Louise Diggle - Artist

And another one!

2012-02-10T11:19:00.001Z

Another new painting completed and it'll be coming to The Fair in The Square with me tomorrow (details on the "Acrylics" page of this blog). Despite the forecasters dire predictions all week, this part of Shropshire has not seen any snow - though it is rather chilly!

I've had a very busy week with preparing for the fair, a life-drawing session and also a visit to The Laugh Inn in Chester, to sketch burlesque performers (a few of the results are on my Facebook page). Phew!

Gearing up for Saturday

2012-02-09T10:42:00.002Z

Cold weather is predicted for this weekend, but undaunted I will be at The Fair in The Square, Shrewsbury, with a number of new paintings, including the one shown here (acrylic on canvas, measuring 1 metre x 50 cm), plus my limited edition prints on canvas, original watercolours, pen and ink drawings and greeting cards.

Come and say hello, have a good browse - and find the answer to your Valentine's Day gift quandaries!

Update

2012-02-06T21:54:00.001Z

I've just updated several pages of this blog - take a peek and see all the latest news and views!

It's cold outside

2012-02-05T09:33:00.001Z

Luckily, though, it was warm in the room where this beauty was posing for us life-drawers.

Yesterday, I took some work to a new venue for me: the Fine Art Gallery in Llanidloes, run by Dee Doody who also focuses on paintings of animals, but has some quality work of other subjects by other artists too.

Today will be a studio day, and this week promises to be a big life-drawing week, but I'll also be preparing for my first fair of 2012: the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury, next Saturday. I'm really hoping the freezing weather relaxes its icy grip somewhat by then....

Winter sunshine

2012-02-01T11:13:00.000Z

I've had some studio time this week and completed the previously announced large painting of a horse, shown here; it measures 1 metre x 70 cm, and was painted entirely with palette knives. I found this a very enjoyable experience and have already started on a smaller painting of another horse in the same field - yes, there's going to be a series!

Back to work ...

Errr .....

2012-01-28T20:17:00.002Z

I'm afraid I have not spent much time in the studio this past week - between getting out and about looking for new subjects, coping with laptop problems and getting ready for the tax deadline, I've been somewhat preoccupied ....

I didn't even get to life drawing last Tuesday, though I should be back there this week. As I haven't completed anything new since my last post, here is a sketch from a previous life drawing session.

New work is definitely on the agenda, however, as my first outing in 2012 is the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square on Saturday, 11 February - oooh, just in time for Valentine's Day!

Mr Hunter

2012-01-20T18:34:00.002Z

This week, I completed the commission of Mr Hunter shown above [slightly cropped], so today I took it over to the client who - I'm happy to say - was delighted with it. I'll now be focussing on the carthorse painting which I'm enjoying hugely, and so may well be the first in a series ....

And that's about it for now - enjoy your weekend!

Firing on all cylinders

2012-01-17T23:52:00.001Z

After a slow start to the year, I am now back in my stride, working hard and loving it! So: I have completed a commission which I will show here soon once the client has seen it, I am working on a large painting in acrylic of a carthorse, I have been to life drawing and I have refreshed and topped up my exhibition at The Clive, near Ludlow.

This week, I tried something new in life drawing: I used black paper (this, of course, had nothing to do with the fact that I forgot that I had run out of my usual paper and had to rush into a well-known high street stationer's and get whatever was available!). Once I got the hang of it, I very much enjoyed working with pastel on black paper so I shall be repeating the experience. One of my efforts shown here.

Goodnight!

Rusty!

2012-01-12T10:37:00.003Z

Well, that's how I felt when I got back to life drawing this week. For a start, I didn't have any coloured pastel paper with me - doh! Note to self: check kit in good time in future. And then I was painfully slow ... it took me 15 minutes to produce what I should have done as 5-minute sketches. Plus I had more duff attempts than usual.

Ah well, it was still great to get back to it and I can't wait until the next session.

Dynamic views

2012-01-07T23:25:00.001Z

As you can see, I've changed the format of this blog to what Blogger calls "Dynamic Views". You can choose how you want to look at my blog from a number of different views by hovering over "Snapshot" in the top left-hand corner and selecting another option, and you can see all the "Pages" by hovering over (surprisingly!) "Pages" also in the top left-hand corner. And by hovering over an image, you can load the associated post.

What do you think? Any comments gratefully received!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-05T19:14:00.000Z

I took a well-deserved break from Christmas Eve through to yesterday (allowed: after all, I didn't have a summer holiday in 2011) so I am now full of ideas and bursting with energy .... hmmm, we'll see how long that lasts ....

Of course, this means I have no new work to post, so instead, as I have an exhibition of nudes in April at The Oswestry Visitor and Exhibition Centre, here's another naked beauty from late last year.

I have entered a few dates on the Events and Exhibitions page of this blog - check it out!

From the sublime to the ridiculous ...

2011-12-22T23:25:00.001Z

Well, my life-drawing image might not exactly be sublime but my cartoon Cosmo cat is - I think - definitely ridiculous!

I'm now just starting to wind down for Christmas. My various exhibitions are on-going and, in fact, tomorrow I will be popping over to The Nags Head at Garthmyl, near Welshpool, to top up my display of work there.

Anyway, the main point of this post is to wish all you peeps out there a fantastic Christmas and to thank all of you who have supported me in any way over the past year.

I might post again before the New Year ... but then again, I might not - so, in case I don't, all the best for 2012.

Quick update

2011-12-18T10:52:00.002Z

For one day only:

today, my limited edition prints on canvas are available at The Arts and Craft Market, The Promenade, Cheltenham on the stall of Jane Murphy who makes slumped glass items (jane-murphy.blogspot.com) - photo taken this morning:

Life drawing

2011-12-14T09:43:00.001Z

Hurray - life drawing! I am addicted - and if I had more time, I would go more often. Shown here is one of my efforts from yesterday evening.

