I have been working hard painting, two exhibitions coming up. One locally near Leominster, and one at Art at Goring, a lovely gallery and Sarah the owner loves my work, as do her clients. So although I have not been that well, it has meant I have spent a lot of time in the Studio and not skiving off for enjoyment elsewhere.
Just off for a few days to Centre Parcs! Going with Husband,Son, Daughter in Law and sweet Grandson. Looking forward to it. Hiring bikes, swimming etc. I will take my sketch book and camera, for future inspiration.
I have been working hard painting, two exhibitions coming up. One locally near Leominster, and one at Art at Goring, a lovely gallery and Sarah the owner loves my work, as do her clients. So although I have not been that well, it has meant I have spent a lot of time in the Studio and not skiving off for enjoyment elsewhere.
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Feeling masses better and so joined my dancing friends at our Thursday mornings Dancefit Class in nearby Orleton. It was wonderful to be Rock and Rolling, Cha-cha-cha-ing and lots more for an hour. It felt wonderful to be dancing to great music.
Delivered some artwork to Art @ Goring and have been asked to take part in an exhibition in June. The Gallery owner, Sarah, wants about 20 paintings, so I am working hard in my studio. The difficulty with oil paint is the length of time needed for the paint to become touch dry. Still I will get there in the end. Lots of ideas. Painting is good for my senses, the smell, the look, the colour, the actual substance makes my mouth water. Now time for a cup of tea. Well, the last year was 'nothing but a trouble'. Himself Indoors, was diagnosed with bowel cancer, a successful operation was followed with 6 months chemo. Our car knew the way to Hereford Hospital and we found the cheapest car park that didn't involve taking out a new mortgage by way of payment. At the end of October he was given the all clear. A couple of months freedom from the hospital, hooray, but then I started feeling a bit grotty, it would appear that I had bladder cancer. Fast tracked this year and I have had the small op, same hospital, cancer has gone and I feel now great. It has been all worrying and my mind has been rubbish. Luckily I have wonderful family and amazing friends who have all nurtured me back to sanity and health. In between dashing to hospital I have been able to lose myself in my painting. I have been quite productive and have really enjoyed messing about in my studio. There is nothing quite like the smell of oil paint.
To give me inspiration I will go shortly to The National Portrait Gallery, London, to see the John Singer Sargent exhibition. I am already salivating with anticipation. This is my Messy Desk. When I am working I have no time to keep it tidy, in fact I love the mix of oil bars, paint, brushes and palette knives. I do need to scrape off the palette at the end of each session otherwise there is too much paint hardening and the next session leaves bits of hardening paint along with the new paint. There is a vague method on the palette, the colours as you see them are always roughly in that order, then I know where to place my knife or brush. Every so often I give the knives a thorough wash, otherwise when I use them they leave shapes of dried paint on the new paint, which is not what I want.
It may seem a muddle, but it works for me. I felt the centre of the sunflowers needed a bit more definition and so added extra paint with a large palette knife. Some blue flowers in among the flowers has lightened the feeling. I shall now bring the painting from the studio and hang it where I can see it casually when passing during the day. I feel fairly happy but need to see it somewhere other than the studio. There is lots of paint on the canvas, hooray. More paint and some definition. Have started putting oil paint on the canvas, to build up the layers. It looks rather greeny/turquoise but will shine through when the thicker layers go on as the work progresses. I have just read that Georg Baselitz finishes a painting considerably larger than mine in a morning. I must try harder! I have only just started on new paintings. My husband has been ill and spent time in hospital, so my life has been very untidy. It is great to get back into the studio. I have been asked to paint sunflowers, so I have started on a canvas 40" x 30" , so quite large. I have begun in water based paint to get a quick shape down. Needless to say yellows and rusty brown. I am well under way and will post the next stages. |
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March 2020
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