Layer love

I find something deeply satisfying in creating a piece of art made up from many layers, especially when some of those lying underneath didn't quite turn out as planned. It's a metaphor for persistence and knowing that most times, the more effort you put in, the better and more consistent the result.

There's something so much more interesting in peering deep into a project to investigate all the intricacies that hold the construction together - and how we learn from our mistakes!

I'm returning to my old love of portrait painting - Gritty Jane set up a challenge and naturally I am no more able to resist that than an open bar of chocolate. This is #3 inspired by the theme 'layers'. #1 and #2 below.

Flame-haired

I am trying to think of something to write about this flame-haired beauty. Maybe commenting on what she's holding in her hands as the beginnings to a story.

However, I am afraid that this evening the words won't come. All I can think about is the newly laundered sheets waiting on the bed next door, the fluffed up pillows and feathery duvet... Sigh, it's Saturday night and only just 11pm and all I want to do is snuggle down and sleep....

I do want to join in Sunday Sketches though... so here she is! I partly borrowed her from a couple of illustrations by the fantasy artist Stephanie Pui-Mun Law from her instructional book 'Dreamscapes'.

Vulnerability

A little creepy. Empty eyes. Statuesque perhaps.

Collage, stamping, drawing, spraying, blending, painting. A bit of everything in this. A maelstrom of technique and message but nothing coherent. I know how she feels...

A bit vulnerable perhaps? I just watched Skyfall. Nice to see Bond being a bit vulnerable. It's all the rage. Iron Man is at it too. Makes a change to see the heroes act a little more human. It makes me feel a certain connection - like they could get tennis elbow from gardening too...

Sharing for Sunday Sketches.

Girl with attitude

Yeah, that's right. I've got attitude...

When I can't get the eyes and nose right I just find a magazine picture that fits and stick it on - so there!

She's really looking down her nose at me isn't she? Scoffing that I couldn't get her features in proper proportion. I don't think she's too happy that I forgot to paint her hair back in either - nor that I didn't pay much attention to style or even colour. Rather too much grey in it for her liking.

Stroppy little madam isn't she?

I like my paintings to have a bit of personality though - kind of companionable (if that doesn't sound too 'I talk to myself bonkers).

Thought I'd share this for Sunday Sketches together with this 'girl with a hat'. Both painted last weekend at the arty gathering in Felixstowe. The former also fits perfectly with Take a Word's 'Mask'. What lies beneath?

Contented sigh

Ah such bliss. I have just returned from spending a weekend where the entire focus was to live, breathe, talk and drink art (well we almost consumed it... you know how it is when you're not concentrating and you dip your paintbrush in your coffee...). Seven lucky ladies met up by the English seaside to paint and make and boy, did we do just that!

I have not been so prolific in ages - helped by the creativity going on around me and the swapping of art stories and supplies, I churned out piece after painting. I dabbed and drew, sprayed and stroked (and even, at one small point, stitched!).

I could share more with you now than just this dreamy lady, but where would be the fun in that? I want you to come back tomorrow! And anyway, right now I have to get back downstairs to my work studio and pull out my paints again!

Sharing this sketch over a lusciously layered background of paint and tissue and stencilling with my friends at Sunday Sketches who I know will be so jealous when they read about my weekend!!  Did I mention how amazing it was?

Crone song

Tunes of love, joy and sorrow

the crone's songs lines her face

Memory notes dance across cheeks

and the voices of generations sing a story

I don't often draw wrinkles. In fact, as women we seem to focus on how best to prevent them and so hide the passing of the years. I think we prefer our voices, rather than our faces to tell our story!

This old lady has been sitting on my Pinterest board - faces to draw - for some time. So when I saw the Take a Word challenge for wrinkles this week, I thought it was about time I attempted someone with a bit more character than the fresh-faced beauties I usually create.