No more fairs for me before Christmas, but my work is still available from a number of places, in particular: on Saturday and Sunday, Jane Murphy (see link on my "Links" page) will have some of my prints at The Arts and Crafts Market, The Promenade, Cheltenham; my exhibition at The Clive, Ludlow, continues, and my work is of course still on display at the usual venues, namely: Jemima's Kitchen in Church Stretton, The Nag's Head near Welshpool, and The Tarc Gallery, Stanford Bridge, Worcestershire. More details on the "Galleries" and "Events & Exhibitions" pages of this blog.

A big weekend

2011-12-09T11:11:00.001Z

It's all go this weekend: as previously announced, tomorrow (Saturday), I will be at the Made in Shropshire Fair in The Square, Shrewsbury, and then on Sunday, at the Weston Park Christmas Fayre, where I will be on the mezzanine in the Granary Building. Two great events - come and get your Christmas shopping sorted! I will have my usual assortment: original paintings in acrylic and watercolour, pen & ink drawings, limited and open edition prints on canvas and paper, and greeting cards.

Shown here is a new painting - entitled Little Donkey - completed yesterday, which I will be bringing along.

By Monday, I will be a shadow of my former self and will be taking it easy (I hope!).

Wintry weather

2011-12-06T09:52:00.001Z

I've just about thawed out from the fair on Saturday, but am bracing myself for another outdoor event this Saturday: the Made in Shropshire Fair in The Square, Shrewsbury. It'll be a tiring weekend however, as on Sunday I am off to the Weston Park Christmas Fayre, Shifnal, where I have a stall on the mezzanine floor.

I'm working on two new paintings which I hope to complete by the weekend, so I'd better get back to work ... bye!

Updates

2011-12-02T20:20:00.001Z

Well, today has been busy!

This morning, I drove down to The Clive, just outside Ludlow, where I set up my exhibition - as shown in the two photos in this post - and called in at Jemima's Kitchen in Church Stretton to review my display there.

I then went to Shrewsbury to buy a load more canvases - so no let-up in the studio planned!

Then, back home, and packing for the MiS Fair in Castle Square in Ludlow tomorrow, which means a very early start for me. On the way home, I will be calling in at Jemima's Kitchen once again, this time to refresh my display there.

And while I'm at it, I have just updated various pages of this blog - check 'em out and see what's new!

Normal service resumed

2011-11-29T16:09:00.001Z

Yep, back to cow paintings this week: the painting of the two youngsters shown here is hot off the easel (the subjects were encountered recently in the grounds of Chirk Castle) and I will be bringing it with me to the Made in Shropshire Fair in Castle Square, Ludlow, this Saturday, 3 December.

Another canvas nearing completion is also of a cow, and I'm hoping to have it ready for inclusion in my exhibition at The Clive, near Ludlow, which I will be setting up this Friday, 2 December, to run until the end of February 2012.

I've just got back from life drawing, which was both productive and fun, so more nudes will appear here in a day or two. Sleepy now - goodnight!

White Noise

2011-11-26T18:49:00.001Z

No new paintings to show in this post, so instead here's a cartoon (not drawn by me) about blogs. It clearly doesn't apply to mine....

New work and diary update coming soon!

The Nag's Head

2011-11-22T18:12:00.001Z

I was struck down with coughs and sneezes last week, but as I felt considerably better yesterday, I popped over to The Nag's Head, Garthmyl, where I refreshed and added to my display there - and I took a couple of photos too, shown here.

Because of my sniffles, I haven't got any new work to show at the moment - I'll be back in the studio shortly however so watch this space!

Further afield

2011-11-17T10:32:00.001Z

Tuesday was a mixed bag: good and bad. The bad first: I collected my work from SPACE in Ellesmere which sadly has now closed its doors as reported in my last post.

And then the good: I ventured out of Shropshire and went to the Tarc Gallery in Stanford Bridge, Worcestershire (link on my "Links" page), which is an Aladdin's cave of great quality art, glassware, sculpture, jewellery and more besides - rather inadequately illustrated by the photos here. I refreshed and enlarged my display there with original paintings in acrylic and the full range of my limited edition prints.

The day then ended on another good note with life drawing in Shrewsbury.

I'm now printing more limited edition prints, which continue to sell like hot cakes. Then I'll be printing greeting cards and generally preparing for the Cancer Research Christmas Fair at The Last Inn, Hengoed, on Saturday from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. featuring a range of stalls, plus mince pies, tea and coffee, and gluhwein.

Go go go ...

2011-11-14T20:04:00.001Z

Saturday was a long and busy day in Shrewsbury, and my new Cheeky Pony print was very well received - good to talk to all you lovely people who stopped by. Then on Sunday I took some of the new prints along to Jemima's Kitchen in Church Stretton. (Resisted the coffee cake this time - how did I manage that?)

I am very sad to announce that Saturday was also the final trading day for SPACE in Ellesmere. Since the demise of Southern Cross, which provided some of its funding, its future has been in doubt but the interest from various parties in taking it over fell through. This is a huge disappointment for all of us (artists, crafters, customers and browsers alike) - manageress Dee Morgan had single-handedly made SPACE a meeting place for us all. She was successful - a pity Southern Cross was not. Perhaps she'll open her own gallery in due course ..... we can but hope.

Today, I called in at The Qube in Oswestry - where the Made in Shropshire Exhibition has been impressively displayed - and dropped off some of my new prints. It is well worth a visit for beautiful high-quality art and craft items.

Full schedule tomorrow too .... but I'll report on that in my next post - bye for now!

Looking forward to Saturday

2011-11-10T00:06:00.000Z

This Saturday is the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury, and it is usually all hustle and bustle at this time of year, so come and see all the lovely locally made goods available. I'll be bringing original paintings in acrylics and watercolour, pen & ink drawings, limited edition prints (including the new pony image shown in the previous post) and greeting cards .... I think that about covers it!

I'm still loving the life drawing and it's a great opportunity to meet other artists. Here is one of this week's sketches (more on the "Sketching and Life Drawing" page of this blog).

Also, today I delivered some original paintings and limited edition prints to The Qube in Oswestry, as part of the Made in Shropshire exhibition there which opens on Friday evening and runs until 23 December, showcasing a range of work by MiS members, including jewellery, sculpture, pottery and art. Well worth a browse!

New print alert!

