Monday 15 December 2014

Stand by your work


"Backhand on the Gallop"
Original Acrylic on Canvas
©Kaye Parmenter 2015


At an event this autumn, upon setting up my exhibition area, my painting above prompted an early visitor to enquire about a commission.  A great start to the day.   

An artist's life can be a solitary existence and sometimes it is easy to hide within the confines of the studio.  But, here's the thing.  Despite the wonderful advantages of social media and the internet, there is still a huge potential audience who don't see your work online.

Although your most productive time has to be in the studio, I firmly believe that you need to allocate some time to "get out there".

So....at an event or show, here are some tips I have gathered along the way:

  • When your work is on display anywhere, try to be in close range of your art
  • Listen and pick up on comments about your work
  • All comments are valuable
  • Always have literature to hand out to prospective clients
  • Small notecards and business cards are good
  • Don't be afraid to ask for email addresses, explain about your mailing list and newsletters
So, in 2015, if you feel the need to plan, allocate some time to show your art to the offline world!

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk







Saturday 13 December 2014

Simply Watercolour


Minimal detail in portraying a subject in watercolour

I have seen many artists paint roses in watercolour absolutely beautifully but, if you've ever tried,  it is not as easy as it looks! 

So, in this post, I'd love to help with just a few suggestions:
  • Sometimes it can help when painting a complex subject to break it down into very simple shapes.
  • With my rosebud, the most obvious step to simplify the subject is to choose a bud rather than a "blooming" flower :-)!  There are fewer overlapping petals, so it is less complex.
  • By squinting at your photograph or flower, study where the darkest and lightest tones are.
  • The darkest tone should be in the very centre of the flower bud and also where the sepals join the base of the flower which may be in shadow.  The lightest tone should be on the petal tips.
  • Paint a pale(ish) wash to represent the total shape of the whole rosebud, leaves and stalk.  You can either paint wet-in-wet or wet-on-dry.
  • As the wash is drying, begin to add more concentrated paint to the darker areas.
  • Leave to dry
  • Add a few darker tones with a concentrated wash to the very darkest parts of the flower and leaves.
Remember that simplicity is the key - try not to fiddle too much with detail.









Sunday 26 October 2014

Painting Poppies - new online watercolour tuition


Poppy Trailer from Kaye Parmenter on Vimeo.

I am excited to release my new online tuition - Five Fabulous Poppies in watercolour.  The full details are available on www.kayeparmenter.co.uk/five-fabulous-poppies 

Join in for some tips, hints, techniques and fun with watercolour!

Friday 24 October 2014

The Household Cavalry


"Winter March"
Original Watercolour 56cm x 37cm
©Kaye Parmenter 2014


"Plumes"
Original Watercolour 56cm x 37cm
©Kaye Parmenter 2014

My paintings "Winter March" and "Plumes" sold at auction for total £3077 last week - sparking the great rivalry at auction between the two regiments, Blues and Royals and Lifeguards! Four of my images will now appear on the Household Cavalry Foundation Christmas Cards this year.

Full blog post at:




Saturday 4 October 2014

Foxy Red

Watercolour painting of Fox Red Labrador
Using red to paint this gorgeous fox red labrador in watercolour

Original Watercolour
56cm x 37cm
©Kaye Parmenter 2014

I took a photograph of this Fox Red Labrador on a shoot last year.  His owner mentioned to me that they have to be careful on shoots as, from a distance, he looks like a fox.  I can imagine.  The gorgeous red fur seems unusual to me, and it was the first time that I’d seen this breed.
I wanted to paint this lovely dog for my exhibition at the King John Inn, however I hesitated after picking up my brush – how could I paint with red to create this gorgeous colour?
My decision for palette lied with the siennas, Raw and Burnt, yellow ochre with the addition of “Light Red” for the darker sections.  This was a brave selection as light red is an opaque watercolour and seems quite “sluggish” to me on the paper.  I usually use this pigment for skies as, when mixed with Ultramarine Blue, makes the most fabulous grey.
So really, my red effect has come from Burnt Sienna and Light Red.
It would have been tempting to add a darker background, maybe a complimentary green, but there is something I really like about seeing the “red” emerge from a soft background.
This handsome chap was a pleasure to paint!


