Art on the Burn

Loosening Up Two

2012-02-10T01:35:00.000-08:00

Loosening Up

2012-02-10T01:16:00.000-08:00

After spending some time on the detailed work of two commissioned pieces (*very* special), I let loose on colour and whatever I could find in the studio to create these.

I Wish...

2012-01-31T01:39:00.000-08:00

I've just relaunched this beautiful little book. It's only £5 and it's for anyone who wishes they could paint, or draw, or create things like an artist or wants to nurture talent in their children or grandchildren.

And for those who wish they were more inspired, motivated and could climb out of their creative block.

See it on my gallery where you can buy it quickly too, with no delivery problems! (It is much smaller than 1MB).

Written and designed by yours truly, with sumptuous illustrations...

My Biggest Canvas Yet

2012-01-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

Using a roller and my new printer roller for the pink contrast, I've been experimenting on a large canvas with my favourite 'five brush strokes' figure. Alas, it didn't really work out on the large scale (but I had fun finding out) and I'm now happily covering it with textures and colours galore to turn the painting into something I really like.

Seated Nude

2012-01-07T04:21:00.000-08:00

This isn't finished but I like the way it's coming along so I'm letting the oils harden in readiness to give it the fine, final touches.

Library Display

2012-01-04T00:53:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo of my library display which I'll be taking down today. (Sorry about the reflections of houses across the road.)

It was a surprise opportunity as I saw the window was empty and went in to ask ... a few hours later I received a phonecall to say I could use it for the whole of December.

As far as I know, at least one of these pictures has sold. :-)

Back to Work.

2011-12-29T07:53:00.000-08:00

We had a fabulous Christmas and received loads of lovely presents from our nearest and dearest. I wanted to entitle this post 'Back to Lovely Work' but it's a different kind of lovely, of course!

Here is an oil painting I've just finished (I think). It's called Splashing Free.

I've hung it high on the wall to dry so that I forget about it and don't get covered in oil paint when trying to move around it.

Happy New Year to all!

Success Story

2011-12-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

Well it wasn't long before I made some finishing touches to that painting.

I had a bright idea and offered it as a replacement for a larger picture of the castle at Mearns Arthouse, where Fiona didn't have room to properly display my North Sea Diptych. She loved the new 'Through the Mist' idea of the castle and has taken it to put on the wall in the shop.

Maybe I'll be able to show you the display she puts up over Christmas.

No Snow Influence!

2011-12-19T09:26:00.000-08:00

When you know Dunnottar Castle you'll know that it sometimes emerges from the mist like this on the warmest days or dullest days. It doesn't need snow to give it a magical feel because the ruin itself and the ever-changing coastal conditions make it an enchanted castle any time.

I'm not sure if this painting is finished but I want it to be slight and simple, light of touch but effective. Seeing it on my blog will help me decide and perhaps your comments will help me decide too, whether it needs more work. Sleeping on it (not literally!) will help, of course. What I don't want to do is overwork it so I'm exercising restraint and must do something else to take my mind off it.

Welcome to my new follower; and if this happens to be my last post before Christmas - Happy Christmas to all!

x x x

Ladies in colour

2011-12-15T11:07:00.000-08:00

The black textured canvas in my last post was in preparation for an abstract expressionist version of this beautiful pose, sketched quite boldly last week in our Life Drawing session at Muchalls. We are giving the models and ourselves a break during the harshest winter months and I shall miss the practise; but it is a good chance to use the time for developing some of the drawings into great paintings.

Work In Progress

2011-12-14T01:12:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos to show you that I continue to be busy even though I don't post often on the blog.

Moving On

2011-11-17T12:02:00.000-08:00

It fills me with joy and pride to know that other people enjoy having my paintings and creations around them. I've no lofty expectations of being a Turner Prize winner or any kind of esteemed name in the realms of High Art: I create therefore I exist happily, that's all.

I don't always create beautiful things. Sometimes they go wrong. Sometimes the colours are far too rustic or dreary to be loved - that's fine. Art is a process. Sometimes I blow even myself away with producing something great, so the adventure goes on.

Quite by surprise I sold this lovely little textile, tactile canvas last week. The buyer was in my studio for something else (buying a semi-abstract similar to For Ever and Ever at the top of this blog) and wanted this too. She has found a perfect home for it in her house: hanging on a mirrored alcove.
This person enjoys having things she loves surrounding her in her home and I'm happy she's chosen some things I've produced. That's what art is all about.

Three Cosy Dogs...

2011-11-14T12:43:00.000-08:00

Here are the three little snoods - or perhaps you could call them dog-cosies (as opposed to tea-cosies) - for my friend's three greyhound dogs. I hope they'll fit and feel comfortable.

When I go to fit them I'll take some buttons to sew onto the dogs' outdoor coats, to ensure their snoods will stay in place.

Mmm... very cosy on a wintery day...

Snood for Grace

2011-10-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

This could be wishful thinking and the photos are only a rough guide too, but I'm hoping this piece of knitting will fit gracefully over my friend's beautiful greyhound dog, Grace, when she's out in the snow and cold wind. She'll be wearing her winter doggie coat but needs something to keep her ears warm, so hopefully I can sew a button on to the coat to hold this in place.

Not having a dog nearby to model it, I used someone's leg to show how it'll bend to the right shape!

If this turns out to be OK, Ros, then hopefully the slightly bigger one that I'm working on, on the 15mm knitting needles with 8 yarns, will be about right for Henri... and then all they'll need is some very cold weather!

Blue Is Not Sad

2011-10-14T01:32:00.000-07:00

I love wearing red, it makes me feel better.

Not an unusual statement: it's a known scientific fact that certain colours have effects on the people who wear them. However, I am coming to realise that colours are far more integral to my sanity than to many humankind. It's one of those things you live with all your life and presume everyone else does until discovering otherwise, like having tinnitus or tunnel-vision.

I was listening to Jacky Niven, and watching her art demo. She has a condition called synaesthesia and although I don't have it in such a clear-cut way as her, some of what she was saying rang a bell and made perfect sense to me. Others in the audience simply found the phenomenon downright peculiar and even frightening. Heavens, no.

Acrylic on paper - size A3

Many of my paintings are blue, or based on blue. I love blue sky. I love the sea. I love living in Stonehaven because we get plenty of blue skies. The sky is blue – even behind the clouds – because air scatters short-wavelength light more than longer wavelengths, and of all the rainbow colours on this earth from the sun, blue has the shortest wavelengths. We are surrounded by the blue! Blue is uplifting, a breath of fresh air.

So blue is not sad.

Red is not angry. Red is confident, warm, cosy and bright. For me it stands for brilliance, intensity, clarity of thought and positivity. Red needs to be in a painting, if only in a hint or a streak. Sometimes I need to paint a large canvas with red in a huge wide arc, with bold, dramatic brushstrokes, steeping myself in the beauty of red. Every house, every room, needs a red painting.

