CARRYING ON WITH CARDS!

The above abstract papers were created by layering paints and doodles.  I started by priming three sheets of A5 paper with black gesso.  When I had finished messing around, I tore each in half and looked to see how they could inspire me to create some more cards...

Here are two such cards which were created by collaging images, letters and more doodling...

And here are four more which were cropped and mounted onto square cream card stock.  I added some colour to the black and white backgrounds using the collaged papers, gel pens and some paint.  I had no preconceived idea of what subject matter I would choose.  I looked at what the backgrounds suggested to me and looked around my studio for suitable images.  In some cases, such as the clock faces, keys and tree shapes, I photocopied objects that I have saved for assemblages!  I find the photocopier a very useful tool for creating collage papers...

'KISSES SENT'

It is always great to see one of your paintings, framed and up in someone's home!  This is one of the large scale black and white abstracts I did when participating on an on-line course tutored by Jane Davies.  It was done on A1 paper and consisted of many layers of acrylic paint applied in a variety of ways.  It is called 'Kisses Sent' and I sent it to near London in a cardboard postal tube!

I was emailed the photograph - I don't remember any pink being in the pic - must be a reflection!  Anyway, it is now framed, hanging in a stairwell of a maisonette, and loved by the home owners...

LATEST GALLERY PICS

These are my latest paintings to go for sale in the gallery.  They are 12 inches square, done on canvas board and set in white floater frames.  Two of my favourite subjects - moonlight and bottles!

SIX SAMPLES

Here are the final six samples for this session.  All these pieces are on A2 size paper.  I love working in black and white, but for a change, I shall be pleased to do the samples for my next session in colour!

 

BLACK & WHITE BIGGER

These two samples are done on A1 paper (23.4 x 33 inches).  I enjoy working larger.  The only problem with working larger is the practicalities. You need quite a bit of space.  I tend to work flat but a spare wall would be good to put them up so you can view them at a distance.  This size is manageable but I want to work larger!

ON-LINE CONTINUATION

I have started an on-line continuation course with Jane Davies.  This time we set our own agenda and lessons, which is much harder than it sounds! There are less people on the course so there is more one-to-one tuition.  I am aiming to do larger work so I started my first set of samples on A2 (23.4 x 16.5 inches) paper and restricted myself to black and white media with a range of techniques.

Here are my first set of six.  We are, like in the previous course, aiming for quantity rather than quality!  It is a chance to experiment and try things out.  For these I used acrylic paint and gesso, applying it with various different brushes, an old credit card, brayer, simple hand-made stencils and improvised stamps.  I also used a black marker and graphite stick.  I really enjoy working larger and aim to get bigger!

On the last course all the samples were done on A4 paper.  Incidentally, I have mounted the most successful ones and they are now for sale in the gallery!

BLACK & WHITE SHEEP

These photographs were taken on one of my early morning walks around Shepton.  I think that some subjects, such as sheep, look better in black and white.  I have sold out of the cards that I had printed of another black and white sheep.  These would also make good cards.  Sheep are the unofficial emblem of Shepton, as at one time, it was a thriving wool market town.  The sheep below is moulded from an original stone sculpture by local artist Jeff Body.  There are many other copies on a roundabout on one of the roads into Shepton. They have become a local landmark but being in the middle of a busy roundabout they are hard to photograph!

FINAL SAMPLES

Here are the final pieces that I have produced for the on-line course I am participating in. For these I am working in black and white using various techniques with 10% or less of 'something else' (a contrasting element which forms a focal point).

These four had many layers and mark making.  The ‘something else’ is some subtle colour that has been rubbed through from one of the first layers.

On the set above the emphasis was on texture.  The ‘something else’ was adding geometric shapes or lettering with sharp edges - a contrast to the organic nature or shapes already used in the pieces.  Below the bright colour is the 'something else'.  This was achieved by using masking fluid.

I have loved doing the course.  I have learnt a lot and found the images of other people's work, and all the comments made, so interesting and inspiring.  Jane Davies is an excellent tutor and I would recommend her courses.

MOSTLY MONOCHROME

The latest lesson on the on-line course is working mostly in monochrome, but adding 'something else' for interest.

My 'something else' in each of these was collaged papers - some with text. I really love working in black and white!

BLACK AND WHITE STUDIES

These studies in black and white were created to show a variety of mark making - lines and shapes - with no thought of balance or composition. The request from this on-line lesson was for variety so that if you were to divide the pieces into four you would get a completely different picture in each.  It is the black and white colour scheme that provides the unity.

It is surprisingly hard to resist the urge to repeat certain marks and shapes in other areas or think of composition when making marks.  However, it is worth pursuing such an exercise as I was pleased with the results and thought they were really interesting.

LINES AND LAYERS

Things are looking up.  My cold is better and I have completed my first week on the ten week on-line course with Jane Davies.  It concentrated on creating drawings in black, white and grey using only line and making layers with white acrylic.  It was enjoyable to do and really made you work on your quality and variety of line.  Here are my samples.

STUNNING SHOWHOUSE

Near to where I live they are building new houses and to facilitate sales there is a showhouse. I love looking at showhouses as I usually get ideas for updating my own place! This particular one has a black, white, grey and taupe colour scheme which looks cool, sophisticated and elegant.  To have the same colour scheme throughout a house gives a cohesive look which makes it look larger than it actually is.

To prevent the decor becoming boring with such a limited colour palette, there is a variety of textures and materials used, from rough and matt, to smooth and shiny.  It was interesting to note that all the artwork and mirrors on the walls are in silver, black or white frames.  There are black and white photographs and black and white line drawings as well as interesting wallpapers - some very bold, (see the oversized telephones in middle left picture above), which are a feature wall in the study.

To actually live with a whole house done in this scheme might be hard to achieve, as I am sure colour would creep in somewhere! It would, however, be a great neutral base where pops of colour could be added with accessories, textiles etc., which could be easily changed when a different mood is required. The walls are painted white and grey with white woodwork and the floors were grey- either carpet or tiles which downstairs looked like driftwood boards.  Makes me want to redo some of my rooms!

MIRROR MAKEOVER

I bought an old mirror in a junk shop.  I was attracted to the simplicity and width of the frame. I painted the frame with gesso before using matt acrylic medium to collage layers of black and white patterned paper and photocopies of  a waxed paper with text on facts about fish and chips that I had acquired, with permission, from a fish restaurant in Jersey.  For the next layer I drew the outline of fishes with a felt tip onto tissue and applied.  I then added copied word game tokens and made up linked words that all connect to eating, drinking and fish.  After this I added more tissue fish outlines, painted the edges and gave the whole frame a layer of acrylic wax to make it more durable.  It is now destined for a funky kitchen or dining area!

Close-ups of some of the detail around the mirror.

SHEEP SUPERSTAR

I don't take many photographs of animals - they are usually too far away and I haven't the telephoto lenses necessary,  unlike my friend Dawn.  She takes fabulous wildlife photographs, which I am hoping to feature in a future blog.

On this occasion, a sheep came up close to me when I was in a country lane, looking for a hub cap, and begged me to take a photo!  It has become one of my favourite pictures.  I am thinking of featuring it on a card, so I have tried taking some different versions with digital effects.  The various textures seem to suit black and white.  I also think black and white photographs always look classy.  In case you are wondering, I found the hub cap - some kind person in a nearby cottage had taken it in. Don't ask how it became dislodged in the first place!