Neeley

Neeley is a favourite model who has featured in several of my paintings along with the Emma Bridgewater mug:)

Prizes and Pestle and Mortar...

This started as a demo for a painting group which I decided to work into a pastel. The weather was drizzly here today, but perfect for a day in the studio with no opportunity to go galavanting, which I have been doing a lot lately; all in the name of art of course:). Six of my paintings were exhibited with the Armed Forces Art society at the Mall galleries. I won the 'Society Art Prize for painting'. I am told it was a toss up between 'Veteran' and 'Chef' as to which should win. As Arthur (the Veteran) came up to London in his best bib and tucker, I was hoping his painting would win, but Chef pipped him to the post. Nevertheless a good evening was had by all.

Chinese pot with garlics

Another pastel featuring my favoured blue pots with garlic; the possibilites are endless with this theme:) This is how the pastel took shape...

Oil sketch of George

George was our model this week at the scout hut. He has a delivered newspapers locally for over thirty years and knows everyone. I made him look a bit younger than he is and probably more awake as he found it very hard to keep his eyes open. This caused his whole head to drop. By the end of the two hour session we joked about whether we had caught the 9.30 face or the 10.30 as they were completely different! One of the many challenges that happen when working from life:)

Ginger Jar with Garlics

This is my latest effort. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend some time in my studio rather than chasing around delivering and collecting paintings from exhibitions. It was sheer pleasure to cover my fingers in pastel once again:)

Mel (Jack's dad)

This is the second sketch of Mel from life in just under two hours. I think I prefer this pastel to the oil sketch but it is interesting to alternate the studies between oil and pastels. I am often asked which medium I prefer and I find it imposible to choose. When I have worked on several pastels I look forward to working in oils, it helps to keep me fresh and I think one medium informs the other. I am looking forward to getting back to some regular still-life subjects; it is such a busy time delivering and collecting from exhibitions, time spent in the studio is precious and I am grateful I have my sessions at the scout hut producing these quick studies to keep me on track. I loaded up again over the weekend to deliver to the Mall Galleries, London.