At the dawn of Blooming True... Again!

Hi everyone,

After a fantastic summer holiday taking part in Rinda's Scavenger Hunt and working on a few canvases, I thought I would post their progress. The 'Man Cave' is a flurry of colour and I am trying to get them finished before I get stuck into the new Bloom True course, that starts today. I am so excited to be given this once again as an early birthday pressie. Thank you to you know who. I feel I am ready to take a further leap into painting larger and being more expressive and developing my take on a love of nature. 

There are a few large canvases to complete and they are coming on nicely. I have a few ideas on what will happen on their next layers. 

I have started some small ones too which I have covered with several coloured washes that need completing.

There's a Purple one...

A spotty one...

And a splattered one...

The most exciting thing is the development of some larger images. I have used loads of new colours that I would not normally use. It was with some trepidation I tried them out, but I love them now. The first canvas incorporates the 'leaf' shapes that I had used in the small sketchbook I found in a storage box. I posted some of the pages here and in 2012, here.

There are still some details to be added but they are all taking on their own character and journey. I am definitely feeling the saying of Flora Bowley when she says "Be brave and be bold".  

The second has developed into a sunflower... very jolly! If you would like to see how it started please click here. This and the octopus have turned out better than I ever imagined when I began them this time last year.

And lastly, I thought I would include a picture of the 'Man Cave'. It is great to have my own space but winter is drawing in and there is no heating in there. I will see how long I last - I have been promised a fan heater! 

                           

Hope you have enjoyed this colourful post? I feel one step closer to achieving an exhibition of my work and maybe selling one would be a dream come true! 

Hope you are all having a good week. 

Andy

Final Scavenger Hunt

Hi everyone,

        2013 Summertime Photography  Scavenger Hunt

I have really enjoyed participating in this year’s hunt. It has been great to get my camera out, click away and look for new ways to display the photographs. Here's my complete list.

1.   Open air market

2.   Theatre for performing arts (not a movie theatre)

3.   City Hall, Capitol or other similar civic building

4.   Airplane

5.   A sunset

6.   Someone or something taking a nap

7.   A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny

8.   A tower

9.   A photo with someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong

10.  A bench that is outside

11.  An animal in a zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, etc.

12.  A cloud in the shape of something (please specify what you see)

13.  A fence

14.  A stained glass object or a mosaic

15.  A fire truck or police car

16.  A windmill 

17.  Candle(s)

18.  Your local pub/bar, coffee house or tea shop

19.  A fisherman

20. A dinosaur

21.  A photograph of you with an artistic tool or craft supply

I can't wait to see what my fellow hunters latest finds are. Looking forward to checking all your links. Thank you, Rinda. I have really enjoyed participating this year. I am already looking forward to next year's hunt.

Have a great weekend

Andy  

It's all in Black and White

Hi Everyone,

What a week it has been. There was family to catch up with, and lots to do around the house. While sorting out our studio, I found a little treasure that I would like to share with you.

It is a small sketchbook that I created ten years ago at the start of my teaching career. Back then, I took the train to work and I would spend that time drawing and sketching. It is interesting to look back and see the symbols I created and to now think of how they may have influenced my more modern sketches.

Looking at these I can see a fossil influence, especially in this section of the first sketch. 

The first image shows an Ammonite and the second has an Ortheceras influence 

All of these were done with Biro to give a good gradient with tones. It is amazing how the tones and colours can vary when using just a black Biro. It all depends on the manufacturer. I have a collection of about ten Biros from different companies and each one is different.

The above sketches then developed into these drawings.

Looking at some of my more modern sketches, I have noticed that the same symbols are starting to creep in. I have even observed that they have started to show up in my paintings too.

I am also busily painting and will share these with you soon. I am at the stage of adding layers of colour and applying the details.

I have loved having an Arty Summer and hope that it will continue now that the 'Man Cave' is completed.

Enjoy these last few days of summer.

Andy