Gosh - two postings in two days!
Well, it is good news, so I can be excused. Please? Pretty please? OK then.
In the hectic life that surrounds and indeed is that of an amateur artist (?), I forgot to mention that at the end of last week, my "contact" re the hospice rang me , being back off holiday. After a long and very enjoyable chat and catch-up, she told me the secretary is ringing me to arrange details for me to travel over for a visit.
Once there I can show them some of the work I have for them, meet some of the staff, the people there and have a look and get a "feel" for the place, as I have a few other ides if they want them. Told you it's good news!
So, watch this space as they say, and no doubt more good news will shortly follow.
Paul
Monday 30 March 2009
Sunday 29 March 2009
Hmmmm
Greetings!
Well, as the title of this posting says, it's a "Hmmmmm" sort of time. What?
If any more of you with an artistic or craft ability suffer from this same sort of phrase, then you will nodoubtedly understand what the flippin' heck I'm waffling on about.
The Old Bridge watercolour got stuck into last week, but I'm now at a stage where I'm trying to look at how I can improve on it. Understand, it is by no means finished - it's a vary pale watercolour, needs lots more colour and depth, but I'm happy with most of the tones and the layout of the work. That must count as progress.
While pondering that, I started another drawing of an oldish man from who knows where, but who by dubious means is associated with the area in which I live. I suppose he's maybe in his 70's (though he could have had a hard life and is actually only 27), and my mind has him as some sort of "river man" type. Possibly bargee? But - he could easily be an old farm labourer.
That got me into thinking of working on another watercolour (not decided what medium to use for the old man), and I have that in my head, so it's getting a big "Hmmmm" as to what to do next. Probably a bit of each - maybe rotate - so I keep fresh for each one.
Crikey - this artist's life is harder than you think!
Paul
Well, as the title of this posting says, it's a "Hmmmmm" sort of time. What?
If any more of you with an artistic or craft ability suffer from this same sort of phrase, then you will nodoubtedly understand what the flippin' heck I'm waffling on about.
The Old Bridge watercolour got stuck into last week, but I'm now at a stage where I'm trying to look at how I can improve on it. Understand, it is by no means finished - it's a vary pale watercolour, needs lots more colour and depth, but I'm happy with most of the tones and the layout of the work. That must count as progress.
While pondering that, I started another drawing of an oldish man from who knows where, but who by dubious means is associated with the area in which I live. I suppose he's maybe in his 70's (though he could have had a hard life and is actually only 27), and my mind has him as some sort of "river man" type. Possibly bargee? But - he could easily be an old farm labourer.
That got me into thinking of working on another watercolour (not decided what medium to use for the old man), and I have that in my head, so it's getting a big "Hmmmm" as to what to do next. Probably a bit of each - maybe rotate - so I keep fresh for each one.
Crikey - this artist's life is harder than you think!
Paul
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Knocked Back (Metaphorically)
Well, a few days off with no postings - has anyone missed me? Probably not, but hey ho!
I still struggle with the Old Hall sketch, but the Old Bridge is done, but not painted - maybe today is the day?
Throughout life you sometimes come across artistic types who say they cannot work as it is "not the right moment" or some other waffle. Hmm, so I thought too, until you try it yourself. It can be very difficult to just "turn on the paint works" - even less so if you feel under the weather or have been knocked back in some other way.
Mobility problems are amongst the bains of my life, and this last weekend I have faltered, so feeling less like painting than any other "not the right moment". But, before that I was able to go out and get some more wonderful source material with my trusty digital camera (which is why I ended up suffering in the first place). Now on a good "run" can I turn them into something worthwhile? Hope so.
Normally I'm a very bright, happy old soul which I hope comes through in my work - big, bright, bold colours, and subjects - and the challenge I set myself is to try and portray these objectives in all my subjects - no matter how many knock backs I encounter!
Paul
I still struggle with the Old Hall sketch, but the Old Bridge is done, but not painted - maybe today is the day?
