Work Life balance

Another study featuring hacke sacks and a good one to post on a monday morning just before leaving to go to work. I consider myself very fortunate that everything I do, work and play is around painting. It may be feast or famine but I consider myself one of the lucky ones .

Le Rustique

This Camembert with its gingham wrapping and wooden box makes a great subject to add to a still-life. It makes me in the mood for a picnic. The weather here is wet and dreary at the moment; definitely not picnic weather. Another great thing to do with this little gem is to remove the gingham wrapping and bake it in the box until the inside of the cheese is melted and squidgy. It tastes great with warm crusty bread and a glass of red wine.......... now that's a thought!

Portrait of Alan (2)

This is second portrait study of Alan done in a sitting of just over two hours. I prefer it to my first attempt. Alan felt I had captured something of his grandfather in this. I find this happens quite often. I once had a sitter in tears because she could see her mother in her portrait. Strangely enough I can see something of my own father in this one. Below is a pastel study of my father, do you agree.......?

Physallis and Bowl

Physallis is one of those words you have to watch as it trips off the tongue! They are great little subjects to paint though. I like the way the pure colour of the fruit is revealed when the papery cases begin to open up. I found the little dipping bowl in a local store and thought it the perfect partner in this little study.

Funny Face

The great thing about about the DPW challenge is it makes you paint something totally out of your comfort zone. I had thought I would probably not bother with 'the up close animal challenge'. Last evening, whilst I was washing up the supper things, I spied this funny face pinned to my fridge. I keep it there to cheer me up and make me me smile and I thought, I wonder ........?!

Oyster with Pied Bleu

This is the third painting in my Fungi series. Mushrooms are always fun to paint. They have subtle colour and shifts in temperature which make them an excellent subject. Once I have finished painting them they are straight for the chop!

Below are a few of my pastel studies of mushrooms which are availabe from Mandells Gallery in Norwich.

Soaking Up the Rays

I painted this for the week's challenge 'Lying Down'. I worked from an old photo which was taken on one of our spanish painting trips. The subject is an old friend of mine who takes every opportunity to top up his tan and then likes to cool down with a G&T in his hand.

Hacke Sacks

I was unaware of Hacke sacks until one of my students, a young man called Steeley, brought them into my painting class last autumn. It turned out he was incredibly good at juggling. We struck a deal that he would show me how to juggle whilst I taught him how to paint. I am still not off the starting block whereas he is well on his way with his painting. It has taught me that to progress in anything we have to be committed with our time and to be patient with ourselves and not expect miracles. I found the Hacke Sacks rather beautiful objects in themselves so painted them to remind me that to succeed in what we want to do we need to have focus and perserverence.

Gooey Egg

When I was at school we used to call these Cadbury cream eggs 'gooey eggs' which seems much more apt. I had a lot of fun painting this one; I went to town with the palette knife for the 'goo' part of the egg. It worked well particulaly to get the yolk part to seep into the white. Using the palette knife you never quite know the effect you may get; you have to know when enough is enough....... a bit like eating these eggs really.

Lindt Bunny

Lindt Bunnies have become a firm favorite in our household at Easter. This bunny delayed his fate whist modelling for me......... now I shall bite off his ears!

Hot Cross Bun

I painted this Hot Cross Bun for 'the Easter Challenge'. Although we now seem to be able to buy them all year round, the heady aroma of spice and hot bun is an enticing incentive to stock up with some ready for Good Friday. As children we used to have money put in the top, so they were always eagerly anticipated.

Fungi Pied Bleu

These wild mushrooms Pied Bleu (blue foot) are named after their blue/purple stalks. I was attracted to them because of their colour and as I had never seen them before thought I had better check them out. These daily paintings not only improve our knowledge but also our culinary skills by trying out new things. Unexpected benefits!