Abigail, Josiah & the Daffodil...

Decided at the very last minute (last night at 6pm) to give my sister-in-law a painting of her children for her 30th (today) ! Bearing in mind I went out for a curry at 8pm I spent another 2-3 hours on it this morning.

Was great to start it in the garden, in the bright sunshine, until the sun moved round, and I had to go in and put the heating on!! It is still April after all...

I wanted it to be quite an informal (and fast!) applying first the sketch in pastels, and then blending with acrylics.

Capturing the likeness and personalities of children is wonderful when it happens, but I did put myself under  pressure as I wanted my brother & his wife to love it, and to recognise them both immediately - and that doesn't always happen quickly!








After a few panics and considering buying some flowers instead... I am pleased with the result.

I think she was too :)

Summer Paddling

A commission from friends of their girls in the sea on the Cornish Coast...

Huge canvas - started sketching out in a blue pastel and blended this with acrylics to create a loose style.

Can't wait to do more like this.

Prophetic Art...

I was fortunate to go to my very first Prophetic Art Conference at Ffald-y-brenin on the Pembrokeshire Coast in September.

Learnt lots, "Stood on tiptoes" to hear from God, met some amazingly creative people in an incredibly beautiful valley, and finished the day with pink fizz and lots of laughter at the The Golden Lion in Newport.

My first 'dabbling' with my new found gift/skill/toy was at a friend's 24 hour prayer space in St Neots, a little market town by the river Camb.

"Go with it", "Try it out", "Nothing is too silly to paint" all rush to mind as you fight the need to create a perfect painting, and instead endeavour to grasp on paper a concept from the Almighty (or your own imagination). It seems that both are worthy of the time and effort if the person or people who see the art pulled together are benefitted and encouraged by it. Happy Days.

Be Transformed by the Renewing of your Mind was the scripture that sprang to mind as I 'listened' for a word from Heaven for the prayer room... so here it is, along with some pictures from the prayer space, and some pictures of Newport, and the cross at Ffald-y-brenin xxx

 

 

 

Christmas Journey

Sold as a Christmas Card commission for The Leprosy Mission Shop for Christmas 2013

Pretty Green Stained Glass Trees...

A quick water colour but I love the way the light is coming through the trees – the branches remind of the leading on stained glass.

JOY

The Joy of the Lord is your Strength



Had promised my friend a painting several years ago inspired by another artist and an "I want one like that" comment!



She has had a difficult few years, and has been a faithful friend, confident, comediene (!)  and absolute hero to me despite it all and I wanted to give her a birthday present that would encompasse up our friendship.



Our friendship is summed up in these words "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up" in life, in faith, in hope, in worship, in work, with family, looking to the future, that is what we do.

Family Tree

A good friend commissioned me to paint a family tree for her parents golden wedding anniversary. We had a good chat about what she wanted, and she had sketched out her ideas.


I wanted some inspiration to create something really unique. I visited one of our Fair Trade suppliers in Richmond, they are based in a unit within the grounds of a huge London town house. We walked through the long lawned gardens of the house and went through a little gate in the wall to go out for lunch (the first time I have been out for Polish food - it was fabulous!) There is a huge blossom tree in the centre of the garden, which actually reaches the entire width and into the adjacent garden. I took a few pictures and was able to base my family tree on this beauty! Rumour has it, The Archers was originally thought up in this very garden.

The Blossom Tree & Me 

Started with washes of colour to create depth, and then began to create the deep roots and knots in the trunk   

Began to create the blossom using a very pale pink to pick out flowers, & a grey blue for shadowed areas creating form.

Began work on the trunk, which became 'blues' sometimes these things are not planned... and they take me by surprise! I love it when that happens - I am sure the paintbrush takes over sometimes.

Detail showing the family names 'carved' into the branches

Faith, hope & love carved into the roots of the tree

Almost finished... but suddenly felt the background wash tones didn't quite work...

Complete. Very happy with this piece, and happy to find out the recipients were very pleased, and had never seen a Family Tree like this one... !