Jacky Niven described her synaesthesia as so clear-cut that triangles are yellow.

I could go through all the colours here, discussing the various shades and their nuances, what they mean to me and how I like to use them or not in my paintings but if I have any kind of synaesthesia (and I doubt I have, just an artistic brain) then my emotions, thoughts and memories are connected with colours – but they are not always the same colours. That would be too simple and … dare I say it: boring.

Extremely Knitted

2011-10-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

My Extreme Knitting drew a lot of attention when I demonstrated it throughout my stewarding stints at Johnshaven Gallery for NEOS (North East Open Studios). I regretted the feeling that it took attention away from all my paintings on the walls but I was pleased to engage people's interest and let them have a go. Some were absolutely fascinated by it, others surprised me by being almost frightened; but everyone loved the colours and boldness, the warmth and heaviness of what I was creating.

Here's a photo of it - nearly finished - awaiting more tassles and some big buttons (and other finishing touches).

Big Strokes

2011-10-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

Back to work and I'm loving it. This is an oil painting with a LOT of texture and it's intended to be quite abstract, at the moment. It's at the stage where I might be tempted to make it a seascape and I would probably be resisting realism if I didn't... but what I want to do is transform reality to make this painting into something special so that the viewer decides how real it is.

Here are two stages:

There's more work to be done but the oil paint will make me wait and leave it to think about instead of being tempted to make it look finished before I've given it enough thought.

I'm disappointed that the photo doesn't show the variety of blues used. Oh well, you get the gist.

Link to publicity

2011-09-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

Thought you might like to read this recent article in our local newspaper.

Freedom!

2011-09-28T04:03:00.000-07:00

A quickie while I'm here.

I have deleted my Facebook account so as to free up more time and stop getting so utterly confused by it. Life is too short! I can write interesting emails to individuals more quickly and efficiently than getting caught in the quagmire that FB was dishing up with increasing complexity. I am free of it!

So please - email me, follow my blog, tell me about yours. mrs.bern.ross@googlemail.com

Reclining Lady

2011-09-28T03:30:00.000-07:00

At last I can get to my easel - just. Clambering over boxes and canvases that have been misplaced and brought back from exhibitions here there and everywhere. I'm pleased to have my babies back and pleased to have found good homes for the ones that were bought.

The model for this reclining lady loved the painting before her outline even arrived on it! This isn't quite finished: I'm not happy with the line of her hips.But I do love the marks around her hairline and want to achieve this elsewhere on the painting.

By the way, it is created in oils on an acrylic background and the best effect was achieved when painting with my fingers. Must get back to it...

Prolific or What!

2011-08-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

I seem to have been quiet on here recently but it's only because taking photos and changing gear inside my head to explain what I've been doing is too much to ask when I've been so very busy!

The first three images below show what I've started today and the rest are various details from pieces I've recently displayed on Affordable British Art

....Inside one of the boats!

This little figure on the beach is a revision - long awaited but well worth it. Soon to go back on my Affordable British Art Gallery.

Detail from 'Dunnottar Afar'

Detail from the textures on Fidget (lady in blue).

I've also been writing a press release for South Aberdeenshire Abstracts and starting a sewing project for someone as well as 'keeping the home fires burning' as they say. There are not enough hours in the day!
Enjoy.

Triptych

2011-07-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

On its way...

Started with a lovely mess...

Progressing with an even greater mess...

This is all you're going to see until I have finished all three.

Who knows how similar they will be?

Alongside my Paintings

2011-07-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

With 3 exhibitions coming up (as well as a couple of paintings currently on show at Grassic Gibbon Centre in Arbuthnott) I'm trying to ensure things are finished. I need to make labels for everything and some notices about what's what; and I'm trying to ensure that each exhibition will have a good variety of my work as well as large and small pieces to suit as many visitors as possible.

Today I've been writing descriptions and making a display of photos of the projects I've done in the past. I've also taken stock of a few of the textile pieces I've been working on and here are a few of them, laid out on the spare bed.

They mean NOTHING until you see the real thing and you have to TOUCH them because they're meant to be tactile. I'm looking forward to getting them nicely displayed alongside my paintings.

One Leg of Jeans

2011-06-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I received a request from a writer in Aberdeen who'd discovered a new mode of transport, especially good for whizzing around on the Beach Boulevard. Trouble was - he needed to carry it through the busy town! So he asked me to make him a shoulder bag especially taylored to hold his mini-scooter.

My client brought with him an old pair of jeans and - yes - I only needed to use one leg. I designed it, sewed in the zip and the D-rings but he supplied the strap.

Never give up on an old pair of jeans!

Busy, busy, busy

2011-06-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos of projects I've worked on recently, excluding all the textile thingies I'm doing which you'll see at a later date.

This sculpture is entitled 'Daffodil' and I've wanted to complete it for about 40 years! I just never had the time or where-with-all to do it.

Really it needs to be on a plinth at shoulder height; but at last I've created it and that's what matters.

Daffodil is made from wood and wool.

I promised myself I would do some painting en plein air and this subject especially leant itself. Painting outside did me a lot of good and certainly loosened me up so that this picture began to work when I'd originally thought it was going to be a disaster.

When I brought it indoors for some finishing touches I felt more free to paint what I wanted on it!

You can probably see (from my surroundings en plein air) why I have a penchant for messy organic-looking paintings.

In contrast, however, the clean stark lines of the sea, the crisp air and clear light we have here in N.E. Scotland all make me want to paint pictures that convey the purity of it all too.

Seeing this 'Harbour Lights 2' on thumbnail helps me realise the red harbour light needs to be bigger. Work in progress - ah... there's always work waiting to be done! Always, always.

Thanks for reading!

Urgency to paint instead of blog

2011-06-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

Forward, in the general

direction of joy.

Sunshine brings on a painting.

Haiku inspired by Muffinmoon

Thanks Jules. Gotta dash, while I've got time!

Sewing and Painting

2011-06-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

I am filled with joy today because I have moved my sewing stuff out of my studio into a new small room, making space to paint without worrying about splashing!

Although talking of splashing ... this picture is going to be called something like 'In the Wake of the Good Ship Lollipop'.
.... And here is my new sewing room - tiny but very light and cosy and warm!

It's very tidy at the moment because I've only just started using it!

Popular Bags...

2011-06-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to say that the three bags I contributed to Izzy's craft fair, in support of her challenge for independence despite Type 1 diabetes, were very popular and sold straight away! She has a few more hundred pounds to raise before she can go off to the third world countries to do her volunteering but things are looking up and so am I.

Here's the type of thing I gave her.

These bags are VERY roomy, hardwearing, washable, with lots of pockets and each one is unique. They last for ages too.

Supporting the D Cause

2011-05-26T01:13:00.000-07:00

Izzy Thomson is on the threshold of managing her own Diabetes Type 1 - not just in another country but far, far away. And before that she's doing all she can to get the money for her travels.

