Autumn Puddle
90cm x 60cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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The colours, the rippling, the water, the leaves, the glimmer. I knew what attracted me to this idea but this one definitely evolved.
When I needed a bit of inspiration I took a wander to clear my head and found the exact beautifully-coloured and shaped leaves I was looking for. Brought them home to study them and this piece then came together nicely.
The colours look so much more vibrant in the flesh.
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£625
Dive
75cm x 50cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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I came up with this composition following a suggestion to try water splashes.
Water is one of my favourite subjects to paint. And a theme running through a lot of my work is a sense of movement. So this combined the two nicely.
This is my daughter's favourite so feel a bit guilty putting it up for sale!
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£295
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Mabie Baby
100cm x 50cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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The majesty of these beauties in Scotland's Mabie Forest is breathtaking. It struck me during a family stroll amongst them. Impossible not to be inspired.
Have tried to capture some of their utter awesomeness by standing right at the foot and looking up. Even gave it a hug while I was there.
I'm totally with Leonardo DiCaprio on how important the world's forests are. They demand our protection.
Don't look at your feet, look up to be inspired by amazing possibilities.
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£625
Elevated State
60cm x 50cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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A runner since my late teens, I still squeeze in an off-road climb most weeks.
Hard work, yes, and sometimes I'm not in the mood but the finest views and oxygen that await always keep me plodding on. Feel fit to drop on the ascent and alive on the top.
This is my homage to two special ladies and our weekly hill fix.
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£215
Apollo
35m x 28cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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Have always wanted an action dog.
We met one on a mountain-biking excursion and he was awesome. He was called Apollo, although he was a brown Dalmatian not this energetic Spaniel.
Have tried to make my Apollo just as alive and focused on his end goal.
We have our own action dog now and she is even more fun than we ever imagined.
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£295
Make A Splash
35m x 28cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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Looking out the window and watching the birds go crazy in the bird bath gave me the idea for this water action painting, although can't say we've ever been lucky enough to spot a kingfisher in the garden.
Surprised myself how well this one turned out. Love it when that happens!
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SOLD
Out
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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My love of both the annual occasion that is Wimbledon and the sporting moment of impact led me to create Out.
It turned out to be quite tricky but not for the reasons I expected. Thought the body position would be the hardest bit but in fact it was the face that challenged me the most. It definitely tested me. But it's good to be tested.
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£50
Bathtime
35m x 28cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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Another feathered friend taking a dip. He may not be as colourful as the kingfisher but just as beautiful in an understated way.
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£295
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All Set To Ride
40m x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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My first commission was a mountain biking piece so will always have a soft spot for the subject matter, despite being more of a roadie myself.
I like to try depicting usual activities or objects from unusual angles.
And who doesn't love a glorious sunset?
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SOLD
River Wader
40m x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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Continuing the splashes theme, a determined four-legged beast dragging itself through a stretch of water.
Finished this one in July 2018. Or so I thought. He came out of storage for Cheltenham Open Studios week and was subjected to a bit of a tweaking.
So much happier with him now.
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SOLD
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Ready For Take Off
40m x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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Yep, another watery scene.
My blackbird was not that black and my swan is not as white as you'd think. There is glorious colour everywhere you look.
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SOLD
The Kill
100m x 50cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Created The Kill to feature in my first exhibition as part of Cheltenham Open Studios in June 2019.
Inspired by my own little wolf dog.
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£525
Sinking
55cm x 45cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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A bit of a moody one this time, just to try something different. A bit of raw emotion instead of movement.
I really do love painting eyes.
Wasn't sure if I was going to add the bubbles or not but glad I did.
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£295
Second to Last
20cm x 20cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Created during my stewarding stints at our Cheltenham Open Studios 2019 exhibition at Southend Lodge. Started on June 8 finished on June 16, with lots of interesting chats in between.
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£50
Fledgling
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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Baby birds everywhere in the garden right now. Here's Fledgling. Hasn't got his red yet but fluffy and full of life nonetheless. And taking a cheeky dip.
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£295
Crash
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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This wonderful art adventure I'm on began with a wave so thought it was about time to revisit the theme.
It's interesting to look at this painting alongside Wave. I love them both but can see how much I've learned in a relatively short space of time.
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£255
Save Me
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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An underwater scene. Maybe someone who's come a cropper in Crash!
Hands and water have always appealed to me. The foreshortening aspect also inspired me here.
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£255
A Flying Visit
50cm x 40cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Inspired when a pair of bullfinches dined in our garden one lunchtime. I saw it as a sign this vibrant specimen wanted to be painted.
First spotted them in June 2019, after which they visited almost daily for quite a few months.
The male always fed, the female usually accompanied him but didn't always feed.
