Following my Fifty Faces exhibition and a few months spent working on commissions that followed on from it I have been working on material for my next show, which will be in September at Bourne End library.
artist
Just reached the half way stage!
I have just been reminded that it has been a while since I last published a blog! Where has the time gone?!
Well, alongside a busy term of teaching and a series of trips over the summer I have been busy in the studio and today finished the 25th portrait in my series of 50.
Here is a quick view of the latest faces…
Here’s Hilary. Love her or loathe her she is the best chance America has of keeping Donald Trump out of the Oval Office. Just as I thought this was going to be the next political highlight we were rocked at home in the UK by the Referendum result. Suddenly the Britain we knew had decided to change its relationship to the world and our PM had resigned.
Latest portrait – Liz Hodgkin
If you came along to my demo last Saturday … here, as promised, is the finished portrait of Liz Hodgkin, politician, mayor, gardener, singer and all round mover and shaker in Henley on Thames. As you can see I have exchanged her mayoral gown for her Greys Church choir robes and the photo background for Henley in Bloom Green.
Caversham Arts trail
My latest addition to the “Fifty Faces'” collection is on display today! Locals of Henley on Thames may well recognise master (mistress?) baker, Nicola Taylor. Lawlors the bakers have been supplying the town with quality bread, buns and cakes for decades and Nicola’s daily Facebook posts keep my tastebuds tickled all though the week.
50 faces in 52 weeks
Well done to anyone on the blogging challenge who found this week’s blog! Last week was my first attempt – a short story, which a few people read and commented on (thank you!) It was deliberately different to my usual posts because it was for 29th February, the ‘extra’ day and a chance to experiment with being someone different.
The next day was March 1st and my 50th birthday. The official launch date of my fifty faces challenge. Of course, I had not been able to contain my excitement about this so I have already started painting them but this is my chance to be ‘Queen’ and have an official and unofficial birthday (or several).
Pippa
Pippa’s Story
It was a pleasure meeting soft-hearted, gentle cocker spaniel Pippa for a June photoshoot in 2015. Afterwards, her owners also sent pictures of how she looked as a puppy, and the result was two portraits of her, one as a youngster, and one as an old lady.
Six months later, I received a call from her hum an family, explaining that Pippa had recently developed terminal bone cancer behind one eye, which, tragically, will have to be removed. I was touched when a family member kindly phoned me and said they were glad they had got her portrait done before her diagnosis, and commented that they remembered I had gone to a lot of trouble to get her eyes right.
In these paintings, Pippa is remembered as the family knew and loved her for so many years.
Cheesy Romance
Lola
Lola is a miniature schnauzer full of character and energy. I was uncertain how long it would take to do the initial photo shoot for her portrait but she amazed me by standing absolutely stock still when her owner asked her to stay and she did not budge while I wandered around her with my camera taking shots from all angles. We allowed an hour for the photography (not all dogs are as obliging!) but in fact it was all over in five minutes.
“Lola” is a 40×50 cm oil painting on a box canvas.
Christmas Gala on 6th December 2015
Caversham artists and friends will be holding a Christmas Gala on the 6th of December 2pm-6.30pm at St Andrews Hall, Albert Road, Caversham, RG4 7AW.
You will be able to buy local and handmade arts and crafts for those precious Christmas gifts with refreshments in aid of The Ways and Means Trust.
I will be selling paintings and Christmas cards and taking orders for gift commissions.
Hope to see you there!