Artweeks Day18

Today’s theme is ‘Echoes of the past’, and you can see the themed video here

https://youtu.be/YBMhU5H2YHY

There are ammonites, standing stones and the iconic White Horse of Uffington featuring today.

Aphrodite on red oil 8x10” on canvas panel

The Model for this painting was a replica of the famous Ancient Greek Venus de Milo statue. It’s amazing to think that the original statue was created over 2000 years ago!

Aphrodite is a Goddess associated with love, beauty, pleasure, passion and procreation, also often represented by the colour red. The Romans reinvented her as their Goddess Venus.

I am fascinated by ancient cultures and surprised how much of their art survives to this day.

Artweeks Day 17

Today’s theme is Tactile Treasures, and you can view the themed video here - lots of fabric, jewellery and pottery to admire.

https://youtu.be/EIBstl4MhxQ

You might think paintings don’t have much texture, but actually they can be very tactile if thick paint is applied with a pallet knife. This style of painting, with thick textured paint is called impasto.

Acer sunshine 8x10” oil on canvas board

This little painting sold yesterday and has oodles of texture. It was inspired by a trip to Claydon House and gardens in Bucks before lockdown. I met up with an artist friend so we could visit an exhibition by a local wild-life artist in the old stables there, and then we explored the beautiful gardens. This little yellow tree really drew my attention, full of live and vigour compared to the dead tree behind.

Other examples of impasto pieces are my Croatia series and my turtle and kingfisher paintings.

Artweeks Day 16

Day 2 of the open studio event starting early with printing out more direction signs. For some reason my computer refused to talk to the printer and it was only after a total reboot I got them printed, leaving just 20mins for me to sprint around the village putting them up!

The morning was busy with a steady stream of visitors, so it wasn’t until lunchtime that I finally got to have breakfast and my first cup of tea of the day!

The signs paid dividends with more visitors today and a sale! It’s been lovely to talk art all day and catch up with friends and neighbours after so long.

Today’s theme is Buildings and Cityscapes, so I thought I’d share this painting of the Valentine bridge in Cahors, a marvellous Medieval structure in France

You can view today‘s themed video here: https://youtu.be/hc3zXuGw5vM