Along with several other artists and craftspeople I've donated some handmade pieces to Izzy's cause. It's going to be a fabulous exhibition so well worth a visit this weekend!

Life is scary enough as it is without having to check blood levels every ten minutes or two hours or whatever.

Log Book

2011-05-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

I'm so busy at the mo. that putting photos on here and trying to put into words what I'm doing takes up too much time. It feels like wasted time to be on the computer a lot ...

Since the new year i.e. 1st January or thereabouts I've been keeping a note of all the stuff I create in this lovely little notebook.

As you can see, it's leather bound and hand-sized, and I keep it near the place I sit in the lounge along with my puppy-shaped pencil case. In any spare moment I jot down what I've been doing and it's proving to be a useful aide memoire as well as revealing how some paintings seem to be finished with a title and then become more complete with a new title a few days or weeks later.

The notebook was a small Christmas gift from a friend. It's better than a computer any time!

Plans are coming together

2011-05-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

For eight days in September, NEOS 2011, I shall be exhibiting paintings and who-knows-what-else at Johnshaven Gallery in Main Street, Johnshaven. I am very excited! It's a beautiful village where very many artists, potters, jewellers and sculptors live and they open up their studios especially for the event. I am most honoured to be invited to the jeweller Ranjit Barry's gallery to adorn her walls and create some additional interest.

The entry in the brochure will say, "Visit the recently renovated Johnshaven Gallery where resident glass artist and jewellery designer‚ Ranjit Barry‚ will be displaying her work in fused glass‚ semi-precious gemstones and crystals alongside the handcrafted cards of Leiana Henderson and Bern Ross‚ painter‚ author and textile artist. Bern is known for turning the ordinary into something extraordinary - who knows what may happen?"

As well as showing paintings this is giving me the opportunity of showing some of what I do in the way of Textile Art so ... watch this space for a few hints of what's to come!

Is it My Imagination?

2011-04-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

Like many artists I find it really difficult, sometimes, to know when a painting is finished. Especially the small ones. This one, for example, has been feeling 'finished' almost since the white texture went on it. White on black - it conveyed so much that nothing else was needed... except it did need some white paint on top of the texture and that spoiled the immediacy of it so I brought in some grey shadows and light (weight) touches of purple and alizarin red.

As I looked at it I was certain I was standing before a snow-laden hill in darkness, asking my companion, in exhaustion, "Are we nearly there?"

But back in the reality of my studio I am looking at a canvas and wondering if my imagination is too vivid for my own good, so I've taken a photo of it - and a close-up - to try and become more objective about it.

Are We Nearly There? 30cms x 24cms [Is it finished?]

(Detail)

Borders and Backing

2011-03-30T08:45:00.000-07:00

Until a few months ago I always saw it as yet another constraint. I used to have to cut mounts at college many years ago and it was a nightmare with a small craft knife and metal ruler; but recently I considered the idea of buying a proper mount cutter and, once I started looking into it, there really wasn't a problem but just another challenge.

And then a generous friend told me that she does her own mount-cutting and that I could go to her house for a cuppa and a demonstration. Well there was no stopping me after that, and I bought a mountcutter that's similar to the one I tried at her house.

I am now busy creating borders and backing sheets for many of my drawings, particularly the life drawings which are really rather precious to me and deserve to be presented and preserved as well as sold to appreciative art lovers.

Here's the drawing that inspired 'Lady In Red'.

Exciting New Work

2011-03-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Like most other artists, I always work on several ideas at the same time. It's great to have something that needs finishing, especially when I know what it needs. It's great, too, to have a new canvas (or even a used one) that requires covering with whatever I feel like putting on it! And I love the challenge of 'making it work' when something I've created doesn't look right and needs some attention.

Here is one of my popular line drawings, normally created on paper in a smooth flowing black line during a hunch of inspiration; but this one is on canvas - simple, clean, lightweight and ready to hang with a cord or with mirror-plates. It is a black oil paint line on a white vinyl silk background. It needs a little more work on it (I have an idea...) but I have to wait for the oil paint to dry before I can try it.

36" x 14" standard canvas

And this red canvas has been prepared with texture and paint using ONLY MY HANDS as tools... You JUST WAIT to see what beauty adorns it now! .... soon to be displayed on my Affordable British Art Gallery

24" x 30" deep edge canvas

Follow my blog so that you don't miss these gems...

Spring Into Colour with SABAB

2011-03-13T05:16:00.000-07:00

I'm catching up with my blog today because I've been so busy in the past week going back and forth to Montrose (25+ miles from here) to help set up our South Aberdeenshire Abstracts (SABAB) exhibition called 'Spring Into Colour'.

Yesterday we had an 'opening event' so here are some photos, including a shot of yours truly which would be a good one if only I wasn't caught eating a cake!

The Scottish TV local website has been interested in what we do and its fab editor wrote a very good review of the show which you can read here There are some pictures there too.

Detail

2011-03-13T04:43:00.000-07:00

It's really difficult to get a good close-up photo of the texture on this painting!

... But the title I've given it is 'Wistful Moments'

Texture and Colour

2011-02-26T01:40:00.000-08:00

It's only a start and it had gone wrong already at this stage, but here's some progress...

I was disappointed (but should've been aware!) at how impossible it was to apply the paint with my fingers or hands, thereby requiring a brush and thereby changing the initial effect I was looking for.

However, painting is a voyage of discovery - always - and this one is ready for some more work on it. I wonder how it will turn out? I'll show you a close-up next time, so as you see the fabulous texture.

Something's Cooking

2011-02-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

Why else would I be using a colander and food bags in my studio?

To select fine sawdust from the coarse stuff, that's why; and then to sprinkle it over the canvas to create a fabulously rough texture base to paint on.

Watch this space. It's further ahead than this now but it's killing me to have to wait for the next layer to dry!

Three in Progress

2011-01-30T13:04:00.000-08:00

I've been working on three new paintings this week. Well more than that if you include the several drawings and paintings I attempted at our Life Drawing session on Tuesday.

Each of the pieces has been troublesome, I don't know why. I suppose I expected them to be easy and arty and to flow off the brush! It must've been my frame of mind - dissatisfied with myself.

I've taken photos of the 'work in progress' as I often do, to help me think about them; but I'll only show you one of them here because it's the only one that excites me.

And that's the key. I have to be excited about a piece to feel as if it's worth finishing and showing.

Seated Woman (Unfinished)

The Fabulous Challenge

2011-01-22T08:29:00.000-08:00

It might seem as if I haven't been painting much lately, if you look at the dates on my blog posts, but I'm an artist, writer and maker - and making was dominating a good deal of my time during December and the early part of January. Obviously I made a few small gifts for special people but there was one big challenge that I took on, the client thankfully saying there was no hurry for it to be completed by Christmas, nor for the finished garment to be a pristine item of perfection. The challenge was to design and make a leather shirt from five supplied skins.