2011-11-06T19:13:00.000Z

Sunday is not a day off for the hard-working artist (that's me!). Instead I have been scanning, colour balancing and printing out my latest limited edition print on canvas - shown here and on the "Limited Edition Prints" page of this blog. I will sign and lacquer them on Tuesday, then take them to my framer to be put on stretchers.

If all goes well, I should have some with me at the Made in Shropshire Fair in The Square, Shrewsbury, next Saturday.

Time to put my feet up, I think - goodnight!

Time flies

2011-11-02T08:18:00.001Z

It's a week since I last posted on this blog - a week that has gone in a flash! I had a few days of much-needed r&r, then back to the studio, to the framers, to SPACE with prints, and to life drawing, and now three days confined to the studio - hurrah! I have added some of yesterday evening's life-drawing efforts to the "Sketching and Life Drawing" page of this blog.

As well as longer-term projects, I am preparing for the joint Made in Shropshire exhibition at The Qube in Oswestry, which kicks off next Friday, and for the Made in Shropshire Fair in Castle Square in Ludlow this Saturday. For details, please check out the updated "Events and Exhibitions" page of this blog.

Well, lots to do so I'd better get on with it .... bye for now!

One down ...

2011-10-26T10:14:00.003+01:00

Well, I have completed another painting of the pretty little pony in Chirk Castle grounds - shown here pretending to be angelic. I will have it with me at the Made in Shropshire Fair in Castle Square in Ludlow on 5 November.

A few tweaks are needed on a 90 cm square canvas of the same pony, and I have also made a start on two paintings intended to become limited edition prints.

Well, nothing else to report at the moment, so bye for now!

Orange top-up

2011-10-22T20:18:00.001+01:00

Here's my latest canvas, completed on Thursday. As you can see, orange is my colour of the moment and I hope to be producing a new limited edition print on canvas shortly, also with an orange background.

Today I've been out visiting, delivering paintings and refreshing my exhibitions - I do enjoy doing this. Anyway, I've now updated the "Acrylics" page of this blog so you can see where various of my paintings are hanging. Take a look!

Tomorrow will be a studio day: I'm hoping to finish two paintings. That might be a bit optimistic, however - so maybe just one ...

In the buff....

2011-10-19T18:44:00.001+01:00

.... not me, but the model at life drawing yesterday.

On the left is one of my drawings of her - a 20-minute pose - in charcoal and pastel pencil, and I am putting a few more on the "Sketching and Life Drawing" page of this blog.

I haven't been neglecting my painting, however, and should be posting some new canvases of animals (pony and cow) on here within the next couple of days.

Bye!

Just loving it

2011-10-15T18:58:00.003+01:00

There are three ponies in Chirk Castle grounds, two of which are very cheeky, but recently I caught one of them in a quieter moment, and I've spent a lovely day in my sun-filled studio completing this painting of him. More to come over the next week .....

As good as my word

2011-10-11T17:34:00.002+01:00

Today I visited SPACE in Ellesmere where I updated my exhibition there, to include inter alia this newly completed painting of the white cattle in Chirk Castle grounds.

Tomorrow (probably), I will be refreshing the work on display at The Nags Head, Garthmyl.

I've also got life drawing on the schedule. And otherwise, I'll be hard at work in the studio where I have four paintings in progress, and I am just itching to get back to them - hurray!

Studio time

2011-10-10T15:21:00.001+01:00

Well, the Fair in the Square on Saturday was entertaining as usual and left me exhausted (the photo is of me in The Square).

Undaunted, though, I was in the studio all day Sunday and that is where I am today too: this means I am in a GREAT mood, and watch this space for new work very very soon ...

Golden Weather

2011-10-07T15:51:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow I will be at the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury, where there will definitely be an autumnal feel in the air (I'm hoping it's not too blowy!). I don't like to mention the C word so soon .... but the MiS Fair is a great place to find hand-crafted locally produced and unique gifts ...

A couple of watercolours still to be completed and then packing to be done - see you tomorrow?

Indian summer

2011-10-03T10:15:00.000+01:00

I took advantage of the glorious weather last week to get out and about collecting material for new work. It's just as well I did as because my paintings and drawings are continuing to sell well, so with the MiS Fair in the Square (Shrewsbury) next Saturday, and gaps on the walls at The Nags Head in Garthmyl, there is no let-up for me. I'm off to buy canvases this afternoon ....

The image here is of a cheeky pony I saw in the grounds of Chirk Castle last Friday.

Last Saturday / next Saturday

2011-09-26T22:45:00.000+01:00

As usual, the Glyn Ceiriog Art Society gave me a warm welcome last Saturday, and I spent the morning talking and painting my way through watercolours of a hen and a pig, and discussing my work with everyone there.

This Saturday, I am back in Ludlow at the Made in Shropshire Fair in Castle Square. I'll be bringing original canvases and framed work in acrylic and watercolour, plus pen & ink drawings and prints on canvas and paper, together with greeting cards. As you probably know, a spell of balmy weather is forecast to be with us over the weekend, and a day in Ludlow would be a great way to enjoy it .... see you there!

Basic skills

2011-09-22T12:49:00.001+01:00

I recently joined a life-drawing group as I don't seem to do the amount of sketching from life that I used to. It is proving very worthwhile and enjoyable. The models hold their poses for anything from 4 minutes to 30 minutes so there's no hanging about! I've posted a few examples of my results on the (newly renamed) "Sketching and Life Drawing" page of this blog.

Anyway, enough of that - back to work, preparing for the demo in Glyn Ceiriog on Saturday.

Watercolour sketches

2011-09-19T16:45:00.003+01:00

I haven't managed to finish my two peacock paintings and I can't show a commission nearing completion either - the client obviously has to see the finished portrait first.

So instead, I am posting a photo of some watercolour sketches of animals as this will be the subject of a demonstration I am doing for the Glyn Ceiriog Art Society next Saturday morning. This is a small friendly group and the demo is from 10 a.m. to noon, at The Institute in Glyn Ceiriog - all are welcome, but there is a charge of £2 for non-members. If you have any queries, please contact Ruth Harding on 01691 774726, who will be happy to help.

Oh dear!

2011-09-15T11:50:00.001+01:00

You may have noticed that I haven't posted here for over a week; well, after a busy Saturday at The Fair in the Square in Shrewsbury, I succumbed to a bug which put paid to all plans for the subsequent few days. I'm up and about again now and working on two canvases of a peacock encountered strolling round the grounds of Powis Castle last week. They should appear here soon.

Just a reminder: today is your last chance to see my (very successful) exhibition at The Clive, near Ludlow, as I will be dismantling it tomorrow morning.

Autumn has arrived

2011-09-07T08:46:00.000+01:00

The Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square in Shrewsbury is taking place this Saturday, and I will be there with my usual range of original art, prints and cards. There'll be lots of other stalls too and plenty to see: art, glassware, jewellery, photography ..... and food too. Come and see us!

Before then, I hope to be taking a couple of new paintings to The Nag's Head in Garthmyl, near Welshpool.

And I have some pristine new canvases in my studio waiting for my attention next week ....

It's all go at the moment!

Inspiration overload

2011-09-04T08:58:00.000+01:00

The wonderful light at this time of year is totally captivating: I want to paint round the clock! Luckily, my work is selling well too so, far from filling my studio with completed canvases, I am having trouble keeping my various venues supplied with paintings.

Here is my latest offering, of white (well, whitish) horned cattle in the grounds of Chirk Castle. I will be bringing it with me to the MiS Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury, next Saturday.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Change of plan!

2011-09-01T13:46:00.003+01:00

The organisers of the Ludlow fair this Saturday have been having logistical problems, and consequently I will not be there. If you were hoping to see my work this weekend, my exhibition at The Clive, just outside Ludlow, continues, and I have a permanent exhibition at Jemima's Kitchen in Church Stretton not far away. Other venues are listed on the "Galleries etc." page of this blog.

Ah well, that gives me more painting time ...

There should be no such problems next Saturday, so I will be at the MiS Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury, as usual.

Happy days

2011-08-30T15:32:00.000+01:00

Bank holiday weekend has no meaning for the self-employed artist: no time off for me! It was nonetheless an enjoyable few days: on Saturday, I called in at SPACE (with more prints), The Clive (with paintings and prints) and The Nags Head (with prints and to see it up and running). And then on Sunday and Monday, I was hard at work in the studio, and I completed this painting of one of the Chirk Castle ponies on Sunday.

Nothing else to report for now!

Well, wow!

2011-08-27T23:55:00.000+01:00

I called by The Nags Head today and boy does it look great! There was a real convivial buzz about the place - and, as you can see, the patrons all seemed very happy and pleased to be included in the photos I was taking; in fact, one person (you know who you are!) was so keen, he actually called me over and asked me to take his picture.

It's great to see the place looking so fantastic and I have made a mental note to dine there in the very near future! There is now a link on my "Links" page.

I also called in at The Clive, Ludlow, today with some new paintings and more prints. My exhibition there is doing well, and continues until 16 September.

Appearing here shortly

2011-08-25T15:28:00.001+01:00

The feeling of relief reported in my last blog post continued on Tuesday, so I faffed around in the morning and then spent a very enjoyable afternoon out in the sunshine looking for new subject matter - and found it in the form of black and white bullocks, some cheeky ponies which live wild in the grounds of Chirk Castle, and a herd of white horned cattle. I am now working on one large canvas with other painting ideas queuing up in my mind ....

Incidentally, The Nags Head's opening yesterday evening was a hit, I am told, with 50 dinners served and two of my prints sold - great!

There at last!

2011-08-22T21:37:00.000+01:00

And by "there", I mean The Nags Head, Garthmyl (near Welshpool), which has been undergoing a massive and very stylish refurbishment. I was lucky enough to be asked to display my work there and it is an ideal setting for it; this has been part of the motivation behind my recent productivity (it's a large building!).

I spent the afternoon there today, hanging my paintings, drawings and prints amid the the hustle and bustle of the final push for the big opening this Wednesday evening. More details will soon appear on the "Links" page of this blog.

Having mopped my brow and heaved a sigh of relief, I am now keen to get out and about with my camera and sketching kit, seeking out new material to commit to the new canvases I bought yesterday. Can't wait!

A glass of wine and an early night for me, I think - goodnight!

And still more ....

2011-08-17T11:39:00.001+01:00

Nearly there ....

More ...

2011-08-16T09:28:00.000+01:00

Another for the framer ...

And another one ....

2011-08-15T06:59:00.000+01:00

Getting there ...

No let-up ...

2011-08-13T08:06:00.000+01:00

..giving my brushes a rest though ...

Busy ...

2011-08-12T09:43:00.000+01:00

*mops brow*
Onwards ....

Busy ....

2011-08-10T17:46:00.000+01:00

Next ....

Busy ....

2011-08-10T15:20:00.000+01:00

Next .....

Stop Press! I'm a Winner!

2011-08-08T16:20:00.003+01:00

I've just been informed that I have been awarded 2nd prize by the judges in the Oswestry Visitor & Exhibition Centre Art Competition for my painting "Beauty" (shown here to remind you and details of competition in my post of 2 August "Competition Time" below) - hurray! However, this doesn't mean that I don't need your votes: there is also a Viewer's Choice prize and in the past this has never gone to a painting selected by the judges, so please vote for my paintings and help me make history! (Note to self: calm down Louise - too many exclamation marks!)

Shrewsbury

2011-08-05T10:05:00.000+01:00

I'm pretty much packed and ready for the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury, tomorrow. There'll be lots of stalls of lovely locally made goods there, so well worth a browse.

True to my word, it's been a load of bullocks (so to speak) this week: one painting completed (shown here and on my stall tomorrow), one pen and ink drawing done bar finishing touches, and one painting of a group of the beasts in progress. Next will be a close-up of a black and white heifer with a delightful pink nose ... irresistible ...

Competition time

2011-08-02T17:48:00.000+01:00

Well, that was a busy weekend: two days in Ludlow - I was a shadow of my former self yesterday but am gradually recovering now. Thanks to all those who visited my stall - I met some lovely people this weekend.

It's that time of year again: the Oswestry Visitor and Exhibition Centre Art Competition. I have submitted two paintings, shown here, and all entries are on display from now through to the end of September. Judges will award prizes for their top three, but YOU can also vote for your favourites, so if you like my work, please go and vote for me (and of course, if you don't, vote for me anyway) - and please spread the word too!

My studio is in total disarray so I have some serious sorting and tidying to do before I get to work on the previously announced series (I hope) of paintings of bullocks - better get going....

Preparing and packing

2011-07-29T16:04:00.001+01:00

I'm spending most of today getting everything ready for the fair in Ludlow tomorrow and Sunday. The weather forecast is good and, as many of you doubtless know (especially if you watched the BBC2 programme about it last night), Ludlow is a lovely place to visit, so why not come along and take a look: there will be plenty to see, as reported in my last post.

Got to get on with the printing and packing now; hope to see you at the weekend!

Inspiration overload

2011-07-26T19:16:00.002+01:00

Today, I'm busy with the paintings in acrylic ink shown here, but I already have a load of other work I'm eager to get on with, including some bullocks I met at the weekend and which I can't wait to commit to canvas - I'll hopefully have time to make a start later this week.

However, my main focus this week is preparing for the weekend when I will be at Ludlow for its two-day "Summer Food and Craft Fair" held on the entire square in the centre of the town, featuring the best artisan producers, demonstrations, workshops, music and street theatre, including twelve of us from "Made in Shropshire". It should be a very busy and lively weekend - I may be mainly sleeping next Monday!

Oh, and I've just updated my "Events & Exhibitions" page.

Variety and spice etc.

2011-07-19T21:58:00.000+01:00

I have recently found myself tempted artistically speaking by buildings - a subject which captivated me some years ago but gradually gave way to my animal paintings. So this week, for a change, I thought I would embark on a series of work in acrylic ink depicting buildings in Ludlow, in preparation for the Made in Shropshire Fair in Castle Square on 30 and 31 July. However, my endeavours have been thwarted as the art world has been set on fire by my limited edition prints on canvas: they have been selling like hot cakes!

Consequently, my artistic output has not been what I would have hoped for. Shown here is one completed painting in acrylic ink and one piece of work in progress ... I will really have to knuckle down over the next ten days.

Prints to sign and lacquer now, so goodbye!

Long time no post

2011-07-15T22:30:00.000+01:00

How very remiss of me: I haven't posted for over a week. I guess the fine weather made me come over all laid back .... I have, however, replenished my prints at The Clive in Ludlow (where they are proving very popular), and also been out and about collecting material for whole series of work - so watch this space for something new!

The drawing of the swan shown here is a work in progress - it should be completed by my next outing at Ludlow on 30 and 31 July. Looking forward to it!

I'm afraid that's pretty much it for now - goodnight.

Almost Saturday

2011-07-07T10:02:00.001+01:00

Well, this week has gone in a flash and I am now getting ready for the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury, this Saturday. It will be the first outing for a new painting completed this morning and shown here. No, it's not the painting seen in a previous blog - do pay attention! The previous one is smaller overall and proportionally narrower than this one; details on the "Acrylics" page of this blog. The pen and ink drawings I took to Ludlow last week are now hanging at Jemima's Kitchen (Victoria House) in Church Stretton, so I will be bringing a few smaller paintings in acrylic along to Shrewsbury instead.

I'm off to SPACE in Ellesmere this afternoon to renew and refresh my exhibition, so why not call in soon and see what's available there.

Right: gotta start printing cards now - busy, busy, busy ...

Well I didn't expect that!

2011-07-03T15:29:00.000+01:00

Great news: the police have caught up with the South Shropshire art thief and retrieved the two paintings stolen recently. The canvases are however still in police custody, as they're evidence. I must admit I didn't think I'd see them again so a big pat on the back to our boys and girls in blue!

The paintings stolen some time ago, though, are still missing, so here they are again, just in case anyone out there knows their whereabouts.

Lazy hazy ....

2011-07-01T15:29:00.001+01:00

... that pretty much sums me up at the moment. I am trying to get ready for the MiS Fair in Castle Square in Ludlow tomorrow, but somehow I'm operating in slo mo today and not making much progress .... so here's a couple of photos of some of the work I'll be bringing with me.

Come along to Ludlow and see for yourself what else is on offer!

Sunshine and cows

2011-06-28T21:42:00.000+01:00

The weather was absolutely sweltering on Sunday, and a walk in the countryside was a great way to enjoy it; of course, it was also a great way to meet new subjects for paintings, so more cow art coming up over the next few weeks, I think.

This Saturday I am back at the Made in Shropshire Fair in Castle Square in Ludlow. The weather forecast is quite good and I'm hoping it stays that way!

The stubborn Portmeirion robin reported in previous posts did not entirely beat me: this small canvas of the little critter was completed last week and will probably be hanging in SPACE later this week.

That's about it for now - goodnight!

Struggling artist

2011-06-23T17:51:00.000+01:00

I have been working on a painting showing three views of the Portmeirion robin (along the lines of the Portmeirion chaffinch in my previous post). However, the robin has been fighting back and I have been forced to admit defeat - temporarily at least. So instead I turned my attention to a horse I met a few weeks ago on the Long Mynd, and the completed painting is shown here (and on my "Acrylics" page too, of course).

No fairs for me this weekend, so I hope to collect material for more paintings; I might even find a more cooperative robin!

Ellesmere is buzzing...

2011-06-19T11:16:00.002+01:00

... with foodie people as it is the Ellesmere Food Festival this weekend. I went along yesterday and came home with a bag full of goodies - yum! The Festival continues today and other shops are joining in the spirit of the occasion, notably SPACE which is usually closed on a Sunday but is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. I have in fact just returned from SPACE where I delivered this painting of the Portmeirion chaffinch, hot off the ~~press~~ easel (the colours have not come out very well - the background is a lighter yellowy flat green and the border is a subtle cream), and also some more of my prints on canvas, which are proving very popular.

New inspiration

2011-06-16T16:26:00.001+01:00

Well, it was great to see old friends and meet new peeps at Patchings last week, and I got back home on Sunday evening feeling exhausted.

I intended having a few easy days before getting out to look for new material, but at Portmeirion yesterday, a delightful robin and a perky little chaffinch approached me - irresistible subjects! So I'm now back in the studio busying myself with two paintings - hmmm, I feel a series coming on.....

Back to the easel - bye for now.

Patchings

2011-06-08T12:52:00.000+01:00

All packed and ready - watch out Patchings, here comes the Shropshire squad! (Hope I've not forgotten anything ...)

Today is set-up day and the Festival kicks off tomorrow. It's going to be an extremely busy and tiring few days - though if last year is anything to go by, it will be a lot of fun too.

Bye!

At last

2011-06-05T18:36:00.001+01:00

I have finally completed a new addition to my range of limited edition prints on canvas; it is shown here and of course on my "Limited Edition Prints" page. I had to admit defeat when it came to the other previously announced print - I just ran out of time.

Preparations are now under way for Patchings which is open to the public from Thursday. I'll be demo-ing watercolours and pen & ink drawing on my stand, and I'll have just a few paintings in acrylic with me, plus some watercolours and pen & ink drawings in my browsers, my limited edition prints on canvas and a range of greeting cards. There's loads to see at Patchings: art, glassware, jewellery, art and craft materials, demos by famous and not-so-famous artists alike .... and a lot more besides, all in a very friendly atmosphere. A great day out!

Summer's here

2011-06-02T18:18:00.002+01:00

The weather is absolutely beautiful here today and I was lucky enough to be out of the studio enjoying the wonderful Shropshire countryside: I drove down to The Clive, Ludlow to top up my exhibition there as sales have been good. So I hung more prints and also some watercolours (similar to those on my "Watercolour sketches" page). On the way back, I called in at Jemima's Kitchen in Church Stretton as my greeting cards there had sold out.

I'm now preparing for the Made in Shropshire Fair in Castle Square in Ludlow on Saturday, and also putting the finishing touches to two paintings which are destined to be new additions to my range of limited edition prints on canvas. They won't be ready for Saturday but hopefully will be with me at Patchings Art, Craft and Design Festival, at Calverton (near Nottingham), which runs from next Thursday through to Sunday.

Wanted!

2011-05-30T20:04:00.006+01:00

I'm sorry and upset to report that two of my paintings were stolen recently, not from me personally but from the venue where they were on display.

The two paintings concerned are shown in this post.

Both are acrylics on canvas.

However, there are two versions of the Hereford Bull painting and it is the one measuring 12 inches square which has been stolen; the smaller deep-edge canvas is a totally legitimate version.

If anyone has seen these paintings, been offered them for sale or has any other information about them or their whereabouts, do please get in touch with me.

Whilst I am on the subject, a couple of paintings were stolen from me a few years ago.

Again, they are shown here. The Barn painting is line and wash. The other painting is acrylic on board. Both are (or were, when stolen) in wooden frames.

I have produced and sold a number of small prints of the Barn painting and they are all totally legitimate; it is only the original which was stolen.

If you know where they are or if you have any information which may be helpful to their recovery, please do contact me.

Fingers crossed .....

Exhibitions and limited edition prints

2011-05-23T21:36:00.000+01:00

A reminder: my exhibition at the Oswestry Visitor and Exhibition Centre ends next Tuesday so if you've got your eye on anything, you need to get there quick - and if you haven't yet visited it, well why not?

At my other exhibition in The Clive, Ludlow, my limited edition prints are proving extremely popular so I've been printing and lacquering some more. I am currently working on two new ones: a horse and a goose, which I'll post here soon. Other than that, I have almost completed another painting of a horse. Then I want some new material so I'm hoping the weather turns more summery so I can get out and find some new subjects....

That's about it for now. Goodnight!

Tarc Gallery

2011-05-19T17:26:00.001+01:00

Today, I travelled down to Tarc Gallery at Stanford Bridge (Worcestershire); the Gallery has a huge range of mainly locally made and fair-trade goods - a diverse selection of paintings and prints, some gorgeous jewellery and glassware, pottery and lots more - and also has a lovely cafe (I can vouch for the coffee and scones). I have refreshed my display there, and it now stocks, in addition to original paintings, my limited edition prints and greeting cards.

No fairs this weekend, but I need to get back to the easel smartish as I have been fortunate enough to have been selling (unexpectedly) well all year. So, a new limited edition image coming up and, I think, another painting of a horse - not yet sure what else ...

Aaaagh....

2011-05-13T22:01:00.001+01:00

As you can see below, Blogger found the missing post so there are two almost duplicate posts now .... I'm too tired to do anything about it though; it has been a frustrating day!

Getting an early night as have to be up early tomorrow. Goodnight!

Grrrrr....

2011-05-13T18:54:00.001+01:00

Some of you may think I haven't bothered with this blog since Monday but others may have seen the re-vamp I did on Wednesday and the post I did yesterday - however, Blogger has had technical issues and all my work was lost .... so here we go again:

It's the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury, tomorrow and I will be bringing some new additions with me: new cards, new original paintings and drawings and my new(ish) limited edition print of a pig. The weather has turned a bit blowy and rainy here today so fingers crossed it improves for tomorrow!

I've also (re-)updated my "Acrylics" page.

Better get packing now - see you!

Fair in the Square

2011-05-12T14:31:00.000+01:00

I've been busy this morning getting ready for Saturday when I will be at the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury. In response to demand, I have added some new greeting cards to my existing range, which I will be bringing along with my usual wares, namely original paintings in acrylics and watercolour, pen & ink drawings, limited edition prints on canvas and giclee prints.

My "Acrylics" page of this blog has been updated - check it out! And I hope you like the revamped blog design (I do!).

Back to work now: I may finish another painting in time for Saturday .... we shall see ....

Phew!

2011-05-09T08:22:00.004+01:00

Good morning from sunny Shropshire!

Last week was very busy for me: I set up a new exhibition in Oswestry (as reported in my previous post), on Friday I travelled down to Ludlow to hang a new exhibition at The Clive (a few photos shown here) and then attended the preview evening of the previously announced A E Housman exhibition in Ford, which was absolutely buzzing and a great event.

After a relaxing day out walking yesterday to recharge my batteries, I am back in the studio this morning working hard in preparation for my next event: the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square in Shrewsbury next Saturday (14 May).

The painting I am currently working on depicts a horse and is set to be the first in a series ... really loving the subject, the painting is progressing well and I hope to show the finished work here very soon!

Oswestry Visitor and Exhibition Centre

2011-05-03T20:55:00.002+01:00

This morning I set up my latest exhibition at the Oswestry Visitor and Exhibiton Centre, comprising one large acrylic painting of a cow (surprise!), six watercolours, six pen and ink drawings and my limited edition prints on canvas. So why not call in there for a coffee and cake, or lunch, and browse not only my work, but that of the three other artists there at the moment ....

No let-up for me however: I'm doing the final preparations for my exhibition at The Clive, Ludlow, which I'll be setting up on Friday.

A E Housman

2011-04-28T21:48:00.006+01:00

Later this week, I will be delivering two paintings to an exhibition on the theme of A E Housman's "A Shropshire Lad" in aid of the Severn Hospice. The exhibition runs from Friday 6 May to Sunday 8 May and is at Ford House, Ford, Shropshire. Admission is free on Saturday (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Over 40 local artists have contributed work - so there'll be plenty to see - which will all be for sale, with donations from every sale going to the Severn Hospice. For further information, please contact Patricia Burbidge (organiser) on 01743 850252.

When I was invited to participate, I read "A Shropshire Lad" and, once I had managed to cheer myself up again (for the uninitiated: it's a bit gloomy!), considered what aspect I would like to focus on. In the end, his - it seems to me - rather jaundiced view of relationships and the fickleness of womankind interested me: lasses seem to be destined to grieve for menfolk killed at war or hanged for their crimes, yet have a wonderful (!) ability to move on fairly quickly. Poem XXVII is a fine example. So, I thought that two studies of the same girl would reflect this. They are shown in this post; the first is entitled "Has she tired of weeping?" and the second "Is my girl happy?" To which one can only answer: "Yes and yes".

P.S. I've also updated the "Acrylics" page.

A Shropshire lass

2011-04-25T13:56:00.000+01:00

Feeling in need of a change and a new challenge, I recently embarked on a series of paintings of a lovely young model. Two of the paintings are for an exhibition - more details about that in a forthcoming post - but the portrait shown here will be going to SPACE in Ellesmere this week.

I have not abandoned my paintings of the animal kingdom, however: more geese coming up soon ....

Stop press stop press stop press

2011-04-21T09:16:00.000+01:00

Hold the bus! (as a hamster might say ...) I have just added a new limited edition print to my range - shown here and, unsurprisingly, on the "Limited Edition Prints" page of this blog.

Firing on all cylinders

2011-04-19T09:29:00.000+01:00

I don't know whether the fantastic weather is affecting me or whether it's a panic reaction to my imminent exhibitions and fairs, but I am being hugely productive at the moment. Shown here is my most recent painting, showing some grey geese in Ellesmere. Please keep checking the various pages of this blog for updates .... there should be lots over the next couple of weeks.

Back to work - another goose in progress!

New page alert .... and updates

2011-04-16T11:09:00.000+01:00

I have just created a new page on this blog, entitled "Watercolour sketches", showing a few of what I term my "daft animals", and also updated my "Acrylics" page. I'm just procrastinating really - I must get my act together now and get gardening before the postman gets lost in the long grass - back to the studio later today ...

Uninspired

2011-04-14T21:09:00.000+01:00

OK - I'm uninspired about what to write here, but that's only because I am super-inspired with painting and drawing at the moment: I've got several paintings in acrylic under way, including a just-completed painting of a (naturally) happy pig for a run of limited edition prints, and also some pen and ink drawings and daft watercolour sketches of animals, which are soon to have their own page on this blog.

I'm going to be (gardening and) painting all weekend so hope to have lots to show over the next couple of weeks. All of it is destined for my forthcoming exhibitions at the Heritage Centre in Oswestry, The Clive in Ludlow, The Housman Exhibition in Ford, for SPACE in Ellesmere and for the MiS Fair in the Square in Shrewsbury; so got lots more to do then - I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

Goodnight!

Feeling weary

2011-04-07T20:50:00.000+01:00

My preparations for the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square in Shrewsbury this Saturday are well under way.... and I'm tired! I've been working hard to complete some new canvases, pen and ink drawings and watercolours to bring along - small wonder I'm weary then. According to forecasts, the weather is going to be lovely, and browsing the MiS stalls in The Square will be a great way to spend the day - hope to see you there!

Made in Shropshire

2011-04-06T11:03:00.000+01:00

Well, Made in Shropshire's first fair in Ludlow was a great success: Ludlow locals and visitors alike flocked to our stalls and the existing market there made us feel very welcome.

However, I've no time to dwell on it, as I'm preparing for the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square in Shrewsbury this coming Saturday. I will have several new canvases and drawings with me; the image shown here is one of them, but I'll show more in my next post before Saturday.

Bye for now.

Made in Shropshire in Ludlow

2011-04-01T15:37:00.002+01:00

I'm just about packed and ready for Made in Shropshire's first fair in Ludlow, to be in Castle Square from 9.30 a.m. tomorrow. I'll have my usual wares: original paintings, watercolours, pen and ink drawings, limited edition prints on canvas, giclee prints and greeting cards; the painting shown here, measuring 90 cm square, will also be with me. So, lots to choose from as a Mother's Day gift then ....

In the meantime ...

2011-03-29T18:48:00.001+01:00

Drawing has been a much-loved activity of mine since I was small, and over the past week I have
produced a number of pen and ink drawings of animals. You can see them now on the newly created "Pen and Ink" page on this blog - take a look!

Where's the sun gone?

2011-03-26T11:28:00.002Z

The weather has been wonderful over the past couple of weeks, but it's overcast and distinctly chilly today - what a blow! Fortunately, I got out on a long walk last Saturday, and made a new very friendly friend, shown here. I will be returning to that field very soon to see him and his companions again, so more horsy paintings coming up soon.

