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"

Corbiere Lighthouse

"Changing Tide at Corbiere" acrylic and oil on board, 8x8"

I waited perched on a rock, for absolutely ages until the sun emerged from behind the clouds long enough to get a photo of this that I could work from. It was one of those windy days when the sun teases you with a 2 second glimpse before hiding again. The tide was just changing and there were strong currents forming which created interesting patterns on the water surface.

Today, I have had one of those days where everything I try to work on turns out terribly and you start to question if you were ever any good at all. Maybe it's because I'm full of a cold and feeling groggy, but most likely its because I'm working to a deadline and things never go to plan under pressure! Better day tomorrow I hope.

Jersey Paintings

Well, I've once again been travelling all over the place for the last couple of weeks, more fun at two beautiful and completely different weddings, one in Bermuda and one in Lincolnshire then a quick stop in London and now Jersey for a week of painting and family time. I tried to get some painting done in Bermuda last week but without great success so I'm very pleased that things are going better this week in Jersey. We've had a few rainy days but this morning was fine and I spent a few hours driving around photographing and sketching at different spots. When I returned to the house I set up studio and got on with a few different compositions. Heres a progress shot.

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"

Art Cards

I recently placed an order with zazzle.com for 3 different art cards and they finally arrived last week. I have previously used Zazzle before but only the UK so I was pleased to see that the quality was comparable. I ordered three different images and two sizes (6x4" & 7x5") and I'm really pleased with them. Aside from a couple of minor changes to the text I put on the back I would order the same again. For the most part their website is fairly straight forward and when designing them online, you have a pretty accurate idea of how they will come out but I did struggle with the font size and I think I will actually reduce it if I put in another order. The other thing that is slightly annoying is that you are obliged to have their logo on the back. However, I haven't found any other companies that give you an option not to have their logo. All in all, the print quality and card weight seem very good and now that I know that, I would definitely put in a larger order next time to bring the cost per card down. Here's a peek...

Lobster Pot Drop

This painting I did from a photograph I took whilst we were out dropping the lobster pots.  The sun broke through the cloud for a few minutes and I really loved the colours on the small island in contrast to the cloud dappled sky and deep sea around it.

acrylic on canvas paper, 16x12"

I have been having a bit of a break from painting as I've been fully immersed in researching things for our upcoming renovation project which is somewhat taking over my every waking hour! However, today I locked myself in the studio to work on a larger painting from the North Uist series and I will post it here shortly once it is finished.

Loch Maddy, North Uist

This painting sketch was done from a photo I took whilst out on the boat dropping off the lobster pots and fishing for mackerel. A bit of a departure from my usual style, but I think it works nevertheless. I really like how the rocks turned out, all it took was a few simple brushstrokes in a lighter tone to show the light shining on the right hand side and it just  worked - if only it was always that easy! 

This was the day we pulled up 2 big lobsters and something like 15 crabs for dinner!

"Loch Maddy" acrylic on canvas paper, 16x12" 

The House on North Uist

I have to admit, although we had a wonderful holiday, it is nice to be home. Particularly, as its much hotter at home than it was on our holiday! I am quite enjoying the heat and humidity of NYC after chilly Scotland.

acrylic on board, 6x6"

Here is another picture from North Uist, this is done from the beach in front of the house we stayed at. I'm really pleased with the way this turned out and I've already ordered a couple of greeting cards of this painting to use as a thank you to the owners of the house, hopefully they'll like it too! You can see the byre at the bottom of the garden where I set up a little studio in the painting on the left. I could paint those views over and over.

North Uist

We will shortly be on our way back to New York but have had a really wonderful week up here on North Uist. I have learnt a lot about how to catch and prepare various fish and shellfish and don't think I have never eaten so much! 

Here is the first little sketch I did of the view from the house we stayed at.

acrylic on board, 6x4"

Outer Hebrides

This week I have been on holiday up on the Outer Hebridean Island of North Uist, right off the very top of Scotland. I have never been anywhere quite like this place, so bleak and barren but absolutely stunning. When the sun comes out the colours are really fantastic and I am lucky enough to be staying with friends in their family's house complete with a little "byre" at the end of the garden overlooking the sea - perfect for painting. Its been a week full of fishing, lobster potting, diving for scallops and general out door pursuits, basically a week of stuffing ourselves full of the freshest seafood we can quite literally get our hands on. However, today, I finally found some quiet time to get down to some painting. As the internet connection is virtually non existent up here, I haven't managed to get images of my paintings on line just yet but will as soon as possible, for now, feast your eyes on our dinner last night!

Abstract Castle

Anyone who knows me well, should also recognise this place, though rather abstracted, its a pretty ominous silhouette. It's Mont Orgueil Castle looming over Gorey Harbour in Jersey, Channel Islands, also known as the place I got married nearly 3 years ago. I did not begin this painting intentionally planning to paint this scene, however, after I applied a first layer of abstract doodle shapes on the surface (is that an artistic term?!) I could see the shape of the castle emerging so I went with it. I actually really love how it turned out so I'm undecided whether I might just have to keep this one for my own wall, particularly with the sentimental connection. Maybe I'll try some other similar scenes in this style. Again, sorry about the image, the oil is still wet and I couldn't seem to photograph it without some reflection.

"That Day" Mont Orgueil Castle, Jersey, oil on board, 8x8"

A Long Time Coming

This little diptych, though very small, has been an awfully long time in the making. It has been through many "I think it's finished" followed a couple of days/weeks/months by, "I'll just change a bit here" or more recently, "this is awful, drastic intervention needed". I'm a little nervous to even whisper the words "it's finally finished" but I think I just have to leave it alone and put it aside once and for all! (apologies for the image quality, it's an iPhone pic).

"Sandy Banks" oil on gesso board, each 8x8"

Daily Paintworks

I have just created an account with Daily Paintworks with the hopes of increasing my online reach. It's a sight that I've been following for quite sometime now. In fact, since it started, as one of the co-founders, Carol Marine, is an artist that I follow. I've been really impressed with how fast the site has grown despite there already being so many online art sites. This one is a little different however, as it allows you to offer pieces for sale at a set price or via a timed auction, ebay style. I'm still in the process of uploading work to my "profile" but I'll keep you updated with how it goes and if I get any sales as a result. 

In other news, I've got several paintings for sale in Decor Art Gallery again on 3rd Ave and 19th St so check them out if you are in the neighbourhood. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Paper Sketches

Thank goodness it's the weekend, it's been a swelteringly hot week here in New York. We will hopefully be getting some respite once it breaks with a thunderstorm or two. I spent the day hiding away in the studio with the A/C blasting. Decided to work on some small sketches on paper to work up some ideas for new work. Here is one of them.

"Some Days are Just Better Than Others" mixed media on paper, 7.5x7"

Hot Hot Summer

I have been so busy the last couple of weeks visitors and trips away I really haven't had much time to paint. New York is sizziling hot as well so its hard to stay inside when the sunshine is beckoning.  We recently had a weekend in Bermuda so I am full of inspiration so I really must pick the paint brushes up again now before we have more house guests arriving next week. This little painting I completed a few weeks ago:

6x6" oil on board

Also, thanks to magazines 64 West for featuring one of my pieces on their new facebook site. The magazine is all about connecting Bermuda to another 123 small islands in the Western Atlantic Ocean. Click HERE to see the post.