Ain't Nothing but a Hound Dog

“Ain’t Nothing but a Hound Dog” 

Watercolour 30cm x 20cm

We used to have a basset hound (or Monty-dog as I call them). It’s only when studying the eyes closely to paint them that I now understand why I was putty in his paws!  All our friends and family have memories of Monty, varying from his innate stubborn tendency to give up on a walk half way round to tricking people by whatever means to get them out of their chair so that he could sneak up.

He made us laugh.

So why paint him now?  I am building up to a possible exhibition in September and “All things Hound” could be appropriate.  However, seeing Monty’s face appear on the paper when I painted this piece, has stirred up many memories and those eyes were just amazing to paint.

There was many a time though when those eyelids were just too heavy!………..

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An Amazing Day

The British Polo Day Charity Cup was a truly glamorous, exciting and amazing day.  Attention to detail in every aspect from the grand champagne reception to the traditional grooms’s asado was second to none.  The Charity Auction raised close to £70,000.

The sun shone on the stunning fields, home of the Black Bears Polo Team and the matches were played with the winning team fighting for their country and a 5-star holiday selected by Abercrombie and Kent!  A “flash mob” style dance/fashion show-case and hot air balloon provided further entertainment as the evening went on.  The photograph here shows my fellow artists, Astrid Harrisson and Jeremy Houghton.

What a wonderful place to exhibit and I thank British Polo Day for the invitation.  Hanging paintings from the marquee wall was an experience, but it was so totally worth the effort.  More photographs can be seen on my facebook page:

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Also my new website can be seen:

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Galloping on!

I am absolutely thrilled to say that British Polo Day have asked me to be one of their artists and have invited me to exhibit at their British event at Henley in June.  I am finding the resource subject material that they are able to provide me, totally inspiring.  It is a very dynamic sport and looking to capture angles and compositions to produce exciting work is proving to be irresistible!

Alongside me at the exhibition in June will be artists Astrid Harrisson, Jeremy Houghton and George Bingham, all of which produce the most stunning artwork.  I can't wait to see the work in situ.

I hope to share photos from the day which is at the end of June.

Thank you British Polo Day and here's to a wonderful day.....

British Polo Day

The Art of Paragliding

Looking for an unusual angle on this exhilarating sport, I loved painting these two pieces.  I recently followed "Flight Culture" on their facebook page, and suddenly realised I was looking forward to seeing their next post and news on adventures in far and exotic places!  The scenery is stunning and I'm guessing there is no beating that feeling of launching with a glider (and a spare one on your back)!!!  I have in my mind further pictures including lots of colour, maybe larger parts of the glider in the picture - I'm hoping to go and take some photos soon for inspiration (although in the meantime I'm thoroughly enjoying looking at John's, Flight Culture)! 

I know the weather has been causing problems recently and flying has been quite intermittent but, fingers crossed, John and his colleagues might see better weather soon.

www.flightculture.co.uk

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Realising Dreams

Realising Dreams

A special person in my life has a dream to own a Landrover Defender.  Not to be obsessive, we do already own a landrover - but not the DREAM one!  Maybe the dream is not practical, but do we always have to be?

So how do we realise dreams.  I guess we need to know what they are first....and then, there should be nothing to stop you reaching for them.  

A while ago, on a "Landrover Experience Day" in Exeter (which I have to thoroughly recommend!), I was given the keys and nervously sat in the drivers seat next to the Landrover guy - he must have had more confidence in the vehicle than me!  At the top of a steep, muddy, rocky incline I was asked to remove my feet from all pedals and let the vehicle "drive itself" down the hill.  What a strange but exhilarating feeling, especially when it's not your vehicle, and it did indeed fact perform to perfection!

There are two things....the vehicle did precisely what it was built for and it did it perfectly slowly - and when I say perfectly, I mean accurately.  Maybe this is something that we can think of when trying to realise dreams.  Decide what it is that you want to do, do it carefully and not necessarily at speed, aim for perfection.  I think you will achieve your dreams.

I have received lots of lovely good news recently regarding my work and I am realising my own personal dreams - it would be lovely if one day I could help someone with theirs!

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Developing Performance

Developing Performance

I would like to share something I read today.....

In his 2008 book "Outliers", American writer Malcolm Gladwell examined his successful people achieved their success.  Whilst researching his book he discovered that in whatever field they became successful (e.g. music, sport, science or business) they all had one thing in common.  They all obeyed the 10,000 hours rule.  This rule states that top people have to practice/train/study for at least 10,000 hours in their chosen field to achieve success.

I love this, and by rough approximation, I know how many hours I have practiced/trained/studied - it's an interesting thought.

I have shared my F1 drivers helmet...wondering whether they train for this time! 

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Youtube demo - Swans

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