Throughout life you sometimes come across artistic types who say they cannot work as it is "not the right moment" or some other waffle. Hmm, so I thought too, until you try it yourself. It can be very difficult to just "turn on the paint works" - even less so if you feel under the weather or have been knocked back in some other way.
Mobility problems are amongst the bains of my life, and this last weekend I have faltered, so feeling less like painting than any other "not the right moment". But, before that I was able to go out and get some more wonderful source material with my trusty digital camera (which is why I ended up suffering in the first place). Now on a good "run" can I turn them into something worthwhile? Hope so.
Normally I'm a very bright, happy old soul which I hope comes through in my work - big, bright, bold colours, and subjects - and the challenge I set myself is to try and portray these objectives in all my subjects - no matter how many knock backs I encounter!
Paul
Friday 20 March 2009
Great News!
Ha - great news! (er, the title already says that, get on with it.)
After working towards providing artwork for a local hospital for over a year, for free to them, only to have it rejected because a new "manager" wanted fully co-ordinating artwork throughout the buildings, our art group has managed to re-distribute it to another, more grateful venue (do I sound as bitter as I feel?).
Admittedly it's not there yet - but it all seems to be going well so far!
On a purely personal note, some of my work (the cartoons actually, if you look on my website), were requested last year by a children's hospice. I said I would donate them in exchange for copious quantities of tea whilst I am there! Seems like a fair swap to me! This one is a real deal, as I have been involved in it myself, not relying on others.
The lady co-ordinating it is away on holiday at the moment - so look out for an update in around 3 weeks time. Yes, I know, I know, I will provide some photo's for you all, don't worry.
End of good news - back to reality.
Paul
After working towards providing artwork for a local hospital for over a year, for free to them, only to have it rejected because a new "manager" wanted fully co-ordinating artwork throughout the buildings, our art group has managed to re-distribute it to another, more grateful venue (do I sound as bitter as I feel?).
Admittedly it's not there yet - but it all seems to be going well so far!
On a purely personal note, some of my work (the cartoons actually, if you look on my website), were requested last year by a children's hospice. I said I would donate them in exchange for copious quantities of tea whilst I am there! Seems like a fair swap to me! This one is a real deal, as I have been involved in it myself, not relying on others.
The lady co-ordinating it is away on holiday at the moment - so look out for an update in around 3 weeks time. Yes, I know, I know, I will provide some photo's for you all, don't worry.
End of good news - back to reality.
Paul
Wednesday 18 March 2009
Experimentation!
Hello there "Follower" and "Browsers".
A long time ago, before swimming was invented, I did a piece on hardboard which had been primed with wallpaper paste. Unwittingly, it had not fully dried, and when things had run their course, and I had painted over it with acrylics and it had dried, it turned out it all crackly.
It first I was verging on being horrified, but after another cup of tea (can you actually die from a tea overdose?), and working out what had actually happened, I got to kind of like it.
So, using this knowledge of over three years ago (would that warrant a story on Sky News?), I did it again last night at our art group, and the results were ............................ it failed miserably!
BUT - and it was a big but - (it's in bold capitals), I realised where it had all gone wrong. Wallpaper paste had been substituted by acrylic mixed with PVA glue, which had not had the desirerd effect! Aha, I here you all type - this bloke is just stumbling about! Well, I maybe, but I'm learning from it, which is no bad thing in itself. Next time, well, it may just be different.Another thing to "experiment" with, is the uploading of my first picture on here, other than my profile picture, of course. And low and behold, it's of the original wallpaper pasted picture, posted above!
So, what do you reckon - good, bad, or indifferent? Answers on a postcard please ...................
Paul
Tuesday 17 March 2009
Sketching
Well, over the weekend I have managed to get it down from the last 4 semi-finalists to a final 2. Good grief, this is beginning to sound like the X Factor (other voting competitions are avaliable)! Who's doing all of the voting? Whose on the panel?
