Painting Loose Watercolours

Painting loose watercolours

I loved painting this......it was loose and the watercolours mingled and merged on the paper as I saw the image appearing as I had hoped it would.  I am beginning to understand my feelings when painting - never completely satisfied unless I'm allowing the watercolours to work together on the paper rather than being too controlled.  

I suppose this is my personal definition of looseness in watercolour - it's not an easy way to paint as it's quite bold in the application of water and pigment.

Thank you Dawn, ablanksheetofpaper for your blog entry on loose watercolours - it made me think!  So many people express a desire to loosen up with their watercolours and this means something different to each artist.  As your style evolves, each little experiment and attempt to reach a goal, takes you one step nearer!

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A special gallery visit

Exmoor Ponies

Mixed Media:  Watercolour and Pastel

18" x 18"

I have a vivid memory - 14 years ago - a holiday in Exmoor when I went into an art shop in Lynton to buy some beginners watercolour paints.  My husband suggested that I looked past the cheapest variety and encouraged me to buy the best artist quality paints we could afford.  A day later, I sat by the waters edge at Porlock Weir with my new paints, a pad of paper and quite a few intrigued onlookers.  I remember being happy that, without a hint of nerves, I was able to paint with an audience!

14 years later, now as an established Somerset artist, I am thrilled to return to Porlock, this time to deliver paintings to the Churchgate Gallery.  How wonderful is that?!

Thank you to the Gallery owners, Will and Rachael for their fabulous welcome.  They have two galleries, one in Porlock and the other in Minehead, together with an established framing and printing company.

www.http://churchgategallery.co.uk/

http://www.courtyardframing.co.uk/

A wonderful workshop!

Thank you to the wonderful ladies of the "Somerset Art Group"

I had the honour of spending a few hours with the company of a group of artists who are clearly very passionate about their work.  Meeting weekly to paint, they are actively arranging exhibitions and working together with their art.  I will be watching their progress with interest!

I had been contacted to ask whether I would be interested in holding a workshop for the group and although I have recently reluctantly cut back on teaching due to gallery and exhibition commitments, I was keen to meet this enthusiastic group of artists so I agreed to offer a tutorial session.

I appreciate that my style of painting is hard to teach and perhaps even harder to emulate but with a build up of exercises to explain certain aspects of the technique, I was so pleased to see everyone enthusiastically experimenting with the washes, wet-in-wet.  I truly believe that with any tuition session on any subject, if you pick up even a small bit of valuable information, the session has been worth it.  It is even more exciting to hear and see enthusiasm and smiles of enjoyment using a medium that the group clearly love! 

I wish the ladies of the Somerset Art Group every success in their future art ventures!

Here is a link to their website:

 http://www.somersetartgroup.co.uk/

Going for gold

Exhibition:  "Going for Gold"

303 Gallery, Yandles, Martock, Somerset.

A huge thank you again to the 303 Gallery for hosting a wonderful preview evening and for those unable to make it on the night, the exhibition runs until August 31st and is well worth a visit.  Participating artists have entered into the spirit of the theme of the show, displaying art ranging from artwork coloured gold, to sporting and olympic subjects. 

I have included a photo of the amazing artwork of David Metcalff - galvanised woven wire sculptures of a hares racing over hurdles.  This is one of two sculptures and I believe that they make the exhibition very special - they look fantastic!

Thank you again to the 303 Gallery - your efforts are always appreciated!

Click this link to visit the 303 Gallery Website

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Hare Style!

Hare Style!

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting back into the studio after my exhibition.  Although I have a gallery exhibition approaching and a visit to a new gallery next week, I have had a few moments spare to gather my thoughts and decide what direction I will be heading in - not only over the next few months, but next year too. 

I can't deny, it's exciting!  I have so many ideas and and next year's calendar is filling up already.  I believe that building up can only be carried on great foundations and the foundation for me has to be the quality of the artwork......I am trying to work on originality, impact and technique.

Finding time for exploration will be really important for me - something that is sometimes not easy when you are rushing to hit deadlines.  I have learnt though from a recent course that sometimes a simple change in your daily routine can be enough to free up more time.

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303 Gallery preview, Thursday 21st June 6-8.00pm GOING FOR GOLD!

A way to say thank you



Organising a solo exhibition is a daunting experience.  From the beginnings of an idea for a theme for the exhibition to the plans coming to fruition, it can be a journey feeling like that of a rollercoaster.  One of the very positive aspects is the building of relationships, with the people who come to view your paintings together with the owners of the venue who look to host your show as well as the many people who help you along the way to make it a success.

I am truly grateful for the support I have received and I saw opportunity this week where I could say thank you by way of a painting, and here is Sam!

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The end or beginning?

The end or beginning?

My exhibition at East Lambrook Manor Gardens draws to an end this thursday.  My favourite comment about the exhibition arrived by email, it made me smile:

 "I made it to your Exhibition earlier in the month.  I had two choices that day  -  catch a glimpse of the Queen in Yeovil or view your show.  Happy with my decision!  I spent a rewarding hour surrounded by your paintings."

Other people have said that they find the paintings absorbing and compelling.  I thank everyone who has come to see the exhibition, lots of special people who have made the month a totally amazing one for me.

The title for this post is "the end or beginning".  Anyone who knows me will understand this. I never see the closing of an event as the end - to me it's another beginning!   I've so many ideas and inspiration that I can't wait to paint again...........

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