Friday 3 October 2014

An unusual perspective


Original Watercolour
15cm x 30cm
"Clocked"

There are some obvious things in this painting that make it appealing and there are some less obvious points that help to make the painting work.    It's such a great thing to consider everything when painting as you have such power with the ability to use artistic licence.
  • Composition.  Head tilted upwards.  Lots of white paper above the head with two watercolour "drips" (painted upside down) which should lead your eye to the eyes.
  • Tone - dark tone placed behind the right side of the face gives the impression of strong light falling on the up-turned face.
  • Colours are quite muted and greyish which helps to make the more colourful green eyes and pink nose stand out.
  • Less obvious.......can you see the dark left side to the ear.  This dark tone is painted alongside paper which was deliberately left white.   This has the effect of clearly defining the shape of the kittens head and ear.
  • The shadow under the chin contains  raw sienna which "warms up" and unifies the painting.
The photograph from which I painted the kitten was a quick snap taken by my son on his mobile phone, a brief moment captured when the kitten turned her head.

What followed afterwards with the creation of the painting, was a process of translation of key points onto the paper.  Sometimes you simply have to ask yourself why you like a photograph and how can you translate the key features in a simple yet effective way.

For more details on my online tuition, please click here 

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Such an honour

Merlin Helicopter watercolour sketch

Such an honour to have been invited to attend the ceremonial Disbandment Ceremony of 78 Squadron Royal Air Force and Standing Up Ceremony of 846 Naval Air Squadron – a future with Merlin.
My first sight of the Merlin were a number of helicopters lined up by the runway at RAF Benson, with the ubiquitous Sea King in the background.
A large presence of both Royal Navy and Royal Air Force service personnel welcomed the arrived of HRH Duke of York and Prince Michael of Kent.  All speeches were moving and explained well the transition of the aircraft between squadrons.
I have a huge database of images from the day and I wish to produce a piece of artwork which expresses the feelings of the day.  It is clear that there is a huge emotional connection from the crew/maintainers  to the aircraft which has served them in many combat zones across the world .  It was quite a moment to see a formation flypast of 7 helicopters.
I am looking forward to starting the painting but, for now, the thought process behind the painting is going to take a little time.  I will keep you all posted!

Sunday 21 September 2014

A special birthday


"Thelma"
©Kaye Parmenter for Monkeyworld

Thelma is an infant primate at Monkeyworld in Dorset.  She is adored by the very many who have followed her story from birth.  I feel privileged to have been asked to paint her.

This is a special week for Thelma as it is her first birthday.  Here is her story so far relayed to me by Monkeyworld:

"Thelma was born against the odds to a mum who had no experience in caring for a baby.  Cherri, the mum,  had experienced two previous accidental pregnancies.  Monkeyworld had to hand rear both babies as she abandoned them and made it clear that she didn’t want either of them.

When Cherri’s birth control failed again, we were horrified and prepared ourselves to be hang rearing again.  The day came and a tuft of white fluff was spotted one morning, Cherri was holding on to the baby and we watched and waited.  It was an incredibly tense time, lots of very young and immature male chimps in the group reacting to something new and strange to them.  It was terrifying but we made a decision that we would not interfere, we would give Cherri the chance to have another go.

Just as things seemed to calm down within the group, someone gasped, Cherri changed position and we noticed not one, but two babies.   Twin births in chimpanzees are incredibly rare.   In fact, I only know of two sets of surviving twins in the world.   It was at this point that we all acknowledged the truth, Cherri had failed to look after two previous infants and, in light of her history, the odds were stacked against her.  As it was highly unlikely that she would bring up one baby, the chances that she would rear two babies was just unthinkable.

We named them Thelma and Louise, our birth control outlaws.   We monitored them closely, it was quite a stressful time, but it was going ok.  A few days later we lost Louise, this was awful but meant that Cherri may have a chance to nuture Thelma.   Days turned into months and now Thelma is about to turn one, Cherri has been the most amazing mum, the whole group dote on Thelma and she has had a calming effect on what was a very volatile group, she really is a miracle."

The painting will soon be delivered to Monkeyworld to celebrate Thelma's first birthday and hopefully raise valuable funds for the Jim Cronin memorial fund.  You can follow news and photos of primates at Monkeyworld on their Facebook page:




Tuesday 2 September 2014

Online Tuition


Golden Labrador Trailer from Kaye Parmenter on Vimeo.


