The Day it Rained

Saturday night I was awoken by the sound of wind and rain howling around the house, the sky was just liquid and the wind seemed never ending. This of course put me in mind to paint. I always want to paint; sometimes I think it's the only why I process the world. I spent the whole day on Sunday painting, listening to the wind and rain, trying to capture the feel of the storm on canvas. Being in a warm studio when there's a storm outside is the best thing in the world.  I only left the studio to get my much needed cup of tea and eat lunch —  I might be standing in the kitchen, but my mind is still in the studio.

The result was a painting called, not surprisingly "The Day it Rained".  Its all al primo which is unusual for me, with lots of grey's which is even more unusual.  Most of the painting is sky and the landscape is totally without detail, almost as if the land was flooded, (the field behind my house was actually flooded, and a tree came down on a power cable). When its dry enough to handle I will post a photo, but as the weather report is for much the same I think I will be doing lots more work with grey. 

Skylark

Washing the dishes on a sunday morning is not my most favorite of jobs. This sunday standing at the kitchen sink up to my elbows in hot water, while looking out at the spring garden, Hoagy Carmichael came on the radio singing "Skylark". I have always loved this song but had never heard this version before and Hoagy with his thin throaty voice really bought the lyrics to life for me, I don't think I've ever really heard them properly before. As I listened a whole host of images sprang into my mind inspired by the lyrics, every phrase turned into a painting, all the familiar scenes from the river banks and meadows of my particular bit of Wiltshire were translated into paintings by Hoagy's voice.

I have not done any pure landscape painting for over two years now, preferring instead to work on other subjects. But maybe I've had enough of a rest and its about time I did some more, after all I live in a beautiful part of the country and have the opportunity to do some really interesting en plein air work. I have about 12 paintings buzzing around inside my head, so when the good weather returns I think I will start a new collection and get it all down on paper.

Of course I will have to dedicate this collection to my husband who introduced me to this wonderful song in the first place, but I should say thank you to Radio 4 as well.

Me Myself and I

One of my best paintings of 2011 was called "Me, myself and I" and for me it say a lot about the person I am today. This painting, which sold immediately, has inspired some much bigger and grander. I have just started to work on a painting that is 15 feet long (three panels of 5ft each). I intend that the whole painting will be covered with both people and their attendant animals, or is that the other way around!

Lots of my friends and family have already volunteered to be models and the tire is fittingly "All of us". Because the painting is so large I think it will take years to finish. However I will post images as I work so that you can see how it is developing.

This oil painting, now hanging in the Bath Gallery is 2" x 8", it fills the back wall.

Yesterday a wonderful man walked into my gallery. His name was Fil Straughan, a singer with a big voice and even bigger personality.

Remember Fil, my paintings stopped you in your tracks and late as it was you came in to ask about them.

Well no matter what I paint, my work is about passion, love and the belief that we can make things better if we try. I want my paintings to leave the viewer warm, happy and comforted.

Not knowing anything about music I listened to your Youtube video of "On my Knees" (now a firm favorite). I can tell you now that these paintings were created by a woman that has been, but is no longer on her knees.

By the way don't worry if you do not like the animals I am still doing
some traditional figures, for example, "Touch me in the Morning" just
needs a male model to complete the painting - any volunteers out there?

This painting is called "Nothing is ever simply Black or White" and I
think it says a lot about the contradictions of life. The figure is
being carried along in one direction but is steadfastly looking back.
We all look back at our past, but this often does not effect the course
of our future and its easy to get carried away by wild impulse.

So why the interest in zebra as a motif in my paintings? Well, zebra
are the ultimate prey animal, after all who has not seen pictures of
the Great Riff Valley with lions happily sitting down to a black and
white dinner? But zebra are also strong, brave and above all wild, a
well aimed kick from a zebra will injure or kill a lion.
For me a zebra is about contradiction and this is reflected in the
paintings, but I also love their graphic markings that can make for a
really strong visual impact.