If you look very closely (or just at the pic below!!) you will also see that she is sketched over a collage of crinkled tissue paper decorated with musical notes. I actually remembered to scan in my background before I drew her which is a small miracle!

Sharing too with with my regular crew at Sunday Sketches.

PS: if you like art journal collaborations, you may enjoy yesterday's post.

Paradise

PPP Para para para dise.... who can guess what song I've been listening to? We need a few thoughts of sun-drenched beaches today as the grey skies linger and the drizzle continues.

Mind you, paradise doesn't require palm trees and turquoise shores. It's all there for the making if we only want it enough. The view outside my window today may be very monochrome, but inside I'm bursting with colourful ambition and joy.

I was thrilled with how this painting turned out - I'm loving the textures and layers. A little bit of this, a touch of that, new and old, not quite complete but promising more... A bit like me!

Sharing for Paint Party Friday - aka Paradise for Artists!

From the stars

Celeste, daughter of moon and sister of stars

The subconscious is a mighty powerful thing. Hiding at the back of my mind was the Stargazing theme for the Artists' Playroom weekly challenge. After I had scanned my original piece (below), the urge to play further took over and so out came the PhotoShop. Grabbing the first texture that caught my eye, suddenly Celeste was looking down on me from the stars and I had my entry.

Having a painting frenzy this evening, so no time to write. I have to go now, the colours are calling...

Hair-raising

Hair-raising

I'm not too sure where I'm going with either of these pieces, they are just finding their own way.

They both began with pieces torn from magazines.

The hair-raising lady had her missing body parts drawn back in with a liberal dose of colour and imagination. She feels almost finished, though part of my sees a pencil sketch of something appearing through the blue background... What it might be is still floating around my right brain somewhere...

The second piece is sharing a story of a tender heart exposed, laid bare. I should point out that the 'Chinese' calligraphy is purely a product of my imagination - should it actually spell anything I would love to know! Imagine... my subconscious may be able to communicate in other languages... what a marvel that would be!

I may continue with these today or just leave until their stories more fully reveal themselves to me.

Sharing today with Paint Party Friday.

An open heart

And the day came...

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
Anais Nin

I love watching a face take form on the canvas. This piece is a little topsy turvey in its approach though.

It began life as a full length Klimt-inspired Goddess, but I got annoyed by her wonky eyes and ridiculous hair so she disappeared under a layer or too of Gesso and I went to town with the mosaic patterning while I waited for inspiration to strike.

Finally, weeks later I am rewarded with this face as she takes shape from the layers of lives that have gone before. She seems to carry some wisdom in those eyes, which once again seem determined to be wonky... but there is plenty of time to fix that!

My beautiful business coach Leanne Flower shared this video with me and asked that it be my mantra for the month as I feel a shift within - shoots ready to grow and bloom...



Sharing this piece with the crew at Sunday Sketches where I have been absent for weeks - my apologies my lovely artist friends. I have missed you!

 

Also to confess I already missed a day's blogging for Blogtoberfest... Oops....

I love it when...

... a plan comes together.

Well, truth be told, I'm not entirely sure this plan did 'come together', but whatever the course of events that got me here, I sure am proud of the end result.

Jess actually began with a collaged background covered in delicate flowers and birds. (Doh, I forgot to photograph it .. always the way!) Then she slowly and softly emerged. She's even got teeth - I very rarely paint teeth!

Jess had an outing this morning. I took her to an entrepreneurial group coaching session I attend. I also wore my "I am an Artist" necklace. This was a significant moment. The ladies in my group have been trying to convince me that I should be able to confidently announce my profession for some time, but usually the most I can manage is a whisper.
But now, with a successfully run eCourse under my belt and a live workshop planned for October (more on this in a forthcoming post), I can really say it. I AM AN ARTIST.

I love Jess. She is painted in acrylics and oil pastels over a collaged background. There's oodles of texture and layering plus what is becoming my trademark book pages. She has a little sparkle about her - just like me today!

