Snowmans Winter Wonderland

Way back in the summer I met a lovely chap called Trevor and his son Mark when on Ludlow market..we got chatting and Trevor asked if I could do a commission for him.     He explained that he collected Royal Doulton snowmen and every Christmas he set up a nativity scene with them and wanted a backdrop to put behind them...so I got out my oil paints and a 36in x 14in canvas and got cracking!      Trevor wanted Cotswold stone walls, a 5 bar gate, hills and a distant village, all in shades of blue ,black and white. I was pleased with the result and when Mark bought his Dad to collect it -he loved it but I couldn't quite imagine it in situ with the snowmen!    How chuffed was I tonight to open an email from Mark with the photo of it in situ with the snowmen...Trevor had promised me he would let me see what it looked like...I love it! Thank you both so much for letting me see it---Happy New Year to you both, and I will look forward to seeing you both on the market again in the spring when we are back!

Last Market Of 2009

We woke up to a cold damp morning today--I had decided that this was to be the last market we would do this year.
Its so cold to be stood around in the winter on Castle Square--no good for Bill or me!
The damp wont do the paintings any favours either--we had to put a plastic sheet up between the stalls today so I could have the card stand out as it kept drizzling with rain.

I intend going back up there and running the stall again in the spring when the weather is starting to get warmer!
We will miss the company of our fellow stallholders/friends -many of whom will be suffering the cold weather on the market right through the winter months-though Im sure we will be calling by and having a chat with them now and again.

It was a lovely feeling to get back home tonight, unload the car, pack away the paintings and know that we wont have to get them out again for a whole month!

I have 11 already booked into the first class of 2010 "Stormy Skies" on the 16th Jan and wont need the paintings out until then.
I have got lots to do between now and then--new painting subjects for classes to design and experiment with--dates to sort out for future classes-have only done til April so far!

Cant believe Christmas is so near-we still have loads of Christmas cakes to marzipan and ice, carpets to shampoo and a Christmas tree to put up-never been so late doing that--all being well will do that tomorrow and then get Lins poppy painting finished at last!

Todays Class--Topical Sunset

Well I had 2 last minute cancellations-one from poor Rhada who has had a really bad migraine since last night and one from a new student Val who had problems with a relative who was ill.
However the four students who did attend the Tropical Sunset class all achieved great results.
Lin was convinced she wouldn't be able to take anything any good home-when she finished her painting she announced that she would be hanging her painting in pride of place in her front room-she has visitors coming for lunch tomorrow!
Lin has also booked in for the Stormy Skies and Grasses painting classes next year.
Bev is coming for a one to one to paint a large brown birch trees on 1st Dec and also the Mystical Moon on Dec 5th.Ive nearly completed the commision of Thailand for her,just got a few bits to add when the paintings dry.

Lin and Daves Commission

I'm working on a lovely new commission for Dave and Lin.
Its quite a large canvas that is going to be the focal point in the room above the mantelpiece.They both loved my Poppy paintings with the textured melted wax centres, but felt the bright red wouldn't fit in so opted for the more muted softer shades of beige,cream, chocolate brown and a warm chestnut brown.
The painting will consist of many,many layers of paint-each one slightly thinner than the previous ones so the colour underneath will show through.It will change in appearance many times before it is finally finished.
I will finish it off with melted wax in browns and golds.
Lin has seen the painting so far s Ive emailed the photos to her and she loves it--poor Dave is still in hospital after his major op and fingers crossed- still doing well--I can imagine him playing the nurses up bless him!
Will be in touch with Lin after Ive finished doing this.
Ive added some special paste to add texture to the painting which will be painted over-this gives the illusion of the texture of the poppy's petals.
Ive not had chance to do any more to it since Tuesday-but will be catching up on Sunday.
We were on the market on Wednesday-new stalls leave a lot to be desired--we had to leave early as we had another function to attend in the evening in Stourbridge-it went well but we didn't get home until 11.30pm !So it was a long long day!
I was completely knackered on Thursday and have suffered with a stiff neck and shoulder since--its feeling better now thanks to some strong painkillers. .

