All that glitters must surely be from Essex

All that glitters must surely be from Essex
Oil and glitter on canvas

Sunday 16 September 2012

Up to my elbows in it...literally!

Sunday roast is nearly ready so short and sweet.  Here's the progress in the studio today of my current piece.  A LOT of concentration painting all the straight lines....then whilst painting the roof I stuck my entire forearm (right up to my elbow) on most of what I had just painted, didn't even realise I was concentrating on what I was doing so much.

Anyway, tried to patch up the damage - see if you can spot it!  Happy Sunday!



Sunday 9 September 2012

What a weekend!

I'm absoloutely shattered!!  It's been a long but fantastic weekend.  The Colchester Open Studios 2012 began and at my studios we threw our doors open this weekend to welcome all to come and see what we create in our spaces.

(That's my painting "A Stormy Clacton on the back cover of the brochure!)
I enjoyed speaking to a whole host of people from all different ages and backgrounds, about my work...why, how and what next?  I had very positive comments about my work and spoke to others about the work that they themselves do.  It was also a real priviledge to speak to all of the artists that I work with at the studios and to share ideas, advice and more than a few laughs.  A reminder that if no man is an island unto himself then the same is surely true of artists.  Finally we also enjoyed some long needed sunshine as the crowning glory of the weekend.  I go back to work tomorrow not sad because the weekend is over but feeling really positive about what I do artistically and priviledged to be part of such a great community of artists.

In between the chats, discussions and more than a few cups of tea, I managed to make real headway with my newest piece.  I'm not a great one for lots of drawing out, and I certainly don't make a habit of using perspective too much!  But in my last piece and now with this one...I seem to be punishing myself.  It took a LOT of readjustment and rubbing out to get it drawn up properly.  Finally I could begin the painting.



I manged to get the sky finished just as the last of the sunlight left my studio and the warmth of the day disappeared.  I'm very excited about carrying on next weekend. 

 
 

Although I've started painting this in a traditional way I've got quite a few special techniques and materials lined up for this one.  Keep coming back to see the progress.  And just for anyone who would like to know the scene...beachhuts at Mersea - Essex of course!!!

Just as I finished typing this the most phenominal finale to the London 2012 Games - bloody hell, we did good!

How I love a great weekend!