Love their colour. The male so much brighter. The female sometimes looked more like a chaffinch but then I'd clock her striking companion.
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£295
Wun Wabbit
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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One of three small canvases I worked on ahead of a private viewing in August 2019. Bright Eyes legging it. Or is it Cotton Tail?
Settled on Wun Wabbit due to what was running through my head as I was painting him.
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£50
Flower Shower
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Number two. Inspired by a suggestion from one of my most dedicated supporters.
A bouquet for that someone special will last two weeks, if you're lucky. This single red rose will go on for ever.
Made the perfect romantic gesture for a wedding anniversary present.
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SOLD
Over There
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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And finally, number three.
Phew! That was a lot of painting in one week for me but I did it. And managed to sell two out of three so well worth the effort.
Hands and water: reoccurring themes for me since my teens and my A-level art exam piece, a clay sculpture called Embrace.
Are they going down or coming up? I'll let you decide.
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SOLD
Jump Again
50cm x 40cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Look familiar? Was a very interesting experience, recreating a painting that was so spontaneous at its conception in January 2018.
This is my 2019 version of Jump, one of my early creations.
Jump will never be for sale as I've decided it is too precious to me. It's one of my signature pieces from the start of my journey.
But Jump Again is. It's not identical but pretty close to the original. And slightly smaller (Jump is 60cm x 50cm)
Maybe this could become an annual tradition for me?
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£325
Entry
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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Another small original.
I do like my water scenes, although the movement here is rather more sedate.
Definitely a clean entry.
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£50
Warrior
25cm x 20cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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Hold these guys in such high esteem. Big respect to the bees.
Someone suggested doing a bee during a chance chat. Always had it in mind to try it out since then.
These guys are more important then ever to life as we know it and they battle on despite the odds against them.
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£150
The Boss
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Not your typical Christmas robin. Feisty rather than cutesy.
One of the bravest birds in our garden, that's for sure. Keeps me company when gardening in all weathers, serenades our alfresco meals in the summer and rules the roost all year round. Every garden should have one.
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£250
Super Squirrel
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Super Squirrel coming atchya!
This one was fun. My festive furball flying through the air. Yeehah!
Two Christmas creations done, two to go. I'm aiming for a snowy set of four to turn into greeting cards.
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£75
Polar Stroller
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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So if you were asked to picture a polar bear in a snowy place I'm guessing most people would probably conjure up a very white, cold scene.
Well here's my take on the subject. This is the third in my Winter Collection 2019. Not a lot of white going on here and a whole lot of colour instead.
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£250
The Hunter
30cm x 23cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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A fox cub once came into our garden to curl up under a tree for a kip. Was very cute.
But this fella has only got one thing on his mind and it's not snoozing!
My focused fox completes my Winter Collection 2019, which has now been turned into greeting cards.
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£250
Burst
90cm x 60cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Really proud of this guy. One of two showpieces created for my Paint, Punch and Positivity exhibition in November 2019.
It took 22 hours of painting, every one of them filled with tunes by one of Bristol's finest Kosheen on shuffle loop. Always need a top soundtrack.
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SOLD
Boom!
90cm x 60cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Kickboxing and martial arts have become such a big part of my life for many years now so holding an exhibition at the academy where I train was the perfect excuse to do another kickboxing painting.
Thought it was going to be a flying sidekick but while doing a quick sketch of ideas it evolved into a flying axekick instead.
It's totally different to the other showpiece Burst but I think the two together show my two different emerging styles. One is imagination, the other observation, one more abstract and modern the other a more factual interpretation.
But both are colour, movement and shape.
This lady is one to be reckoned with.
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£525
In The Saddle
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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A bit of an unusual perspective, kind of in his lap as he's just about to launch off a cliff.
I don't think rocks and bikes mix personally but I know there are plenty of crazy dudes out there that do.
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£250
A Crisp Lotts Meadow in Winter
30cm x 23cm
Framed oil and cold wax on canvas panel
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My first foray into oil and cold wax painting, first landscape and first time I've painted in company.
Have steered clear of landscapes so far as there's no action but comments about how evocative this is of a favourite dog walking spot have been most encouraging.
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£150
A Hard Frost in Lotts Meadow
30cm x 23cm
Framed oil and cold wax on canvas panel
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Same location on the same crisp morning as my first landscape but from a different point along the dog walk.
A lovely slice of Leckhampton looking more beautiful than I'd ever seen it that day.
And so cold my fingers were sore by the time I got home. Brrrrr!
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£150
Sploosh!
50cm x 40cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Kept this one instinctive and carefree, and it came out like a jar of sweets!
Had no idea what I was going to do with it when I started. Just dived in and had a play, hence the name.
For me, painting should be fun.