This morning another lady proved that when you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything. After winning three silver medals in the three preceding Olympics, 36 year old Katherine Grainger, alongside partner Anna Watkins, today picked up the Gold in the women's double sculls. Katherine you are an inspiration! Congratulations ladies - a national applauds you!

Sharing Jess and all things artistic with my friends at Paint Party Friday.

Gypsy bagpipes and a special day

I'm not sure that listening to a celtic melody played by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards will help me come up with some fitting story for this Indian Gypsy Queen.

If nothing else, the sound of the pipes makes me want to head north over the border into the wild glens and daydream of handsome men in kilts as I run through the heather.

I've had a painting frenzy over the past week so am able to once again join in the frivolity over at Paint Party Friday. I've still got the paint down my fingernails to prove it. At least I'll be able to join in on the "Isn't it hot"" conversations as the UK FINALLY starts to swelter in an appropriately summery fashion.

It must have been all those visitors arriving at Heathrow for a certain sporting event. They clearly packed us a little bit of sunshine each which was very kind of them.

I can also join in on debating the hot topic of that book which I am currently reading. Frankly I would like to smack the pair of them... but then again, I fear that may not be the solution...

PS: Something VERY SPECIAL is happening later today...



Fingers crossed Team GB!

Ten minutes

I so wish I had scanned in what this page in my sketchbook looked like ten minutes ago - before I leapt upon it and created Lola.

I will have to resort to a description from memory. It was a textured background dripped with alcohol inks. Pinks with a hint of peach and a simple charcoal outline of a face - hairless and wearing what looked like a swimming cap.

Ten minutes later and Lola was looking at me. She's tapping her shoe to a  flamenco rhythm. She wants to dance, buy first she's going to finish this glass of Sangria and attract the attention of Raoul...

I love to do quick sketches, to watch a face appear and smirk at me ready to tell their tale. I had quite a painty evening - you know it's been good when you discover green and purple stains up your arms and in your fingernails. I'm such a messy girl!

Today is pretty special if you're a Brit and hold even the slightest regard for sport. For the first time in 74 years a Brit will compete in the men's final at Wimbledon. No pressure Andy...

Lethargy & Inertia

Two words that pretty much sum up how I feel this evening.

Maybe it's the weather. It's sultry and there's a storm brewing.

Maybe it's just me.

Here's a picture I painted earlier in the week when I had the energy to lift a brush. If you look very closely you'll see the dancer.

I'm dancing in my heart... honest...

Sharing for Paint Party Friday.

Of moods and blues

Struggling this week. Dealing with loved ones in hospitals, sleep deprivation and a huge sense of overwhelm. Art helps, but it's interesting how it turns out...

Colour schemes favour blues. Original sketch below and final digitized version above. I feel the cracks, the smudges and the slightly lost sense in her eyes...

I can also hear my art supplies calling me back. I'm heeding their pleading and must return...

Sharing with Sunday Sketches.

Flora of the Foliage

I've been working on Flora on and off for several weeks. On the whole I was happy with her, but felt she was missing a certain je ne sais quoi. I wanted to blend her in with nature and toyed with waxing a layer of pressed leaves and flowers, but I'll be honest... I did try but it just got a bit messy - the leaves just weren't keen on being coated in hot wax - can't say I blame them.

So, I took her outside and slung her in the shrubbery for a photo shoot. This gave way to a few strange looks from my other half questioning what the neighbours might think. They should be used to my antics - after all, it's only a few months ago since I dressed up as Boudicca and staged a Roman battle in the front garden.

I'll admit that this photographic expedition wasn't quite as successful as historical staging - nor nowhere near as much fun.

Flora had to find some decent foliage in PhotoShop - but at least I was using my own photography so it still feels very much my own piece. I think she's waiting in the shadows for the 'people' to go away so she and her fairy friends can come out to play.

She is joining in with Inspiration Avenue's Foliage challenge and then hopping over to Paint Party Friday - busy girl!

