Tamsin Stuart Art

Autumn Puddle
90cm x 60cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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.
£625

Dive
75cm x 50cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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!
£295

Mabie Baby
100cm x 50cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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.
£625

Elevated State
60cm x 50cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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.
Don't usually revisit my paintings, but this one kept nagging at me.
I originally painted this in May 2018, but reworked it in October 2021 to unify the colours and add a bit of depth.
£215

Apollo
35m x 28cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£295

Make A Splash
35m x 28cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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!
SOLD

Out
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£50

Bathtime
35m x 28cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
Another feathered friend taking a dip. He may not be as colourful as the kingfisher but just as beautiful in an understated way.
£295

All Set To Ride
40m x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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?
SOLD

River Wader
40m x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
SOLD

Ready For Take Off
40m x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
SOLD

The Kill
100m x 50cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
£500

Sinking
55cm x 45cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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.
£295

Second to Last
20cm x 20cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
£50

Fledgling
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£295

Crash
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£255

Save Me
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£255

A Flying Visit
50cm x 40cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
£295

Wun Wabbit
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
£50

Flower Shower
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
SOLD

Over There
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
SOLD

Jump Again
50cm x 40cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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?
£325

Entry
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
Another small original.
I do like my water scenes, although the movement here is rather more sedate.
Definitely a clean entry.
£50

Warrior
25cm x 20cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£150

The Boss
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
£250

Super Squirrel
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
£75

Polar Stroller
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
£250

The Hunter
30cm x 23cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£250

Burst
90cm x 60cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
SOLD

Boom!
90cm x 60cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
£525

In The Saddle
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£250

A Crisp Lotts Meadow in Winter
30cm x 23cm
Framed oil and cold wax on canvas panel
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.
£125

A Hard Frost in Lotts Meadow
30cm x 23cm
Framed oil and cold wax on canvas panel
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!
SOLD

Sploosh!
50cm x 40cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
£295

Thank You Joyce
30cm x 23cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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
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.
£500

Burrows Field
40cm x 30cm
Framed oil, acrylic and cold wax on canvas panel
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.
£295

Enough
21cm x 15cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£275

Trail Attack
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£250

Partytime
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic and oil on canvas panel
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.
£295

Form
21cm x 15cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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
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 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?!
SOLD

Incoming
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£295

Little Dipper
50cm x 20cm
Acrylic on box canvas
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.
SOLD

Daisy Drop
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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!
SOLD

Pole
30cm x 23cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£85

Trying
30cm x 23cm
Framed acrylic and oil on canvas panel
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.
£95

Don't Mess
36cm x 28cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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!
SOLD

Sundowner
35cm x 28cm
Acrylic and oil on box canvas
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.
£175

Wet Sands
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic, oil and cold wax on canvas panel
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 ref photo of a winter walk on Clevedon Beach from December last year, thanks to kind permission from 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.
SOLD

Good Things Coming
30cm x 23cm
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£100

KA Illuminations
40cm x 30cm
Framed acrylic and oil on canvas panel
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.
£250

Drifters
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic and oil on stretched canvas
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.
£175

Quench
90cm x 60cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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.
£850

Slave To The Vibe
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
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. 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.
£295

Winter Thrill
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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.
£50

Robin Triptych
43cm x 23m (three x 12cm x 10cm)
Framed acrylic on acrylic paper
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.
£150

Queens Hotel
30cm x 20cm
Acrylic on paper
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.
£50

Cheltenham Town Hall
30cm x 20cm
Framed acrylic on paper
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.
SOLD

Pittville Pump Room
30cm x 20cm
Acrylic on paper
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.
SOLD

Iced and Sliced
25cm x 20cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
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!
£150

Sup Up
40cm x 40cm
Framed acrylic on linen canvas panel
Bought this linen canvas panel yonks ago but had to wait for the right creation to present itself. It's got a lovely texture and earthy look to it, so I've tried to keep as much of the canvas coming through as possible.
Like to take my cues from what's happening in the garden. The blue tits have been particularly busy so thought it was their turn...again.
£295

Bluey
16cm x 10.5cm
Acrylic on acrylic paper
This was a bit of a speed painting. I was just doing a quick study really. Had it mind I'd do a little blue tit triptych and then made this guy a bit too big to fit the frame.
So I'm just going to leave him solo.
I sense when I'm done with a painting as the excitement starts to wane. Often I know I could carry on and keep adding layers of detail but if my heart and thoughts have moved onto something else, I know it's time to stop.
Felt I'd achieved what I'd set out to by capturing a bit of movement and light. So I'm keeping him fast and loose.
£35

