Sizing Her Up 10" x 12" Oil

Or, if you prefer, 'At The Studio*2'. My task today was to paint something as fast as possible, instead of 'fiddling' for hours. No time to stop and think about it. This took an hour and a half, and I am quite pleased that I 'got him' with no trouble.

Rushden Hall 10" x 12" Acrylic

This is Rushden Hall, Northamptonshire, where my cousin Simon will be getting married on Friday. The Hall is about 400 years old and is the setting for many a family gathering, and many a playtime in the park. They have added to it apparently, but this is the Rushden Hall of my memories, and probably Simons' too. This is my gift to them.

I can see that I shall probably 'fiddle' with it tomorrow, should have waited til tomorrow to do it, as 'fiddling' never improved anything!

At The Beach *2 11" x 12" Oil

At the Studio 8" x 12" Oil

At The Beach 9" x 14" Oil

Old Guy 10" x 8" Oil

This was to be a black an white image, which I have never attempted in paint before. I always reach for the charcoal if I am thinking B+W. I hit a problem when I realised I don't have black paint, I always mix my own, so this is a study in Burnt Sienna, French Ultramarine and White!

Girl 12" x 12" Oil

This is actually a closer view of the girl with the bicycle, from yesterday.

I enjoyed painting this. However well a painting is progressing, there is always a mad rush to get it posted before Roy gets home. I could have carried on with this one, but I am happy.

At Cambridge Station *3 11" x 10" Oil

What an adventure to jump on a train with your bike, anywhere you fancied, and spend the day exploring somewhere new! I bet this girl was on her way home from work though!

It has been pointed out to me that I should get permission from people to paint them. I take lots of random shots and then if any little vignette captures my attention, such as this one, I paint it. Difficult to ask permission. It is not my intention to embarrass or offend, so if any one of my paintings does so, then please let me know and I will stop publishing it.

At Cambridge Station *2 9 1/2" x 14 1/2" Oil

I wonder if the rail officials' stance is confrontational or defensive? Together with the girls' wringing hands, I think there is no doubt this is a complaint, but I get the feeling it is a rare thing, just because the girl looks so surprised.

Of course, you may read the situation completely differently.

At Cambridge Station *1 9 1/2" x 14 1/2" Oil

I never saw if the person they were waiting for made it. I hope so, they sure looked anxious.
I tried a different approach with this one, instead of drawing an outline in brown or black, I blocked in shapes of colour, starting with orange! Much less intimidating. With the previous post, once I had 'got him' in the drawing I just couldn't continue with colour because I didn't want to lose him again.

Ken 10" x 12" Oil

Last, but definitely not least, is Ken, just as enthusiastic and passionate about his art, Pin Art, I think he called it. I confess I had neither seen nor heard of anything like it, but it seems to be a popular thing, with competitions and shows, etc.

Amanda 10" x 12" Oil

Another winner of The One Show Summer Exhibition. Amanda has a passion for all organic forms, and her ceramic 'Mushroom" is a glorious celebration of that. She did give me the url to her website, and although it may not be up and running yet I have put the link here.

Jenny 8" x 12" Oil

Jenny is the youngest winner of the One Show exhibition, 10 years old. Poor Jenny, her moment of glory snatched away from her. Every one got a chance to speak, to say a word about their painting, except Jenny, whose award was shoved at her very unceremoniously. They had run out of time! I did feel for her.

I gave up with this one, although I do actually like it's unfinished state. I started off wrong, colours, support, you name it, I got it wrong, to paint a child. But instead of starting again, I stubbornly kept on going.

Nelda 10" x 12" Oil

Nelda, one of the five winners of The One Show Summer Exhibition, made an impression on me with her zest for life, the twinkle in her eye, her stories of a time before I was born ( only just) and her naive style of art. She was delightful company.
My intention was to make a wonderful portrait. She is actually far neater and more beautiful than I have portrayed her.
SOLD

Fantastic Day!

Rehearsal, with Christine Bleakley.

Five winners, and companions, in the Green Room. Neldas' daughter Christina, Amanda Henriques, me, Ken Simpson with family, Jenny Olsen and her mum, and Nelda Utilini.

The award, to commemorate the day.

After a very shaky start, (I couldn't get my train ticket because the machine wasn't working, I couldn't find my taxi at Kings Cross and I left my debit card in the public phone!), I got to the television studio in a bit of a state! All soon forgotten and I was flying high. Primetime, live television, wow!

I discovered I was one of the five winners! I discovered that the Royal Academy was involved in the judging! To be chosen from 3500 entries by such exalted company is an accolade indeed. And I am very chuffed, can't stop grinning!

I met five lovely people, all very passionate about their art, and all very different. The time flew by, with chatting, discussions with the film crew about what would happen, debate about whether to 'unveil' the winners, eating the provided sandwiches, and soon we were rehearsing. Adrian and Christine had kind words to say to all of us, albeit very hurriedly, but poor Adrian was having a bad day.

The decision to 'unveil' the winners themselves and not the paintings, was carried unanimously. Brilliant idea, I thought.

Chris Orr was charming, friendly, delightful to talk to. He spent time with all of us, interested in our work, and ready with advice and praise.

Then the filming...we were on...poof ....it was over!

I did feel a bit silly under the 'shroud', Nelda called it, which is probably why I forgot what I wanted to say! No matter, I enjoyed every single minute of it, and would do it again tomorrow.

If you missed the show it can be seen on the BBC One Show web site for the next week, and there is also backstage footage and the shortlisted 85 works from which the final five were chosen, if you care to explore the site.

On TV Again!

ME THREE 20" x 20" Acrylic

The BBCs' The One Show are staging their own Summer Exhibition, and viewers were invited to submit images of their paintings, which of course I did, not wanting to miss an opportunity, especially a freebie. There is no prize, except the paintings judged the best get shown to millions of viewers. I didn't think any more of it, thinking I had missed the unveiling, until I received a phone call inviting me to participate in the show, as my painting, 'Me Three' has been shortlisted!
3388 paintings submitted and I get picked out! I am stunned and thrilled. It may be a bit of fun, but I don't often get noticed, so I shall enjoy this, whatever it entails.
The programme is aired on Monday, 27th July at 7pm.
I shall tell you all about it on Tuesday!

Head Study 10" x 12" Oil

David Larson Evans has very kindly allowed me to use his profile photo to paint. I love the photo, first, because of the hat (of course) and also the mirror and reflections intrique me. I won't mention what an incredibly handsome devil he is!
I spent yesterday blocking in the composition and wiped his head several times.......who was it that said profiles were difficult? So, today, a head study, to help get to grips with it. Having posted I can see immediately that something is wrong with his ear, too big, I think . Sorry, David. I shall have to find my little mirror, so that I can spot glaring errors while working, or remember to turn the painting upside down at frequent intervals!
Go visit David, his work is a joy to behold, colourful, dynamic, stunning paintings.

Absolutely Pooped 12" x 9" Oil

Another from a photo taken at the last HAS life drawing session.

Beach Babe 8" x 12" Oil

Another for my 'Hats' series.

Hat 12" x 14" Conte

Ah, my comfort zone! Truth to tell, lazyitis struck, I couldn't be arsed to get the painting paraphernalia out of the shed, and the pencils were on the table. I enjoyed this, but oh how I wish I could loosen up a bit! Might paint it tomorrow...............might not.