Eventually I settled on the river, fisherman and the old bridge scene, coupled with a sketch of the local Old Hall. As you may deduced from the title, they are both at the sketching stage, with the river one being almost done - well, enough for me to be happy enough with it until I start to paint it, then who knows.
The Old Hall still needs quite a bit of work doing on it. I'm just not happy with it at the moment, and it's one of those things that you can't quite put your finger on. Perhaps it's the composition, perhaps it's the size, perhaps it's the detail that's throwing me.
Still, time is of no importance, though I would like to complete it before I die (it may be worth more!), and as long as I keep sketching lightly with the soft leaded pencil, it will still be able to be rubbed-out and re-worked.
Enough for today - I must go as I have more decisions to make.
Paul
Eventually I settled on the river, fisherman and the old bridge scene, coupled with a sketch of the local Old Hall. As you may deduced from the title, they are both at the sketching stage, with the river one being almost done - well, enough for me to be happy enough with it until I start to paint it, then who knows.
The Old Hall still needs quite a bit of work doing on it. I'm just not happy with it at the moment, and it's one of those things that you can't quite put your finger on. Perhaps it's the composition, perhaps it's the size, perhaps it's the detail that's throwing me.
Still, time is of no importance, though I would like to complete it before I die (it may be worth more!), and as long as I keep sketching lightly with the soft leaded pencil, it will still be able to be rubbed-out and re-worked.
Enough for today - I must go as I have more decisions to make.
Paul
Friday 13 March 2009
6.30am
Yes, it's 6.30am and I'm up and awake. No it's not a typographical error, believe me, I've checked!
What on earth am I doing up at this unearthly hour? I've no idea, my body must have gone stupid; and, it's Friday 13th, but it doesn't bother me, I'm not superstitious. Hang on while I put the kettle on and let the black cat out.
Yesterday at my local kid's art club; three new members, one of which is doing art to an exam standard, and she is good - we must be doing something right. They seemed to enjoy it, so I hope they come along next week.
Better put this extra time to good use, so today I'm going to go through my photo's for inspiration, but I've got it down to 4; the old bridge with river and fisherman, monument and tree lined lane, old hall and building or maybe a very striking sunset. I like to use as local scenes as I can if possible - it means more to me.
Then again - up at 6.30am - my eyes are not used to this light!!!!
Paul
What on earth am I doing up at this unearthly hour? I've no idea, my body must have gone stupid; and, it's Friday 13th, but it doesn't bother me, I'm not superstitious. Hang on while I put the kettle on and let the black cat out.
Yesterday at my local kid's art club; three new members, one of which is doing art to an exam standard, and she is good - we must be doing something right. They seemed to enjoy it, so I hope they come along next week.
Better put this extra time to good use, so today I'm going to go through my photo's for inspiration, but I've got it down to 4; the old bridge with river and fisherman, monument and tree lined lane, old hall and building or maybe a very striking sunset. I like to use as local scenes as I can if possible - it means more to me.
Then again - up at 6.30am - my eyes are not used to this light!!!!
Paul
Thursday 12 March 2009
Blogs Away!!!
Hi there, and thanks for loggin on!
Well, here we go, my very first blog, attempting to portray the life and events of myself as an "artist". Yep, that's what I said - ME and ARTIST in the same phrase. Oh what have I started?
Anyway, I hope it's fun, entertaining and whatever else you are supposed to put in things like this. My fingers are sore with uploading, typing and editing, and my brain is numb with all this programming, so it had better be worth it, or one lady on the south coast who talked me into it will have, er............... wasted her time!
Right, off to see to, and do arty things, I suppose.
Paul
Well, here we go, my very first blog, attempting to portray the life and events of myself as an "artist". Yep, that's what I said - ME and ARTIST in the same phrase. Oh what have I started?
Anyway, I hope it's fun, entertaining and whatever else you are supposed to put in things like this. My fingers are sore with uploading, typing and editing, and my brain is numb with all this programming, so it had better be worth it, or one lady on the south coast who talked me into it will have, er............... wasted her time!
Right, off to see to, and do arty things, I suppose.
Paul
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