Virtual Hug
18cm x 13cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
Everything I paint comes from the heart based on what inspires me.
My beautiful mum sent me a virtual hug in the post and it touched my heart. And so obviously I had to paint it!
Not tried metal before.
Love the way it looks quite metallic from a distance but if you zoom in you can see all the brushstrokes and colours it's made up of.
£75

Lily Pond
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
After catching up with Landscape Artist of the Year on Sky Arts, had a feeling I hadn't used green in my paintings for a while.
Well, boy, did I get my fill of green with this little baby!
After 15 hours of staring at all kinds of green, this was finally finished.
This is from a photo I took at beautiful Batsford Arboretum in August last year. It is one of my favourite places on this planet.
Was drawn to the reflections on the water and the light bouncing about.
Was worried I'd get lost in all that green and it's easy to get carried away with the detail with so many lovely shapes, but think I held it together.
£295

Mummy Needs a Drink
22cm x 21cm
Framed acrylic on paper
It's a mummy mallard.
Was totally drawn to this one by the swirls and shapes in the water.
Big thanks to awesome wildlife photographer Matthew Cottrell for such an inspiring photo.
Finished off perfectly in a simple white box frame.
£150

The Munce
30cm x 23cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
Thought it was time for another Cheltenham building.
This one is the Municipal Offices on The Prom.
Went a bit crazy on the colours but I knew I wanted to use this two-tone combo to give it a bit of a pop art look.
Took a bit of experimenting though.
£125

Close Encounter
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic and oil on canvas panel
Not sure if red kite have ever been spotted over Pittville Pump Room but in my world it's happened!
That's the beauty of artistic licence. They have in Leckhampton and Chedworth so that's good enough for me.
My starting point for this was an inspiring image by wildlife photographer Matthew Cottrel.
And I merged it with a view from the balcony of the pump room because I love the perspective.
Also wanted the cold stillness of the state to contrast with the shine and swoop of this mesmerising bird of prey.
£295

Air
30cm x 15cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
The BMX track by us has been a lifesaver for my children and their buddies ever since it was built, way before lockdown.
It gives them the freedom, confidence, belonging and air that young people need to thrive.
£85

Sunshine and Shade
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
Took time out from other projects to finish my Painswick Rococo Garden painting.
We live in such a beautiful part of the world with inspiration everywhere.
Was drawn in by the shadows on a perfectly bright and sunny family visit.
£175

What You Looking At?
30cm x 21cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
We have one feisty bird here. I'm not talking about me, although I don't put up with any nonsense either it's true!
A goldfinch oozing attitooooode! Inspired by another absolutely outstanding photo by wildlife photographer Matthew Cottrell.
I don't do cute and pretty. Active and aggy is more my thing.
Not in flight but feathers are well and truly ruffled here. It's all in the glare!
£150

Through His Eyes
18cm x 13cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
Put the kids to bed and started painting. Next time I looked up it was gone 3am! Oops.
Got totally engrossed in this one. Inspired by a photo I took of my boy about four years ago.
It grabbed my attention while I was foraging for something else from my inspiration folder.
£75

Go Wild
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
This makes me feel happy. The colours, the movement of all those stalks, the fact that the bees can fill their boots.
Was just popping to the printers when this little wildflower meadow, created on a patch of town-centre green space, caught my eye.
So much fresher and more practical than the formal planting that used to be there. Was instantly captivated.
Well done Cheltenham Borough Council. Need some of your planting tips here. My own wild patch is a sorry sight compared to this beautiful display.
£295

About Turn
40cm x 40cm
Framed acrylic on linen canvas panel
This one started out as a project during a mentoring session with a budding artist ahead of starting their GCSE in art.
We both chose to paint goldfinches. And, of course, mine had to be in flight.
Looks fab alongside Sup Up, also painted on these lovely linen canvases.
£295

The Floor Is Yours
30cm x 15cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
Another one created during a mentoring session with a young artist who also has a flair for gymnastics.
This is my minimalist gymnast.
We had a play with some oil pastels for the first time for the preparatory sketches. Now they are fun!
Usually do the ground before the subject but was refreshing to do it the other way round for a change.
SOLD

Atop Three Cliffs
30cm x 20cm
Acrylic, oil and cold wax on stretched canvas
Inspired by a recent camping trip t to this stunning location on the Gower Coast.
This painting has texture so definitely one to see in real life rather than online. It's hard to capture the true colour and texture in a photo but hopefully its essence is conveyed.
Worked on this at the same time as Deeper Into Three Cliffs as wanted them to complement each other.
Plenty of fabulously tactile hours spent here.
£125

