Sketch book Expressions 3

Before 11^th July 2011, the economy of Cyprus was being allowed to slide metaphorically into the sea by our ideologically paralysed President. At 6am on that day the process was tragically accelerated; a time bomb he'd allowed to be stored right next to the island's main power station, exploded, killing 13 people and ruining the lives of many others. http://www2.onthisisland.com/cyprus-power-outage/2011/07/11/ 

Sketch book Expressions 2

I can't be sure, but I believe my earliest memory was when I was two years old walking across the street from my Grandmother's house in the snow, to the house in which my parents and I were to begin living.  My mother is holding my hand, but being as stubborn then as I am now, I insisted on walking unaided and promptly fell flat on my face in the snow.

I can see things I remember. My father's trilby hat, an essential fashion item in the hat-making town where I grew up. His sport coat has a dotty texture; I remember it was made from rough tweed, which felt scratchy. He is strongly drawn, whereas my mother is hardly there at this time apart from her paisley headscarf. The small figure, is shrugging away Dad's protective hand. The open door (it was green) of our new house, with it's bright interior and windows is welcoming; in contrast the neighbour's door is smaller and darker, as is the interior. My father grew to dislike the neighbour. He was a sensitive man.   

 Our Last Conversation

Sketchbook Expressions 1

 #154

Now for something completely different.  Today I begin a new phase of study into Expressionism, which has less to do with what the eye observes and more about feelings and emotions.  These two studies are made in my sketchbook using acrylic paint.

 #155

 

Reclining figure portrait - oil painting

Woman Resting

Oil painting on canvas

18 x 26 inches

I had intended to make working drawings from direct observation for this painting.  However my model and I had plans for a very yummy lunch in Limassol Old Town, so time was pressing and I took several photos instead.  Back in the studio I then made a drawing with colour/tonal notes to work out the composition and used the photos as reference when making the painting.

Trying out my new solar oven.

Yesterday a friend and I visited an art and craft market in Limassol Old Town, expecting to come away with perhaps a piece of cool arty jewellery.  Instead we both updated our green credentials and bought solar ovens.  

I just couldn't wait to try mine out.  So this morning I popped some chicken fillet, garlic, green peppers, tomato, onions and mushrooms in one pot.  And some potato to bake in another.  I placed it in the oven following the instructions and then pretty much forgot about it, whilst I did some work and watched the F1 Grand Prix on the tv.  

When we were ready to eat I threw a salad together and went outside to see if we had a meal fit to eat.  It was pretty much an experiment as I haven't used a solar oven before.  So I was really excited to find we had a really yummy meal for two;  even my husband was impressed!  And all cooked by the sun!  Can't wait to try something else ... maybe some bread next time.

If this inspires you to find out more, just Google 'solar oven' or 'solar cooker', there's masses of information and recipes on the internet.  Good luck!

Update:  Since posting the above a few days ago, people are asking where I obtained my solar oven.  So here's a link to Re-newcy the very nice people who supplied it.

Oil painting - Artist and Model.

Artist and Model

oil painting 14 x 22 inches

I began this painting by making a quick compositional sketch looking at myself and my model through a large mirror.  Knowing my model has limited time available to pose, I also made tone and colour notes and tried to get as far as a could with the painting using just those alone as reference.  I used direct observation to paint myself by looking through the mirror.  Eventually I grabbed my model long enough to take a photo of him in position, and then completed the painting using that, taking care to combine the two figures harmoniously, whilst demonstrating that one figure is in the foreground and one at some distance.  It was an interesting challenge, as you might suspect from my anxious squinty expression on my face LOL!

 

Oil painting - Figure sitting at a table

 

Oil painting 16 x 20 inches

 

I normally make paintings of people using photographs as the inspiration.  Todays painting is a first for me, as I began by making working drawings by direct observation of the subject.  I also made detailed tonal and colour notes and then made the painting by referring only to the drawing and colour notes.

It's a pity that most of the people who commission paintings from me live so far away, as I would love to work more directly in this way.

Home and Garden painting

Today an oil painting featuring our garden.  The leaves of the palm make a clattering sound as the breeze moves them.  I tried to give an impression of the movement.