Busy Week!

Foxgloves appearing from colourful washes using clingfilm to form the leaves at the base of the painting

It seems ages since I added to my blog.  In fact I haven't had much free time since my return from London where I demonstrated at the fabulous Mall Galleries during the SWA,Society for Women Artists' Annual Exhibition. I hope to write about my demonstration on a seperate post as it was such a great day. Thank you so much to everyone who came to meet me especially the two ladies who came over from Ireland and Belgium. I so wish I had more time on the day to spend with you as I thought you were wonderful!

It is strange how my life is changing and how my views on being an artist are too. This incredible journey that we start out on when we pick up our brushes leads us to so many interesting destinations and to meeting new friends from all over the world.

I have been touched by so many emails and comments on my new book and art. I now start my day by replying to messages from all over the world and today I recieved my very first from Mexico.  We live in a time when we can connect via the internet and it is such a privilege to be able to do so.

My book is continuing to sell well and I have signed so many copies over the last few weeks and I keep recieving new invitations to further events which is wonderful.

The only negative comment I have recieved so far has been from someone who completely misinterpreted my chapters including salt and clingfilm. The use of which has been around for such a long time so they are not my invention and have never been claimed as such. However what has fascinated viewers of my demonstrations is my own interpretation of  their placement to gain flow and directional texture effects. I also build up subjects with textural layers as witnessed in my carnation painting demonstrations. This creates realistic patterns appropriate to each subject.

Since writing my book I have discovered yet another new way to apply salt which I hope to share soon. I honestly believe if we share our excitement in what works for us we further the joy in moving our brushes which of course is the sole aim of my writing. To encourage everyone to feel as passionate about watercolour as I do.

And to the excited architect who has experimented with my "Venetian" technique to paint buildings in landscapes. How lovely to hear I have changed your life forever and long may your successful run of sales continue! You are welcome, and thank you so much for letting me know how well you are using the technique from my new book. I am absolutely thrilled!

Painting and sharing ideas for me has never been about my own success. But more importantly it is about the success achieved by others.

So to close,Christine, congratulations on gaining your first sale in an exhibition, winning your first prize and getting into a gallery. But remember one thing.

This all happened because of YOUR talent!

Not my input,workshops or book.

I am over the moon for you.

Happy painting!

Jean

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Mall Galleries Demonstration Thursday 5th July 2012

SWA Exhibition Painting 2012

SOLD 

 Time really does fly!  

I cannot believe it is a year ago that I was demonstrating at the Mall Galleries during the 150th Annual Exhibition of the SWA, Society for Women Artists show. Tomorrow I will be a the Mall Galleries sharing my watercolour techniques and enjoying the exhibition again.

This will be my last public demonstration in UK this year and I am really looking forward to it. As soon as I finish todays painting session I will be loading my car with my equipment ready for  my journey to London in the morning.

I am going to start at 11.0a.m with one demonstration,take a short break for lunch and then continue with a new demonstration at 2.0 pm. I intend to be at the gallery for most of the day so please come and say hello if you would like to meet me. I have met some incredible new friends at the Mall Galleries through my demonstrations there and I do love meeting people who love watercolour as much as I do.

My new book "Atmospheric Watercolours" is available in the Mall Gallery Book Shop so be sure to have a peep at it or even buy a copy while you are there!

Roll on tomorrow!

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Mall Galleries, SWA Demonstration 2011

 Cockerel coming to life during a Mall Gallery Demonstration 2010

SWA, SOCIETY FOR WOMEN ARTISTS

150th ANNUAL EXHIBITION

30th June- 9th July 2011

Mall Galleries

London, U.K.

Jean Haines SWA "Watercolours With Life" Demonstration

Thursday 7th July, 2011

Many wonderful visitors to the Mall Galleries last year were in awe at the variety of work and wonderfully high standard of paintings in the SWA Society for Women Artists 2010 Annual Exhibition.

For me it was a very special year as I became a full member of the SWA and launched my first book during the exhibition with a book signing in the reception of the prestigious Mall Galleries. I also demonstrated on the day of the book launch and it was an occasion that I will remember for the rest of my life. I met  many wonderful visitors who made my day even more memorable. The only negative feedback I recieved after the event was from those who were sadly disappointed as they hadn't known in time to attend.

  "How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour"

Launched at the SWA Society for Women Artists Annual Exhibition

Mall Galleries,London  2010

Well the good news is that I can now announce I will be demonstrating during the exhibition again this year. I am thrilled to have been invited back as one of the demonstrating artists and honoured to be sharing my techniques in a room full of outstanding art. If you haven't been able to get a place on one of my workshops, have been unable to meet me or attend previous demonstrations or you simply want to say "Hello" this is the very best day in 2011 to see me  not only in action but have time to chat also. I will also be signing books if you wish me to sign a copy.

I will be demonstrating at the Mall Galleries on Thursday 7th July, 2010  and  look forward to seeing you there. My aim is to give an insight into how I work minus the use of  a preliminary sketch and I will be sharing  why I choose the colours that I do for a variety of subjects. You can watch, ask questions and enjoy the relaxed and informal demonstrations and meet me in the most incredible of settings to share my passion for watercolour. 

I invite you to join me and make 2011 a very memorable demonstration day also!

If you are reading this you really are the first to be invited!

See you there.

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SWA, Society for Women Artists.

If you would like to submit work for the SWA Society for Women Artists 150th Annual Exhibition 2011 you can find full details on how to become a member on the official web site.

http://www.society-women-artists.org.uk/How_to_exhibit.html

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Book Launch: One Day to Go!

Original Watercolour by Jean Haines

From the book "How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour"

I can't believe it. It is now only one day to go to my book launch at the Mall Galleries in London. Tomorrow I will be making my way there at this time and setting up for my demonstrations. The books are already waiting for me to sign them. It still all feels very much like a dream. As yet no one has even seen my book apart from my publishers and family. Tomorrow it will be there for everyone to view or buy. Everything I have shared will no longer just be my private knowledge. I am letting go of my "baby" and it is a very emotional feeling..

This morning I am looking back at how this book came to be and looking through all of the original paintings that are included. It is so strange how life rolls on with one wonderful event and connection happening after another. So often we never even fully realise how one moment in time can lead to another that could be so important to us or magical in our lives.

A while ago I was in Portugal and came across a wonderful elderly gentleman sat on a bench watching the world go by. The sunlight played patterns so beautifully on him and his surroundings. I knew instantly I had to paint him. And I did. I loved every second of doing so. I even took "him" into workshops where others adored painting him too. He became such a favourite  subject that when it came to looking at how I see light and paint it he immediately jumped into my mind. He was perfect for my book. 

Choosing the right colour combinations to portray subjects in light along with seeing where leaving white paper can bring magic to a scene is an area I love discussing. It is a huge part of how I work. I wanted to share how I think in my book more than anything else. I so hope I inspire others to see light  as I do because until we do genuinely notice how it plays on subjects we can't capture it effectively. And my choice of colours is definitely because of how I see things.

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" How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour" is a commission published by Search Press and available from 7th July 2010. The book launch will be held at the Mall Galleries in London  where copies are available to be signed along with demonstrations given during the morning and afternoon at the gallery.

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The Society of Women Artists Annual exhibition runs until the 10th July  2010 and  several Jean Haines original watercolours are in the show.

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