Home from a great couple of days painting under the tutelage of the acclaimed equestrian artist, Malcolm Coward. This is the product of an interesting studio session...
'Still life with hydrangea's' oil on canvas board
'They strolled down the lane together,
The night was studded with stars.
They reached the gate in silence
and he lifted down the bars.
She neither smiled nor thanked him
because she knew not how:
For he was just a farmer's boy
and she was a Jersey cow.'
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Home from a great couple of days painting under the tutelage of the acclaimed equestrian artist, Malcolm Coward. This is the product of an interesting studio session...
'Still life with hydrangea's' oil on canvas board
I'm very pleased to share that I have been invited to give a charcoal demonstration for Cowbridge Art Society on Thursday 28th September.
Non-members are welcome and are asked to pay a nominal fee of £3 to attend. The evening starts at 7pm and finishes at 9pm. Hope to see you there
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I'm delighted that two of my pieces have been accepted for the Horse in Art exhibition, the 38th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Equestrian Artists. The exhibition will run from 23rd September to 7th October at Sally Mitchell's Gallery in Tuxford, Newark.
'Stepping up' Charcoal featuring Welsh cob stallion Caemansel Elwyn
The Private View and prize-giving is at 2pm on Sunday 24th September. If you would like to attend, please RSVP directly to Sally Mitchell on 01777 838234 or email sally@dogart.com.
'Washdown' oils on canvas board
depicting a scene at Pant Wilkin Stables, the home of Tim Vaughan Racing
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There are times when I get overwhelmed by the amount I need to learn to get to where I want to be.
I see images in my minds-eye of the standard of work I want to be creating but, being realistic, it may take me until I am ninety to be working at this level!
They say that life is about the journey, not the destination, but it can feel frustrating when every day is a sharp learning curve filled with failures and disappointments, of falling short of our expectations.
My young horse is teaching me so much right now about presence, and enjoying the moment…about how learning can be fun and to just take life step by step, one day at a time…to accept that we are where we are.
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My husband and I celebrate 10 years of our marriage at the beginning of September and have just booked a trip to Cyprus for some quality time in the sun together. Looking at the stunning images of the sea, the sun, white-washed walls and vibrant pink flowers, I am feeling very excited to be there feeling that sun, dipping my toes in the sea and smelling those alluring blossoms. My artistic eye has also been awakened, thrilled by the blue hues, shocked by the pink and purple tones of the native flora, drawn by that special island light, and fascinated by the shadows that loom in the alleyways of old Cypriot villages. Are they paynes grey, or is that a lilac shade I see there? I feel the familiar excitement in my belly that starts to rise and I'm beaming as an image becomes clear in my mindseye, it's a watercolour, and I just can't wait to get my paints out!
And then a question comes . . . why can't I get this excited about the stunning view from my bedroom window every morning? It's a sight many people would give their hind teeth for - rolling green hills, lines of majestic oaks, thick hedges crammed with technicolour birds singing their song, blue skies with cotton wool clouds (some days anyway!), and striking coloured sheep grazing peacefully in the distance.
It's that old adage of familiarity breeding contempt. Travelling to different landscapes with unique architectural styles and exciting new colours wakes us up from the monotonous slumber of our daily lives. New experience opens our minds and expands our reality. 'Variety is the spice of life' - we all know that saying well - but what does it really mean? For me, variety creates contrast, and contrast breeds gratitude. Variety keeps us stimulated and interested in our lives, ALL parts of our lives.
I doubt you will see the vibrant and fresh greens of wet and wild Wales in Cyprus at any time of the year, let alone in August when the ground becomes dry and dusty, burnt by the sun. I know I will be blown away by the rainbow of colour in the Mediterranean Mezze's, a taste sensation which will be sure to delight us during our stay. But is there anything more comforting on a cold British Winters night than a warming stew, or your Mother's roast dinner when you're feeling tired from the daily grind?
What have you been wanting in your life? Bite the bullet and take that salsa lesson, join the creative writing class, learn Italian, take the trip to Marakkesh, spend the day with your children dressing up in carnival clothes and painting your face. These things you will never regret on your death bed. These things will enrich your day to day life.
You may find you can look at your life through new eyes and with a greater sense of appreciation. Really SEE the houses and gardens you pass on your morning commute - what style are they? How many colours can you see in the carefully tended flower beds? Allow yourself to be struck again by the beauty of those closest to you. When is the last time you looked deeply in your loved-one's eyes and truly saw them?
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