with no thought involved and I love it when that happens. And then I had some lovely, very encouraging, comments from my friends and fellow artists. And to top it all....we had cake!

Winter Beach 12" x 10" x 2 Oil

Done In 20" x 16" Charcoal

Fancied drawing today...and of course my favourite subject.

Hello Lizard Acrylic on Wood

WA today, where the brief was to paint on stones, flower pots....anything but paper or canvas.
This idea didn't work very well. Maybe I should have sanded down the part I wanted paint on, as the ridges are too distracting.
I discovered on Monday that there is to be an exhibition locally, to be held next week! Needless to say I have been sorting like crazy and have put 10 paintings together. It is a shame as I have so many pictures, not many frames, and the ones I have don't fit the pictures! Even if Roy had his workshop there is no time. No time to hoover the carpet either, obviously!
Looking forward to it and it has been good to have a purpose.

Not Waving 16" x 20" Oil

Not Waving but Drowning, a poem by Stevie Smith, and this is a line that has stayed with me for years. How easy it is to misinterpret words and actions, to believe something that is not true, to see something that is not there, to have secrets........

No one can KNOW what is in anothers mind. So what is this painting about? If you can tell me, you can have it.

Shoreline 24" x 18" Oil

WA day, today. Because we have booked a gallery to stage a group exhibition in September, every other week is dedicated to working on paintings for said exhibition. We shall be needing about 60 paintings to fill the space! So no theme today.

The picture I wanted to paint refused to print so I grabbed this on my way out of the door, which you may remember I posted as a WIP back in November. Maybe I would never have finished this if it weren't for a temperalmental printer! Maybe it still isn't!