Bigger Classes

As classes are getting more and more popular I have had to come to a decision about how many students I can take in classes.
Some classes are more intensive than others such as the ''Summer Day'' one where students have to master the palette knife-that can take some time and it wouldn't be fair to everyone if I didn't have time to spend with individual students -so in that class I will only have 9 while in something like the ''Yesterday'' which is coming up in Dec I can take 14 as its more straight forward-although it is big painting! I already have 13 booked in for Yesterday so Ive had to order 3 new easels to make sure Ive enough, while I was at it another 40 canvas were ordered from another supplier--both ordered yesterday afternoon and both orders were here first thing this morning!
Now we just have to find a space for all the canvas's!
I'm trying to track down a special size one at the moment or a commission Ive got--its proving a little difficult-got another couple of websites to try-will have a look while I'm on the market tomorrow.

Lin and Dave want an acrylic and melted wax poppy in quite neutral shades of beige's,creams , yellow and gold to go over their fireplace-cant wait to get started on it --when I can find a canvas to match their requirements!

Under The Sun

Under The Sun
I have used acrylic paint to create this picture.Looking up through the tree tops with the sunshine coming through the branches. I have used a special metallic paint to capture the shiny light in this painting which does not show up that well in the photos. The sides have all been painted and are staple free. The picture has been varnished to protect it.It measures 24in x 24in.

£205.00 which includes P+P in UK
please get in touch if you are outside the uk
THIS SERIES OF PAINTINGS HAVE BEEN LOGGED WITH
www.protectmywork.com

SOLD

Sunshiney Day and Fantasia will be going to their new home on Monday.
Claire from Norfolk had emailed me late on Tuesday asking if she could purchase them.
We had already loaded Sunshiney Day into the car for its first outing on the market so decided to leave it and show it anyway!
It had lots of admiration from people all day, Im working on a new version of this tomorrow.
''Fantasia'' was in the Alltogther Unique Gallery in town so we popped into fetch that this afternoon.
Claire is happy to get the painting re-glazed when it arrives.
Its a very large framed painting and glass isnt insured in the post so I take the glass out and post the paintings without it-much safer and less weight too.
They will be delivered to her on Tuesday at her convinience--along with a few little extras I will include as a surprise for her!

Puppy Sitting For Teddy!

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I had a busy day yesterday puppy sitting for my friends Jan and John.
Little Ted is only 4 months old, and he a bundle of energy. I thought I had puppy proofed the house but soon realised that I hadn't-he found all sorts of things to play with!
I ended up putting an old tray out of the parrot cage across the kitchen doorway to keep him confined to the kitchen/garage and patio areas!

He had 2 good walks in the morning and afternoon, had a little nap and he was back to exploring the patio and lugging all sorts back into his basket-he seems particularly partial to plastic flower pots!

He had a great time with my nephew Charlie, playing and chasing around. Poor Charlie nearly got licked to death!

Teddy did have a couple of little accidents - he went to the front door and asked to go out for a wee, but as I didn't have his lead on , by the time I fetched it -too late! He also had a little wee when my daughter Becki called-the excitement was too much for him -good job hes only little and does little wee's!
Hes a lovely little chap though,just look at that little face as hes in his basket trying to keep awake in case he misses something!
He didnt miss him mum and dad til 10 minutes before they arrived, by then he was completly knackered, he would have slept well all night!

New Grandaughter

Our 3rd grandchild -a little girl arrived this morning at 6.30am.Her name is Lucie Marie and she weighed in at 7 lb 12 1/2 oz.
No photos as yet, will put them on when we get them.

Ive got a bad chest infection at the moment, so off to Docs in the morning for antibiotics.

Bathroom

After living with the terracotta colour in the bathroom for more years than I care to remember-its going to be painted white like the rest of the house!It will take a lot of coats to cover it though!
The cupboard in there was painted in this crazy green and terracotta bark pattern at the same time--must have been the artist coming out in me even then-it was before I ever started painting on canvas! Anyway I have some new plans for the bathroom too--watch this space!

