Sort-ted!

Today has not only been excitement about my new Paint Free class but also it's been a day where I've sorted lots of things out. And it feels great to be in control.

Something I should have done a long time ago!

It's Paint Free time!!!

Okay I am extremely excited as it's Paint Free time with the wonderful and inspiring Wyanne. This was my birthday present from Jim back in May and it's now time to take up the class. which has changed slightly as you also get an e-book.

I have wanted to do this course since it first began last year so this was a perfect birthday pressie. I am so looking forward to being part of this community, of learning new stuff and of course, painting!

I will share my journey not only in the private forum but on here too and if I've said it once, I'll say it again, I really cannot wait!

A bit of a tidy up

When I was unable to paint due to my hand operation I decided to clean up my blog a little bit. Make it less cluttered and personalise it some more. It was about time!

So I've made some changes to it. Apart from a different background and header, there are now tabs where you can buy my work, see videos, gallery, links to other sites and of course a tab dedicated to my lovely Jim's work, I will be evolving this over time and adding more content, but I hope you like what I have done so far.

I have also added a link to my facebook fan page (feel free to like it!!) and also where you can follow me tweeting.

I hope you like the new look and if you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

Station approach

Jim and I went for a date tonight and as we were at Waterloo station waiting for the train home I took a quick snap of the other commuters by holding my phone down low and just pressing the button when someone came into the frame. This one happens to be my favourite as I love the movement.

I've got two days off now so looking forward to not setting my alarm for 5.30am!

Tim Gagnon

I like the ease at which Tim Gagnon paints. He just makes it look so easy.

Hope you have all had a good day!

The storm continues

The transition continues and I am still looking at the sky and watching it evolve....just like the real skies when a storm is brewing.

This is how it looked before I went to bed the previous night as I had another little dabble.

And I digress to show you my paintbrush. As I was using it I realised that I have had this brush for as long as I have painted using acrylics.....and that is some time. Looking after your brushes pays off I say and I love the feel of it right now...not new at all - like a trusty friend!

Anyway, back to the painting. It's coming along and but it's not quite there yet. When it is I shall know!


So this is as it is right now and I will have another bash soon. I need to do something to the clouds on the middle top right but I don't want them to look like they have come straight from the Simpsons....I want them a bit abstract. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Okay, well I will catch you later on and if I can, I will add this to Paint Party Friday! I haven't been able to post there much so it's good to be back!

Happy Friday to you all !!

My scrapbook ~ 1980's style

Least that is what Jim calls it. Okay, it does look very 1980's and something I would have used when I was younger....oh dear, if that's the case then maybe it should be renamed 1970's scrapbook!!

So what is this hideous looking book that deserves to be covered? Well it's somewhere I keep inspirational pictures that I love. Snippets of colour that work together and other random witterings to do with art.

I have read in various books, magazines and blogs that as well as keeping a sketchbook it's also good to keep ideas that inspire you. It's also a good way to see if I have a preference in style etc. And looking at what I have collected so far I can see a pattern of boats, harbours, houses and jettys. Hmmnnn seeing as I love the sea so much there's no surprise there then!

I have a lot of art magazines which are cluttering up the place. So I've decided that once I've read the articles, noted exhibitions and generally absorbed the magazine, I will go through, cut out the pictures that inspire me, make a note of the artist and keep it for reference. In no way do I intend to copy another artists work, but I like to look at other artists techniques and learn from them. Call it research.



I also cut out articles on how to do stuff.

Basically this 1980's scrapbook is for inspiration and tips, to see what colours I am drawn to and anything else that takes my fancy.

Do you keep a scrapbook? (and if so is it pretty looking!!)

From calm to stormy

So this is the picture that I decided to change a bit last night. It has gone through so many transformations and I am just not happy with some of it. The sky is too blah (for want of a better word) and I have already started to blot out the fence posts.


This is the first time I have been able to paint since my hand operation and I really couldn't wait to get started.

I started to lay a base down for some dramatic clouds although this isn't very easy to photograph in artificial light. I needed to walk away from it as if I don't do that I am not always able to see what needs to be changed. Sometimes I hold the picture up to a mirror and look at the reflection as I find seeing it from another angle helps.

Ideally I need to work on other paintings at the same time to use up the paint and to keep me going when I am in the painting groove.

Below are some close ups of the canvas.

I love the texture in the beach.I went back to it before I went to bed and it's looking different again. I had lots of fun and look forward to carrying on with it later.

Happy Wednesday to you all ! x

Relaxation in the way of priming

Last night I went through my old canvases which had unfinished paintings on them, some I had finished and some I was just plain unsure about. And I primed over them ready for a new painting to take it's place.


Art materials cost a bomb and I couldn't see the point of keeping a painting I didn't like so I am joining the ranks of the masters as they often re-used canvases.

There's something quite meditative about applying the primer and seeing the old painting disappear. I like the textures you can get when painting over an old painting....it can make an interesting effect. The primer I use is Winsor & Newton and it gives a great key to work on. This one I got in what appears to be the continual sale at Cass Art....THE best and cheapest shop in London for art supplies.

Now I just have to try and paint a masterpiece.

Liven up your Monday morning

I've recently come across this artist and I just love his enthusiastic and fun approach to painting. Enjoy!

Soul of an Artist

I've been meaning to blog about this for over a week now and at last I have been able to.

Isn't this just lovely!! A gift to myself made by the very talented and lovely Kelly Berkey. To remind me every day that I am an artist and can be who I want to be.

Look at the lovely presentation box and card with a lovely handwritten note inside. And it arrived all the way from the USA much quicker than I thought!

Thank you Kelly for creating this for me, I am over the moon!

Happy Sunday to you all xx

A nice way to wake up...

I woke up this morning to see that I had sold my St Ives painting. What a nice way to start my day!

St Ives

16" x 20" wrapped canvas

Acrylic

I tried a different technique when painting this scene which was taken from my trip to St Ives last year (that place has such a special place in my heart). I wanted to be a bit more abstract so used cardboard and old credit cards to make the linear marks. I used a limited palette to try and bring some peace and harmony to the painting. I had lots of fun creating this and I am delighted that it has now found itself a new home.

Hope you are all having a wonderful start to your weekend!

I am an artist

The other day I stopped and realised just how far I have come in my art journey. I have set myself goals (working for a training company during the day kind of makes me realise how important these are) and the other day I looked back at where I was just over 2 years ago. I didn't believe I had what it took to be an artist.

I felt that everyone was more talented than me, that my work was awful and that how could I call myself an artist. The amazing realisation over the past 2 years, but more so in the last 6 months has made me recognise that I can say exactly that. My art is different to others, and may not be to everyone's taste, it may not always turn out how I wanted it,but it's a product of me and I need to be proud of that.

I need to not be embarrassed about showing people my work, or letting people know that I have just finished a painting. I need to be proud of what I can produce, whether it's a painting, a photograph or anything else creative. We are so caught up in trying to be better than we are that how often do we look back to see what we have achieved.

We are all different and should embrace those differences as after all, there is always someone out there that loves our art for what it is.

A little break

Sorry I have been absent of late. I had hoped I would be back on track by now, painting lots and having some more art to show. But the hand has taken longer to heal and time with the family has been the order of the day. So I'm not complaining.

The good news is that my hand is healing up nicely, albeit longer than I ever expected, so I hope to get back to the painting soon. In the meantime I have been tidying up this blog a bit, researching painting techniques and taking some time to relax.

Hope you are all having a good week!

Helen x

Exciting news

Jim got down on one knee and proposed to me last night, 2 years after we met.

I said yes! I am the luckiest lady alive.......

Hooo-raahhhh!!!

The horrible bulky bandage came off yesterday, the stitches came out and a small dressing was applied. I am on the road to recovery.

Hooo-raahhh!!!