Young sisters and brother portrait painting.

Sisters & Brother -  11x14 oil on canvas - by Bee Skelton  

It really is too long since I updated the blog and even longer since I posted a sequence of 'work in progress' images for a portrait.  Today I decided to do something about it.

Email me for more information about any of my work.

DIY bamboo drawing pen

I'm awaiting arrival of the next set of course notes for my fine art degree with huge anticipation.  In the meantime I've been ordering all kinds of interesting drawing materials in preparation, including pens.

It so happens my home is surrounded by clumps of bamboo and as I need bamboo drawing pens, it seemed a pity not to have a go at making my own.

This 'how to' video has a commentary in french, but even if you don't understand the words, the pictures show the technique very clearly http://youtu.be/1KWhQBaktzs 

I stripped the outer layers from the thin end of a cane, which was alive and green underneath.  I shall dry some before making more pens and use sharper, thinner knives next time.  The craftsman in the video makes it look so easy and his pen is beautiful.  My first attempt lacks any finesse and is not a pretty sight.  But I shall persevere.

Animal Art Charity

Probably for the first time, I've found how positive and useful Twitter can be. Through @PeterEgan6 the British actor, who is passionate about animals, particularly dogs, I got to hear about http://www.ourfriendsdogrescue.org.uk/ 

Please take a look at their website and you'll see how URGENTLY they need our help!

Unless enough monies can be raised to secure new land for the shelter, in a matter of days the possibility exists the dog catchers will move in to remove over 300 dogs, and take them to the killing pound, where they will be starved to death without food or water ... possibly much worse.

Please do what you can to help by donating;  spread the word by mentioning them on Facebook and Twitter;  tell your friends and email contacts.


Here's something else you can do:  If you've ever thought of commissioning a custom portrait painting of your own much loved pet, now's your chance to do just that and help save the lives of over 300 innocent animals.  Today I created an Animal Charity Art section in my Etsy shop and added a listing for Our Friends Dog Rescue.  Every penny/cent, 100% will be donated to the charity. 

My thanks to PeterEgan who has already Re-Tweeted my Our Friends Dog Rescue portrait painting charity information.

Artist ... not at work!

I'm procrastinating... I know I am.  I've completed my current course with the OCA and the resultant stack of work is in the studio waiting to be organised; mounted, labelled, collated, cross referenced,  blah di blahed then packed and  shipped so college assessors can give their formal verdicts.  

Making the work was pure enjoyment ... but this end of the process is just plain stressful.  My tutor has seen everything; given her detailed and very helpful reports, but now it's upto me to choose what to send ... & who knows what the uni bods will make of it.  So I switched off .... went to the village, bought salad & vegetables ....  took a walk around the garden.

I'm hoping soon we'll be pretty much self-sufficient in the salad and veg department.  Here's one batch of young plants I've grown from seed;  dwarf beans, cucumber, cut & come again green/red lettuce, tomato, rocket.  I've been sowing every week or so in the hope that harvesting will be spread out.  Experimenting too, by growing some in pots and some in the ground.  It'll be interesting to see which do best.  Also on the go are carrots, brussel sprouts, garlic and lots of flowers.  Oh and I've sent off for some broccoli seeds and other stuff.

In previous years, seeds got locally were a total disaster.  This year I bought from Franchi Seeds in England and the difference is amazing!  Not only do an extremely high percentage germinate, but the seedlings are also sturdy and generally healthier than I've had before.

The garden's looking good; Lanterna bush at the bottom of the drive looks as if it's on fire;  the colours are so vibrant.  My favourite Jacaranda tree is beautiful too;  it's warm blue flowers competing with the blue of the sky.

 Some brutally heavy pruning by a friend of H seems ultimately to have done no harm to the vine.  It's full of baby bunches of fruit.... looks like it's going to be a good year for sweet green grapes.

 OK done shopping, walked garden, taken pics, blogged 'em ........... suppose I'm just going to have to go sort that portfolio.   Erm .... think I might have a coffee first.  ...... mmmmm..... yes, that's a good idea...... and then I really should check my emails .... tweet ..... check out the faces on FB ....... Ok, alright, I'm going!  

Email me for more information about any of my work. 

My art's gone digital!

Before my last trip to Italy I acquired a small, very cheap, tablet PC;  so much easier than carting a laptop around.  First off I imagined it would get limited use, mostly for travelling and around town, but I've been amazed with just how much I can get it to do.  It even has it's art use.  

It'll never replace a sketchbook or paint and canvas, but with the aid of a bit of kebab stick stylus, I was quite pleased with the way this colourful fantasy face turned out.

Oil painting of village houses.

It's ages since I updated this blog.  What with finishing a college course and some more travelling to Italy, I just some how didn't get around to it.

Here's an oil painting I did a few weeks ago.  Looking down onto village rooftops.

I now have a little time before starting my next degree module.