Monday 9 March 2020

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










Thursday 5 March 2020

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)

Wednesday 4 March 2020

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.




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)



Tuesday 3 March 2020

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)


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

Thursday 27 February 2020

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.


Monday 24 February 2020

Only 18 Days to Opening!

Curly Bob and I are working flat out to get my stuff ready for my exhibition opening at Eccles Community Art Gallery on 14 March 2020. Business cards have been ordered from the printers and I await a final proof before printing.

There are other things to consider including compliments slips, "mission statement" & a list of our worthy causes that we have chosen to support. Not every artist bothers with such things but I believe customers appreciate it which makes it all worthwhile.

Sorry to say that with all the above going on I just haven't had the time to answer any Direct messages, Curly Bob and I would hate to cause any offence but getting the work ready comes first and we hope that other artists will understand.

Posting from the archive will continue until the new work is ready to present.

My next offering is " Farm in The Luberon", oil on 60cm x 50cm canvas, 2013, (Donated)

" Farm in The Luberon", oil on 60cm x 50cm canvas, 2013, (Donated)