For the sake of those who feel that I do not lead an exciting life, the other evening we, that is Liz and myself took part in the Japanese, Kit-Kat challenge. This involved tasting about thirty or so pieces of chocolate, then naming them. I got one right!  Enough of chocolate.

My exhibition at St. Columba's is going very well, it is remaining open to visitors until the end of May.

The painting above was also painted at beer when in a relaxed and couldn't care less sort of mood. A splash of watercolour around the boats then let pen take over.  Its fun and relaxing; I particularly like looking for thing that shouldn't be there, such as a car tyre, an open book; but to be honest there is a tea mug nearly everywhere.

A simple trick to draw compositions together on the beach. Notice the cables from the boats, they all deliberately go to a center of interest point; They draw the eye in and help to make the picture work.

See you soon Duncan

 

Liz and myself have just come home from our spring break in Sidmouth, we were tired and needed a rest, as usual the Kingswood hotel in Sidmouth looked after us so well; thank you.

Also as usual Beer was visited a couple of times for a little R and R painting on the shingle beach and around the fishing boats. Our first visit was on a lovely day, with a  horizon to horizon blue sky, lovely. The only down side was the ever so cold and fierce wind; being hardy and refusing to be put off, a warm coat, jumper and scalfe were donned and a painting I did go facing the full onslaught of the wind.

The water colour started well; however my drawing board was vibrating wildy as the wind tried to steel it from my hands, I persevered.

Soon after my water bottle was blown away.   Soon after that after my water colour pallet was upturned.

Refusing to be beaten, my brushes were put away and out came a pen. So a half water colour--unfinished work was continued in ink. The end result was not brilliant, but great fun. I will not show you that piece.

Two days later, the wind having abated, a return trip was undertaken, water colour work on my mind.

So sat in the same spot as before, I started a rendition of the chapel, a rock arch in the cliffs; perfect weather for water colour. A short while later one of the fishermen came over to chat, I know some of them quite well, with a mug of tea for me (no charge), and a natter, very pleasant. All in all a super morning.

I love painting out side, it is so changeable and such good fun, you never know what is going to transpire.  Try it.

 

 I lead an art group which meets every Thursday afternoon in Andy's on Goldsworth Park, we as a group were asked to paint some bird nesting boxes for the new church garden; all good fun and a bit of a change. Everything, that is paints and brushes were provided, so we just enjoyed ourselves. Fourteen were painted, much more than were needed, I assume the excess boxes were sold to buy plants, or something else gardenish.

It was so good putting aside for an afternoon my usual serious arty ministrations and just playing for a while. Others of a more serious dispossession also relaxed a little, the rest just loved the non to serious play. Now working with about twelve people in  a cafe with acrylic paints is asking for accidents and occasional paint splodges where they were not intended. So I needed to be very much on my guard with a damp cloth in my hand, doing the odd quick wipe up. Brushes need washing constantly, dirty water removing and replacing with clean, very busy but good clean (after a wipe with my cloth) fun.

So next time you pass St Andrews garden look out for our bird boxes. Adding a final thought, we did wonder if some of the birds would suffer migraine attacks with their new brightly coloured home.

 Conversation was lively, banter flowed back and forth, those of a more serious nature relaxed a little and just painted away, trying not to make to much of a mess. Now working in a cafe with many people painting with acrylics was asking for trouble; paint on table surfaces for example. So I needed to be constantly on my guard, walking around with a damp cloth, cleaning brushes, moving and changing very dirty water, But it worked well, all paint slashes were to the most part avoided or removed promptly, it was a very pleasant afternoon.

So next time myself or others pass the church garden we will be able to see our art work on display. We all hope the the birds don't get a migraine with all their brightly coloured nesting boxes.

Well my exhibition has been running for a little over a week now and thankfully it is going very well. This set me thinking as to why we exhibit?

 There seem to be three, maybe more, reasons to show your work; the first is money, it does cost to exhibit, so naturally that needs to be taken back and to sell a piece does cover the costs. Secondly the purpose of art is to show your thinking, understandings, ideas and skills; sharing these and helping others to see as well. Then the last reason is a much misunderstood word, ego. Look at me aren't I great; that thinking I dislike utterly; however there is an element which must not be overlooked. I know that my work is ok, but I do need encouragement in order to continue. The positive feedback which I am receiving at the moment is much appreciated and is much needed affirmation to continue; so thank you all for your comments.

The painting above is of a collection of various dried leaves, this technique I was demonstrating to a workshop last Saturday, which was as super day; I did enjoyed myself as I am sure the attendees did also. Leading workshops, teaching, encouraging, affirming, it is such an honour and a lovely way of making new friends. Out of interest the session was over suscribed, a few who hadn't booked turned up; we all squeezed in and had a good time. If any of you who attended that workshop are reading this; well I must say, "Well done"

, there was much thinking outside the box and experimentation. I had not thought of using leaves as printing blocks!!!! It was a good day.

Well at last the above exhibition is up and running and within the first hour the painting displayed on the poster was sold; a very encouraging start.

Can I remind everyone of the sensitive work which takes place at St. Columba's, as such for obvious reasons the door cannot be open at these times. So a quick telephone call on 01483 766498 before visiting would be a very good idea and also saves disappointment.

So, in the future I will not be forgetting trees, far from that, but in the short term I will be looking at old decaying fishing boats and other water craft. Sounds good fun.

 

The other day, Liz was busy with all sorts of meetings happening, so she suggested to me that is was an ideal opportunity for me to swary of to London and sketch a little; not a bad idea I thought! So happily off I went. Upon arrival the streets were windy, cold and this swary all seemed like a rather chilly mistake. However I persevered and wandered with no real aim, working my way behind Trafalgar Square into all those narrow twisting streets which in the not to distant past were the rather seedy Soho; thankfully now significantly cleaned up and a delight of twisting and narrow streets and alleys, but it was still very cold.

However I passed this alley, with nowhere to sit, workmen hosing down the street, more workmen doing some sort of repairs; a lot of banging, hammering and shouting to each other going on; so I leant against a wooden wall and started sketching. Then somebody moved something and apologised for blocking my view, I said nothing, just laughed, the obstruction was removed quickly. They carried on working, then started chatting with me as well; they were a good bunch and I did enjoy my time with them. The sketch wasn't to bad either.

A nice way to spent some spare time and to relax. Only one sketch was produced as it realy was a tad cold, but that was a special time in that alley. Try to be brave and paint/sketch in very public places, people will talk to you, you will have a good time. Go on, try it.

 

Still a little dark, early morning light coming in through the window, just had breakfast and my quiet time, then no e-mails to answer; a good start to the day, that is just how I like it!

Above is a timed piece which I produced a few weeks ago at Beer (the place in Devon and not the drink), a lovely shingle beach and shore launched fishing boats still operate from there. We were staying in Sidmouth for a few days and Liz wanted some retail therapy, so I was dismissed, being told  to go away for a few hours. Great, chance to paint at Beer, one of my favorite sketching locations.

Method a very quick light sketch with pencil. A few very loose washes with water colour. Then tighten up with a pen and 45 minuets later, there it is. Its good fun, don't worry about mistakes. Sounds rather blazzy, but its about enjoying your art. The aim was not to produce a great piece of art, rather to relax and enjoy myself and I did.

Got a full day ahead of me, it should be good. See you all soon

Love Duncan

 

 Well Liz and myself hope that you all had a super Christmas; we certainly did. 

But today a little advertising.

My exhibition "Can you hear the trees talking", goes up shortly at St. Columba's conference center Woking. Its all about how different plant forms form that ama in size; for ink work this is very large, the work was exceedingly challenging. If you are interested I feel that you will enjoy the show.

Above is one of the pieces which will be exhibited. I will post an invitation to you all in a couple of weeks.