Back Home in the Warm!

We are now back at home after the survival test on Blackpool North Shore. We have reviewed our stratagy to raise Curly Bob's (& my) profile. Several of the groups I have posted in do not appear to be very active or contain much in the way of landscape paintings.

Therefore, several of them are to be "rested" while we try an alternative marrketing strategy. For the next week we are only going to use my timeline and Curly Bob's Art Emporium page for promotion purposes.

Many art groups on Facebook do not allow self promotion and/or links elsewhere. I understand & respect that opinion and the logic behind it. However many many artists wish to raise their profile on social networks. they desire recognition and a chance to show their work to larger audiences which is fully understandable.

For my part I love receiving feedback whenever it is constructive and reciprocating wherever I feel it helpful. As stated on my timeline page and blog,  I  wish to use my art to raise money for our chosen causes so I have to adopt a dual approach which allows me to share and absorb other artists work but also helps with an increase in our profile.

Facebook is diverse enough to cater for both requirements and we hope our followers of Aluitios Vanbear and Curly Bob's Art Emporium will continue to support our efforts.

We shall continue to post on Tumblr, Instagram, Flickr, Pinterest and my website. ( See main menu - left hand side - for links to these platforms.)

While we are here we also wish to post  "La Ferme et Les Tournesols", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm, 2012. (Donated)

"La Ferme et Les Tournesols", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm, 2012.

A Trip To The Seaside!

I thought Curly Bob was losing it when he suggested a trip to Blackpool last week. Yes it was a dry sunny day but the weather was best described as "bracing" which in plain english means absolutely freezing!

Bob is far too professional to go on a beach himself especially when the sand is wet and there loads of dogs about. Bob's fame hasn't yet reached into the canine world and he might easily be mistaken for a chew!

In any case it turned out that the main reason for the road trip was to visit Granthams(Art Discount) who have a shop near Blackpool Tower. They sell a vast range of art materials and supplies for all types of artist. They were helpfulness itself and we shall certainly be going back when the need arises. There aren't many art supplies shops within reach of Manchester any more. Especially where you can actually pick things up and assess them.

When we got home and thawed out we agreed to post another item from the archive. It is called
"Arabian Desert", oil on canvas, 2013, 60cm x 50cm, (sold)

"Arabian Desert", oil on canvas, 2013, 60cm x 50cm, (sold)

Back to Abstraction!

The weather is still allowing me to work in my outside studio. I am closing in on my target of having enough work to hang in Eccles Community Art Gallery in March.

It has been interesting working in different palettes for some of the paintings. It is amazing how some colours can change your mood and how you view a subject. Yet another fascinating aspect of this absorbing subject.

Given the impending storm rushing in from the Atlantic Ocean we have decided to publish something from the archive with an aquatic flavour. It is called "Sealife #1", oil on canvas, 2008, 60cm x 50cm (Sold).

"Sealife #1", oil on canvas, 2008, 60cm x 50cm (Sold)

Work continues in preparation for my forthcoming exhibition. I am trying to hang a number of diverse works. many painters that make a living from selling their work often stick to a "winning formula".  I have the luxury of being able to paint whatever landscape subject comes to mind. 

I am looking forward to posting my new works as soon as they are ready to hang. Meanwhile it's back to the archive for the latest item. It is a happy memory of our trips to Snowdonia. Some years ago we would always travel through the Llanberis Pass and eat breakfast in the village of Llanberis. Afterwards a visit across Llyn Padarn to look at Dolpaddarn Castle and Dinorwig Slate Quarry.

This is my impression of "Dinorwig Slate Quarry, Llanberis", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm, 2013. It was painted from a photo I took back then. It is a rugged man made landscape but I still find it attractive to look at. I have painted this subject a number of times, especially in Winter.

"Dinorwig Slate Quarry, Llanberis", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm, 2013

Water Water Everywhere....!

CB & I discussed the next item to post. He connects with the subject of my paintings to a great degree so the last one "White Desert", made him thirsty!

Therefore a change of scenery and no sand to be seen! This is again from the archive and is called "Sailing #2", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm, 2008

"Sailing #2", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm, 2008

Curly Bob Driven to Distraction!

After several days of working on my latest work it is now completed finally and I don't think I shall mess with it any more. this is an example of why I am not proritising DM's at least at the moment. Fundraising must come first.

Curly Bob has complained that the last image I posted gave him a migraine( i.e. it has put him off his honey...a serious matter for a bear!). After some discussion we agreed that something soothing was called for from the archive so here is "White Desert", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm , 2007

"White Desert", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm , 2007

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More knife painting in prospect - Happy Saturday!

I am feeling a bit under the weather but no chance of Curly Bob  giving me the day off. back to the studio to finish off a knife painting of the Carneddau range of mountains in Snowdonia, North Wales.

I have various other works in progress which are at various stages depending on drying times. I like to paint most days so it's easier to keep a few on the go.

I thought about the next posting which will be a change of scenery (literally). I think I have enough images in the archive to keep me in posts for the next year but they will be alternated with my more recent efforts as soon as they are ready to hang.

Happy Saturday's post is called "Sailing #2", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm, 2008, Donated

"Sailing #2", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm, 2008, Donated