I have been taking a little break from my commission work. Sometimes for me it is good to step back a little...otherwise I can get frustrated and lose the plot. I had seen a photo on Paint my Photo that I really wanted to paint, just for myself. I have to provide full accolade to the photographer (Paul Foster) because the photo is a work of art in itself. But, because the depth of field is so centred on the people, I also knew it would be a challenge. However, I love the story it tells and the expression on his face. Although I have painted it in watercolour, I also think it would also make a stunning oil subject.
I resisted the temptation to add too much more to it and almost let it fade away....... My thanks to Paul Foster for sharing :-) As a postscript on Paint my Photo, we have started to add some stories to go with it...here. For those that are not a member ~ so far we have:
R ~ He's been there all night waiting for her but really she's too good for him. Now she's arrived she seems in a rush as she hasn't taken her coat off; perhaps she won't stay long? He's had a few cans of Stella but still doesn't know what to do next. She spoils the moment by playing Knees Up Mother Brown.
Mine
R, I laughed so much at your comment, all I can say is (as always) you have a great sense of humour and as someone that shares a very vivid imagination, I love it :-)
Mine was.... she is playing something classical, he has arrived on his motorbike and parked up outside. He hears the haunting melody that reminds him of something from the past....he takes his can of Stella from his topbox onto the balcony and just watched her playing transfixed and lost in his memories ;)
This week we have been really enjoying the improved weather and have been out and about. It was especially nice as we have had a long weekend together and packed it full of lovely things. One of these was a trip to Stratford Upon Avon. We didn't do the town, I used to live near to there and to be honest it looked as though it has been built up from how I recall it! We did visit the Butterfly farm, had a lovely lunch at the Fleece at Bretforton and also managed Hidcote Gardens. It was probably a little too early for Hidcote but still a very enjoyable day. Here are a few images from the Butterfly farm.
It was a very magical experience walking through literally hundreds of butterflies. What a great reminder of summer :-) Incidentally, I spotted my first native butterfly of the year on the same day!
You may think that I am not finding the time to do any art but I am working away in the background. I have never really undertaken much in the way of commissions due to lack of available time. But, I thought that was a pretty stupid thing for someone who is looking at unemployment in the future. Therefore, I have sorted myself out a little, I am working on a schedule of prices and have made it generally known that I am happy to take some on. I am simply trying hard to provide a very realistic timetable to fit in with other commitments. I was quite surprised that almost immediately I received two in quick succession.... So, plenty to keep me going but I am unable to blog any of them for now, so expect to see plenty of photographs for a little while at least. Have a great week whatever you get up to :-)
This week has not been the easiest of weeks. The morale at work continues to be very low which is undertstandable in the face of so much uncertainty. I have also struggled with a lot of emotion relating to family health issues. Anyone that has experienced Alzheimer's in a loved one will possibly understand the effect it can have. However, yesterday Andy and I took ourselves off to Cannock chase for the day and had a very welcome break from the trials and tribulations to relax with nature. I think I have said before that the locals have fed the birds there for years and as there are not too many natural predators nearby, if you sit quietly, the animals will all come remarkably close. It makes for ideal photo opportunies so here is a selection from the day:
Chaffinch
Great Tit
Male Bullfinch
Long Tailed Tit
Yellowhammer
Great Tit
And once again a few deer snook up to the birds feeding area in the hope of some for themselves!
It was a wonderful day in wonderful company. I wish you all a very peaceful Sunday :-)
One of the nicest things lately is that our social calendar is picking up again. It seems ages since we attended any kind of local event and after the hibernation of winter, it is great to be out and about. We first came across this band at Chorley Summer show last year...and for us, they did steal the show, it made for a wonderful afternoon in Summer, simply chilling and listening to their music.
They describe themselves as rootsy and folksy. It does fit quite well but perhaps doesn't quite begin to describe their originality. I discovered that they were playing locally and couldn't resist another opportunity to hear them. Quatt Village hall is not too far away but, being a village hall we didn't know quite what to expect. The committee did a great job and there were jars of daffodils on the tables together with bowls of crisps and savouries. You were invited to take along your own drinks. It was a wonderful atmosphere, not quite what we expected and as you can see from this picture, it was packed.
One of the other things which was really interesting (apart from simply enjoying great music) was listening to some of the stories behind the tunes. As an artist, I am well aware of influences on my art but I tend to forget that similar things often become the basis of a music composition. In fact the tale behind Cordon Morning struck a very serious chord (excuse the pun) with both of us....and I was instantly recalling my art therapy from last year! However, such stories need to be heard first hand so I encourage those that can to go and see them for yourselves.
A taster of their music...well this is from their Youtube site:
Most bands do some cover versions of well known songs and so do they but, with such a twist, the instrument combination makes for some very different versions, quite deliberately so. They also include some old folk songs together with their own compositions. It was a really enjoyable time.
It was quite difficult taking photographs in such low light, which you can perhaps gather from the image above. But, I did take a video of all of us clapping along to "Wenlock Hare" and if I get permission from them, I will upload it here. It certainly provides the atmosphere of the evening! Update :permission from Whalebone granted ~ Thank you :D Enjoy!
Meanwhile, they do have a lot of other venues planned, this was the first of the year. Their website can be found at Whalebone Music on MySpace and there are links on there for tour dates, tunes to listen to and links to facetube and twitbook, Ok, Ok ..Andys' words! Thank you to the band for a great night and all at Quatt Village Hall:D
Sometimes, it is wonderful to paint spontaneously and that was just what I did with this piece. It is a little raw in places but I had so much fun, it was one of those subjects that just made me happy to be painting it.
It followed a few days where I could simply not be bothered to do anything and I detest periods like that. I don't know about others but when I lose interest and inspiration, it is almost frightening! Anyway, I love the big happy flowers as a subject and I just let the watercolours run. Simply painting it made me feel full of Spring :)
