...and finally.....

Chopped around this one, and strengthened the colours to make it more 'shimmery' Now i have a few completed this week, I can go to Tuscany with a clear conscience!!

Getting there...slowly!

My head is now mentally preparing for Tuscany this week, but i am slowly finishing off some of the paintings that have been on the easels for a few weeks. Lots of deliberating, agonising, and 'simmering' has gone on, but I think these are finally finished. Nothing is quite exciting me at the moment though - it's just pure graft, but I warn my students about this all the time. Some just 'fall off the brush' but it can't happen all the time, otherwise you're not pushing the boundaries and aspiring to greater things!

Looking up old friends....

One of the galleries I deal with are having a Figures & Portrait themed exhibition next month...I'm looking at some older paintings I have refreshed lately...it's ok sometimes to look at things you are pleased with from the past, and see if they need touching up or 'refreshed' especially with pastels. I am really fond of some of the work I did from my last Mexico trip, illustrated here are 2 w/d sketches I painted from, and I really want to do some Indian figures as we went to India 3 times, and I have miles of material to work from.... harder to sell in parochial Scotland...but I n-e-e-d to do this!!!

Slow slow quick quick slow!

Yep - it is slow progress right now...so many distractions like ash clouds and impending flights to Tuscany maybe? Anyway these 2 little paintings have been on the go for about 3 weeks and I finally 'finished them off' Tighter than I like to paint, but it felt more like an exercise I had to do, than a creative moment - I suppose you can't 'win 'em all'!

Goodbye to old friends!

A Happy farewell to some old friends - my Oaxacan Dancers took flight yesterday and went home in the car with one of my new students from Yorkshire, who fell in love with it so much I sold it for a bargain price ( and I am too much of a lady to impart that sum!) Main thing is - she is a lovely lady and the painting is going to a good home!!

Venice v Gardening!

I've put together these 2 stages of painting 'Shady Corner' - it is buildiung up slowly, mainly as i am using it as a demo in class, and because the sunshine is pulling me into the garden to get some tidying done! Useful to see the 2 stages together and plan my attack...next instalment - tomorrow!

Gouache with Pastels Workshop at Shinafoot Studios

Just finished the 2 day workshop with a lovely bunch of ladies...and finshed the demo for today...a loose rendition of the stone gateway at Kenmore Club on Loch Tay.
The weather is really fantastic now and we'll be painting out in the garden soon at this rate!

New Paintings at the Blues & Greens Gallery North Berwick

Delivered 6 new paintings today for a new exhibition 'Artists Abroad', and focused mainly on my Venetian work which I love doing - however slipped in a large one of Puerto Banus in Spain!!! Also new work gone into 'Life on Canvas' Gallery in Morningside Edinburgh...watch out for new posts with some of the work on display!!

Old Frames - New Names

I love 'de-frocking' some paintings that come back from galleries unsold...sometimes the paintings are scrapped, more often they go on our stock for charity, or get repainted - but mostly I love looking at the frame and completely re-planning a new painting to suit!! This pair of little pics are due for new frames however as I still like them so they're in for a re-fit!!