Following the release of my new online watecolour tuition, I am thrilled to receive my first review:
“So good to be reminded to ‘cut loose’ with the water, reminding me what sets this medium apart from others. One thing I loved about this demo is your use of colors which lift with ease. I tried not to ‘fix’ the things which weren’t quite as planned (the too-yellow ear, the overly-strong blue shadow under the collar), hoping I could retain some freshness. This was one of those paintings that moved from love to hate and back to love. I’m glad I stuck with it. Your use of titanium white at the end to recapture a few lights was great as well; also the little tiny dark spot at the top of the tongue really added a feeling of ‘light’. Love, love, love working along with you!”
For more details, please visit my website



Monday 25 August 2014

Making your mark

Maisy, original watercolour, private commission.
Making your mark with art

I have chosen to display Maisy with this blog post.  This is one of my favourite pet portraits from last year and I must admit I did find it hard to part with the painting.  Maisy most definitely left a mark with me and maybe, when the painting is viewed by a larger audience,  she probably will with others too!

Many people look on google images as a way to browse and subsequently view websites.  As artists, we are in a great position having images to display.  This isn't a blog post about SEO, just an enthusiastic reminder that the tools are readily available to enable our artwork seen by a large, potentially worldwide audience.

I can easily get lost in the internet, browsing the most incredible array of work from the most talented artists.  Sometimes I feel truly inspired and other times frustrated by comparing my own work - I do  strongly believe that these thought processes are healthy, and can drive a level of commitment to achieve.

So what to remember if you haven't the confidence to display.  
  • Remember that you will always have the ability to touch someone with your artwork.
  • This could be a family member or friend to a collector of your work. Both are important!
  • Sharing your work online can give you the drive to produce more work.
  • Art is subjective.  Don't think about those who don't like your work, think about those who do.
  • Remain positive and forward looking.

One quick thing to mention - before presenting your work to a larger audience, study the photo that you have of your painting before sharing.  Wait a day, and look again.  Often you can see things that need improving just by looking at the photograph.  Although I suggest always presenting your best work, don't let the fear of this stop you.

Keep making your mark!



    



Monday 14 July 2014

Outside the Lines


"Explosive"
Original Watercolour on paper
©Kaye Parmenter 2014

When painting the subject of polo with its explosive pace, I rely heavily on photographs taken on the day to help me when I return to the studio.

I have learnt not to be precious about photographs.  When photographing a sporting event, I simply keep my finger on the shutter and take as many pictures as I can - it doesn't matter if I have to sift through 300 photos if it means I find the one I'm looking for -  a major benefit of the digital age!

For me, the photograph is just the start.  It captures a split second moment, but the image does not represent movement, speed and energy.  The player and pony are static on the photograph.    The most fantastic thing about being an artist is having the opportunity to represent that image on paper or canvas and to bring as much "spirit'' to the painting as possible.  Artistic Licence!

So, when I view the photograph, I see a static image, with everything "inside the lines".  Everything stopped the moment I pressed the shutter.

How can I bring life, movement and energy back into the painting.  "Painting outside the lines"!  From a very early age, we may have been conditioned not to go over the lines.  In a sense, I suppose there's nothing wrong with this, but I wonder whether this feeling may follow us into adult life?

With a large section of the painting completed with merging washes and colours "within the lines" we can then let go and allow the brush "outside" in a spontaneous, confident and lively way.  With the washes still wet, we can encourage the paint to flow out of the main shapes.  This can create the suggestion of movement and blur.

The polo field is filled with expertise - very talented players and amazing ponies.  Artistically speaking, I love chaos on the paper !



Sunday 22 June 2014

A Grand Event


Black Bears Polo 
Acrylic on Canvas

It is hard to believe that a whole year has passed since I last attended the British Polo Day event at Henley on Thames and I’m excited to say that I will again be exhibiting at their event.  In the last 12 months, British Polo Day have travelled extensively, celebrating British luxury and heritage in a polo events network that spans the World.   It has looked quite an exhausting schedule but each time they manage to host a spectacular event and the photographs are always a joy to see.
With just four days left to prepare and pack, I have a list that spans three A4 sheets of paper!  I’m very excited and will be sharing lots of photographs and news from this wonderful event!

Monday 5 May 2014

Down Time


When I’m not painting, I’m thinking of painting.  Anyone who is self-employed will know how difficult it is to down tools and stop, let alone relax…….so how about this – a beautiful lodge in North Devon where the website states “unplug, reconnect, revive”.
In a beautiful “tent” (which I do emphasise is in inverted commas – you have to see it),  where the heating is provided only by burning wood and light from solar and candle,  the lovely owner explains gently to us and presumably to every new arrival, that the one and only power socket in the tent is best used only to recharge the camp-lights.    You know what this means,  no charging of gadgets.  Every quick peek to check messages and a download of emails takes the battery nearer to the dreaded “red bar” and will inevitably cut off your connection to the outside world.  It’s surprising how often you look and it feels wrong – surely we should be able to unplug, reconnect and revive.  This weekend has been a lesson to me.


