From My Studio in 2024
Join me each week as I seek inspiration for my large original oil paintings, and talk you through my studio work as to how I reach a final painting.
Open Studio 24
I am opening the door to my Studio this Bank holiday weekend with the lounge converted into a small gallery and lots of original artwork for sale for every budget. From affordable art to large original oil paintings, there really is something for everyone this weekend and we'd love to see you here in Alston Cumbria. I will be here for the three days beginning my next painting as well as welcoming visitors.
We Are All Made Of Stars
We Are All Made Of Stars - Oil on canvas. I'm delighted to announce that the oil painting of Ullswater in the Lake District is complete and I think it’s absolutely breath-taking! The beautiful blend of pattern and landscape, which is neither abstract nor representational, creates a unique aesthetic. Stay tuned for more of such captivating work in the upcoming months!
Back at the easel
I spend the week this week painting a complicated geometric, Islamic 8 pointed star pattern as an underpainting for my next large abstract landscape inspired by Ullswater in the Lake District. I explain why I do this and why it matters to me in this short video blog of my week as an artist
Easter in France - Week 13
Looking forward to a delightful Easter Weekend, aren't you? Don't be surprised by the deviation from my usual painting; I've been dabbling in a different kind of art! I took a break from the easel to create these beautiful, gilded hens eggs, a unique Easter gift for my friends that breaks the chocolate tradition.
Out and About - Lake District to London - Week 11
What a whirlwind of a week I’ve had this week! With one painting finished, I’ve found time to visit art galleries and see other peoples amazing art work in person. I've been to Rheged in The Lake District, as well as The Gallery in The Hills, otherwise known as the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery. I have also travelled down to London to visit CasildArt Gallery in Connought Street, to see my painting Crossing Over, in an exhibition there as part of a celebration of the recent International Women's Day. The exhibition EmpowerHer: Creativity, Courage and Magical Thinking runs until 24th March. Please visit if you can. My painting ‘Oxygen’ is also there, in reserve.
Studio 24: IWD Week 10
As well as packing paintings and posting paintings, I have managed time to paint paintings too! In this short video blog I show you my week as an abstract landscape artist and share some of my thought processes as well as practical aspects of being an artist. I made the local news with my entry to CasildArt exhibition EmpowerHER: Creativity, Courage and Magical Thinking, and am hugely looking forward to sharing with you next week as I attend the preview evening and see all the other fabulous art work on show.
Getting Sorted - Week 8
A very varied week this week. I have been out seeking landscape inspiration for my next painting along the beautiful River Nent in Cumbria as well as framing my large abstract painting called Somewhere In Between and smaller abstract paintings that are now finished, which are all looking fabulous in their Farrow and Ball Winbourne White frames! These smaller pieces are definitely Affordable Art, due to their size and would also make great gifts for an art lover. I have also been stretching canvases ready to start my next painting based on the River Nent and finishing off a couple of small experimental pieces, and experimenting with pattern as a structure to help with composition, also experimental, in readiness for this next painting.
The Church at Les Chapelles
Here is a little sneak peek of my upcoming artwork! This small abstract landscape in mixed media is still waiting for the perfect title. It draws its inspiration from the captivating l'eglise at Les Chapelles. It's currently in the sketchbook stage, but I can't wait to bring it to life on canvas! It follows on from the painting I have entered into the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition titled 'Somewhere In Between' and uses the same vibrant fluorescent colours as well as pattern merged with the landscape view.
On the Move - Week 2 2024
This week I travel from my studio in Cumbria to my studio in Northern France, and take in some grandparenting along the way. I have discovered through the grandchildren the fabulous paint sticks and have now added them to my armoury of portable art materials for when I am on the move. Not only are they versatile, they are also very clean and easy when I am out and about. Being on Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen also gave me a fantastic opportunity to see the Spinnaker Tower as we left port, and this is something that will definitely feature in a future painting. I am hugely exited to continue with my abstract landscape painting inspired by a church in Kirkhaugh and hope to have it finished this week, now I am back in Les Chapelles.
The Church of the Holy Paraclete, Kirkhaugh
I explore the Church of the Paraclete at Kirkhaugh in Cumbria, the only church with that name and the only one with a 'Fleche' Spire, which translates to 'Arrow'. As I am interested in the piercing of the space in between earth and sky, this seemed a fantastic subject for my first abstract landscape painting of 2024. Using a fluorescent pattern to fill the space between top and bottom, I have then begun to paint over this using sketchbooks and photographs from the church as a starting point, in mainly greens and reds. Additionally, I have been preparing some Limited edition prints for Rydal Mount and Gardens, which re-opens on 8th February.