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£295
Thank You Joyce
30cm x 23cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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This strawberry flower painting is named after a dear late neighbour we said goodbye to a few years ago.
We miss hearing her singing in her garden and the lovely chats over the fence but we still have the strawberry plants she gave the kids and each summer they are still going strong in her memory.
And every time we pick a strawberry to scoff we say 'Thank you Joyce'.
£150
Spray
61cm x 45cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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My osprey is big and fierce and ready to swoop in.
These impressive creatures make the long journey home from their winter hideout in Africa, arriving around March time.
This idea followed a suggestion from my better half, although it took a while to get the right composition.
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£500
Burrows Field
40cm x 30cm
Framed oil, acrylic and cold wax on canvas panel
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Another frosty dog walk that was crying out to be recreated. The light was breathtaking on this particular morning.
This began with a thin layer of acrylic underpainting with layers of oil on top and cold wax for texture.
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£295
Enough
21cm x 15cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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Think I'll always regard this as my coronavirus painting. Sat down to paint something upbeat and this came out.
Wasn't in the mood the evening I started creating this, but knew I needed to.
I'm fiercely aware of how important it is to maintain my wellbeing, now more than ever. And I know the things I need in my life to do that.
My weeping angel demanded to be heard. Painting is expression after all. And so I listened.
From the feedback and interest Enough has received, I think this one hit a chord with a lot of people.
Feeling sad but uplifted at the same time can be a thing.
All my painting comes from the heart, but this one is definitely pure raw emotion.
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£150
Trail Attack
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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This is my mountain-biking mash-up, loosely in the abstract style of Jump.
A roadie myself, I have made a promise to create another roadie painting soon but keep getting distracted by the mud and adrenaline buzz of an off-road scene.
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£250
Partytime
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic and oil on canvas panel
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Nature and wildlife are not in lockdown.
These house sparrows can party anytime they want, chilling out with their gang down their favourite watering hole.
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£295
Form
21cm x 15cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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Set myself the lockdown challenge of doing daily drawing practice to improve my skills. I'm a painter not a sketcher. I don't find a huge amount of enjoyment in drawing because I regard it as a weak point of mine. It's merely part of prep before I get the paints out.
But I do appreciate drawing is a fundamental part of all art and so it demands attention.
So, in true martial arts fashion, the things I'm not good at I practice over and over again until I get better.
And so I had a play with one of my figure drawing exercises.
You'd think I was in a dark place from this. I'm not by the way.
The guy who modelled this said: 'The form feels primal and totemic, which makes the gesture of fear appear timeless and universal.'
He sums up the mood, a mood I hadn't even acknowledged, so very eloquently.
£90
Natalie
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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Moo-ve out the way, Natalie is coming through!
Didn't know I wanted to paint a cow until I was inspired by a photo of an old friend's on Facebook.
It appealed to my sense of fun. Lockdown has produced many different painting moods for me but this one was pure unadulterated fun.
An awesome experience. How often are the nostrils a focal point of a painting?!
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£295
Incoming
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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It was time for another bird painting. I could feel it. Here's my swallow in a suitably active pose.
Was not easy painting with acrylics in the recent May heat we've been enjoying. As soon as I'd mixed the colour it was dry on the palette. But all good sunny fun.
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£295
Little Dipper
50cm x 20cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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This was inspired by a photo from a fellow member of Facebook forum The Isolation Gallery. She was reminded of a photo she took of her daughter after I shared a couple of my swimming paintings and kindly gave me permission to use her picture, which had a Prisma overlay, as I was attracted by the colours and shapes.
It's ace how a little scroll through social media can inspire your next art project.
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SOLD
Daisy Drop
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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The simplicity of a daisy appeals to me. And the colourful possibilities of such simplicity are what drew me to this one.
Obviously I had to include some water. Almost as obsessed with water as I am with colour!
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SOLD
Pole
30cm x 23cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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I sketched this one out just as a bit of fun because I live with two virtual racing addicts.
But following some encouraging comments I thought I'd give it a go.
Not a subject matter I would naturally go for but the movement I love is present.
Sometimes it's good to throw caution to the wind.
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£85
Trying
30cm x 23cm
Framed acrylic and oil on canvas panel
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Felt like I was reliving some of my teenage angst with this one.
But, hey, why not? I was p***ed off when I did it so let it out I say.
Wasn't p***ed off anymore by the time I'd finished.
Painted myself out of a bad mood. That's why art is so awesome.
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£95
Don't Mess
36cm x 28cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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I know kickboxing isn't everyone's thing so wasn't expecting this to appeal to a huge audience. But it's totally my thing, an absolute passion I hold very dear, in the same way art is.
And as it happens this one got snapped up within two hours of me finishing it. Boom!