The lodge was totally perfect in every way possible, with attention to detail second to none.  Longlands is an exciting and enviable business  with a level of organisation that appears effortless but you really know it isn’t – let’s talk hard work and lots of lists (great tip Bella!).  They absolutely need to be congratulated in their efforts to provide the perfect place to unwind and relax.  It is truly amazing.



With a lake stocked with Trout, a fishing rod is made available for all to have a go.  It would appear that, on our trip, the least experienced were probably the most successful, isn’t it always the way? There are also two small rowing boats and a lovely jetty with two wooden chairs – idyllic surroundings.


You soon become aware that maybe there isn’t a need to check your phone with the relentless regularity you do everyday.  With the sun setting, a glass of champagne on the terrace, and a game of candle-lit charades waiting for you inside, you slowly begin to realise that, the world won’t stop if you don’t check your emails.
After just a couple of days, I began to feel appreciation for small things and my thoughts turned to not taking things for granted.

Saturday 26 April 2014

The Cast


The Cast

With the Mayfly season approaching and what is affectionately known as "Duffers Fortnight" when the Mayflies rise, I am keen to get amongst the action artistically speaking!  

Watercolour seems quite the perfect medium to capture the sport of fly-fishing on paper and with a relatively small amount of intervention, the flowing washes can create the effect of rippling water under their own steam!

A few months ago, I was given the opportunity to display paintings at The Greyhound on the Test which resides on the famous River Test.  As the season gets into gear, I am really enjoying studying the lines of the cast - with a relaxed hand and a rigger brush loaded with paint, you can cast your own line across the paper!  I will have a new selection of paintings to deliver in a couple of weeks and, with fingers crossed for good weather, I hope to walk along the river to quietly observe and gather inspiration for more work. 

And what better to finish at the pub for a drink and bite to eat, all in a days work!






Thursday 17 April 2014

Golden Moment




Sometimes a photo really does capture a Golden Moment and, although this title was a slight play on words, this piece was also a golden moment in my painting world!  With an album of photographs that made it hard to choose which to select, I chose the photo which I felt would best show Sam’s character in a loose watercolour style.
Sadly Sam is no longer with his lovely owners, and I know they are feeling a huge loss and somehow this painting had to be special.   Slowly but surely the image started to appear on the paper and I began to feel hopeful that Sam’s owners would see their lovely dog in watercolour.  Somehow I feel that this won’t be the last time I paint Sam.  There is a lovely photograph of his head resting between the seats of the car and I can feel this one beckoning me to pick up my brushes!
Watercolour is such a magical medium – the loose ethereal washes can really capture a fleeting moment in time and, in this instance, there was some gorgeous back-lighting to the fur and a far away expression in the eyes.  Irresistible!
Thank you to the lovely owners for the opportunity to paint Sam and I hope their painting brings happy memories in time x

Friday 11 April 2014

101 Top Techniques for Artists


A good friend once asked me whether I thought he should buy a particular reference book on photography and my advice to him years ago was…..”if you pick up one hint or tip from the book, it will have been worth it!”  He bought the book and reminds me of this comment on many occasion!
I again remembered this when looking through the book that the SAA have compiled.  101 Top Techniques from over 100 international artists…..it’s amazing!  I was totally thrilled to have been asked to contribute and, on my page,  I have explained a technique that I use one way or another in almost every painting, tonal counterchange.
You will gain more than one hint or tip in this book, in fact it’s a treasure box of wonderful, special hints and possible secrets that artists are willing to share in this gem of a book. Although I have now sold all my personal copies of the book, it is available for sale on Amazon.  Happy painting everyone!

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Decisions......



“Dust Bath”  Original Watercolour 560mm x 370mm.  
Prizewinner and Honorary Mention:  Art has no Borders.
When we create a piece of artwork, there are many decisions to make and, in a way, you can liken each to a junction in a road.  Maybe we have a destination in mind, or maybe we are on a mystery tour!  The decisions that we do make, however, should enable each piece of work to be totally unique and your choices regarding medium, technique, colour and composition can make your artwork drive right to the heart of the subject matter.
With this painting, standing at the first junction, I decided to take the watercolour route which would enable me to create the soft effect of the dust bath (with a strong underlying sketch and lots of water)
Reaching a crossroads on colour, I decided to pick the red route.  Why not?
I stood for quite a while at the next junction before deciding which path to take on composition!  The shape of the trunk and tail are crucial to the composition as is the diagonal sweep of red from bottom left to top right.
And finally, my decision to enter a competition…..so pleased I did.  Never be afraid to make decisions!



