Time to Experiment

I used to work with the figure a lot, in fact painting from life was my passion long before plein air, Gardens, Landscape or Interiors took hold.  As I now have time to experiment I am working on a series of "selfies." Self Portraits, its a way of taking yourself seriously, at least that's how it feels. A kind of honest examination of not only what you look like but a trawl through your emotional response to your world...its illuminating!

I wont post up anything until it is finished but here are a few details of some beginnings.

I love the drawing part of oil painting, actually I love all of it but the beginnings of a painting are always exciting.

There are rather a lot of exciting projects on the horizon which, when I can tell, I will.

Until then...watch this space!

The Kitchen Chair

Oil on linen, 80 cm x 60 cm (or 31.50 inches x 23.62 inches)
Just taken this painting, along with a few others to the framers, I always love the moment when I see them framed, its the final finishing flourish.
This painting is my kitchen chair, its my chair, where I always sit, in my kitchen.  It is surrounded by love!  Photographs of my family throughout their lives, are speckled all over the walls, so that I can see them every day.  My favorite mug and bowl (Mary Rose Young) are on the table along with a little metal jug that is simple but very pleasing. There is usually a large jar of flowers, tulips here but often just a wild bunch.  Plus an open cookery book, I don't do much cooking but I love good food and am lucky enough to have my own live in chef, so I like to request delights for the table! So it has become a kind of self portrait, with out the self!

Sunshine over Treath

Another big painting 120 cm x 150 cm, oil on canvas.  "Sunshine over Treath"
Treath is a little tiny collection of houses with a small grassy quay on the Helford.  This is the early afternoon of a hot day, the sort of day when the heat shimmers in the air and the water is glassy, sparkling and limpid. When you look into the sun and then can see everything etched on your closed eyelids like a strange negative. This is the view that I have spent many hours painting in all weathers, looking down the river which flows out to the sea.
This painting and the previous large one are now at the framers, being beautified before they make their way up to London with Beside The Wave to their new space in Primrose Hill.

Getting Organised

So here we go, picking up where I left off with a great big dollop of renewed enthusiasm and a big bank of knowledge. One of the first things that I am doing is installing ArtLook, having taken it on at the gallery as the best data base system that I have ever used I am very excited to now be able to use ArtLook for Artists.  I know already that it will be an invaluable tool for keeping track of what I am doing This is ArtLook  I am so impressed with it and am really enjoying cataloging my work.  It is an exciting time of big new developments.  I am not the only one moving forward, Beside The Wave are about to open in London in glorious Primrose Hill...very soon.

Lots of doors are opening, this one isn't finished yet, its on the easel, but I like an illustration!

Back to my Roots

Early Morning Sky, Bar Beach, Helford.
120 cm x 150 cm oil on canvas

After a very happy and successful time working as manager at Beside The Wave Gallery in Falmouth, I have decided that it is now time to get back to my roots.  I am packing my posh clothes away, finding my walking boots and painting jeans ( and painting genes) slinging my easel on my back and stomping off into the distance, with a spring in my step and a glint in my eye. Spring is in the air, Cornwall is looking beautiful and this brand new painting is going to be making its way up to Primrose Hill in the very near future. More about that exciting prospect very soon.
So, basically...I am back, doing what I love best!