There were a number of constraints in using this fine, light coloured leather. I couldn't use pins; I couldn't tack things into place before sewing; and I couldn't go wrong because every hole from the needle would show! It was a godsend that my trusty old sewing machine actually seemed to like working on the leather and presented me with no tangles, missed stitches or problems with tension.

I used a contrasting colour of thread and made the stitching an integral part of the design, based on a favourite denim shirt - I built the sleeves from scratch as the original had none. The client wanted slits instead of thick cumbersome cuffs so they looked good with the stitching.

And here is the finished shirt. A work of art!

Experiments are the best!

2011-01-10T04:29:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the latest pieces I've been working on.

This is called Ribbons of Waves and is just being shelved until I decide whether it's finished or not.

This little painting is oil on card and reminds me of something like '39 Steps'. It seems to be keeping well, given that it was an experiment. Experiments are the best!

Ready for an experiment with sky and clouds, perhaps.

And here is the underpainting, the beginnings of an oil painting of a view from Morrone: one of the hills near Braemar.

Plans

2011-01-04T08:08:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit shocked to realise my last post here was 22nd December as it feels like only a few days ago... I have moved on, somewhat, of course, painted more (might show you soon) and have a few plans for the year beginning to take form in my head. As an artist I have always needed to have something creative 'frying in the pan' so to speak, even when the artistry was more of the writerly kind; and dates, deadlines, appointments with myself have always been important hurdles to aim for.

I'm old-hand enough to know that it's useful to help make things happen so I've booked myself another slot for a display in the library 'shop window' for September 2011. I'll plan the exhibition to make more of the space and ensure the paintings on offer are the right size and style to appeal to buyers whilst ensuring I adhere to my artistic integrity and enjoy the doing.

I have several other ideas and plans up my sleeve and would love to join up with other people to exhibit in some unconventional and exceptional ways, so if you've any thoughts - get in touch!

This year I want to further explore the abstract genre whilst hitting on the stunning beauty of Scotland's sunshine, sea and sky. Hmm, not much to expect then.

2010-12-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

Remember the post about 'Preparation' back in October? I told you I'd let you see the end results when I got the chance to use my prepared sheets of sugar paper. I've recently had the chance to do some fabulous life drawing and - although I'm still rusty after too many years' dormancy - I've been really enjoying having a free hand and experimenting with quick drawings interspersed with longer ones. Here are some of the results:

Woman Seated

That last one is my favourite (although it wasn't done last). It captures the essence of the woman, seated, and I used only five brush strokes to achieve it. I'm not entirely sure it's finished yet, as a picture, but I'm happy with the drips that have helped to 'ground' it.

There was a spotty, splashed piece of paper I used too, during a life drawing session, which is still on my easel and needs more work before 'the world' sees it.

I make no apology for being 'fast and loose' when it comes to this type of drawing!

Current Exhibition

2010-12-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

It seems mad but already my exhibition of work in the window at Stonehaven Library has been on display for a week and a half. It is due to be on show for the whole of December and passers-by can pop in to the library and buy one of the paintings on the spot. They don't have to wait for the exhibition to finish before they can take it home with them, so the paintings make ideal presents. "An original painting will tranform a room - a house!- and will be an investment," say the television experts.

Speaking of television, the local Scottish ITV station phoned me yesterday and asked me for some info to put on their 'local' website so I've sent them some and await its display. I'll show you a link when they've done it.

For those who can't walk past (without a 500+ mile journey...) here is a photo of how it looks, reflections and all. My friend Mary Milne helped me hang it and we had a good laugh at the difficulties but we weren't drunk, honest - it was just impossible to get the levels straight, even using velcro tabs.

Contact me if you'd like to buy one and can't get to the library! mrs.bern.ross@googlemail.com

Artist's Statement and More

2010-12-05T01:54:00.000-08:00

The Freehand Line - A Statement

My ambition is to paint each masterpiece with a swift, confident and pure, freehand line applied with a brush or fingers.

Colour, tone, texture, mood and ambience will have all been created beforehand - and not necessarily deliberately. The challenge comes with trusting my freehand and the fact that I love painting and cannot stop. The experiments go on and on: only the constraints of time, space, and the want of further materials hold me back.

Another day, my needs are different; but always, always - the resulting image can be what the viewer sees it to be. No representation within the image is paramount or even intended.

This is an unfinished piece called 'Speeding', painted with acrylics and ink with fingers and credit cards. It awaits more work with 'the freehand line' (though of course it's all freehand anyway).

Our SABAB exhibition in Montrose has been postponed until next March when the snow is likely to have melted and we'll all be able to transport our work and ourselves to the venue safely. Suddenly we have a little bit more time to paint!

Wild, wonderful sea...

2010-12-03T06:59:00.000-08:00

Something a bit different: here's a short video for you to watch. A slice of the life that inspires me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89wZzPdixDs&list=UL_EfcdeDrnS8&shuffle=123&playnext=1
I happened to have my camera when the sea was wild and wonderful, the sky threatening to snow again (or send thunder and lightning and hail), and yet the waves continued relentlessly, noisily and surprisingly reassuringly.

After leaving the boardwalk and going on my way through the slushy streets, it snowed again and then came down in heavy sleet like balls of polystyrene before the clouds moved over to reveal blue sky and sunshine again.

Never ending work

2010-11-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

What do I do all the time? This week I've been writing and sending press releases to the newspapers about my forthcoming exhibitions; creating a new oil painting called 'Of Childhood and Inspiration' - nearly finished that. I've been tidying up a few other paintings where I noticed the colours were not right or the edges needed neatening; I've printed some cards that I designed over the last few weeks; I've planned the layout of my solo exhibition in the local library window and typed the list of works with prices for that.


Choppy Seas Triptych

It took me ages to get these three pictures close enough in colour etc (including the fixtures at the right level at the back!) to make them a triptych but I'm pleased with them now.

I'll remember the other stuff I've been doing (oh, preparing the work for the Montrose exhibition of course!), just as soon as I finish on this laptop, but that's life. No doubt I'll be back soon. When I have time!

Let you in to a Secret

2010-11-11T08:27:00.000-08:00

I've been painting a picture today which I think I'll call 'Sunset Song Landscape' because it's an impression of Lewis Grassic Gibbon's house in the Howe o' the Mearns, an area I love to travel through: and remember the prose in the novel Sunset Song.

My secret is ...

this is an experiment ... painted in gouache (watercolour) on canvas with my fingers, mainly, and...

... love it as I do, I shall probably wash it all off and use the canvas for something more permanent. :-(

Unless, of course, someone makes it worth my while not to! It is 16" x 20" and will need framing with glass to protect it. Offers over £40 by 20th November 2010 .... See my Affordable British Art Gallery where free delivery is included.

Painting as a Way Of Life

2010-10-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

There's nothing odd about it really. I paint (or knit or sew or make something, anything) full time, i.e. everyday. So when it came to deciding what to do with the grimly dull kitchen wall, stripped of old wallpaper, patched with grey plaster and with no grand kitchen design units to adorn it... the obvious thing was to brighten it up with fresh blue sky and the calm sea view I've always wished we'd got in this house.

