A Splash with Watercolour!

Original Watercolour 

51cm x 41cm

Copyright: Kaye Parmenter 2013
On display at East Lambrook Manor Gardens 1-31st May 2013

Just two weeks now to my major solo exhibition at East Lambrook Manor Gardens starting on 1st May.      

It is the most gorgeous of venues and it is hard to explain how beautiful it is there.   It is one of the best-loved privately owned gardens in England created by the late Margery Fish, celebrated plants woman and gardening writer.  The Grade 1 listed garden is renowned as the premier example of the English cottage garden style and is noted for it's specialist collections of snowdrops, hellebores and hardy geraniums.

Downstairs, approached directly from the entrance to the tearooms, is the studio where I will have at least 15 floral watercolour paintings - a favourite amongst visitors who have previously felt that the gardens have been brought inside with the watercolours on display.

Upstairs in the Malthouse will be a variety of paintings to see ranging from my trademark animals and landscapes to some more contemporary subject pieces including "Grand Prix"  There will be something for everyone!

I welcome visitors to come and see the paintings and I will be there as often as possible during the month to give watercolour demonstrations.

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Youtube demonstration:  Swans  

As if by magic.....

Having just posted a video of one of my paintings to youtube, I was delighted to receive the lovely comment....."as if by magic".  That is how I feel when painting with watercolour.  With the confidence to allow it time to move and mix on the paper, it can work magic on its own.  Resisting the urge to fiddle is one of the most important things about watercolour and  sometimes, but moving around the paper and painting as if you are plate-spinning, you can avoid staying in one place for too long and remove the urge to play "too much" in one area!

To see the video, please click on the link below

http://youtu.be/LUAY5pHemDk

Spring Sunshine

Spring Sunshine

I love it when I see a quote that makes me smile and here is one for today.....

"Dance, even if you have to warn people to get out of the way first!"

Today, I let go......not by dancing, but I whipped up a frenzy on the paper -  abandonment with washes!    Although this wasn't my first painting of primroses today, this is where I finished, seeing rays of sunshine dancing on my primrose petals!

It's a great idea to let go sometimes with watercolour and simply have fun!

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

That time of year!

Exhibition Preview

It's that time of year again....invitations are being printed! The Preview for my Exhibition at East Lambrook Manor Gardens is on Saturday 4th May 2-4.00pm. If you think you may be free, and would like to join me for Pimms and a preview, message me your address and I'll post an invitation!

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Sulking!

There is something wonderful about seeing a friend’s photograph and caption that makes you laugh out loud.  And this is what this little furry cat did to me!  Not only did it make me laugh but I also saw something really special that I wanted to capture in watercolour.

Here is the painting, followed by the caption:

“And there he is, sulking because the automatic feeder failed to feed him err... automatically. He might have lost a bit of weight from his cheeks”

There is so much to consider when choosing a subject and deciding how to paint it.  Sometimes it can be a matter of “what do you leave out” as much as “what do you actually paint”.   This portrait is so unusual as you can hardly see the eyes, yet even without this, there is a magical expression.  Sometimes things click and a little bit of magic happens!

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Live for the moment!

Mischief Maker!

Original Watercolour 

Framed Oak 12" x 12"

Copyright Kaye Parmenter 2013

"Few of us ever live in the present, we are forever anticipating what is to come or remembering what has gone" - Louis L'Armor

I love this quote and have been contemplating it over the last few days.  I have tried to do this - to enjoy living in the moment and I was delighted that it can work for me!  Although I know it is important to have plans and dreams,  there is nothing you can do to alter the past and the the future is yet to come.....so enjoy where you are now!

I was working on a sketch to illustrate a point for my next watercolour course whilst planning and thinking of all the things I have to do.  My mind was busy and preoccupied!  The sun appeared outside and, all of a sudden, I changed tack completely and spontaneously painted the above black lamb.  It was a moment of pure enjoyment....just living in the present and appreciating the moment.

I hope my little Black Lamb makes you smile.

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Don't wait.........!

Don't wait until Valentines Day to tell someone special what they mean to you :-).

But if you do want to produce something special for the day, watercolour is an expressive medium to be creative this Valentines day!

These 3 roses have been painted, each using a different technique.

Artistically speaking, as we head towards Spring, we sometimes rush to pick up yellows to capture daffodils and primroses - these little splashes of warm red tones after these cold winter months, is very welcome!

So don't hesitate, grab your brush and have a splash with red - something special for someone special!

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk