Congratulations Peter

One of my online friends Peter Williams has got cause to celebrate today-one of his paintings 'High And Mighty' has been shortlisted for the DSWF Wildlife Artist Of The Year 2010. The competition is open to professionals and amateurs worldwide, there are literally thousands of entries which are judged by a panel.

The shortlisted entries will be exhibited at the Mall Galleries, London 24th-29th May where they will be for sale. This is a high profile exhibition and anyone who is anyone in wildlife conservation circles will be at the preview evening, where 50% of sales go to the DSWF to help endangered species around the world.

Its come as no suprise to all us artist friends who have watched Peter grow from strength to strength over the past 4 or 5 years-he really is an amazing artist--

peter-williams-art.blogspot.com/2010/03/david-shepherd-wildlife-foundation.html

Peter also has an exhibition coming up soon -wishing him all the best for that too-


peter-williams-art.blogspot.com/2010/03/fade-to-black-exhibition.html

Bernards Send Off

We had the internment of Bills brother Bernards ashes yesterday-after a short service at Brimfield church all the family went back to his sons for a celebration of Bernards life.
We had a beautiful BBQ, lots of reminiscing and laughs about the old days.
It would have been Bernards 65th birthday yesterday.
We took along some of the Chinese floating lanterns to let off -we all wrote messages on the paper before they were let off.
The children had great fun and wrote some beautiful messages to Bernard.
The kids went into the hot tub and really enjoyed it-we had to get them out so we could let the lanterns off- a lot of the family had never seen them before and it was great fun to see them going higher and higher into the sky-
it was a late night and a long walk home as we couldn't get a taxi-but we walked off some of the delicious food that we had eaten!
Thanks Adrian and Chris for a wonderful day.

Scotland

Well we are into day 3 of our Scottish holiday and we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves so far! We stopped off at Carlise on Sunday evening after a lovely journey from Ludlow-no holdups on the way-just a break for a beautiful Sunday lunch at Beeston Castle-we are calling back there next Sunday on our return home!

We made our way up to our friends in Montrose on Monday afternoon, and after getting settled we all went out for a fantastic meal at the Cutty Sark pub.

The prawn cocktail was to die for-I have never tasted prawns like them-you really could taste the sea! The ribeye steak and trimmings, pepper sauce was gorgeous and the mango sorbet was delicious! We will be on strict diets when we get home no doubt!

Today we all went out touring round the area-Ros, Lincoln and Domenic knew just where to take us and we had a brilliant time.The weather was lovely-the sun shone all day.

First of all we went to Gourdon habour and had a look around, got some great photos for inspiration!

Then we went on to the top of The Garvock Hill where the view was just amazing-you could see the Grampions and miles around.

I have loads more photos to put on when we get back, so will do so next week.

From there we went Laurence Kirk and had some great coffee and homemade scones, from there we drove to the Fettercairn distillery and then on up to the top of Cairn o' Mount where we could see right across the Mearns to the east coast and sea.

On the way back down we went via Banchory and dropped in at Milton of Crathie , had a wander around the craft shops and gallery which was a bit of an eye opener!

From there we drove back to the coast and Stonehaven and parked at the beach where we enjoyed some freshly cooked chips!

From there we went to Dunnottar Castle---oh boy what a beautiful sight.

Set on a huge mount of rock really high up-you can see why it was only attacked twice in its history!

Again, some great photographs to come when we get back.

We made our way back , had a couple of hours on the computers sorting things out and loading pics, before getting ready and making our way back to the Cutty sark for some more delicious food.

This time I opted for the chicken stuffed with haggis with fresh veg served with a whisky sauce--I wasn't disappointed!

After trying the garlic bread last night that Ros had with her meal-we decided to have a side order of that--I dread to think how many calories are in that-it was dripping with lashings of garlic butter---wont have to breath over anyone tomorrow!

Anyway-we are off to bed now-have worked out a different route to what we had decided originaly-Ros and Lincoln have told us about the beautiful views to be had en route via The Trossoachs and Pitlochry -the colours should be wonderful at this time of year.

I think I have covered just about everything--the fresh air and good food have made me very tired-a good nights sleep is guaranteed!!

Congratulations Sharleen!!!!!

We want to congratulate my friend and student Sharleen Toller on starting up her own website gallery on www.affordablebritishart.co.uk
She is my first student to do so although I think Mandy wont be far behind her!
We met Sharleen last August at Onslow Park steam rally when we did the craft fair there,such a short time ago and look at her now!!!

Sharleen took to the technique like a duck to water and quickly started painting at home.She has already sold some of her work,Im sure the future is very bright for Sharleen!