A postcard from Singapore...

A veil of moonlight on her lovely face...

I love reading between the lines when these two write to each other. Look at that... he writes so clearly until we get to the sling or is it fling? I fear Y's intentions are not too honorable, but then can we blame him. X is a bit of a tease and made him so jealous when she went to Cuba.

He taunts her with his dreams of an oriental princess, yet still reaches out a hand if she would but cross the oceans to him. I think he might be a terrible flirt!

This lady is a mixture of technique. She is watercolour drips, pencil sketch and PhotoShop texture. She oozes passion and temptation for our weary traveller. Will he succomb or does his heart already belong to the girl from the valleys?

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then please check out the Postcard Challenge and the full back story of the intriguing correspondece between X and Y.

Also posting for Paint Party Friday.

A Special Announcement and a Giveway

Sophia

I am bursting with excitement, nerves are tingling, butterflies tickle my tummy and my eyes are bright with anticipation.

The time has finally come to announce my new creative business venture! I'm still working hard on finalising content, but today I woke up and just knew that today I just had to launch. Maybe there's some alignment in the stars, or the Universe is just getting fed up with waiting. So, I draw in a deep breath, pull myself up to my full height and invite you to...

Please open your minds to The Wright Brain Stuff. We begin our adventure with an 8 week eCourse designed to set fire to your imaginations, open your inspiration and bring your Muse out to play.

I would love if you popped over to my website to find out more and discover how, for the weekly price of a coffee and a cake, you could find the resources to dig deep into your creativity.

While you're there, if you want to become a follower and sign up to my mailing list I'll also enter you into a giveaway to win this little lady. Her name had to be Sophia as, if you look very carefully, you'll notice it written across the bridge of her nose! It's also rather appropriate as I'm sharing her with Sunday Sketches hosted by.... Sophia!

An outpouring

It's not alway easy to come up with something to blog about. Indeed sometimes I'm not sure who I'm doing this for. Is this a diary that just happens to be shared with the Universe or an editorial, a magazine page where subscribers visit expecting to be entertained?

It doesn't really matter either way. This blog is a place for me to hone my craft. At first that was just writing, but then the tendrils of creativity crept right through me and it became a gateway to my soul.

Necessity has forced me to restrict my visits here in the past few weeks and also my art output; but to be honest I just don't quite feel the same without it - it's rather like cutting one's arm off! I need this introspection, this sharing, this tribe. It's like family and with today being Mothers' Day here in the UK, I find myself coming over all maternal.

I know that many of you who read this blog are just like me - souls for whom art and creativity play an almost magical part of your lives. It's your get-up-and-go. I'm working hard on my creative business but constantly felt like I was hitting a wall. There was some vital component missing. Turns out it was the simple act of creation. I've spent the last two evenings sketching and painting and I am as soothed as a week of perfect sleeps. The grit has been swept away and there's a smoother passage for train of thought.

I'm ready to take the final leap and get this business launched.

Sharing the output from last night today with the lovely crew at Sunday Sketches. Mixed media portrait - prismacolors, water-soluble oil pastels, oil pastels, acrylics and watercolour - if you've got it; use it!

The Crimson and the ... Scarlet

I just love those adjectives. Don't they just ooze lush and sensuality? What is it about red that makes us wish to lose our inhibitions? To inbibe fermented fruit; to turn up the volume and just dance like nobody is watching?

OK, I admit it. I did actually do that this evening - but nobody was watching... so who cares?

This is Donna. I'm not sure she actually looks very Donna-esque, but I painted her from a Donna Karen advert so felt obliged to give a nod in that designer's direction. I think I once owned a Donna Karen skirt (but that is pretty irrelevant to this post).

I'm having a personal soirée of music, art and dance ... with a drop of Sauvignon Blanc.

Some red art for The Butterfly Effect... which for some reason makes me think of making toast and marmite... can't think why?