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?