Deeper Into Three Cliffs
30cm x 20cm
Acrylic, oil and cold wax on stretched canvas
And we have a pair! Same location, different outlook.
Both of these started with an acrylic underpainting before I piled on the layers.
Used mainly palette knives, cotton buds, sponges, rags and the occasional paintbrush!
Very free and fun.
£125

Your Majesty
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
Seeing as my next exhibition is at Winchcombe's Dove Gallery, I thought it was a good time to have a go at Sudeley Castle.
Started this with quite a reductive approach. Painted a dark colour ground and then lifted off the paint to map out the shapes. Gave it quite a ghostly feel in the early stages.
Wanted the movement of one part of the building to contrast with the solid, staticity of the other.
£250

Deliverance
18cm x 12.5cm
Acrylic on canvas panel
This came about following a sketch request from my son for a First World War soldier in mud with a rifle.
Someone told me military themed art isn't very popular. But who cares?
With Remembrance Day approaching, it felt right to pursue the idea.
A dark scene of utter desperation, I know, but this is my tribute to the selfless men and women who serve their country.
And anyone else, frankly, who has been to hell and back for the greater good.
Always in our prayers.
£85

Raspberries
A4
Acrylic on acrylic paper
Tried this composition in watercolour first. But, with it not being my medium and me not really having got my head around it yet, it didn't go particularly well.
So thought it would be interesting to do the same composition in my trusted acrylics. Much happier with these results.
And the fact this painting sold within two hours of me finishing it is a wonderful endorsement that it worked quite a bit better.
SOLD

Kapow!
42cm x 29cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
Forever coming out with ridiculous noises when I'm kickboxing, like I'm an action figure in a comic or something.
So thought I might as well call this Kapow!
All the kickboxers I paint seem to have long legs and long hair. I see a pattern emerging!
£95

Glare
A4
Mounted acrylic on mixed media paper
The talent of wildlife photographer Matthew Cottrell is breathtaking. Huge thanks to him for letting me use another of his inspirational photos for reference.
His macro capture of a damselfly grabbed my attention instantly. Was lured in by the big bug eyes, the vibrant colours and the sassy pose.
£125

Swoop
A4
Mounted acrylic on mixed media paper
Was tempted to add some splashes to this composition, as I do, but apparently owls aren't that keen on water, other than drinking it, so I reigned myself in.
Another one inspired by a Matthew Cottrell capture.
£125

Awoken
18cm x 12.5cm
Oil and acrylic on canvas panel
Have had some awesome feedback on this one. For some, it is dark and desperate, for others, mighty and powerful.
Whatever it says to you and however you interpret it, I'm just delighted at such engagement.
£95

Sledging
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
My first painting of 2022. No snow so far this January, but there was a fair bit around on Leckhampton Hill this time last year.
Wanted to capture the stunning winter sun along with the colour and depth of snow.
Working form a photo I took at the time, I started with a purple and blue ground and then layered up using a range of brushes, a palette knife, cotton buds, fingers and a sponge.
£275

Pittville Pescador
100cm x 50cm
Acrylic on box canvas
The second kingfisher painting I've done. This one is not so much in motion, but at that tense moment just prior to diving in and catching a spot of lunch.
Wanted to do it following all the lovely chats I had with people at the Pittville Pump Room about the kingfishers that now reside at the lakes in the park there.
Another top photo by wildlife photographer Matthew Cottrell also influenced my decision.
In excess of 29 hours painting hours spent, with George Michael on shuffle throughout, the longest I've spent on one piece so far.
£850

Cox's Meadow
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic, oil and cold wax on stretched canvas
Cox's Meadow is a quiet corner of Cheltenham that calms me.
This little scene caught my eye on a dog walk.
Created this in one evening while the rest of the house was sleeping.
£175

Wild Horses
59cm x 42cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
My emotional response to the four racehorses that were killed at Cheltenham Festival 2022.
I have a big problem with animals being treated as disposable items for our entertainment. So I focused on bringing four wild horses to life instead.
£325

Poppets
40cm x 30cm
Acrylic on stretched canvas
Ventured into St Peter's churchyard in Leckhampton to get a closer look at a different headstone that kept catching my eye on a regular dog walk, but this one ended up inspiring me more.
A rather unusual subject to paint, but thought it would be interesting to try to inject a bit of the movement I love so much into something as solid and sombre as a gravestone.
The inscription is to Joan Helen, otherwise known as Poppets, daughter of Robert and Emily Marshall, who died aged just two and a bit in 1913.
£295