Saturday 5 April 2014

Artwork Pre-selection

"Burning Bright"
Original Watercolour
560mm x 370mm

I was so pleased to hear the news that two of my paintings have been pre-selected for a competition.  "Burning Bright" is one of the pieces that has been chosen to appear in the ibook "The Animal Kingdom" and I will share the other painting as soon as possible.
The competition has been arranged by "Art Has No Borders"  which is a series of iArtBooks, published through Apple's iBookstore, featuring artwork from around the world. The idea has grown out of the London based Cork Street Open Exhibitions and is an opportunity for artists to have their work included in one or more art anthologies covering a number of different themes.
The artist will have the opportunity to showcase artwork to a much larger audience than can be reached in a physical gallery.  Each edition will feature the work of contemporary and traditional artists and techniques, from painters, sculptors, photographers, and printmakers, to textile, digital media, and performance artists.

Thursday 3 April 2014

Monkey Business


I drove to Dorset a few weeks ago to deliver a painting that I wished to donate to Monkey World.  I received a wonderful reception and was advised that the painting would be displayed for sale via a raffle.  Following exposure via the Monkey World Facebook page, I started to receive requests for pet portrait commissions which put me in a dilemma as I wasn’t intending to create business for myself.  So I have decided that, for every pet I paint from exposure via Monkey World, I will match it with another donation to Monkey World!
So here is my second donation which we, as a family, will be delivering on Saturday!  Will we all return, that is the question?!
My first painting raised an amazing £722 for the Jim Cronin Memorial Fund.  Enquiries regarding “People Watching” shown here can be made directly to Monkey World from week commencing 7th April 2014.

Saturday 22 March 2014

Teddie goes home!



Teddie “Acrylic on Canvas” Private Commission
Teddie has been with me in my studio for many months now, watching me from the easel, each day I added a little more detail….but not too much.  A contemporary acrylic of this gorgeous horse was my mission and from the very early design sketches, to the last brushstroke, I can say that I have enjoyed every minute of this piece.  The illusion of black, was created by rich mixtures of  browns, blues and reds.  The “black” peeks through the white occasionally giving the impression of the shadows.
Teddie has left the building….well, that is my studio, but I know he is now where he belongs!  I do miss those eyes peeking at me across the studio though!

Friday 21 February 2014

Seeds of ideas



Concentration whilst exploring creativity is exhausting!  When deep, very deep in thought, I pace around, cast things aside, stack up a line of cold cups of tea and generally stare a lot at half finished paintings! But in the midst of all this, there are few things more exciting than experiencing an idea develop.  Watercolour is such a "feeling" medium.  It almost begs you to play and have fun and taunts you with possibilities.  The relationship you have with your medium has to grow over time and with confidence, seeds of ideas can develop.
I read an interesting article yesterday about inspiration.  It basically said "don't sit around waiting for it to happen. All the best ideas come out of the process, they come out of the work itself."  Chuck Close.   The theory is, in a nutshell, you have to keep working.
My hound is very important as it has shown me how I can play with colour, tone and counterchange in such a way to almost make the subject come forward out of the paper.  It's a very exciting process!
Thanks for sharing with me and I'll post more soon!

Monday 10 February 2014

Pick up patience


This painting is one of my favourites from my collection of shoot paintings 2013.  It was one of those magical moments where owner and dog were at one - completely oblivious to my artistic intentions!  They were focused on the beaters coming through the woods to flush the birds.  They were focused and waiting so patiently!

And for this reason, I would love to dedicate this post to a very special lady.  For all my art friends, if you haven't been introduced to "your art image" - Kathryn Roberts is an entrepreneur and business owner providing coaching and courses for developing your art business and finding balance between your personal and financial aspirations.  Kathryn also sends free weekly artists action points by email and I always find that her emails are totally relevant and thought provoking.

Todays email with the "Artist Action Point" was about focusing and being patient....fabulous!
Thank you Kathryn for your great emails and courses.