Changes In the Garden

There are going to be some big changes to the garden.Bill has decided that its not worth trying to grow vegetables on the bottom level of the garden.Its such a lot of work and the results were quite disappointing last year.So he is going to turn it into a flower garden instead.We have been and bought a lovely weeping willow tree and loads of plants to put in, but the first major job is to make some new steps down to the level, like the ones we have from the first level to the second.The original steps are very steep and I didn't like going up and down them.So Bill is going to make some new ones.The bricks and concrete have been delivered and its just a matter of getting it done now.Its not a quick job but it will be lovely when its done.

A Palette With A Difference!!!

we called on Bills sister this morning and she happened to mention that when she and her daughter Mary-Jane called at the local garden centre the other day they spotted in the sale section a garden ornament with a painting palette on it.
As its only a minutes drive from her home we called there on our way home and to my surprise it was still there! I loved it.
It was reduced from £29 down to just £9 so it was an absolute bargain!
A beautiful painted Wellington boot with toadstools and flowers and a painting palette complete with brushes and paint brushes. There are 2 places to put plants on it.
Its too nice to put outside so for now its in our front room with a couple of house plants on it.
What a good job Maureen mentioned it!

Class Cancelled

I made the decision yesterday to cancel today's Winter Wonderland class.
The weather forecast was absolutely awful and as the people who were coming had a far distance to travel I was happier cancelling than risking them travelling.
When I spoke to them they said it was fine, they were getting nervous about the trip anyway.
This is only the second time I have done this in 4 years, but better safe than sorry.
I am re-booking them into another class in May, I have no spaces left until then.

So I am having a lazy day, catching up on the website updating-have joined another 2 sites to sell my paintings on and am going to take a look at the local art society exhibition later today.
Its blowing a gale here today and the radio have been giving out weather warnings and telling people not to travel unless its necessary, so I know I made the right desion to cancel the class.

Space in Class "Summer Day"

I have one space left for this Saturdays class "Summer Day" sat march 15th
This is one of the most popular paintings that we do in class.
I have had a cancellation due to ill health.

If you are interested in joining this class please get in touch via the www.paintingmyway.co.uk site.
This painting is suitable for everyone -even first timers.

Tenbry Ladies Guild

We had a lovely evening on Monday. I went to Tenbry to give a demonstration to Tenbry Ladies Guild.
As usual there were a lot of surprised faces when I explained that I was going to paint 2 full sized oil paintings from start to finish in under an hour!
There were lots of questions from the audience about how it was done.
Carol is pictured with the painting "Summer Day" that she chose after winning the raffle. I have as usual donated the other painting "The Falls" to the group to use for raising money for their chosen charity.

Tomorrow's Class

Im really looking forward to tomorows class.
I love working with acrylic paint and the subject in this class is completed entirely with acrylic paint.
There are several differnt sorts of acrylic paint used for this subject and its going to be great fun watching this painting develop tomorrow.
Ive got people coming from a long way away off tomorrow, Ive spoken to all of them and told them not to worry about being late for class--We understand that when travelling a distance its not always possible to get here exactly on time.
My classes are always easy on and laid back as well as being very imformative.
I dont want anyone getting speeding tickets!As long as I know you are coming the class will wait for your arrival!

Carole's Paintings

Carole has been painting by herself at home and bought along the 3 paintings shown above to show everyone in the class.She has made a beautiful job of them and Bill framed the one seaside scene for her in a matching frame.It set it off beautifully.
It has taken Carole a little while to get enough self confidence to have go at home, but she said coming to the advanced class helped her a lot.
I have only one place left now in the advanced class on April 12th and no other spaces in other classes other than the Winter Wonderland one on Easter Saturday March 22nd.

aura

Here is my latest painting "Aura"
I painted this aura after watching my friend Jan who practises Reiki ,working on another of my friends and giving her reiki healing.
I have always been able to tune in and see someones aura, but have not done anything with it until now.I feel the time is right for me to develop this and do something positive with it.While I have always been able to see auras, I havent known what the colours mean, so I am learning very quickly to 'read' the colours.

Calming and Healing, the green represents the healing power.The green glow around the 2 of them while the healing was going on was so bright and vibrant.
The yellow is the colour of inspiration and creativity, and also means easy going.
Violet is funnily enough connected with psychic power and of attunement with self.It also represents the nervous system.
The orange can be from experiencing stress.
The orange /yellow is a perfectionist.
The blue is very apt- it relates to the thyroid , also shows a caring , loving person, who loves to help others, sensitive and intuitive,
This painting will be relaxing to have in a room where you chill out,it is painted in oil onto box canvas which is 16in x 20in.

It will be ready to post in around 3 weeks time. and the cost is £140 including P+P in uk.
If you are outside UK please get in touch.

