Artist of the Year shortlist

This painting has been shortlisted for the Artists and Illustrators magazine Artist of the Year in the Still Life category: http://www.artistsandillustrators.co.uk/artists-of-the-year-2012-still-life If you like my painting please do vote for it or any of the other shortlisted finalists that you like! Thank you.

Vinegar and Brown Paper

Pears - updated

I recently sold this painting at the Exeter Art Society Summer Exhibition, to a lovely couple on holiday in Sidmouth. I had updated it to remove the doorframe in the background as it just didn't work.

I was chuffed to be chosen as the Cover Artist for September's edition of Paint Magazine - the magazine for SAA (Society of All Artists) members. http://www.saa.co.uk/support/joinnow.php

Elena's Hearts - Polka Ribbon

Today's painting. NFS

Elena's Hearts - Christmas Dove

Another 'heart' from my kitchen. NFS

Elena's Hearts - Gingerbread

Another one! NFS

Elena's Hearts - Blue

The second heart - same size. NFS

Elena's Hearts - Little Bird

I have a collection of hearts hanging around my kitchen, most of them given to me by my husband, one or two by friends and family. I thought they might make cute paintings and I am thinking about maybe getting them made into cards - something that I haven't tried before! These are pastels on the usual board and are approx 7" x 7". NFS

Black Ink

I liked this composition when I had put it together but unfortunately I started it too small (approx 12"x12"), so I couldn't put in the kind of detail I like. Pastels on Colourfix primed board.

Gilded Duck

A quick pastel of this lovely old gilded duck that sits on my shelf. Bliss to be using pastels again!

A Cacophony of Books

Another acrylic painting - still an uphill struggle! I keep forgetting just how much I hate lettering. But I love the look of the books so I will just have to keep going. I might do a pastel next just for the enjoyment of it.

My Hero, Big Ben and Mr Smith

Another endurance test! Still struggling to blend but I'm starting to learn to let the paint do it's thing rather than trying to make it do what I want. I WILL master acrylics but may gain a few more grey hairs in the process!

Obsolete

This was an absolute pain in the neck!! I thought it was a good idea but didn't really think through how I would get it to work! I'm also still struggling with acrylics, even though I have the Atelier interactives as well - they just don't want to blend. Not my best effort but a useful exercise in 'think before you paint'.

Close up