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SOLD
Sundowner
35cm x 28cm
Acrylic and oil on box canvas
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So this is Sundowner. Drink in my sunset seascape as you sip your tipple of choice.
Transported myself to Seacliff Beach in South Australia for a while painting this, and it was wonderful.
Leaving a rainy Cheltenham behind to soak up a bit of late sun on the other side of the world. Yes please.
Credit to Rachel Harry for providing such a top-class reference photo.
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£175
Wet Sands
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic, oil and cold wax on canvas panel
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Seem to be drawn to beaches at the mo. Probably because I haven't spent enough days on one this year, sadly.
I used a reference photo of a winter walk on Clevedon Beach from December last year for this one, thanks to kind permission from friend Sally Thompson.
I was drawn to the reflected light and depth of the sand.
Cold wax is such fun to work with to create texture and enhance depth.
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SOLD
Good Things Coming
30cm x 23cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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Remember that gorgeous sky we were treated to over Cheltenham at the start of September?
It was clearly crying out to be painted. So here's my take on it.
I interpreted the evening the colours came to visit as a sign of beautiful things on their way.
It really was quite spectacular.
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£100
KA Illuminations
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic and oil on canvas panel
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This is the painting I nearly gave up on. And then I remembered I'm not a quitter.
My first attempt didn't work and I didn't know why so I couldn't learn from it and that annoyed me.
But, once my frustration had run its course, I fetched it out the bin and had another go.
Thanks to Annette Scanlon and her inspiring photo.
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£175
Drifters
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic and oil on stretched canvas
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The inspiration for this was a holiday snap of Exmouth Beach by Emma Austin-Goodall.
Was drawn to the apricots and blues, and the stunning light reflection.
And Em's reaction to the finished thing was worth every single minute.
This was taken on the way home from her first trip as a family to Cornwall, evocative of all the wonderful memories they had made together. Proper special.
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£175
Quench
90cm x 60cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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So this was supposed to be my big showpiece for my Paint! Punch! Positivity! 2020 exhibition at Cheltenham Martial Arts at the end of November.
But as we head into our second lockdown, I always knew my solo show was at risk.
Doing all we can to get this virus under control takes priority over everything.
So instead of the exciting unveiling of my European Roller I had planned, I present him to you now.
A total of 26 painting hours, alongside countless planning and pondering hours. And my uplifting soundtrack this time was Stanton Warriors album Rise on loop. Thank you guys.
This bird likes a warmer climate so although spotted in the UK before, sightings are rare.
Gives me a warm glow and with all those vibrant blues going on, he will definitely be brightening up my days until he gets his true place in the sun.
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£850
Slave To The Vibe
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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Having an energic boogie is a means I often call on, and always have done, for dealing with moods and emotions.
Expression, empowerment, a connection, an attitude, a fun release.
The dancing that goes on in our house is not as pro as this, more like random bopping.
But me and the kids share a love of getting lost in the music in a similar, rather enthusiastic manner! Just like me and my mum.
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£295
Winter Thrill
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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Helping out with a little local community project to spread a bit of Christmas cheer by making snowflake window decorations so thought I'd get in the mood with a cheeky snowflake painting.
Just had a play to see what came out.
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£50
Robin Triptych
43cm x 23m (three x 12cm x 10cm)
Framed acrylic on acrylic paper
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Had to keep this one secret for a while as it was linked to a special gift, which I still can't reveal just yet. My three little action buddies swooping in to save the day. Created near to Christmas, yes, but no cute fat robins sat on branches here. All my birds are busy and brimming with life.
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£150
Queens Hotel
30cm x 20cm
Framed acrylic on paper
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I don't like painting buildings. They don't have enough colour or movement for me, and far too much detail and exactness.
So I messed about with the perspective and went colourful with it. Now I like them!
It's where me and Mr Stuart celebrated getting hitched many years ago, so has meaning for me.
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£125
Cheltenham Town Hall
30cm x 20cm
Framed acrylic on paper
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So many beautiful buildings in Cheltenham it's hard to choose which to paint next.
But decided on this colourful take on the Cheltenham's Town Hall.
Have had a request for the Pump Room so might try one more before I have a break from buildings.
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£125
Pittville Pump Room
30cm x 20cm
Acrylic on paper
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The last in my Cheltenham buildings series for now.
If you're looking for accuracy and exactness then I'm not the artist for you. My paintings are my interpretation of what I see, the spirit of things. Wanted the orange and red to bring warmth to the building's historic finery.
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SOLD
Iced and Sliced
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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Can't drink one at the mo due to annual abstinence but there's nothing stopping me from painting a G&T.
Was a little apprehensive about going ahead as the initial sketch wasn't as effective as I'd hoped, but starting with a dark ground was the key to the painted version.
Bit thirsty now. Best put the kettle on!
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£150