Michael Jordan

One of my students who came over from Germany for a class a while back has been in touch with me for a chat, he has been busy painting since we met last time and Im soooo impressed with his work.He works in watercolour a lot, and his work is stunning. He has a big range of styles-landscapes, floral and cartoons.
Im looking forward to seeing his gallery on Affordable British Art website soon!
Take a look for yourself at www.michaeljordanart.blogspot.com

First Commission of 2009

Ive just finished going through the details of my latest commission with Angela who wants me to paint a mixture of Fire In The Sky and Heat, in oil on a large canvas.
I'm hoping I have got a canvas in the store so I can get cracking tomorrow.
I love working on commissions-its so exciting to interpret exactly what someone wants in paint onto canvas.
I shall be sending Angela regular emails showing how the painting is coming along, she will have as much input as she wants in the finished painting although she has told me to use my artistic licence as much as I want, so Im really looking forward to it!
Will keep you all posted of it on here too!

Class of Feb 7th--Birch Trees

The return of a very popular class subject. Painted using acrylic paint-you will have the chance to paint this in either monochrome or sepia tones.
always very successful with wonderful results that astounds everyone who is shown the finished article!

This class gets booked up very quickly so dont delay booking!

This painting is suitable for all ages and abilities
If you are interested in joining this class please get in touch with me via the website www.paintingmywy.co.uk

or give me a ring on 01584 872013 if you have any questions about this class

New Date for Oriental Dawn--Dec 6th

I have set a new date for this class .Saturday 6th December.

This class is suitable for all abilities from first time to more experienced students.

If you would like to join this class please get in touch via my website www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Tropical Sunset Class Aug 30th

We had a lovely class today, 4 students-- Oliver, Jack , Pauline and Chris had been to me before but Beverly and Doreen were first timers.

Doreen and Beverly had been going to watercolour classes and fancied a change of medium!

The class went very well with some really vibrant skies emerging from the brushes.

Olivers in particular was very bright to start with, but after some careful tickling with the tickling brush it mellowed down nicely.

The palm trees caused a few laugh among us all--we had all sorts-helicopter rotors and wind turbines to name a few, but as I told the students , real palm trees do come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

I must cut out some pictures of some to take to class to show them!

Everyone was really happy with the end results--Beverly and Doreen have booked for another 2 classes -The Birch Trees and the Poppy Fields and Pauline and Chris have booked for the Poppy Fields so they will be meeting up again soon.

Thats what I love about the classes, everyone makes firm friendships with the other students and its a social event as much as a painting class.

For once we finished early in class and its lovely to relax with a glass of Tia Maria and Baily's on ice while doing some updating!

Back to the grindstone tomorrow -after the bootsale.

It will be my first Sunday off for what seems like ages-but have got to get cracking on the commissions in the afternoon!

date for "Birch Trees" Sat Nov 1st

Again back by popular demand--"Birch Trees" can be done in the usual monochrome or the latest sepia variation.

In the last class just one did the black and white version and the rest did the sepia--made a refreshing change! You will always get amazing results with this one.

Even if you have never held a brush in your hand before you will take home a painting that one-one will belive you have painted!

Suitable for all abilities-even first time students!

Please get in touch with me via my website to book for this workshop-places go very quickly

www.paintingmyway.co.uk

New Commission

Its funny how things come about--I have had a lady contact me for a commission after she saw my posting on a campsite forum!

She emailed me and we have now spoken on the phone about what she wants.

Its being left up to me in the main but she wants it to be an abstract based on natural things like plants.

Her dining room is in neutural colours so I can go to town with the colours I use.

I think I have plenty of inspiration here to go on!

We have just planted out some plants we bought at the boot sale last sunday---had some real bargains-- a tray of succulents for £3, and some other trailing ones chucked in for nothing

We had bought some more in pots the week before and I have been out with the camera on macro mode taking photos to inspire me for this commission.