Summer in My Studio 2014

Sweet Pea in Watercolour on my easel.

Summer seems to have arrived and  flowers are blooming in my garden. Not Sweet Pea as its too early. Luckily though, I was given a beautiful gift of a posy of lilac coloured sweet pea by a friend and I couldn't resist painting them. I find my best ideas come from life in that I would never have thought of painting these flowers all in the same colour. In my garden I grow a variety of  shades each year. As they climb the pea sticks during the summer months, from a distance all I can see is a gorgeous  fusion of  merging colours . 

In the vase these flowers are curving at an angle, which also helped me  paint a different composition. The light through the window where they are sitting really indicated how I could utilise the white of my paper.

Its' incredible how one small act of kindness from a friend can lead to a whole new collection of paintings.  I may take this piece to Patchings as I have my own marquee there this year as well as being invited as a Celebrity Guest Artist for St Cuthbert Mill.

If you would like to see me demonstrating, please visit Patchings . 

You can find more details via this link.

http://www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk/patchingsfestival/patchings_festival.php

I will be happy to sign books. 

I will also have my books, DVDs, cards,brushes and original paintings for sale.

Scented Collection : Sweet Pea Florals 2013

" Pink Perfume"

Sweet Pea in Watercolour

Daniel Smith Watercolour "Opera Pink "

I love Summer! Who doesn't when there is so much that is fantastic to paint at this time of year. I am  also in love with the sweet pea flowers blossoming in my garden. Each day I pick a new posy for our cottage. I am quickly becoming addicted to painting them daily too. I am working with Daniel Smith Opera Pink at the moment which is a fabulous shade for creating roses and these delicate flowers.I first came across this shade when I was demonstrating at Patchings earlier this year. I was given a tube to try and fell instantly in love with it so it belongs on my list of "must have" watercolour products!

If you peered into my studio right now  you would see two smaller studies of sweet pea which look delightfully delicate, alongside a larger painting of them which was started working with giant sized free brush strokes. I am  having so much fun using my new personlised large wash brush as the tip makes beautiful patterns. Many perfect for specific subjects with little effort on my part as the creating artist.

 Scented Collection on my easel.

 The smaller flowers are created using my personalized size 10 Kolinsky Sable Brush for the sweet pea petals. I have used my  personalized Kolinsky Sable rigger for the tiny details at the edge  or centre of each flower.  The bigger  painting has been built up of brush marks by my new wash brush. All my brushes can be found on my web site online shop.

 http://www.jeanhaines.com/shop?id_group=5 

In my cottage garden I often sit admiring the sweet pea flowers  as they reach up towards the sky, with their fragrance filling the air.  They do bring back many memories of my childhood and Grandparents as they seem to be such an old fashioned flower. Maybe I need to find a company who manufactures perfume that is similar, as I really do love it so much. For now I am hooked on simply painting them over and over again.

Sweet Pea Blossoms formed in a small watercolour study

There is no better time to paint than when the sun is shining and the flowers are blooming.  It is relaxing and rewarding.  For now, I have to go outside and enjoy painting because it is far too nice to be on a computer!

Have a great day and happy painting.

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I read a wonderful email this week from a reader in USA letting me know how much my blog means to them. What a fantastic message to read and if the sender is reading this post, a huge thank you to you for making my day!

Sweet Pea and the Doll

Sweet Pea painted this afternoon

This is more of a story than my usual blog post of watercolours. I was painting these this afternoon and the flowers  I worked on brought back a childhood memory that I feel like sharing.

When I was a little girl I was brought up with my Grandparents. My Grandfather loved gardening and each year would have rows of gorgeous sweet peas whose beautiful scent filled the air on summer days. I loved the flowers and their delicate colours so much. The biggest treat for me then would be when I was allowed to pick just one or two  flowers which my Gradafther would then add to his carefully picked bunch to bring into the house we lived in. The sweet pea display were his pride and joy every year.

I used to hold little dolls tea parties on the lawn in the garden at the back of the house. My Grandmother never allowed other children to visit so I was always alone  except for my toys. A teddy bear named Rupert and a doll called Rosebud. Rosebud was a black doll with soft, curly hair. I had little cups and saucers and played endlessly with my "friends".

One day I couldn't find Rosebud. I searched everywhere for her and a hush fell in the house when I asked where she was. When I eventually wandered around the garden I looked up and saw her head perched on top of a sweet pea pole. My Grandfather had placed it there to scare the birds away. Crying wasn't allowed and so I cuddled my teddy bear and kept him hidden for fear he would face the same fate!

It is amazing how memories can flood back when we paint quietly. I still adore sweet peas and as I love my own garden so much now, I have forgiven my Grandfather. Come to think of it I have never had a doll since, maybe they bring back that bodyless image!

