Just For Fun

I was getting a little blocked creating abstract paintings so I decided to paint this little picture of a bottle of washing up liquid to loosen up.  Created using acrylic paint in a loose and energetic style - I quite like it, what do you think?

Experimentation

I took a little time out from painting recently but I have now started to paint again.  I was in my studio earlier in the week but it was so cold that I decided to bring my paints home and work in the warmth!  Here is an energetic sketch of a scene within Shipley Country Park, Derbyshire.  It is near the site where Shipley Hall once stood.  It was painted using acrylic paint on watercolour paper.  I really enjoyed creating this little painting and I hope you like it too.

Summertime Blues

Here is a painting I started in the Summer - it has had quite a few tweaks since then but I am happy with it now. 

"Summertime Blues'
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas (Deep Edge)
16"x20"
£160

Nottingham Castle Open 2014

I am delighted to announce that this painting from my 'Guided By Voices' series has been shortlisted for the Nottingham Castle Open 2014.  The painting will be on display at the exhibition from 13th December 2014 until 18 January 2015.

'The Future Isn't What It used To Be'
Acrylic on Canvas
40" x 30"

Taking Time Out

I have been taking a little time out lately as I was getting a little stressed out and finding it difficult to focus.   I think it has done me good - I have done some much needed decorating at home, I have been crocheting, knitting and baking, all still creative in their own way but different.  I did however create these two intuitive portraits, one in watercolour and one using watercolour and pen.  I enjoyed painting them but I think they both reflected my mood at the time somewhat ...

Latest Painting

Here is my latest abstract painting just off the easel.  It is a large abstract expressionist painting on stretched canvas created using acrylic paint and mixed media.  40"x30".  Here it is on my studio wall.

Today's puzzle ....

I have been developing this abstract figurative painting today along with a large abstract painting which just did not want to play nice!  Here is the figurative piece so far - as for the other one - I am ready to put it on a bonfire!

More Studio Work In Progress

Here is another studio shot from painting sessions last week.  I really enjoyed using all that yellow - not a colour I often use but I think I will use it more in the future as it was very uplifting and energising.  The painting on the table was a finished painting that I started to feel uncomfortable with so I worked over it and it is turning into an abstract floral painting now - no idea what it will turn out to be in the end!

New Painting - Transmutation

Here is the finished version of the in progress painting in a previous post.  This artwork went through many changes but I am finally happy with it. 

'Transmutation'
Acrylic on Canvas
36"x36" (91cm x 91cm)
£895

Today's work in progress

I have been working on a few paintings today - here is a sneak peak of them progress ....

In Progress

I have been working on quite a few paintings this week and this one has seen many, many changes with lots of layering and glazing of paint but I am still not happy with it.   I walked away from it yesterday in frustration and I am keeping my distance today!

New Prints

I having been creating some new prints today by combining images of my artwork with photographs that I have taken recently.  Here are the results and all are available via my Etsy Shop 

Anyway, here are the images - I hope you like them .... (these are all 5" x 7" on A4 paper)

Feeling Autumnal

I think the season is coming through in my painting today ...

New Painting

Here is a new large abstract expressionist painting which I finished today.

'There's No Need To Talk'
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
40" x 30" x 1.5"
£550

Intuitive Portraits

I had some fun last week creating some intuitive portraits with drippy black paint and a palette knife.  The one on the left was created using black enamel paint but it wasn't drippy enough so I mixed some black acrylic paint with some Golden Tar Gel and a little bit of water to create the other two. 

On The Easel Today ....

I had a lovely time on Sunday visiting Melbourne Festival and following the art trail.  Lots of wonderful work to see and artists to meet.  Melbourne is a lovely historic town in southern Derbyshire, England.  I have a bit of a thing for hand made ceramics and two pieces - a jug and a bowl came home with me.

One of the paintings I have been working on today is this one which has been hanging around my studio calling for attention ....

Another abstract figurative artwork in progress

Here is another abstract figurative artwork in progress which is sitting on my studio floor awaiting inspiration .....

Figurative Expressionism

Here is another figurative abstract work in progress.  I have a number of these paintings on the go at the moment all in various stages of development.  I find it really difficult to know when they are finished but like a friend reminded me recently - artists rarely 'finish' a painting, they just abandon it and move on to the next one .... which just about sums up my process.

A Zingy Abstract Meadow Painting

This painting is now for sale via my website or via my shop on Artfinder.  It is a colourful acrylic and mixed media painting on stretched canvas.  30" x 24".

On The Easel Today ......

I had a bit of a struggle with this one and there are many layers on this painting.  I had to leave the studio as it was getting really cold (20 degrees celsius outside but like a fridge in my studio).  I put on my electric heater only to watch the electricity meter going crazy.  I think it will be jumpers, gloves and hats in the Winter then!

A few more ......

After not being active on my blog for about a month here is the second post in the same day!  For one reason or another I have not been able to get to the studio much this week so decided to create some small abstract paintings on paper at home.  Here are some of the results - they are mostly gouache on paper with oil pastel.  Creating small paintings like this is a great form of art therapy!!!

Abstract Expressionist Paintings on Paper

My studio is filling up with a lot of unfinished work so I decided to express myself on paper for a change as stretched canvases soon start to fill up the space.  Here are a few acrylic paintings on paper ....

New Painting

New abstract expressionist artwork for sale on my website ....

'The Words Have All Been Spoken'
24"x24" (61cm x 61cm)
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Stretched Canvas (deep edge)

Recent Commissions

I have been a busy bee in the studio and have now dispatched these very large commissioned paintings.  They were quite a challenge due to the size and technique but I am happy with the way they turned out. 

Two New Paintings

These two new paintings are now for sale on my website.  The first is a very large abstract expressionist painting 48" x 36" and the second is a smaller abstract expressionist painting at 24" x 24".

Using Resin On Artwork

I have been experimenting with resin lately on some larger paintings.  I had a small problem with flies as they seemed to be attracted to the resin whilst it was drying but I do like the results.  It does however work out quite expensive as you need quite a lot to cover large paintings so I don't know how often I will use in the future - perhaps on some smaller pieces .....

Today's work in progress

It has taken me a while to get back into the swing after a holiday in Mevagissey, Cornwall but I started back in the studio in earnest yesterday and began three new large commissions. 

Today I have been adjusting a few works in progress as well as starting a couple of new paintings.  Here is one of them ..... it reminds me of a lovely Summer's day.

Holidays

I am going to Cornwall on holiday soon and this got me thinking about a previous holiday to Polperro a few years ago.  To get me in the mood for some sketching I created this loose and expressive painting of a view of the Blue Peter Inn on the harbour.  The sunflower painting followed - no connection to Cornwall I just had the urge to paint some sunflowers!  Both of these paintings started with a background of cadmium orange.  Painted using artists acrylic on paper.