Difficult to photograph it properly but maybe you can see that it pushes the wall further away into the distance, which is rather effective.

Here is a close up of the bit where I want to dive in for a splash of cool sea water:

In my studio, meanwhile, I've been painting a bright and flowing abstract on the theme of 'hugging' and, this morning, I started an oil painting of a mountain view.

Preparation

2010-10-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

When I'm ready to create something I want to dive in and DO it, so a pristine canvas is a temptation and usually the winner. However, I envy the pictures I see that other people have done which have involved a lot more work in advance of the final drawing or painting and often wish I stopped to think about the final effect before getting going.

Thinking about painting a mural on our kitchen wall (currently covered in nail-holes and unsightly patches) made me realise how important the starting surface is - especially as I began to think of ways to incorporate some of our kitchen wall's defects into the mural!

So - with the lack of time, ideas, and destinations for any saleable artwork at present - I am experimenting with surfaces, creating some interesting 'supports' (i.e.sheets of heavy paper) ready for drawing on. Lovely and messy!

Let it Loose or Let it Die

2010-10-05T11:17:00.000-07:00

I've been reading an article about creativity in older people, i.e. over fortyish, and it has been liberating and heartwarming. It is a time to 'explore our creative impulses and give the results to ourselves and our families, if not to others.'

Having been a creative thing all my life I happen to have found it hard to know what it's like NOT to want to make my own clothes and do my own everything. The surge I'm experiencing now is therefore almost ridiculous: I spoke to a fellow artist this morning who is probably ten years older than I and we exchanged curses on the dilemma of creating more than we can find homes for. I think she and I would give our large paintings away if it were not for the disservice it does to other professional artists; and we are professional if we do it (or think about it) full time and have done for years. The dilemma is finding space on our walls to display the work.

Here are two pieces I've created on paper, recently. To be able to show them 'in situ' is pretty impossible as they need framing and hanging on wall space which I haven't got; so I temporarily put 'Drunken Disorderly' (the line drawing) on a door for you to see the scale, and 'Sunnyfields' - a picture done with soft pastels - is propped up on a futon. Sorry about the presentation - how about giving one of them a proper home?

A Sneaky Peep

2010-09-16T03:14:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few images from my studio as it's currently hung, although there are many more paintings on show in the hall and up the staircase as well as drawings, prints and pastel work in the browsing rack. I'm receiving lots of useful feedback and my principle of remaining 'unframed' is well-supported, generally liked and appreciated. I've gone into this in an article I've written and might publish it elsewhere - watch this space!

Studio open 10 - 4pm each day until Sunday 19th September...... Please come and view the work 'in the flesh' - the experience is well worth it.

Slowly Emerging

2010-09-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

North East Open Studios has started and I'm open today! The sun is shining and visitors are beginning to find their way here, which is great. And instead of flitting from one thing to another in the house I have a good reason to stay in my room and work on some things that might otherwise get left in an undecided state. One of these in particular is a large oil painting of Dunnottar Castle (looking at it from the East).

I kept thinking it was finished but knew in my heart that it needs more work done on it to give it some greater depth. It's coming along... and perhaps when I see it on a photo on computer I shall have better ideas on how to give it those finishing touches, as is so often the way.

More Paintings: each needing the final touches

2010-08-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

The black one in the centre is called 'Living Alone' and it's a technical nightmare to photograph it, although I quite like the effect it has produced here, and might use the (mistaken) light effects in the final painting. Actually it's all black with some subtly coloured glazes giving the shapes which you can probably see; and there are white broken lines and black glazed lines reaching down onto the hill where there's a line of reflection. Tucked in the distant hills is a collection of white buildings.

Age Will Not Weary

2010-08-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

It's always difficult to know which pieces of my work, if any, I should submit to the local annual Art Club exhibition. This painting is iconic for the locality, depicting the War Memorial and its beautiful surroundings in an abstract/ stylised way. The seagull shape has the words of the English poet, Laurence Binyon (1869-1943) signed in silver along its wing and it flies under a silver sky. There is rain/snow/mist in the air and distant hikers heading for the Memorial. Anyone who has walked along the coastal path by Stonehaven will understand the painting although it doesn't literally depict a particular scene.

"Age will not weary, nor the years condemn..."

The painting is unframed (because the picture goes right around the edges), it's thick with texture, uninhibited in brushstrokes and unconventional compared to the neat specimens all around. But it's unfettered art and I'm grateful to the art club for giving me the chance to show it to a wide audience.

Two Paintings, very different

2010-06-27T04:13:00.000-07:00

This week I've been working on two pictures, completely different from each other in style, genre and materials. Nothing new there, it's the way I like to do things.

The top picture is an abstract that reminds me of the view as I look across toward the east from one of the beautiful country roads around Marykirk or Edzell. It is painted in Heavy Body Acrylic paint and could've been influenced by the warm weather we've had recently; if we feel it warm here in the North East, I guess it's particularly sweltering on those yellow fields.

The beach scene is an oil painting and it isn't quite finished yet. The beach on the right needs to be toned-down a little. In complete contrast to the 'Sweltering Mearns' painting, this one conveys the joy of finding a quiet, fresh and sandy patch of beach that's dry and relatively warm, with a few rocks and foliage to use as a home base and picnic spot.

Let me know which one you prefer. I'll soon be displaying them on Affordable British Art

For Ever and Ever

2010-06-19T01:15:00.000-07:00

This is one of my paintings on show at SABAB presents: Art@Cowden. It is painted in oil on an acrylic background and is 36 inches wide by 14 inches tall (92cms x 36cms) Its title is

'For Ever and Ever'

SABAB exhibition

2010-06-15T01:31:00.000-07:00

When a gallery adds 50% to one's very reasonable and affordable prices, one wishes to own the right accomodation in the right place to be able to set up one's own...
South Aberdeenshire Abstracts is my answer. We are a group of 12 who paint (and sculpt) the kind of work that doesn't particularly sit comfortably beside neat representational pictures so we are holding dedicated exhibitions of our own. Our first major show opens on Saturday (sneak preview on Friday afternoon for those who can't do a weekend) at the fabulous Cowden Studio at Drumlithie, just a few miles south from Stonehaven.

And this is the view from the door.

Solo Exhibition

2010-05-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

This morning Rod took me and 18 of my paintings to Balmedie where they are now hanging in a grand exhibition in their own right. It opens on Wednesday 5th May at 10am.

Here are some photos. The lighting isn't quite right yet but I'm pleased with the way the paintings look on the walls.

Preparing for a Solo

2010-04-27T01:50:00.000-07:00

I've got a feel for the atmosphere... I've done the paperwork (I think), I've decided on which paintings to display, have sent off the list and I've made a poster that can be put around wherever it's possible to put posters...

