2 Days to Opening!

Most artists open their exhibitions with mixed emotions. They are wondering whether it will be a success, will anything go wrong, are they happy with their work once they see it on the gallery wall etc, etc.

I am happy with what I have produced for this show but have also used it as a marker to see where things can be improved with my next paintings.

As already stated it is probably one of the worst times I can think of to have a show but there it is. Artists are like the rest of us. Some are optimistic, others not so much so. I plan to keep going and hope some people will come out and have a look as long as it is safe to do so.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our project by liking and / or following me & Curly Bob. We really appreciate it and wish you all a safe passage through these trying times.

Bob, with his usual modesty has mentioned that as Donald Trump has made a statement today, he is obliged to do the same. He will be posting tomorrow....

Meanwhile here is a work that is in my exhibition at Eccles Community Art Gallery until 4 April 2020.

This took me several months to paint due to distractions with other projects. "Mas En Provence", acrylic on 60cm x 50cm canvas, 2020.

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"Mas En Provence", acrylic on 60cm x 50cm canvas, 2020.

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At Last The Waiting is Over!

Bob has had me hard at it over the weekend. He really is a slave driver. All works are now ready for hanging after hours of stringing, recording & photographing each one.  It's a necessary chore and not one that has scope for any short cuts. However it does mean that everything is coming together and most of the hard work is over.

I am pleased with the range of palettes that I have experimented with and I particularly enjoyed doing some knife painting which I find very expressive and rewarding at the same time. It is clear that the timing for this show is not the best given the medical situation. However there it is and I am going on with it. There should be time for anyone to safely visit Eccles Community Art Gallery on or before Sat 4 April 2020.

The Gallery is open Tuesdays & Fridays 10 - 2 and  Saturdays 10 - 4

I am "in residence" from 10 -12 all 4 Saturday mornings and look forward to seeing you and to answer any questions you may have. Artists are always happy to see interested people whether they buy anything or not.

I haven't processed the images of my work to be displayed tomorrow but they should be ready before I open on Saturday 14 March.

However here is one I have the photo for. I painted it a couple of years ago and it is a very fond memory of holidays in North Wales.

It is titled "Y Garn #2", acrylic on 60cm x 50cm canvas, 2018

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5 More Days to Go

I have just spent most of the day varnishing paintings for my exhibition next week at Eccles Community Art Gallery. Luckily the varnish is very quick drying so it should be hard enough by next week.

So far there is every intention of proceeding with the Gallery unless there is medical advice to the contrary.  I am aware that in the grand scheme of things this is not very important.

However I refuse to just sit here and wait to be infected. Subject to sensible precautions i.e fallout suit, lead lined gloves, NASA style helmet etc I intend to carry on. At a time like this distractions like this are good for the soul and the ability to think positive.

Meanwhile here is "Farmhouse in Luberon #3", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm, circa 2013 (Sold)

Add "Farmhouse in Luberon #3", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm, circa 2013 (Sold)

Only 6 days to go

It is now only 6 days before I hang for my month's exhibition at Eccles Community Art Gallery on 10 March 2020.

Yesterday Curly Bob & I visited Cleasby's The Printers, Eccles,  our local printer, to agree the final adjustments on our new business cards.

Rob Cleasy is a very nice man who offers the personal touch, is very patient and helpful all at very reasonable rates. He didn't want to go to print until he was certain we were happy with everything. Bob wanted his photo enlarged a bit (no surprises there!) and the colours were even better than my own design. We should have them some time this week as agreed so I would have them before my opening.

I hope to be able to photograph my works as soon as they are varnished which should be before weekend. I can start publishing them on the internet as soon as they are processed.

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Meanwhile another painting from the archive.

"Elephants at Sunset", oil on 40cm x 30 cm canvas board, circa 2009, (NFS)

"Elephants at Sunset", oil on 40cm x 30 cm canvas board, circa 2009, (NFS)

To Blog or Not to Blog!

It is only 8 days to hanging for my exhibition at Eccles Community Art Gallery. It runs from 10 March 2020 to 4 April 2020. The gallery is open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
More on that tomorrow

This painting is one of a series of 5 oils that I did mainly because I found the burnt umber glowed on the canvas and I found the colours very relaxing. I have never discovered a similar effect in acrylics but I shall keep trying as I have a feeling that adding a medium of some sort will do the trick!.

“Evening Light #2”, oil on 60cm x 50cm canvas, circa 2012, (NFS)

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“Evening Light #2”, oil on 60cm x 50cm canvas, circa 2012, (NFS)

Last paintings to finish!

All is proceeding well at the moment. The final paintings will be completed before Monday , or at least that is the plan. After that comes the varnishing , where relevant.

Business card draft still not back from the printers. I should hear something by tomorrow.

Today's post from the archive is " Crows in Winter #2", oil on canvas board, 40cm x 30cm, 2010. It is one of a series of paintings that I have done, greatly inspired by Charles Francois Daubigny (1817 - 1878). I first saw "Snow" in Le Musee D'Orsay circa 2009 and I was deeply moved by it.for some reason. I only saw it twice because it was taken down a couple of years later and I have not seen it since. I have also seen it described as "Winter Crows", hence my title.

It is one of my favourite paintings. When I have more time I shall study Daubigny's work further and report back. I am told that he was an important painter but has received very little recognition in the UK but that may be different in France.

17 Days to Go!

 A change of medium for this post from the archive.

"Beach Storm", acrylic ink on paper, 12in x 8in, 2009, (Sold)