Spring Magnolia

Original (Reserved)

Purchase Limited Edition Print/Greeting Card

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.

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Lettuce!

(Sold)

In the usual busy run up to Christmas, I have had little time to update my website with new paintings and I’ve had to keep secret the commissions waiting to be given as gifts.

A while ago, I was presented with a commission to paint the beautiful “Letty” (Lettuce).  In amongst the mass of honey, shiny curls and long lashes, lay the most gorgeous eyes – I couldn’t wait to get started.  I can’t begin to explain the level of concentration and excitement when you begin to see the painting come together, and then knowing when to stop –  a delicate balance.

Letty was framed, floated in a beautiful black frame and then travelled safely to Oman to be given as a gift.  Everyone who knows me, understands how much I love to paint dogs and receiving the photographs of this gorgeous dog felt like a gift to me!  I hope that, in 2014 that there will be many more canine chums to capture……love it!  Thank  you so much for the opportunity!

To find out more about commissions
(please click here)

Hello!

(N.F.S)

In our blogposts, we are constantly advised to write good content...no pressure, lol!  Today, my content is merely to say a huge hello to everyone so it really is no pressure :-)

It was a lovely surprise to see new followers and I reach out to everyone to say a massive thank you.  I'd love to know who you are, how are you?.....Are you painting, where are you on your journey and what inspires you?  This new age of technology can sometimes be overwhelming but also so fabulous when you think we can chat at any time across the world.  

We do all lead busy lives don't we, so much going on all the time - but not for me at this very moment in time........it's very cold here tonight, but I'm warm inside, propped up with three pillows and a cushion and saying hello online, I couldn't be happier :-)

Thank you for following my blog!

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

My latest exhibition

(Private Collection)

"To the heart of the subject"

I have visited my current exhibition at the King John Inn, quite a few times now and upon each visit I can’t fail to be totally inspired.  The pub is nestled in the idyllic village of Tollard Royal on the Wiltshire/Dorset border and it has been extensively refurbished to an impressive standard by the current owners, Gretchen and Alex Boon.  With a zest to provide an amazing atmosphere, the owners and staff deserve the great reviews that King John Inn regularly receives.

Now in the midst of the Shooting Season,  I am thoroughly enjoying the process of looking deep into the heart of the subject matter of “The Shoot” and my original watercolours are receiving attention from both members of the shooting parties and visitors to the pub.  I am updating and refreshing the paintings during the course of my exhibition there, which runs from 1st September until 1st February 2014.

For anyone who would like to receive updates regarding the exhibition, please do contact me by email.  Alternatively, if you get the chance I would thoroughly recommend a visit to the pub.

King John Inn

Kaye's paintings

Colour Fusions

I’ve loved carrying on with my experiments with Roses.  In between painting larger pieces of differing subject matter, I keep returning to small sketches of roses, each time trying something new, introducing different colours and alternative ways of laying washes to achieve different effects.

For anyone, like me, who can feel frustrated when a watercolour experiment “goes wrong” or turns muddy, it can help to remember that in this instance, it is indeed a learning exercise.  From a small play session resulting in a disappointing watercolour, a seed may grow – even from just the smallest shape or fusion of colour.  In a way, it’s probably a really good idea to really let your hair down and try unusual colour combinations, spray water, tip the paper, watch the paint run, allow back-runs, add water to drying paint, lift colour…..the possibilities are endless.  Just enjoy the process and watch.

I still haven’t finished with my “play” with roses and my next session will be to really study the petal shapes and shadows between petals.  I am veering towards trying to use some warm and cool colours, possibly complimentary.

Let me know if you are painting Roses too, I’d love to hear how you get on….

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Mischief Makers!

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much"

-Helen Keller-

Sometimes being an artist can be a solitary existence.  I have just spent at least 5 hours on each of the last three days alone in my studio painting.  Whilst I really do enjoy my time doing this, I know that I couldn't do what I do without a number of people who are always there to help.  I feel very lucky to have a fabulous local framer, a great printer, galleries and really helpful website support so, although I produce the artwork, I do very much feel part of a big team and together we can do so much!

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

To the point

There are moments when I paint that I realise why watercolour has stolen my heart!  With each new challenging subject, comes an excitement that is difficult to describe, particularly when the painting comes to life under the brush.  Personally I find, with watercolour, that planning your work is vital, freshness can be lost by unnecessary brushstrokes and continual agitation of the washes.  Bold application of pigment and leaving washes to merge can be addictive!  It is simply a pleasure to sit and watch paint dry!

Capturing the essence of a subject is also part of the creative process, and for this I believe you need to study shape, tone, light, colour and background, no mean feat when you are staring at the blank piece of paper at the start, but remember, dive in and "get to the point!

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk