New Year

Living as I do in NZ and being in the first country to see the new day, I am taking the opportunity to be one of the first in the world to wish you all a very happy New Year for 2012! Among the things on my list of new years resolutions are the following (not in any order of preference):

Be more disciplined about painting every day

Strive to improve my work

Take time to look after myself by exercising regularly

Spend more time with those who mean the most to me

This painting (Show Day, oil on canvas) was painted from a reference photo kindly given me by Darryl Price. Lots of fun to paint and sold at exhibition.

Wishing all my blogger friends a safe and happy festive season and a wonderful new year.

Turning Heads

Just an update on the charcoal cows - they are finally finished and at the framer in readiness for an exhibition of local artists at Art in Oxford gallery later this month.

Dog portrait

I've been very quiet on the blog front of late so its time to post and show you I am still painting. Time for a change and into pastels. Someone asked me what is my favorite medium and I have to confess I cannot chose between charcoal, pastel, oil or watercolour: they are so different and I find the different effects each produces to be wonderfully exciting in its own right. So, unable to decide, I have to say my favorite medium is whichever I happen to be working in at the time. Is that a cop-out or what!
Normally I find commissions a little daunting, wondering whether or not the result will please the client, but was very happy to accept this one and found it a joy to do. The client was very happy with the result so its off to the framer tomorrow. Thankyou for stopping by.

The eyes have it

Its quite a while since I've posted, as sometimes life gets in the way of creating art. But just to let you know I'm still here, here's a wee part of the new work. Hopefully I will get time to complete it in the not too distant future.

Asian Girl

I've been working on several very different projects lately including charcoal portraits. Loved the open friendly smile of this young lady.

Almost done

Summer's tears -oil on canvas 60 x 45 cm

Early summer is my very favourite time of year as my garden awakens from a harsh, barren winter to a profusion of glorious colours. A sight that never fails to lift my spirits and inspire is this beautiful rambler adorning a rustic shed in a swathe of pink perfumery. Can you smell the roses?

A Watchful Eye

Spring means new life. These twins bask in the warm spring sunshine while mother keeps a watchful eye.
Charcoal 30 x 32 cm

Back to the drawing board. . .

"Summer " -pastel pencil on Canson paper
I feel the need to draw more people. . .so out come the pastel pencils and away we go. I love the gentle feel of this one. . .and the sunlight on her face. . .and the movement of her hair.

Still Sheepish

WIP - Finally. . . . I've returned to this work and today has seen a little progress - another face has entered the picture. Still got a long way to go. Thanks for looking.

The Humble Shall Be Exalted

Very difficult to photograph this one due to the subtlety of watercolour but htis will at least give you some idea. My thoughts go out to all those in Japan suffering the devastating effects of the recent earthquake(s). As one who has witnessed the results of a much smaller quake recently I can understand just a little of what you must be going through. My prayers are with you.

Watching You

Finally -a productive day. Completed this pastel 31 x 38 cm of a beautiful creature I came across in my ramblings in the back country.

Christchurch earthquake

In response to some of you who are wondering if we are ok following the 6.3 earthquake on Tuesday-thankyou, yes we are fine. Sadly this is not the case for hundreds, if not thousands living and working in the city of Christchurch. Many have perished in the quake, and many are still missing. Many have lost homes. For the people of Christchurch life will never be the same. Certainly the CBD will never be the same, as buildings which survived the 7.1 quake 6 months ago collapsed in this latest one.
Paul, my husband, who works in the CBD was on his lunchtime walk when he heard the loud roar of the quake and immediately leaped into the middle of the road to escape collapsing facades (fortunately his side of the road was clear of traffic) and sustained only slight injuries from flying masonry. All around him building frontages were collapsing. He saw concrete and brick facades fall onto waiting vehicles. As the dust settled he helped rescue a couple of cyclists burried beneath the rubble and accompanied the worst injured to the hospital.
As the search goes on for survivors, please pray for the rescue workers who continue to work in difficult conditions amid continuing aftershocks, creating a very real danger of further building collapses. Pray for those survivors who have sustained serious injuries. And pray for the families who have lost loved ones, or who wait with growing trepidation for news of their loved ones. And you might just like to pray and thank God for the life you enjoy right now.

Joy

Joy by name and by nature.
Not much happening in the studio of late as the garden demands my attention: harvesting and preserving produce for the winter. So I'm posting this pastel sketch completed some time ago. Joy is indeed a delight.

Sheepish

WIP charcoal on paper on my drawing board. Do you get the picture? Do you think I might really enjoy living in the country with all its diversity?

Saddle up

A kind friend allowed me to take some reference photos at his farmlet and this oil sketch is the result. He thought I was there to photograph the horses, but really my focus was on the horseman.