On Angels Wings : Butterfly in Watercolour

"On Angels Wings"

Butterfly in watercolour

I am participating in the Butterfly Count at the moment here in UK which means taking time out to count the butterflies I see in a specific amount of time. The number of butterflies I am seeing range from twenty to well over forty, depending on the weather and where I am  daily. In my own garden I see more than when I am anywhere else it seems and I am now learning about the varieties, some of which I have taken for granted for years without sadly knowing their name. I thought I knew what a "Comma" butterfly was until recently. I had gotten it confused with another kind but now I do know what they are and I am painting them. 

The above painting is of a "Comma" butterfly which was sat on a tall purple verbena plant outside my studio door. Very handy for photographing and for getting quick colour swatches to work from!

I have given so many demonstrations over the years and my butterfly paintings have always been extremely popular as subjects. But now I am taking time to sit still and study butterflies for longer period of times perhaps it is only natural that my art of them should improve.

I am having a ball so I have a feeling more butterfly paintings will follow.

How glorious summer is when you can paint outside with the sun on your shoulder and enjoy life!

Artist sTip of the day?

Get out and learn from nature. Admire it. Study it. And paint what you see!

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Every Life Matters

"So Small"

Butterfly on wild flower in our cottage garden.

As always I am busy. I am now totally engrossed in writing my new book. I am at the middle of creating this next exciting publication and I am afraid each new chapter draws me further into the book. So much so that I find it impossible to leave it. Even to share posts here on my blog. This often happens when you really fall in love with what you are doing. It consumes you. You eat, sleep and wake thinking of what is going to happen next. It is a fantastic and energising feeling. But, I know there will be a stage in the process where I feel very unhappy. And that will be when I know I am about to write the last few chapters. A part I dread when writing any book. Because the process is like a love affair between the creation and the creator.  Or the bond between a Mother and a child. It is hard to let go when the time comes, as it has to. But that time is way off in the distance. For now I am in the ecstatic mode of wanting to write and paint every single minute of each day and I love it.

In our cottage garden there is so much in the way of wildlife to distract me from my goal of writing each day. Happily this just gives me another excuse to paint.

Today I watched a tiny delicate butterfly as it danced around the flowers in our garden. So small, so dainty and yet so beautiful.

With an election in UK this week I can't help but wonder just who is looking out for our environment in the world. So that for generations to come in the years ahead, our grandchildrens' grandchildren can feel the thrill I do when I observe the beauty of nature.

Yes, there are many important issues our world leaders need to  consider. 

I just wish one would seriously consider the planet and protect oru wildlife too.

But for now, I am back to writing and painting which is far more relaxing.

Happy painting!

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Watercolour Workshops 2013 Flowers

"Butterfly in Sunlight"

Today was yet another fantastic workshop of the week. This time the theme was painting flowers in watercolour. There were so many demonstrations and subjects throughout the whole day that choosing a favourite to share on my blog will be difficult. Even so this little butterfly sitting on a flower in sunlight made me smile. It is amazing how the simplest of subjecst can carry so much beauty.

The room was full of enthusiasm and some brilliant paintings evolved throughout the day. I loved how seeing  artists have "light bulb" moments as techniques "clicked" while they worked. I have decided I must be one of the luckiest people alive to be able to share my passion for working in watercolour with people who are as passionate as I am, from all over the world.

Tomorrow I hold the last of my workshops in UK this week. It's called "Opening Doors" and is a special session for people who are totally new to my workshops. I have found that artists love coming back each year to my watercolour sessions. Which makes it incredibly difficult for new artists who have just found me to even get a place on my workshops. So tomorrow is one of the special days set aside, especially for  those who have not been to me before. Its' going to be another great day!

Please emailme on jeanhaines@hotmail.com for workshop information for 2014

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