I'm in the middle of making labels to attach to each painting so that they can be identified easily when I'm not with them. It will be interesting to let go of so many of 'my babies' all at once. And it will be hugely helpful in making space within my studio to focus on new work as well as being wonderful to see these favourites in the fabulous setting of the Tarts and Crafts Gallery & community cafe, which is so full of character and deserving of appreciative custom...

Good Friday

2010-04-02T01:59:00.000-07:00

I've been quiet on here for a couple of weeks again but that's not due to laziness! Now that I'm the Publicity Officer for South Aberdeenshire Abstracts www.southaberdeenshireabstracts.org.uk/ I've been writing for them and sorting out images for their new website. I've also been been painting and doing some pastel work which I haven't yet photographed or finished; and I've created a few messes which may or may not come to fruition as masterpieces in an unspecified future.

Pictures in Situ

2010-03-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

There's a problem with sending photos via Picasa, so I've uploaded these two photos to show them on here.

Rushed off my Easel

2010-03-06T04:19:00.000-08:00

These last few weeks I've been too busy to keep up with the blog, not least because I'm currently designing a new website to show my work in a better light.

Art is always a work in progress, really, which is why websites are appealing to creative people.

You can see my work in progress (i.e. making it a good website) at

www.bern-ross.weebly.com

Although I'm still undecided about this painting:

Urban Juxtaposition, 24" x 30"

... my confidence is growing because the feedback so far, from those who've seen it, has been that they love the picture and think I should pursue further ideas in that ilk.

This is a collage of photos from my Open Studio on 21st February which was a great success.

A Spot of Sunshine

2010-02-04T02:30:00.000-08:00

I've started painting this because I need it on my wall somewhere. I love it already with the way it's drawing me in to its heat (white hot!) and throwing out a few ripples of molten sunshine.

Not far to go now with a few adjustments to the blending. I've painted it in oils: fabulously dense pigment.

I think we all need a spot of sun on our walls.

Sunshine and Open Studio

2010-01-30T03:59:00.000-08:00

Photos on here have been sparse recently but too many grey days have not thwarted my creative endeavours, just changed the activities to suit the light. When painting, I use an ordinary high wattage, low energy (if that makes sense) light bulb plus a similar thing in a 'Daylight' bulb. The two together seem to make the right light.

I've created a focal point for the winter months and have started advertising a Special Open Studio event on Sunday 21st February, 10am - 6pm when people can drop in any time and see my work and hopefully buy something.

I've been preparing Giclee prints of some of my larger pictures so that they are smaller and can be framed in the conventional way to match customers' existing collections of pictures on their walls. I've got many pastel drawings/paintings (never know which to call them) and have even started doing some small canvas wall-plaques which are very lightweight and hang like a tapestry from a piece of bamboo.

Today we have brilliant sunshine, blue skies and blinding white snow underfoot, again! I might try taking some photos of my pictures but there could be too much light with glare and reflection. The challenges for an artist are never-ending.

Sketching ideas and resisting realism

2010-01-13T08:54:00.000-08:00

I do love walking in the countryside and along the coast, and I take many photos along the way and sketch the feel of some of the places from memory and imagination afterwards - sometimes straight after, sometimes months afterwards. It's the feel of the place that is important in my paintings and I don't really want to create a pristine replica of what I saw and what everybody else can see (if only they'd walk too).

We were given a Digital Photo Frame for Christmas and it sits quietly in the lounge flicking through photos that are far more interesting than what's on telly. So here's an idea - and it can be adapted for use with an ordinary 'slide show' on a computer. Set the slides to change every ten seconds or maybe 15, whatever suits you, and sit with your smallest sketchpad and a soft pencil, making rapid drawings of the compositions that appeal to you or which most stand out.

If you have the slides on a continual repeat then you can return to any drawings that need a bit of a reminder about colour or composition. For the above painting (at the underpainting stage shown above) I had written notes on the drawing to remind myself of the sharp contrast between sky and trees, and the importance of the angles of the fence posts in the foreground.

You'll soon see the finished painting on Affordable British Art : I think it will be called 'Warm are the Still and Lucky Miles', after a poem by W.H Auden.

The rapid-fire drawings mean that you produce lots and it really loosens you up so that realism is outweighed by the feeling in the scene.

Skye Bridge, Expressionist Style

2010-01-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

This picture gave me a lot of trouble and I have changed it now; but there are some elements that I have lost and which I need to restore! The trouble with having lots of ideas and working on them all at different times within a few days is that you begin to lose vision on the main aim in a piece of work. The focus in this one got lost (it looks better here than it does since I've worked on it) so now I know where I'm going with it and will hopefully put it right.

Life is Moving On

2010-01-08T11:33:00.000-08:00

I've done several paintings and drawings since my last post but haven't had time to put them on the blog...

However, I've taken some photos and if - big IF - my computer machinery obliges then you'll soon see what I've been up to whilst the world outside froze.

Meanwhile, it would be most helpful if anyone reading this would click on the following link and sign a petition for an arts centre and green gardens in central Aberdeen, where rich businessmen with more money than artistic merit and sensitivity are bidding to build concrete money-making monstrosities that seem to take away all signs of greenery and mature trees. Please help! Online petition - Save the new Contemporary Art Centre in Union Terrace Gardens

All White Now

2009-12-18T01:55:00.000-08:00

After redecorating my studio in white from top to bottom, it was a pleasure to go along to the local Carol Concert and see my Candle Wallhanging put to good use in the church.

The piece was 'the prize' in a free draw I ran during NEOS 09, my Open Studio event in September, and the young lad who won it decided to give it to the church. It matched their other Christmas decorations beautifully and was very tastefully hung as you can see. The concert was fabulous and we were made very welcome.

Now I am busy painting and drawing again and have put some pastel work for sale on my gallery. It isn't taking long to fill the white walls with colourful pictures!

Capturing an Atmosphere

2009-11-21T07:04:00.000-08:00

I started this painting this morning and I'm happy with it already. Not that it's finished, of course it isn't; but this is definitely going to be a case where less is more.

Working upstairs in the cold, bundled up in layers of clothing and restricted in space to move around the easel (and use its flat-table facility) made me think about my dad.

The only space he could paint in, at one time in his life (there were worse, but this one I saw with my own eyes) was a dark garage in a row of six others. It was completely full of paintings - his life's work, as there was no room in the small house with us kids and an elderly aunt who he cared for as well - and his easel and stool were shoved up against the up-and-over door which had to be half-up to allow light in when he was painting. It didn't matter what the weather, snow, ice, rain, fog, he painted for as long as possible every day. Cyril Hamersma worked his socks off.

There will be a smattering of a bridge, cottages in the distance and who knows what before this painting is finished. But it's starting to feel right already.

Happy Accidents

2009-11-17T04:32:00.000-08:00

Bursting to paint but with practicalities holding me back, I've been making some small pastel studies from the photos I've taken in Skye.

