Uist House

I forgot to share a picture of this final piece that I did recently as a gift for some lovely friends who recently got married. I had previously posted the small sketch painting that I did on location and this is the resulting final piece that emerged in the studio. As usual it turned out much "tighter" than I had been planning but c'est la vie! The photos I was working from were really dark with the sun behind and the house in shadow as I just didn't get the weather to take a decent shot. So, back in the studio, I applied some artistic license to the light and colour situation but I'm pretty happy with the result.

"Uist House" oil on canvas, 24x24"

New Large Seascape

Here's a shot of a large painting I recently finished from my oceanscape series. I am a little in love with this one and might have to keep it (is that not something I should be admitting?!)

"Float Out", oil on canvas, 36x36"

The Minkies

You might remember this painting that I posted here a couple of months ago. It has been sitting in my studio unfinished ever since while I tried to figure out what was wrong with it. I knew the colours weren't right and it was way too busy but I didn't quite know how to fix it. Finally, last week inspiration hit I put it back on the easel. Toning down the blues and yellows as well as blocking out some of the busier sections seems to have restored some balance to it. I'll probably end up changing my mind and reworking it again in a few weeks but for now at least it feels finished.

"Sand Bar, Les Minquiers" oil on canvas, 36x36"

Back To Routine

"Sand Bar, Les Minquiers" oil on canvas,  36x36

I think I've finally found my groove, about time too, I was starting to think I'd lost it completely. This week I've been working on finishing this large seascape which is inspired by an amazing day trip I took last summer to Les Minquiers or "The Minkies" off the coast of Jersey. I am pretty pleased with it, I am just not sure if the sky needs some more work so I have resolved to let it dry and come back to it in a week or so.

Next up is some small florals to replace sold work at Jane Packer Florist, New York. It will be nice to be forced to paint a completely different subject for a little while.

"The Maroon Bells" 40x30" oil on canvas

I wanted to share this recently commissioned piece which is not my usual subject or style but something I nevertheless really enjoyed doing. The scene depicts what are supposedly the most photographed mountains in America - the Maroon Bells near Aspen in Colorado.

This particular painting is going to be hung in Bermuda which couldn't a be more contrasting setting to the scene in the painting but the customer wanted it to serve as a reminder of one of their favourite places. Having stared at this scene for a fair amount of time now, I really must try and get out to see it in person - just another place to add to my ever growing hit list!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy thanksgiving! After an awful lot of eating yesterday, I got back to the studio with the hope of meeting my weekly goals. I've started setting myself weekly targets in an attempt to be more focused and productive. Anyway, I nearly made it this week and maybe I'll come in over the weekend to finish it up. Please excuse the quality of these images as I only had my iphone with me today. These paintings are both on linen, it is just such a lovely surface to work with. I think I might have to start using it more often but I got these on sale in London, shame it's usually so expensive!

oil on linen, 16x16"

oil on linen, 16x16"

New Seascape Diptych

Finally, I finished a diptych I've been working on for a while and I think I've decided to sell them separately instead of as a pair. Somehow I think they just work well on their own. My favourite is the first one although the colours look a little off in this photo but you get the idea!

Oil on Canvas, 18x18"

Oil on canvas, 18x18"

Thursday

I went back and reworked the bottom left section of this painting after posting it the other day as I decided I just didn't like pencil marks. I also brightened the green of the hill a little to make it pop next to the purple. Once it's dry I think it will look great against a white mat and frame. I plan to list it on Etsy as soon as it's ready.

The Green Hill - oil on canvas, 6.5x7.5"
Click here to purchase this painting

With my little oil paintings I have been experimenting with using layers of glazes. This one started life with a multitude of different colours through the sea section and in the end it all got too confused so I put the bright blue glaze over it and really like the effect. I still think it needs more layers built up to enhance it further but now at least I feel like i'm moving in the right direction.

oil on board, 6x4"

Feeling Green

I have been in a very Green mood recently, which is unusual for me as I normally think of myself as a blue person, especially as I love to paint the sea.  Anyway, today I thought I'd run with this new inspiration and started experimenting with some abstract landscapes and I'm really pleased with the results! These small sketches will be available to buy on my Etsy shop as soon as they are dry and I am hoping to eventually transform the ideas into much larger paintings.