Snowdrop Snow

Facing Winter

What a wonderfulseason this is with so much excitement surrounding us. I am one of those annoying people who adores Christmas. The months leading up to it mean fabulous Christmas shows in galleries and meeting up with friends old and new to celebrate this very special time of year.

I enjoy looking forward to opening the stored Christmas decorations. As I hold each one  it always without fail reminds me of special memories over the years. I can look back and smile at the many times certain ornaments have adorned our trees. I  think about my life journey while I do and where I was when  many were bought or given to me. I have a tradtition of giving  Christmas tree ornaments to friends so that when they hang these on their trees each year they will think of me. I have already bought this years gifts for wonderful friends who have come to mean the world to me over time. In fact I couldn't imagine my life without them in it.

And just like dear friends some painting subjects come to life at this time of year. Painting them brings a feeling of magic that just doesn't seem to hang around in any other season. So I am painting with blues and frosty white snow effects. Robins have been on my easel more than once this week and gorgeous clusters of snowdrops.

I am working on a new horse racing collection which won't be on show until 2012 and the fast sense of movement in each is really making me think of all I have to do to makethis season brilliant for everyone around me.

Whatever you are creating I hope you are having a fabulous time doing so,and I hope your sesason is fantastic as well!

November Watercolour Challenge: Derwent Watercolour Pencils

 Leisure Painter and The Artist Magazine

 Rabbit  created using Derwent Watercolour pencils on top of my usual watercolour techniques

November Watercolour Challenge and Prize

I haven't shared a watercolour challenge for November as I have been really busy working on Christmas Exhibitions and  looking forward to reading the first final proof of my completed book which has been a full project for me this year.

For those who are missing submitting paintings I have a wonderful opportunity for followers of my blog to participate in an online challenge with the Leisure Painter and The Artist Magazine who are running a feature of mine with a fabulous prize of over £100 worth of Derwent Watercolour pencils for the winner.

I have been working with   various ways of creating texture for a variety of subjects over the last few months and loved creating fur over my usual watercolour results by adding final touches  with watercolour pencil.

For full details of the competition please follow this link and forward your own original art  and ideas to win this fabulous prize. I will be selecting the winning painting and look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Good Luck as this  is a really great way to stretch your creative imagination!

http://www.painters-online.co.uk/categories/newsitem.asp?item=536

Stockbridge Dogs in Art Gallery, Hampshire

If you are  near Stockbridge in Hampshire it really is well worth  visiting the Dogs in Art Gallery in Stockbridge. The art on display is  out of this world for  dog lovers  of all breeds.

My Cards are also on sale at the gallery including my Christmas Bearded Collie in his Santa Hat.

This is a beautiful gallery in a gorgeous location and a perfect place to find that slightly more unusual Christmas Gift!

The Wey Gallery: Christmas Collection 2011 Opens Today

With Celebrity Angela Rippon at the Lady Taverners Charity Event during the

SWA 150th Annual Exhibition 2011

Today is the opening of the Christmas event at the Wey Gallery in Godalming. I am delighted to have an exciting watercolour collection in the show including new horse racing scenes. This has been such a wonderful year for me in many ways and I am delighted to have on show favourite large pieces and watercolours that have been a thrill to create.

If you would like to view the paintings or see this outstanding gallery you can find more details on their web site.

http://www.theweygallery.com/artists

Fabulous Opening; The Frame Gallery

Last night I arrived at The Frame Gallery to find it absolutely crowded and full of festive  cheer. It was wonderful to meet up with my friend and fellow SWA member Soraya French who also has a collection of work in the exhibition. There were so many people it was almost impossible to enjoy the art on display but that didn't deter sales by any means. It will be easier to view the paintings next week when the gallery may be a little quieter although at this time of year that isn't always the case! Especially at The Frame.

It was a terrific occasion and so great to meet up with old friends and new .

Dreaming of a White Christmas?

Christmas seems to have spilled over into my art as everything I paint gets the snow treatment!

Swans dusted with sprinkles of snowflakes,robins sat on icy branches and snowdrops galore. All my paintings at the moment have beautiful hues of blue and textural effects that are really enjoyable to work with.

I really am finding less and less time for my blog but when I do have a minute it seems like heaven to share here!

Two deliveries of collections to gorgeous galleries for their Christmas Shows took place during the week with the first opening tomorrow night.

It is certainly a magical time of year!

Christmas At The Frame Gallery: Invitation

"Elegance"

WIP, Work in Progress.

The finished painting  is part of the Christmas Show at the Frame Gallery

My new series of swan paintings will be on view for the first time at THE FRAME GALLERY in Odiham, Hampshire very soon. I delivered my Christmas collection of beautiful white swans and a snowy series of snowdrop paintings yesterday as they will be part of their fabulous seasonal event.

Other artists in the show include fellow SWA member Soraya French and fantastic wildlife artist Pip McGarry.

As this is a running exhibition any paintings sold will be taken on the day of their sale so if you would like to see the whole collection it would be wise to visit the gallery as soon as possible.

Friends and colleagues of mine will recognise the beautiful model for my paintings as it is the incredible swan who has adopted our garden as his home for the last few years.  " Sydney" has become a regular part of our lives and often surrpised one or two visitors with his  antics. He even disrupted a meeting with my publisher for my new book when he decided he would like to join our lunch party. He demands feeding by running  his beak noisily along our  french windows and raps on the glass impatiently for food. Many a time I have knelt gardening thinking my dog was sat at my side only to look up and find Sydney there instead calmly watching and sat quietly alongside me.

When he first appeared I was nervous of him.  His size out of water is rather impressive. I also feared him being too near my dog Bailey, a bearded collie. But the two have a very wierd relationship. At times they ignore each other, at times Bailey plays a harmless game of  herding Sydney into the water which the  swan seems to enjoy because seconds later he will be on the lawn again almost daring bailey to do it again.  I have watched while they both sit enjoying sunshine as if it is nothing new for a dog and swan to be companions.

Sydney was even my chosen subject for a challenge I set in a recent workshop.

In many ways he has added to the magic in my life.S o it only seems fair he should add to the magic of Christmas in a gallery show.

I will be at THE FRAME GALLERY this Saturday to celebrate the seasonal event which will open at around 5.30 pm.

Everyone is welcome .

I have heard there will be carol singing  in the village as several shops  are opening  for the occasion. The evening looks to be a wonderful way to enter this  very special time of year. I have loved painting Sydney so much that I think swans will fast become my new favourite subject.

 In fact they may have already done so!

 " Sydney"

Sneaking the duck food!

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