A Need to get Dusty

I had a great urge to get my soft pastels out and have a play with them this morning seeing as I have neglected them for over a year or so. As I spent last week walking around galleries, gardens and park I decided to take them outside and play plus it’s too hot in my studio to do much work in there. In doing so I have found a renewed respect for the artist who go out and paint wildlife as I found that the beggars just will not stay still long enough so I can take my time and do then justice haha.

So this is a soft pastel of a duck swimming done very quickly I got the shape down fast and just looked and guested the rest but I still think if they just stayed still long it would make life and painting a lot easier haha.

"Afloat"

Soft Pastels on burgundy Fabriano pastel paper (9"x 11")

Feb 2012

In the shadow of the mountain

I’m really looking forward to the first art group of the New Year, to meet up with artist friends at a friend’s studio. Her studio is right under a mountain range and puts on a different mood each day, it’s a great day working, talking, sharing ideas plus we have a marvellous pot luck lunch. The only down side of the day is when we have to pack up and drive home, but we came start to looking forward to the next time haha.

Woodcut (Recycle block)

Safewash ink on 220gm Print paper

Ed of 5

Now that Over with

Ok now that Christmas Day and Boxing Day are over with for another year or at lease 364 day I can start kicking all the stuff out of my studio which was hidden in there for Christmas day and I can start thinking about project to do in the New Year.

Woodcut (Recycle block)

Safewash ink on 220gm Print paper

Ed of 5

That Time of Year

Well it’s that time of year again were I can not move in my studio, as in the process of getting ready for the family Christmas dinner every thing that we do not like the look of, need to hide or need just to put some were for the day has ended up in my studio.

So there is no bench space to work on and no floor space to move, but it is a small price to pay to have a great meal and a fun time with family and friends plus the good thing is the day after I can start moving it all out again and have my studio to myself again.  

Woodcut (Recycle block)

Safewash ink on 220gm Print paper

Ed of  5

That time of year again

Will its December again and the silly season is on us again and people are starting to shift into high gear getting ready for Christmas and the summer holidays.

Everything in the garden are growing and going mad including lawns and weeds so there plenty work there to do.

I have had two Members Art Exhibition openings on the 1^st December at two local community art centres.

I did get the last colour done my xmas prints finished, I had so much fun playing will them that I have decided to carry on and play with the recycled wood block printing into the new year

“I R not Turkey”

Woodcut (Recycle block)

Safewash ink on 220gm Print paper

Ed of 18

Dusting off the pastels

Well its a new month and as i have not use my soft pastels this year (haha) I thought I would Dust them off and give them ago. They say that repetition is habit forming so Im going to try and use them as much as possible this month, well the practice will be good for me anyway.

" I Wonder"

soft pastels on a Peach Mi-Teintes wrong side ( 8”x10”)

Feb 2010

Creaping Ink

Had a play with dry point printmaking

Dry point oil base ink

220g printmaker paper

Santapaw's Helper

Well that’s Christmas over with for another year it has been a good one, what with having to cook a full Christmas dinner for 15 people and 3 dogs. All sitting in the back garden in the sun eating to much and drinking to much a good time was had by all Ho Ho Ho.

I did Santapaw’s helper on Christmas eve.

"Santapaw's Helper"

Acrylics on canvas (20"x 24")
December 2009

Now its time to look to 2010

Ugly Duckling Not

Thursday again goody time to play with the pastel again, I tried a different pastel paper too I think I will have to practice with it some more the pastel goes on it quite differently, so I will try it some more times before I make a decision one way or the other.

Soft Pastels on light blue grey Fabriano pastel paper (8"x 10")

Dog's Life

This is an acrylic painting i just finished it is of a golden Lab called Hannah it's from a photo ref for D/S

"Hannah the Lab"

Acrylics on canvas (16"x 20")

March 2009