Have acquired a road-kill polecat – not sure that it is a true polecat, a polecat-ferret, or a ferret! It was so smelly, I bunged it in the animal freezer and will get it out another time to check it thoroughly for markings. I looked up polecats in my UK mammals book and read that they have [bad] scent glands which makes them smell permanently! But they are very pretty on the outside – but vicious on the inside for such a small creature.
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‘Fruit of the gods’ used for exhibition promotion – Luton Hoo Walled Garden
Just received a lovely email – “Dear Tina, Would you mind if we use your lovely Persimmon on our latest promotional material? All the best, The Arts Team, Luton Hoo Walled Garden“
MY FOUR PAINTINGS ARE COMPLETED FOR THE LUTON HOO EXHIBITION – THREE FRAMED 25 October (delivery 26th October, so a late night framing the fourth and making labels etc.), and all delivered on time!
1. DONE. Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) Code 1304. Sketch completed 12 September 2013. Painting completed 3 October.
2. DONE. Butomus umbellatus (Flowering rush) Code 1305. Sketch completed 13 September 2013. Painting started 4 October; completed 12 October.
3. DONE. Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) Code 1306. Sketch completed 14 September 2013.Painting begun 15 October; completed 21 October 2013.
4. DONE. Rosa gallica officinalis (Gallic Rose) Code 1307. Sketch completed 14 September 2013. Painting begun 22 October; completed 25 October 2013.
ALL SKETCHES DRAWN ONTO PROPER 100% COTTON RAG PAPER, READY FOR PAINTING (19th September 2013). It is exactly a month to handing in day. I shall upload progress pictures when I can.
The two photographs side by side in the left hand column further below show my studio window ledge – decaying, smelly, hollyhocks and flowering rush – which has actually started growing new shoots!
1. Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) Code 1304. Sketch completed 12 September 2013:
3. Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) Code 1306. Sketch completed 14 September 2013 (see below).
4. Rosa gallica officinalis (Gallic Rose) Code 1307. Sketch completed 14 September 2013 (see below). It is interesting that some things look odd! I am left-handed and when I designed the sketch felt it was all right; I looked again at some old ‘Masters’ and noticed that most curve to the right. I reversed my drawing on the computer and printed it out and asked my right-handed neighbour which composition he preferred. He plumped for the reverse drawing, as did my hubby. So I think it will have to be the reverse in the final painting. As I usually (and did in this case) draw straight on to tracing paper, this did not present a problem.
2. Butomus umbellatus (Flowering rush) Code 1305. Sketch completed 13 September 2013 (see below). I think I shall move the elements around in the final drawing, as the original sketch does not look well balanced – in the final drawing, I have moved the main flower stem upwards and more to the centre, and brought the right hand leaves in closer and slightly behind the main flower head.
Marwell Art Market and Exhibition 30 August to 1 September 2013
30 August to 1 September 2013: Just had the greatest experience ever of art and artists at the Marwell International Wildlife Art Society’s Annual Exhibition (which also featured the winning entries of the 2013 BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year competition), where I had four paintings selected for the exhibition and was in attendance at the Art Market over the three days. My new notelets packs, coasters, unique Diwejisaws and usual prints, cards and calendars sold very well and there were wonderful comments from visitors, such as: ‘Keep it up, and thank you so much for all the pleasure you give’; ‘You are such a happy person – it shines through in your wonderful work’; ‘Your stand is the brightest and most colourful in the exhibition’; ‘We hope you come along again next year’. Having sold work previously which has travelled to Australia, America, Canada, Spain and France, after this exhibition, I can now add India and Mexico to the list! It was wonderful to meet with The Great [Pip] McGarry and his bubbly wife Jan (who describes herself as ‘Admin and Trolley Pusher’), Vic Bearcroft, Natalie Mascall, Georgina Gibbons (who was in my team which helped to hang the artworks for the exhibition), Jamie Boots, Paul Matthews, and so many more leading wildlife artists. An exhibition to remember – absolutely wonderful.
I had sketched several hedgerow plants (see 26 August entry) specially to paint them whilst demonstrating at the art market. However, there was no time to paint as visitors were almost constant and wished to talk, so I only managed to [almost] complete one little drawing – a crab apple! But this and the others will keep for another day.
‘Pig n Gig’ Hog roast and dancing, Sewards End
On a caravan rally [entitled ‘Pig ‘n Gig’ – hog roast and dancing to a live band] at Seward’s End near Saffron Walden, Essex, I discovered some wonderful hedgerow material and have done some sketching: Wild plum, Hawthorn, Rose hip, Sloe, Crab apple, Hazlenut, Blackberry. Back at home whilst tidying my studio, I also rediscovered my sketches of squirrels – a future project which I had completely forgotten about – but which will have to remain on the back-burner due to bookwork and exhibitions!
Progress and completion of Green ‘Woodys’
Invitation to view Barn Owls
Attended a friend’s 70th birthday party which was lovely. However, he has two barn owls which he was happy to show us, and he has invited me back, ‘any time’ so that I can watch the birds and make field notes and take photographs for a future owl picture – wonderful!!
World Wide Art LA invitation to submit work
Received an invitation from World Wide Art LA to submit work for 16-19 Otober 2014. ‘Set on the modern stage of the Los Angeles Convention Center, the fair will serve as a visual montage of art in 2014, as it exists across the globe. Visitors will be welcomed into the vivid imaginations of the world’s artists, moving from nation to nation in a matter of steps.’ (WWA LA Website)
I like the idea, but the timescale is too tight!
New York Arts Magazine (Invitation)
Received an invitation from Richard Aries, Publicist and Curator for NY Arts Magazine, New York, USA. ‘I would like to include a selection of your work in the upcoming issue of NY Arts Magazine, both in print and online. Additionally, your artwork would be installed in our exhibition space at Broadway Gallery. Also, you would have a direct link from our popular websites directly to your personal website, where buyers can purchase from you directly. This would be a unique opportunity to display your work and gain international exposure. There is a production fee that would cover the costs for the print, online and gallery campaign for a full year.’
I also like this idea, but having looked at the website and conditions, etc., I feel it is not for me – yet! But it is very nice to receive such invitations.
Book Stuff: Wet and Dry!
I have just spent most of the day walking Bourn Brook with a very nice man who lived in Caxton End, Bourn, for 60 years, and now lives in Caxton. He has worked the land and knows Bourn Brook’s many ups and downs. He agreed to be interviewed and we spent several hours driving, walking, and talking about the history of the Brook. He very kindly has lent me some books and papers which show a remarkable history. I took some photographs during our journey today and below give two contrasts of the diverse behaviour of the brook: The left hand photograph was taken today, and the right one by my interviewee in about 1980. It is so hard to believe the contrast! Note that the white marker post on the right of the first photograph measures 7feet! It is noticeable that a brick wall has now been built round the front garden, but both photographs show the wooden posts at the rear, and the concrete posts at the front.
Artworks to think about:
The photographic resources and sketches for two further paintings are resting on my easels:
- Snow Leopards – 24 in x 18 in water colour. Preliminary drawings done whilst at Banham Zoo September 2012 and March 2013. I think this one will be a huge water colour – but I have not quite decided yet, and it may turn out to be an oil painting! (Snooky Snow Leopard, Artist Code 1406)
- Blue and Yellow Macaws (Parrots in the Jungle!) – 15″ by 40″ box stretched canvas in oil. A friend gave me a lovely photograph of macaws which he had taken whilst abroad and recently asked if I had done anything with it. Feeling rather guilty, I got it out and made a preliminary design. This will be a life size box canvas in oils.