Saturday 1 February 2014

To the Beat


When I attended a shoot last November, there was so many working dogs that caught my attention, it was difficult to know where to point the camera first.  I stood by and watched this Weimaraner for a while as he was waiting with his master before beating.  He walked around his master’s legs, backward and forward, many times and then, in a blink of the eye, he rested his chin on the arm.  It was a gentle gesture, almost to say, “come on, when can we go” but there was no pulling at the lead and just silent communication between the pair.
One overriding memory of the day for me was how happy the dogs were.  Clearly they were all doing  something they loved and, at the end of the day, no amount of mud, cold or wet could dampen their enthusiasm.  I have so many images to paint from and many small sketches I drew on the spot, I’m not sure which to choose next to paint –   thank you Kingsdon Shoot, again, for a memorable day!

Monday 20 January 2014

More Creative Play in Watercolour


I strongly believe that you will produce your best work if you allow yourself to have a short session of “warming-up” before a more serious painting session.  As any sportsperson would gently stretch and warm-up muscles, we can do the same artistically with a 15 minute session of fun stress-free painting.  For me, there are a few simple rules.  I am not aiming to produce a great piece and I tend to use “old” paper which removes any feeling of tension to produce.  I usually set myself a time limit of approximately 20 minutes but, as this doesn’t allow drying time, it is highly likely I will return to it at the end of the day to “warm-down!”   The play session usually has an aim, I tend to have a challenge in mind.  This may be a new technique, a new pigment, a different brush, using only one colour….the list is endless.
Here are my eggs, taken from the fridge with an idea in mind.  I would like to “eggs”plain, but I need to play further first!  I have lots up my sleeve and today I made huge progress on producing the online tuition that I know many are waiting for…..not too long now hopefully!!  Thank you all for being so patient!


Sunday 19 January 2014

A tidy studio!



Quote "The studio is less important than other things, like the burning desire to paint.  If you don't have this disease, you can't catch it from a nice studio" (Warren Criswell).

I am very lucky to have an outbuilding to paint in.  I haven't always painted in there.  For many years, I had a portable pasting table that I could set up anywhere that was warm and light.  I whole-heartedly agree with the quotation above and, although I do now appreciate the peace and tranquility in my studio, I know that I don't have to paint there....I could be anywhere.

So for anyone less fortunate who doesn't have a place to escape to, remember that's not really the important thing - it's the desire to create that counts!

I have kept one of my New Year's resolutions today and tidied my studio but I know that it won't look like this by the end of tomorrow!  Artist's are supposed to be untidy....aren't they??!



Tuesday 14 January 2014

Creative play with watercolour

Meet the gorgeous Cujo!  

With so many wrinkles and that dark patch over his eye, I thought an "upside-down" demonstration painting of Cujo would make a great addition to my article in the Sept Issue of SAA Paint.  

So without further delay, I will direct you to the Youtube video (which you can also click on the right side of this page).

Thanks for looking!

Sunday 12 January 2014

A portrait out of the blue

(Sold)


Following seeing some inspirational photographs from British Polo Day, Mexico 2013, I selected an image that I loved for the relaxed stance.  I thought it was perfect for trying to capture with watercolour.

With two large brushes, a "dinner plate" with blue watercolour paint and a vertical piece of watercolour paper, I painted fast and loose,  with freedom and enjoying the cascades of water running down the paper.  Exciting and unpredictable!

Whilst it was my initial intention to overpaint the blue with different colours,  people were beginning to say “Stop, we like it as it is”.   A few finishing touches and darker tones  pull the piece together. 

I wish to thank British Polo Day again for taking the most wonderful photos and also to my charismatic and inspiring subject!

For more information on commissions

Please click here

Friday 3 January 2014

Spring Magnolia


Original (Reserved)

Spring Magnolia
Watercolour 370mm x 370mm

Living alongside the Somerset Levels, we are no strangers to water here but this latest run of windy and wet weather has encouraged me to turn my brushes to spring flowers in preparation for a small exhibition in January.  It is amazing how, simply by picking up some warmer colours, it can change your mood and help you to look towards warmer and hopefully drier months ahead.  I am very lucky that a neighbour’s garden at the entrance to our road houses the most gorgeous magnolia and each year the blooms are simply stunning.  Another neighbour has hollyhocks and another has some beautiful red tulips and small blue flowers (which I think may be grape hyacinth).
I can’t think of any spring flower that doesn’t lift the spirits and they do provide such a wonderful subjects for painting in the early part of the year where we are so very close to “turning the corner”!
All my new spring flower paintings will be displayed in beautiful white wooden frames and will hopefully  brighten a chilly spring morning.

Tulip Time - National Trust