Whilst waiting for the fixative to dry I went upstairs to print something on the computer and thought I'd bring down with me this troublesome picture which "isn't really me", although it would be if it was much bigger and more dramatic... What could I do with it? The plan was to take a photo and ask a good friend for impartial advice.

My pastels were still scattered on the floor so it felt right to try something which I'd earlier tried using a dark piece of cloth .... Nothing to lose as I could always wash it off again.

The result completely transformed the picture, giving it an atmosphere and moodiness that it deserves. Instead of washing it off, I've sprayed it with fixative to preserve it. The weird thing is that - so far anyway - the fixative has turned the blue to violet.

Here is a sample from it. There's more to be done to the picture before it's finished but it has definitely turned a corner and the purple is - well - a happy accident!

Emotional Work

2009-10-28T03:43:00.000-07:00

Let there be no doubt about it: the true artist paints from the heart and with deep, genuine passion. Funny thing to say? Maybe, but after an enforced break from my creative life, caused by travel and other lovely things, the urge to paint returned to me with a vengeance.

It’s an artist’s job to experiment. What’s the use of churning out numerous similar pictures? If I wanted to work on a production line I’d do that (and get a proper job’s wage too) but I cannot, I follow my heart, my instincts, and paint what I need to paint.

This means that everything I create is unique, often vastly different from what I made last week; it’s individual, thought-out, personal, and born of an idea from a stage of living. What matters to the recipient of each painting is the emotional connection they make with it. What does it make you think of? There is something in that painting that appeals to you, that matters to you, that makes you feel right.

Experiment

2009-10-13T01:35:00.000-07:00

Remember I told you about an experiment I was trying?
I'd seen a demo by a very experienced watercolour painter who was hailing the beauty of acrylics. I'd been aghast to watch her use exactly the same methods with this medium (acrylics) as for her usual watercolours! So I decided to try it myself. I painted some flower shapes on the white-primed canvas, with a (yellow-stained) rubber solution.

Then, when it was dry, I painted the background with an assortment of rich crimsons and cadmiums - this bit I enjoyed!

Then I rubbed away the rubber solution to reveal the flower shapes, but didn't like the three blobs below so began to put some marks where I felt there might be rocks ...

I didn't get much further than this when I decided it really wasn't 'me' and certainly wasn't the direction I
wanted my painting to take.

So this one is put down to experience and won't be visited again.

Pastels

2009-10-07T01:35:00.000-07:00

I've been experimenting with pastels and, after an initial frustration with a small (A4) sheet of white paper, I took the bull by the horns and splashed out a small fortune on a pad of good 'pastel paper' in different shades, A3 size. This "Snowy Headland" was created on an indigo background.

9 Skies

2009-09-27T01:57:00.001-07:00

When I opened out the huge canvas with all the different skies painted on it, the sight was quite breathtaking. I wanted to hang it up outside! There were some visitors here at the time and they pointed to the skies they liked best, then changed their minds ... it was great fun.

For the moment it will be tucked away but at a later date I might try adding the silhouettes they cry out for - a bird here, a steeple there - but for the moment I'm happy to have just experimented and be able to use the results in skies for my paintings in the here and now.

A Memorable Quote

2009-09-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

"God works through the artist to open His children's eyes" ~ Cyril Hamersma

Sky 5

2009-09-20T02:29:00.000-07:00

Skies are delicate, subtle, gentle, translucent, iridescent. Acrylic paint does cope with them but a heavy, gritty support to paint on really is not conducive to conveying the soft brilliance that moves above us all the time.

This sky was never going to be what I wanted it to be but it was a useful experience to create it. I decided to stop here rather than add more paint as we can all see what sort of sky I'm after.

Sky 4

2009-09-18T06:36:00.000-07:00

I had a headache yesterday UNTIL I did some painting and within minutes it had gone away, as if washed out of my bloodstream.

This sky was urgent and necessary, to restore my faith in my painting after yesterday's naive output (and other work hampered by many interruptions). It hasn't completely worked as a sky but was a very useful experiment.

I also started another experiment on a small canvas which I might show you when all the stages are photographed.

New visitors might like to note that if you follow my blog and comment (say hello!) I will send you a free e-book entitled "I Wish I Could Be Artistic". It's very liberating and good fun.

Sky 3 - Some you Win....

2009-09-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

...some you lose. Sky 3 isn't much to look at but it was magnificent in the sky! Clear blue, very simple; with a pale grey, pink-lined cloud hovering gently like a balloon.

It was my day off and I was so lucky with the weather. I drove down the coast to visit some of the other artists' Open Studios. I knew I couldn't do justice for this simple sky but experimented on the rough canvas surface with some pastels followed by fixative, then acrylic paint.

Looks like it was done by a three year year old but that's nothing to be ashamed of!

Sky 2

2009-09-14T01:39:00.001-07:00

NEOS visitors are arriving in a steady flow so that I'm able to talk to them individually, which is good. I'm also getting plenty of breaks in between, giving me time to get on with painting and today's sky was a lovely, messy experiment. The lady who turned up while my hands were still mucky from this one said, "Oh that's lovely," - meaning the painting, not my messy hands.

Although the photos don't look too good, this exercise is a great experience in experimenting to find effects that I might use more seriously on 'proper' paintings at a later date.

Paint a Sky a Day

2009-09-13T04:17:00.000-07:00

I've run out of canvases & boards and run out of space until I sell a few paintings so my project for the nine days here in the studio for NEOS is to paint a Sky a Day. It was recommended by the 19th Century artist Sir Alfred East Sir Alfred East and I'm doing it in 9 separate rectangles on a mural-sized canvas screen I made ( a while ago) to hang from the staircase. Every work of art is an experiment and each of these will be no exception!

The constraints I felt immediately are: working on non-stretched canvas means the creases will dictate some of the texture; it's hard work covering it as it's more absorbent (less well primed than professional canvases); cumbersome to handle and even more prone to the problems I have in my room with the light - too much or too little.

And I thought this would be a GENTLE challenge.

Signs and invitations

2009-09-08T03:17:00.000-07:00

It uses a different part of the brain to have to think about signs and advertising instead of actually creating artwork, although both are creative skills. My stronger half, i.e.,my husband, put his mind to my Open Studio challenge and has created a sign to go outside the house. I can put posters and pictures on it to entice people in, and change the display as often as I like. It is waterproofed and can be put in place each day and taken down again but is firm enough to withstand all weathers.

Look out for my sign! I am No. 179 in the NEOS (North East Open Studios) brochure where you'll find my opening times.

Dancing with Colour

2009-09-05T00:41:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to have a new follower who is so likeminded she could be my sister - doh! she IS my sister. I am proud to refer you to Impasto Studio and, especially if you're an artist, pick up her hints on working with paint. Like me, she learned a lot from the wise and prolific Hamersma.