No fairs this weekend, but next Saturday should see the first Made in Shropshire Fair in Castle Square in Ludlow; we will be on the square between the usual market there and the castle. Lots to get ready for then so what am I doing waffling on here ... bye.

New project

2011-03-22T17:14:00.001Z

Well, I've been talking about a slightly new direction in my art for a while and I have now completed the first painting in a series of portraits of a lovely young girl. Here it is and I hope you like it.

This and one other painting are intended for the "Shropshire Lad" exhibition in May (dates on the "Dates in my Diary" page). A third painting, more modern in style, will be going to SPACE in due course. I've thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of this series of paintings and hope to continue with portraits of humans, though I won't be abandoning my usual subject matter.

Back to work ....

Fun day

2011-03-17T23:02:00.000Z

A big thank you to everyone who visited my stall at the Fair in the Square last Saturday - that was the happiest and especially most fun day I've had there in a while!

The weather is looking good this weekend so I am hoping to get out and about to find new inspiration for my paintings, and I have a number of bright white canvases in my studio beckoning to me ....

I've also just updated my "Acrylics" page so take a peek!

Goodnight.

Updates

2011-03-11T09:43:00.000Z

Have just updated my "Acrylics" page and my "Dates in my Diary" page - check them out!

Fair in the Square

2011-03-10T18:01:00.000Z

Well, January and February were unexpectedly busy for me so I'm feeling somewhat weary. However, I'm now getting ready for the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square in Shrewsbury on Saturday; I hope the weather is kind. I'll have my usual mix of original work, prints and greeting cards.

Errr - I can't think of anything else to report - so hope to see you on Saturday!

Donkey-mania

2011-03-05T17:11:00.001Z

Just can't resist those donkeys - so here's another offering, which will be accompanying me to the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square next Saturday.

For a change, I'm also working on a painting of a horse which I will post here soon - oh, and some more sheep. I am also planning two additions to my (so far) very limited range of limited edition prints on canvas: a pig and a hen.

Nothing else to report as I'm keeping a low profile while preparing for three exhibitions in May (help!), plus the usual fairs.

Better get back to work - goodbye!

Hard at work

2011-02-26T23:45:00.001Z

I've really got stuck into my art this week. My new project is progressing and (yes, I know I keep promising this) I will be showing the results here soon. However, I have also been continuing working on animal paintings in acrylic, now turning my attention to sheep. One example is shown in this post, and will be available at SPACE in Ellesmere from next week.

My next outing will be at The Fair in the Square, Shrewsbury, on Saturday 12 March, and I intend to bring a number of new paintings along with me, together with my usual greeting cards, giclee prints, limited edition prints, watercolours and pen & ink drawings. So lots to choose from if you have a hankering for art or need a unique gift for someone special ....

Neglect

2011-02-22T08:48:00.000Z

Apologies for neglecting this blog for a while. I've had quite a lot of running around to do and not managed to put in the amount of studio time I would like. As from this afternoon, however, that is all set to change and I will be progressing my new painting project so hope to have some new and different work to show here very soon.

The painting shown here is the third in a series of paintings of a cockerel with attitude and is currently hanging at SPACE in Ellesmere.

First Fair of 2011

2011-02-10T20:29:00.000Z

A trip south today: first to Ludlow to remove my remaining paintings from The Clive, and then to Church Stretton where I filled in some gaps at my exhibition at Jemima's Kitchen (Victoria House).

The Clive have been pleased with the success of my exhibition and have invited me back from May through to September - details on my "Dates in my Diary" page.

I'm now starting to prepare for the Made in Shropshire Fair in the Square in Shrewsbury on Saturday. Hoping it's not too cold and - especially - not windy!

Stop press ... stop press ... stop press

2011-02-05T10:28:00.001Z

The Clive in Ludlow have got in a muddle with their art exhibitions; my exhibition was due to end on Friday, but the next artist has been booked in from today. So they are taking my work down, but will be keeping it there for the next few days. If any of you want any of the paintings or prints you have seen at The Clive, therefore, please do still go there and ask - they will be happy to retrieve them for you.

S.P.A.C.E.

2011-02-04T10:13:00.001Z

Off to SPACE this afternoon with three new paintings, including the cat shown here; details of this and the other two paintings are on my "Gallery - Acrylics" page of this blog.

Then I have a few paintings to complete and hope to start on a new project within the next few days ... watch this space!

My first fair of the year will be the Fair in the Square in Shrewsbury, next weekend, Saturday 12 February - just in time for you to get your Valentine's Day gifts ...

More of the same

2011-02-01T10:43:00.000Z

It's over a week since I last posted here ... and I don't really have much to report: three new paintings completed and four more in progress.

I will be taking new work to SPACE in Ellesmere this week and to Jemima's Kitchen in Church Stretton next week. My exhibition at The Clive in Ludlow comes down on Friday, 11 February, so if you've got your eye on anything, you need to get there soon. Otherwise I am starting to gear up for my first fair of 2011: the MiS Fair in the Square in Shrewsbury on 12 February.

That's it for now - back to work!

Refresh and renew...

2011-01-23T22:24:00.000Z

Still not done all the painting I intended this week, but nonetheless since Friday I have refreshed and added to my exhibitions at SPACE in Ellesmere, Jemima's Kitchen in Church Stretton and The Clive in Ludlow, where happily my work is currently in great demand.

My plans for next week focus mainly on my studio ... and I can't wait to get going on those fresh new canvases just waiting for me ... mmmmm ... back soon with some new images, and an entirely new subject coming up soon(ish) ... goodnight!

True to my word

2011-01-18T18:06:00.001Z

As announced in my previous post, I got down to work in my studio from early Sunday morning. Since then I have completed the commission shown here, slightly cropped (delighted client, I'm happy to report!), and a painting of a fawn (included on my "Gallery - Acrylics" page), and have a number of other paintings under way.

I also printed more of my limited edition prints, which I delivered to my framer today to put on stretchers, and took the opportunity to update my exhibition at SPACE, in Ellesmere.