Update On Stormy Skies class

I have just one place left on this class. As you can see from this picture of a previous "Stormy Skies" class , we get fantastic results-even from first timers.

If you would like to join the class on April 19th please get in touch via the website
www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Finished Painting

I have emailed Bet, who commissioned the latest Summer Day ,the image of the finished painting and she loves it!!!!
As you can see on the close up, I have added the ladybird she requested.
Its only a rough draft of the ladybird, will have to wait for the paint to dry a bit more and add more colour and detail to it in a couple of days.
I have really enjoyed doing this painting, I think the addition of both the daisies and cornflowers as well as the normal poppies really adds to the tranquil feel.
It will be around 3 weeks before I can post it to her, so it will in time for the birthday she commissioned it for.

Todays Class

At last Ive got round to updating the latest news!

As you can see, we had some beautiful results in todays "Tropical Summer Day" Class.

I had 3 new students today-Pauline and her hubby Chris who I met what seems ages ago-and Oliver aged 11 who I had met even longer before that!

Jan who is now an old hand at the game also joined us!

Sue and her son Andrew had to cancel at the last minute.We will see them at some future classes.

Pauline and Chris were both nervous about coming today-they both admitted that they thought they would stand out like sore thumbs because they wouldn't be able to 'do it'

however they both settled down quickly when they realised that it really was as easy as I had told them.Neither of them had ever painted before, and they were delighted with their paintings at the end of the class!!

Oliver had no such nerves--children often don't-they don't have the same fear that adults get, if I say we will bash the canvas with this brush they just do that-the same with the tickling brush!!!

He wasn't scared of using the colour either-his painting was bold and bright-he even added some coconuts to his tree's at the end!! He wants to come again to do another painting, and we will be seeing him when he has his encaustic birthday party in February.

Jan was being very subtle today, her painting was very gentle and quiet.

Everyone was able to have a practise run doing the palm tree's on the canvas paper before commiting themselves to their own canvas-it was interesting to see how they all did their trees!!

Pauline and Chris have booked to do the Birch Tree Walk on the 29th March.So we will see them then!

Weight Watchers

Well Ive gone back to weight watchers after quite a break--things were getting quite busy on the run up to Christmas and I havent been there since Oct.
I was expecting to have put on much more weight than I had--just 7 1/2lb .Which when you consider all the goodies we had over Christmas is good going!
So its time to knuckle down to it again-all the temptations have gone to my friends and its back to the sensible eating once more!!!
We are having a lovely piece of salmon for tea with jacket spud and peas-havent had that for ages and Im really looking forward to it!

Slide Show Of Some Of My Work

http://www.artwanted.com/artist.cfm?ArtID=25677&Tab=SlideShow
If you click on the link you will be able to see a slide show of some of my work
I hope you enjoy seeing just how many different subjects I paint!!
Its on one of my sites called Art Wanted which is an american site-hence the prices being in $ instead of £.

Congratulations Trine.

I have to congratulate my good friend Trine who lives in Norway.
She is a fellow artist, who works in a totally different style to me. Here is a link to her site http://mtv65.blogspot.com/
She does a lot of Chinese style painting using traditional inks, paints and papers and she has really worked hard at her art. She is now selling her work all over the world and even has an e bay shop.
It would seem it has been worth it-last year she had an article written about her in a magazine-now a Norwegian newspaper has done an interview with her about her and her work! You can read all about it on her blog.
We met when she came over here last year and stayed with us for a week to paint.We had a lot of laughs and fun and we have been great friends ever since.
Well Done Sis xxxx

Mucking Fuddle 2

I have been working on the latest in the 'manic series' of abstract art today.

I am really pleased with ''Mucking Fuddled 2'' The vibrant colours really stand out from the black background.

This latest one is painted on a very deep edge box canvas, the sides have been left plain black for the contemporary feel.

Shades of blues, purples, greens, and yellows mingle and merge with each other, its hard to see where one starts and another stops.

It measures 28 in x 20 in but it could be hung vertically instead of horizontally if you prefer.

I have signed it on the side instead of the front so it can be hung as YOU prefer!!.

The price of this art work is £200 including P+P in UK. If you are outside Uk please get in touch for details.

It will be ready for posting after 15th Dec. I send all my work by special delivery, it is trackable , insured and next day delivery.

Brushes and Palette Knives

I have managed to source some very good script liner brushes to sell at the classes, they are quite difficult to get hold of in this area.I am going to replace the ones that I use in the classes too. The old ones are still in quite good nick but I will keep them for the acrylic classes.The new ones will retail for just £3-50 which is a real bargain. I have also had to replenish my stock of palette knives--they sell out as fast as I get them in -they will still retail for £4-50
I hope the postal strikes wont hold up their delivery too much!