Fran Hillman is a talented and committed artist in her own right and is the co-author/artist at www.thetreasuretree.co.uk , an interactive, animated teaching resource. Great fun for adults too! (And beautiful.)

Sold

2009-08-31T08:48:00.000-07:00

Sold these two - Lovely.

Every Day, Any day

2009-08-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

Inspiration for a painting - given the time and freedom of expression...

Silly how it looks dark, but that's where the skill of an artist creates a wonderful picture. Hopefully.

Loosen Up

2009-08-13T01:02:00.000-07:00

I decided I must do lots of quick drawings that don't matter so I dug out an old roll of wallpaper. It was very liberating because I didn't have to worry about making a mess or ruining an expensive piece of cartridge paper, I could just let loose and do what I liked on it. As it happened, I liked!

Town Hall Exhibition

2009-08-12T01:38:00.000-07:00

Can you see which two are my paintings?

Paintings on the Go

2009-08-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

Here are two very unfinished paintings. The dogs looked like sheep at first and are gradually starting to come to life but ooh, they make it difficult. Their owner might prefer a photo . . . but I'll persevere.

The rocky seascape is much better than this now and will soon have a title and a reason detre (sorry can't do the accents with this keyboard).

And today I made two Christmas puddings complete with beer and brandy and wishes thrown in.

Playing Cards

2009-07-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

Today I am designing some cards to be printed to sell in my Open Studio. Simple reproductions of some of my paintings and one or two other ideas.

Ah ha! You'll have to come and see, browse around and buy them to know what I come up with!

Busy Busy

2009-07-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

My Open Studio (just one day a week - Thursdays) is working well as I'm finding a small trickle of friendly people trotting in to have a look. I just love to know they're interested in what I do. A couple of them summed it up yesterday when they said they 'could never be so creative' but if I were to put them behind a counter to deal with customers and money, such as in the bank etc where they'd worked, they'd be fine. Me - NO! I couldn't EVER cope with a job like THAT! Give me a blank page or canvas and paintbrush instead.

As well as stuffing a cat doorstop I've been finishing paintings for an art exhibition at the town hall, completing the entry forms etc, designing a promotional postcard, painting a couple of pictures to make into Christmas Cards, taking six paintings to a photographer in preparation for getting some giclee prints... putting my St Bernard dog painting for sale online at Affordable British Art and making a few printed signs for my workroom so that visitors can read what I forget to tell them.

E.G.:- Checklist for your visit

Have you seen . . .

Drawings in the mag rack
Photos and prints too
Boxy bags made from jeans
T- shirt bags
Odd bags for useful bits
Books
Play Scripts
Published articles in the Portfolio
and pictures on the walls everywhere

Have you tried . . .
Drawing
Painting
Printing with rubbish
French Knitting?

Have you thought of commissioning ...
a picture
or a print
or something made of textiles
or a special unusual item?

Oh and I've been writing letters and sending them with posters and leaflets to various local B & B venues to alert them to my Open Studio. Something for tourists to do in Stonehaven when they're fed up with the beach and other local attractions or driving to far off stately homes.

Stuffing a Cat

2009-07-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

Okay, it doesn't look much like a cat; and I haven't appeared to be doing a lot here for ages but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy. This white looking thing is going to be a doorstop made of canvas and it will free up something else (that's currently being used as a doorstop) which I want to use to make a sculpture, because my studio needs something tall and unusual near the window.

Complete Change - for a Rest

2009-06-28T11:01:00.000-07:00

Painting this little Schnauzer worked out so well I thought I'd have a go at a big dog . . .

Of course he isn't finished yet and his right ear is a bit big but I like him already. He doesn't bark or bite either.

More Work

2009-06-03T03:49:00.000-07:00

This piece isn't quite finished but taking a photo is a good way of checking the tone and seeing the flaws. There's something not quite right with one of the shadows and the headland needs some definition but I know what I'm going to call the painting: "Fetch!"

New Work

2009-06-03T03:38:00.000-07:00

For ages I'd been wanting to paint a large version of my much-sought-after picture entitled Still Standing, which was only about 8" x 10". I was astounded at how challenging it was to achieve the same effect on this size 24" x 30"; and it took me ages to get it right, the solidity of the structure and the light on it. This version is called Still Standing Tall.

You can see the mess in my workroom too but that's because I'm so busy. See the next blog entry!

On the Up

2009-05-20T01:36:00.000-07:00

This week my endeavours seem to be working for me. I've sold the mountain whiteout painting along with a boxybag, and I've picked up a commission to do another diamond shaped beach painting. Woohoo!

Need to buy some more square canvases and go to the special place for ideas to get the right atmosphere for the beach painting.

That's STYLE

2009-05-16T01:37:00.000-07:00

I think there's a lot of twaddle spoken about 'style'. You might think I'm about to add to it and if so that's fine but at least my attitude is inclusive and down to earth.

For an artist who paints from the heart, i.e. not solely for commercial purposes without regard for his or her artistic integrity, every painting is created with the materials that are:

best for the job
easiest to hand
favoured colours
preferred size

An artist is sure to have a favourite type of paint, not to mention a limited array of paint due to financial constraints, and a usual support such as canvas, board, mdf, paper, card, recycled packaging et al. Lesser materials are used frequently when necessary or when 'caught short'. There is nothing more annoying than finding you've done a masterpiece on the back or side of something that will deteriorate in ten days or is too confidential to be shown elsewhere. Painting and drawing can get you like that, you have to do it and you have to do it now.

So there's the preferred paint, preferred colours, preferred sizes, favourite subjects and ways of weilding the brush or not, as the case may be: these are what make the artist's style.

Personally I avoid using a brush whenever possible and apply the paint in some other way. I use mainly acrylics (heavy body) at the moment but sometimes my method works with gouache and I know I could move on to oils if I had the money and patience. Style? Make of it what you will but I'll paint what I want and continue to surprise people - as well as myself.

All in a Day's Work

2009-04-27T04:25:00.000-07:00

A fairly typical day here: pieces cut and pinned ready to make a (self designed) shoulder-bag; a new painting started (still needing some work done on it. The finished products are only shown on the Affordable British Art website or for sale in my studio here); and an experimental life-drawing.

These were all done as well as a long stint of heavy gardening and the usual domestic chores of cooking and cleaning. I even vacuumed upstairs! Oh and I finished sewing my velvet blouse

Exhibition

2009-04-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

This is the display of my work at the Inverbervie Art Show ...

Work in Progress - April

2009-04-15T13:19:00.001-07:00

I turned this one to monochrome to check the tones were right . . . It's nearly finished but needs a few more final touches.

Er, well quite a few more touches but you get the gist.

So and Sew

2009-04-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Aaargh, where does the time go? I have two paintings at a half-way stage and more than two sewing projects queuing up to be done. Sometimes I have to get one of them out the way before I can get on with the next and I'm wishing I had the energy to stay up all night to do them.

Alas, I know better than to try and do that so I will work my way through the tasks fairly.

Who said I was patient?