I hope you like my sweet pea painting, their perfume is filling my studio and tomorrow I will be completing my collection of watercolours of them

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Sweet Pea Seduction

Sweet Pea watercolours from an afternoon painting in my cottage garden

The weather has been glorious today so I have worked in the fresh air allowing the sunshine to  cloak my shoulders.Its' been a really superb weekend with time to relax in my cottage garden and move my brushes to simply capture light in my work.

This year has been  so busy with exhibitions and deadlines to meet so I feel as though I have had a wonderful holiday escaping into a world of florals,painting from life and loving every second  of it.

I worked on several small studies and then brought them into my studio to place on my easel. A few finishing touches will be added to each tomorrow and then I will probably work on a few serious compositions of the subjects I have painted over the last few days.

My favourite sweet pea painting so far ,almost finished with a fabulous softness about it. It really does look like the flowers in my garden in strong sunlight.

It is such a great feeling leaving my studio knowing these will be waiting for me on my return tomorrow.As always, I can't wait!

Painting From Life: Sweet Pea in Watercolour

Painting From Life

And learning from it too!

Sweet Pea Flowers developing from a first wash in watercolour

I have had the most glorious of weekends. On Saturday despite the  weather which was extremely wet we went to the local horticultural show. I have heard so much about this event and as friends and neighbours were entering I eagerly arrived to see the awards for the various different categories in the show.

It was amazing.  Set in the grounds around a huge marquee were wonderful stalls selling cakes and plants etc to raise funds for a number of charities. As with all villages there are the regular people who always attend and new comers. As new arrivals to the community this was our first year at what has become a well respected highlight of the year.

I wandered around the vegetable section and was amazed at the display of carrots,beetroots,onions and broad beans to name but a few catagories.The aim is for each entrant to show three vegetables of exactly the same size, quality and shape. Looking at the many rosettes awarded it was evident that there were indeed some very serious vegetable growers in the village. Coveted prizes were sought after but somehow I don't feel I will be racing to submit my three carrots or beetroots next year. They would reach our table long before they made it to the marquee!.

However my head was turned the minute I saw the flower arrangements and displays. They were stunning. I loved them all but amongst the line up was a fabulous collection of sweet pea.Their scent filled the air and it has been impossible to think of anything else until I could capture them in watercolour.

Misty illusions in watercolour of soft gentle blooms 

And a flower from my garden.

I picked a few  flowers from my own garden and this morning as part of my warm up art exercises painted a few sprigs, just to collect and calm my thoughts from the hectic few weeks that have just passed. I looked at the sweet flowers in the small glass vase I was working from and smiled. My flowers are not all the same size, not all the same colour and definitely not show standard. But I love them. Maybe I adore them so much because they are most definitely not perfect!

When I paint them, my flowers will be varied in size, arrangement and colour.This is how I work as I enjoy searching for the unusual way to compose a painting rather than the expected.

Sweet Pea flower coming to life in a watercolour painting.

There are times in life when we do have to follow rules as in a horticultural show.

How wonderful though to work with watercolour and in a way that throws all rules out of the window. I don't have to paint blue skies, or perfect washes and obviously accepted compositions,those that are tried and true.

But how brilliant to see how others enjoy life and understand their passion. It is this emotion that keeps our hearts young and our lives so rich.

How lucky we are!

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Sunday,Sweet Sunday

Sweet Sensation

Delicate Sweet Pea flowers emerging from a first wash of Sennelier Tyrian Rose

The bouquet of Sweet Pea is still on my studio desk so several paintings of them have now emerged. I have been preparing for my watercolour workshops in Norway but each time I walked into my studio the scent from these pretty flowers distracted me. So much so I just had to capture them continually in watercolour.

Their  forms are fascinating.With ruffled skirts acting as a backdrop to a delicious central shape in the foreground they give an artist all they need in a composition. The petals seem almost transparent which makes them perfect as a watercolour subject. Colours just running merging to create individual  blossoms has been heaven while I have been so hectic with plans for 2011,this Autumns workshops, exhibitions and projects. And of course my trip to Norway.

I am aware I juggle so much and enjoy the challenges but at times when I need quiet I find solace and calm simply just by sitting surrounded by nature which soothes the busy soul and brings me to a place of peace that flows into my watercolours.  I have several friends who are facing such trauma in their lives at the moment and my heart reaches out to to them.

Because it is Sunday I am adding a lovely quote from Anne Frank in case anyone needs to  hear these words. So true.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is
     to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone
     with the heavens, nature and God.

Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and 
     that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple 
     beauty of nature.  I firmly believe that nature brings solace 
     in all troubles. 
                                                                                 - Anne Frank   

If like me you have gorgeous flowers in your garden I suggest capturing them while you can painting from life. Because Summer as a season seems so short as does the lifespan of beautiful blooms. Many of my friends know I have had the most worrying time with my elderly dog Taffy .Sitting with him in the garden  or working with  painting flowers from  my garden has brought such comfort to me at times when I have felt the  saddest.

Taffy  is still here and stable now over the worst and happily lazing in the garden as I type!

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