Big Cat, Little Cat!

I've named this painting - "That's Mine!" due to the intense expression on this cat's face.

Watercolour can be so exciting, particularly when you take chances and try to work with the paint, rather than trying to control it. I love that it has a will of its own - paint with attitude!

This was an exciting and spontaneous piece to paint and I made bold decisions! Colours were dropped onto the paper that I'd wetted, followed by the addition of thick strokes of deep rich paint. I watched the watercolour paint on the paper work its magic and, it was only when it was starting to dry, that I lifted very small sections where needed with a dry brush.

Simply Magic!!!

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A brush on the Wild Side!

A brush on the wild side!

My wild lion was painted using some wild colours in a wild moment! I have to confess to being sometimes too happy with my palette of colours - the ones that have become my friends as I know and understand them so well. But how liberating it can feel to bring some new colours into the equation! And in this case, these were colours that I wouldn't expect to see on a lions head....but, for me, somehow it works.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is not always easy, yet can be so exciting!

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Wishing everyone a very Happy 2012!

I have so many plans and dreams for 2012.  My first day of painting this year was to fulfil a promise that I made last year and that was to paint two more paintings for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya. 

When baby elephants are severely traumatised over the cruel loss of their mother to poachers, one important aspect of their life at the Trust is socialisation with other orphaned baby elephants.  This particular baby was struggling to cope and this painting captures the Keeper comforting and gently assisting his orphan to join in with the others. 

On a happier note, this painting below is a special and fleeting moment between two babies!

"Holding Trunks!"

I have a dream one day to hopefully visit the Trust in Kenya.......

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

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Remember

It's been a frantic day today! Rushing from home to gallery to framers, I was asked a few times "how are you today?" and I can honestly say fantastic! My new children's book that I've written and illustrated should be finished and with me by early next week, I have two galleries to supply paintings with by wednesday and paintings are in progress for charity ventures that I love......this and juggling being a busy mum, why do I feel so great?

It's because I'm doing something that I love!

After painting the poppies in remembrance of our brave servicemen lost to war and sitting back looking at it, taking time to reflect, I would like to say that I really appreciate the fact that I am able to do something that I love. My hearts go out to the families of our lost ones.

We will never forget x

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Milk time!

Firstly I'd like to offer a warm welcome to those visiting my blog, I am thoroughly enjoying sharing news with you and I hope that you like my posts.

I wonder if any fellow artists feel the same as me - sometimes I feel that my best work is produced when I feel an emotional connection to the subject.

I definitely felt emotional watching the "Elephant Diaries" on television and indeed some members of our family found it too disturbing and sad to watch. The program is about orphaned baby elephants where, often its mother and family have been gunned down to serve the Ivory trade. In Nairobi, Kenya, a tiny Elephant Nursery, under the auspices of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, offers hope for any orphaned elephant fortunate enough to be found alive.

Having painted the above baby elephant, who is being fed a bottle of special milk by a keeper, I emailed a photo of the painting to the Trust. Angela Sheldrick replied and asked if I would mind if my painting was sent as a gift as one of the monthly paintings sent to the foster parents of the elephants. Angela is an artist too and I was delighted to be able to help.

It's a truly amazing organisation and their website is wonderful:

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/index.asp

The Evening Post!

"Harmony"

Painted in 2009 as part of a Charity Auction.

I saw a television program today, explaining that spending time on your computer late at night, may stop you sleeping - I'm laughing now as it's late and I shouldn't be here! As this is the only spare time I have, I may have to stay up just a little later before feeling sleepy!

My time recently has been spent with family holidays and birthday celebrations but in amongst the chaos, I was keen to find the time to return to a place dear to me. In 2009, two very special people successfully bid on a pet portrait commission (pictured above) that I had offered to help raise money for their village hall.

At the auction, I was made to feel so welcome and I have since been touched by the support this couple have given by travelling some distance to see all my subsequent exhibitions. I was keen to reciprocate and a couple of weeks ago, inbetween the busy times at home, I took some of my paintings to their local art show, one of which was inspired by our recent holiday to Cornwall. I was honoured to be advised this had been elected "Best in Show".

I feel that there are so many directions that your art journey can take. This road started with a risk - doing something that I wasn't sure about. There's nothing quite like sitting within an audience in an auction where your painting is the next lot!!! I took the risk and the rewards have been to meet some wonderful people - a great experience.

Thank you so much!!

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Risks

After a long walk in the Lake District and a much needed ice-cream at the Honister Mines, Alan mentioned to me that the owner of the mines, Mark Weir, had sadly lost his life in a helicopter crash earlier this year. The lady sitting next to us joined in our conversation and it soon became clear to me that he was a character who lived life to the full. On leaving the tea room, I noticed the engraved slate photographed below.

I dedicate this to my family who believe in me:

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep is to risk being sentimental.

To reach out to others is to risk involvement.

To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self.

To place your ideas and your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naive.

To love is to risk not being loved in return.

To live is to risk dying.

To hope is to risk despair, to try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken, because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing.

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing and becomes nothing.

He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love.

Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom.

Only the person who risks is truly free.

Having now had a look on the internet and read about Mark, I can indeed see that he must have taken risks in his life and indeed lived it to the full. I am very sorry for his wife and children that he has left behind.

I like the dedication and find it very thought-provoking.....

www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk