Beating The Winter Blues 2011

Beating the Winter Blues

"Tumbling Bacopa"

Wandering around my garden the terracotta pots and urns look quite sad at the moment . They are waiting to be replanted with new beautiful summer annuals. I There is a favourite little flower I plant every year to create a fascinating break up of larger pot plants such as geraniums. Against the red of their blooms the small white bacopa forms a sensational backdrop as a mass of small white flowers tumble  from the pots. But of  course it is winter now so painting the bacopa in blues rather than gorgeous warm summer shades is a wonderful option and break from "normality".

The more frequently I paint flowers the more I become fascinated with their form. This is my favourite section within the painting of Bacopa. The small flowers are so pretty and their shapes pleasing to my artists eye. But I feel I may move to another subject soon as this week has been almost completely floral in my studio!

 Favourite Section within the Painting of Bacopa.

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Colour Awakening

Coming Alive With Colour

"Texture Effects in Watercolour"

I am exploring colour effects in watercolour and simply working minus any form of  subject definition. How each experiment begins is definitely effected by my mood and emotions. Still with my many paintings of primroses fresh in mind  I set about working with  a mixture of vibrant yellow and golds. Each time allowing the pigments to flow into blue sections but with more control than I would usually allow myself.

Interestingly I had just fed the fish in our pond when I played with this colour study so my imagination is leading me to an idea of a goldfish painting. But fish as a subject has already been painted so many times all over the world by so many artists already. So this idea is almost less appealing to me.

Isn't it strange how working in a technique that lends itself to unique results can lead you away from the most popular of subjects. Or maybe that is an obvious outcome!  I enjoy being led into realms of adventure with outcomes that appear to be totally new.

If I ever decide to take the road to painting Koi Carp they will probably now be very abstract and totally unrecognisable as fish. Unless the viewer of the finished painting has read my blog!

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Working With Colour

Working With Colour

"Freedom"

Working with colour alone with no subject to define sets new challenges. This is a move to a more abstract form of painting and as such some could feel this may be a simple task.  However in many ways it is far more difficult to achieve a result that is exciting and pleasing to the eye.

I have been experimenting with some vibrant colour combinations and texture effects for my second book. Many results to me looked flat, boring and held that sense of "I've seen it before ". But suddenly something new happened in my mind and now my imagination is unleashing many possibilities for future ideas. I believe it is this spark of excitement that keeps my work very fresh and my enthusiasm very high.The constant search for something new with that extra "something".  

Je ne sais pas!

The Thirst For Perfection

Spring is in the Air

 "Springing To Life"

Latest watercolour  painting  of primroses awaiting the final touches.

Something happens when I paint. I am sure it is the same for most artists. I  get a very heady buzz of excitement when something magical happens especially with new colour combinations and fabulous watercolour effects.You always know in your heart when you are on the right road to discovery and you also always know when a great painting is about to appear. It may not always be great in anyone elses eyes but in your own you are thrilled with the prospect of a gorgeous result. I really am with this new painting as I have played with the light here greatly.

This week I have experimented with many washes for capturing primroses in watercolour. Each  new piece became more exciting than the last but each led me to yet another painting that I knew could be even better. The inevitable thirst for perfection has hit me. I am well aware that in life not everything is perfect so small flaws are not only acceptable but they can at times make a watercolour look even more beautiful. But I want more than just a painting to frame and hang on a wall. I want to tell the whole story of Spring in my work. I want a sense that each flower can move or be touched by the viewer to feel the silky soft delicate petals. More than anything I want an element of sunshine in some of the sections. In this latest piece I have movement,excitement,drama with the colour combinations and blooms coming to life 

Am I content?

I will be when I can get painting this morning in my studio as a zillion ideas are now flying around my mind on how I imagine the next  primroses paintings to appear.

Life is certainly magical as an artist. I am very much alive, rejuvenated and feeling so young because Spring is a time for new life. 

And of course, many  beautiful new paintings.

在水彩的報春花

在水彩的報春花 有时作為藝術家您变得完全固定與主題。 象您完成一繪您一样快速地想像其他百萬種方式繪改进在您的頭腦裡颜色的構成、繪畫的技巧的選擇半新和安置的同一件事。 這個季度，當春天是接近我时似乎得到繪畫春天花的臭蟲。 在冷的冬季以后繪從生活在或在我的演播室外面是绝對歡欣。 我的作為每個季節的調色板變動到達。 我從使用強的大膽的動態顏料現在飛躍了對接受軟綿綿地柔和的洗滌在淡色宣佈春天。 這影響是光，無憂無慮和有很多對前面美妙的月的希望的我的心情。 因此，如果我的心情是輕和無憂無慮的這將是顯然的在我的繪畫。每張新的報春花繪畫的精華和精神如此提高。 我愛創造性的過程非常多，以便I can' t等待每新的天開始另一張繪畫或完成一從昨天。 我是很滿意和只不过是長期祝願几天繪沒有分心除與我有鬍子的大牧羊犬的長的步行，貝里之外，會集新的资源工作從!

Primrose Fever 2011

Primroses 2011

Sometimes as an artist you become totally fixated with a subject. As fast as you complete one painting you  imagine a million other ways to paint the same thing improving in your mind the composition,selection of colours used and placement of  brushstrokes.

This time of year when Spring is approaching I seem to get the bug for painting  spring  flowers. After the cold winter months painting from life in or out of my studio is an absolute delight. My palette changes as each season arrives. I have now  leapt from using strong bold dynamic pigment to embracing soft gentle washes in pastel colours to herald the spring.

This effects my mood which is light, carefree and full of hope for the wonderful months ahead. So if my mood is light and carefree this will be evident in my paintings.The essence and spirit of each new primrose painting is so uplifting. I am loving the creative process so much so that I can't wait for each new day to begin another painting or complete one from yesterday.

I am so content and  wishing for nothing more than long days  to paint with no distractions other than long walks with my Bearded Collie, Bailey, to gather new resources to work from!

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Often in a watercolour of mine you can  imagine you see something that is not really there. In the top  right corner of the above painting there is a shape  that looks as though it could be a cross. This  could be even more defined with further brushstrokes to make this a wonderful Easter card. But I think I would prefer to leave it as a magical symbol to allow blessings to be held within the painting.When it is sold it can then bring good luck to its' new owners.

Nearly Spring 2011

Primroses : A new Spring Collection of Watercolours.

Now the clusters of primroses are really bursting to life in my cottage garden it is impossible to walk  by and not admire their beauty.We still have chill winter weather and yet these tiny flowers give  everyone hope that sunshine is on the way when the warmer seasons arrive.

Small clumps of  primroses in one flower bed nestle beneath where the summer delphiniums will flower later this year.So unlike in a natural wild woodland setting I have a backdrop alternative for colour combinations and choices. Hence the vivid blue in the top right corner of this new painting.

I have several  really beautiful washes which I started last week all tempting my brush and begging to be completed. And so I start this week with gentle colour which will pull me into the more dramatic subjects  as the week progresses.

It is truly incredible how art can  raise our spirits or calm our souls at times. There are many benefits  to being an artist and I am starting my week with quiet, peaceful soft colour to relax after a hectic weekend.

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