Tag: nature

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“Bringing the Gardens Indoors” Artist Code numbers 2311 and 2312

This was an unusual commission to paint two wall panels on canvas to then cut and fit between wall beams in a lovely listed cottage. Way out of my comfort zone, it took four times as long to complete as I had envisaged. But a wonderful experience nevertheless. Both panels measure nearly 50″ tall and 16″ at the widest part.

The Story behind painting Panel 1 “Bring the Garden Indoors” can be viewed here

Similarly, Panel 2’s progress “Bring the Wild Garden Indoors” can be viewed here

Here are a few photographs of the two panels’ installation, which in itself was a steep learning curve for me as I had to make paper templates by pressing old lining wallpaper into the shape between the wooden wall beams, then transfer these shapes to my specially purchased canvas which was silky and smooth and took 6 weeks to be delivered! Then I had to research the best glue for the job and learned all about fish glue and its archival properties. It is water based so that the artworks can easily be removed from the wall if needs be, and it worked a treat. The wall surface was extremely pitted and uneven, which meant that some areas of canvas had to be left unstuck in order not to stretch and damage the canvas and painting. I do not think I shall ever be easy about using acrylic paints. I never enjoy painting with acrylic nor do I much like the results—it will definitely NEVER be my preferred medium. The most nerve-wracking time was cutting the canvas to shape. Fortunately both times it went well and both are now nicely stuck to the wall (I hope for many years!).

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Jigsaw Race: Macaws (1501) vs Jade Vine (1201)

One of my jigsaw puzzle “fans” is sending me progress pictures of her latest requisition “Blue & Gold Macaws and Swamp Hibiscus” (view picture profile), so we are having a race to see who can complete their jigsaw first. I have chosen “Tayabak with Critters” (view picture profile) because the box was damaged when it arrived so I could not sell it.

This is my first few hours on Tayabak (colloquial term for Jade Vine):

…And this is the first layout of Macaws for my friend:

…So I am already playing catch-up! Progress for me has been very slow as other stuff has had to take precedence. However, my racing competitor is not having much luck either. Firstly she set out all her pieces in colour order, notwithstanding straight edges aside, then a grandchild came along and thought the pieces looked better all mixed together.

Look at Macaw’s latest “progress” picture—am I smug!!!

MORE TO FOLLOW IN DUE COURSE!

Well, that put me in my place. My racing partner has completed her jigsaw already and I have only just managed to do the outside (straight-edge very easy) bits! I toff my hat to my fellow competitor – a race truly won in magnificent fashion. I think I will stick to painting the pictures for the puzzles rather than trying to do them! Here are results at the finishing post.

Lovely words from the winner: “All done, I can go to bed now! Lovely picture, goes without saying of course. I enjoyed doing it, apart from the mishaps, thanks [pet cat], thanks [grandchild]!! Easier than 3B’s [Three New Blades] as different colour sections, but challenging enough. Nice being Matt finish as no reflection when doing it under artificial light, always a bug bear to me. Look forward to doing the Puffins [Puffins and Thrift]. Have a baked bean one plus a sprout one to do first if I can😱“

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St Mary’s Exhibition, Comberton: I said goodbye to The Shires (Artist Code 1517)

Said goodbye to this one of a pair over the weekend (18-20 November 2022). The art and craft exhibition at St Mary’s Church, Comberton was the best yet. The standard of work was exceptionally good and the whole experience was such a pleasure.

I would like to thank everyone who visited the exhibition, and an especial thank you to everyone who purchased my artwork, jigsaw puzzles, cards, calendars, and diaries. (And not forgetting all those other people who purchased other artist’s works and wares – to you also on their behalf a great big thank you.) But most of all a big thank you to the organisers of the exhibition and their little helpers, who made it all happen – all very much appreciated.

My next, and last exhibition for 2022 is the Christmas Fair at the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust headquarters at The Manor House, Broad Street, Cambourne CB23 6DH on Friday 2nd December, 3.00pm to 7.00pm. I hope you can make it – it will be a sort of Black Friday price gig!!!!

Artist Code 1517. “The Shires”.
Artist Code 1518. The other half of the “pair”. Hope I can find a home for this one too eventually.

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Slight Progress on “I Bow to my Queen” and Tawny is ready to fly

Not had much time for personal painting (Turtle Doves) because there is an unusually high amount of river friend stuff to sort out. Thank you to all those lovely people and organisations who are furnishing me with plenty of news about rivers and rare plants—it is all very much appreciated.

