Wednesday 22 February 2017

Venturings...

I painted this little picture last week.
I love making a new collection of work for when I visit Hope and Elvis.
I'm really looking forward to my Introduction to Mixed Media and Textural Landscapes workshops in April.
I think the Spring- like palette and rather determined young rabbit's expression is looking forward to the new season and new adventures!

Thursday 16 February 2017

Little Cloud...


This painting is called 'Little Cloud'.
It's taken quite a while to finish, hope you like!
I'll be taking her to my April workshops at Hope and Elvis,
I think my palette is telling me that I'm ready for the Spring!

Tuesday 14 February 2017

A Bit More Culture...

I saw so much when we visited Hull with the Fine Art, Graphics and Photography students that I've had to add another post!
Walking up to the Ferens Gallery we encountered the awe inspiring Blade.
Stunning!
After having a look at the five Francis Bacon paintings there, (thank you Francis, as always, it was emotional!) we pootled off to the Fruit Market area, which is very hip and trendy indeed.
It was fab to see the iconic 'Dead Bod' at the Humber Street Gallery.
And then it was time for dinner.....I had wanted to visit Thieving Harry's for quite a while, and it certainly didn't disappoint.
It was originally part of the offices of the old Fruit Market in Hull and the interior had been decorated from reclaimed furnishings and materials from there.
It was just stunning.
I chatted to one of the lovely members of staff about the gorgeous interior, and I was told that these doors were once part of the bananas gas chamber! (Would that have been used in case of tropical creepy crawlies do you think?!?)
Oo I do love a good serving hatch!
There's such a lovely view of Hull Marina...
I ordered the spicy chickpea burger and it was delicious!
Farewell for now you gorgeous City Of Culture you!


Friday 10 February 2017

Lines Of Thought...

I was lucky enough to go on a college trip to Hull, the City Of Culture 2017.
In the morning we visited a wonderful exhibition at Hull University, called 'Lines Of Thought.'
I have never seen work by so many hugely famous artists in one room, it was truly over whelming!
The Art Foundation, BTEC and A-Level students had the chance to really study the drawings and I could hear them say:
'ooh' here's a Hockney!'
'Look! A Picasso!'
I think that drawings are far more intimate than grand show-stopper paintings, you can see how the artist thinks and responds to the world instinctively, without having to consider an audience or patron.
Rembrandt
An Asian Elephant
1637
I had an interesting conversation with one of my Art Foundation students who asked what a 'drawing artist' was called, you have oil painters and water colourists, but not really 'drawers' do you?
I think that's a shame, without drawing none of the rest could happen could it.
Henry Moore
Tree Forms As A Mother And Child
1950
Andrea Del Sarto
Studies Of Children
1520
It's strange trying to capture the drawing style of someone else, it's like trying someone else's hand writing.
But if you draw something you never forget it, it's the only way I really 'see' something.
Henri Matisse
Woman In A Taffeta Dress Saeted On A Wicker Arm Chair
1938
Hope you enjoyed our little bit of culture, fancy a cuppa?

Sunday 5 February 2017

Elsie...


Elsie wore a velvet dress fastened up with buttons made of the finest Whitby jet.
She waited for her sailor to come home.
But Elsie didn't leave such things to chance, she planted magic playing cards in the ground and grew her own luck.


Wednesday 1 February 2017

Creative Prompt for February...

During my 'Adventures in Abstraction' workshop weekend at Hope and Elvis last December, a lovely lady, (I didn't know if you wanted to be mentioned chuck, but you know who you are!) asked if I could email a word or idea, or anything, to spark the imagination at the beginning of each month.
I thought that this was a great idea, and wondered if other folk might like this too.

So at the beginning of each month I shall post a little 'Creative Prompt', and hopefully it may kickstart an idea, or at least give a little food for thought.

Here's one for February, hope you have a creative one!