Here is the latest on the “Queen” and her Beau (Artist Code 2017. I know—not much to look at yet, but there are never enough hours in my day to do all that I wish to be able to do!):

And Artist Code 1808 “Moon Eyes Tawny” is now ready to fly to his new Lincolnshire home. All sealed and varnished with fixings.

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Nettie’s Nature Puzzles coming soon

After a successful run of jigsaw puzzles previously made especially for me by JHG Jigsaw Puzzles Ltd, I am very pleased to announce that a new series of 500 and 1000 piece puzzles will be out in the next few weeks.

Why “Nettie’s Nature Puzzles”? I just wanted something different and catchy and my “proper” name is NETTINA…!

Pictures in the new series include:

JHG Jigsaws Ltd is one of the UK’s few remaining jigsaw puzzle manufactures. Based at our converted farm premises in the beautiful countryside of Dorset, we now manufacture a wide range of jigsaw puzzles. “Made in England” on the boxes means just that, and we use materials that are as eco friendly as we can find. Our puzzle board is made from recycled card as are our puzzle boxes. The paper for the print is FSC certified and our Glue is starch based, made especially for us. Where possible we try to “Buy British” for the other components of our puzzles. This, we hope, all helps to reduce our carbon footprint.

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2012 The Almighty Reed and Reedlings

Just started the illustrations for the next River Friend book: “REED: ON THE EDGE”, number five in the series. There are lots of nice things to say about reeds, both from a commercial and a leisure point of view. If you think a reed is dull, then this little book will enlighten you and broaden your mind. Not sure how long it will take to do all the drawings and paintings, but it should be out in the next couple of months. I will post when it is available.

Here are a few progress pictures of Figure 1: The Almighty Reed and Reedlings (Artist Code 2012) in the book. Note the first picture (pencil sketch on Aquarelle Arches 140lb water colour paper 14″ x 10″) is enhanced otherwise you would be unable to see it! So apologies for the uneven/thick lines.

Reedlings (Bearded Tits) live and breed amongst the reeds, usually near the edge of a reed stand. Lovely little birds with a characteristic “Ping, ping” call.
The text in the book mentions blue sky, so the background is nice and blue.
Getting the right tonal values and paint strokes for the background reed structure made me think rather.
…So, layer upon layer of subtle browns and creams to get the desired effect
Went out and cut some reeds nearby for accurate portrayal (along Bourn Brook which will be another book in the series: Stream Story 2—eventually!)
Have to paint the green reeds first because, even though they have been in water since plucked, they are drying out and shrivelling up (what a nuisance!).
Two green stems done, just one more on the left, then I can get to the old reeds, birds and nest, which is usually made from old reed stems and leaves as well as being lined with the feathery-soft seed heads of last year’s reeds. The eggs are creamy white with a pinkish hue and little brown marks—I purchased an old birds’ eggs book, from a secondhand book shop, which has proved to be a valuable resource.

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1604: Tea & Cake & off to a new home

This little painting, which received a Highly Commended award in the latest Patchings Festival (online) exhibition (The Artist, and Leisure Painter) has now gone to its new home. The buyers visited the studio and we had tea and cakes on the patio (all socially distanced of course!). A lovely farewell to a little water colour painting which, on and off, took four years to complete. PICTURE PROFILE

And a little blog of history about the painting.

Artist Code: 1604. Completed 9th March 2020. “Three New Blades” (Fieldfares and Redwing) SOLD April 2020 to private buyer. Water colour on Aquarelle Arches 100% hot pressed cotton rag. Unframed size 12″ x 9″.
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1514: Barn Owls Portrait—Tear it, Tidy it, or Tuck it away?

I have just left off painting because I was not happy with progress. I do hope I have not mucked it up (have not done that for a while). But after all the hard work and effort, it is so annoying when it starts to go wrong. My heart is on my sleeve, so I need a bit of time to reflect on the progress and whether I should tear it up or put it away for a few days and go back to it with a fresh eye. Not sure!

Tear up, Tidy up, or Tuck it away for another day?
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Painters Online TALP Open 2020

It is now official that I received a “highly commended” award for my little water colour painting entitled “Three New Blades”, and I think it is eligible for the Peoples’ Choice Awards. The big downside is that wannabe voters have to login or register to make a vote, and I would not ask folk to do that. So instead, please see the screenshot below the main picture, which shows my painting bottom right. I do not need votes for best this or that, it is just wonderful to be included in part of the virtual exhibition. If you are able to virtually visit, then please do; it is a wonderful exhibition and so many different types and subject of paintings to see.

View Painters Online Patchings festival

“Three New Blades” (Fieldfares and Redwing)