Painting Every Day

I can't be the only person who some days feels like I don't have a creative bone in my body or a thought in my head. I go into my workroom and do a bit of tidying and then I sharpen my pencils. Of course there's a limit to how many times you can sharpen your pencils. Here are mine with a few pens and brushes in my Max&Rosie brush roll - all perfectly ready for action. Sadly, lovely as they look, sharp pencils do not a drawing make - not on their own anyway. It's not about how much stuff you've got is it? It's all about applying yourself.

It would be easy to close the door on a newly tidied room and walk away but when inspiration hasn't been cooperating, I prefer to carry on regardless. The results may not be great works of art but it's all good practise. And while you're painting who knows what ideas will creep unbidden into your head?

I always have objects around me that I love and my watercolour paints fit that bill.

This morning I've sketched some of them with a waterproof pen and added a very light wash of paint. Actually hardly any paint at all - more like dirty water.

It's satisfying to create weight and volume to a sketchy outline with a bit of watery shadow.

So, even without a plan, I now have another interesting page in my sketchbook. What next I wonder?

Bye for now - Linda x

Garden Inspiration

It's lovely having a great big garden except of course when it comes to gardening! Much as I love to loll about with a cold drink in the evening sunshine the work has to come first. He who gardens does nearly all the hard labour but at this time of year, when there's so much to do, I have to give a helping hand too.

It's been glorious weather for a few days so I haven't minded being out of doors. I'm something of a fine weather gardener but we're told we need our daily dose of vitamin D aren't we so I can kill two birds with one stone and think myself both healthy and virtuous. We've spent most of the weekend tidying away all the old growth from last year. The seedheads have provided food for the birds through the winter but they've done their bit now and the compost heap called.

We've lived here since 1988 so plenty of time for everything to become well established. One of my favourite things is the yew hedge which we planted in a snow storm a few years ago. People seem to think yew is slow growing but those little sticks have become a lovely 8 foot high wall of dark green with a doorway that leads through to a really tranquil gravel garden. Nowhere better to sit on a scorchingly hot April day.

Of course it's true what they say about all work and no play so, this afternoon when my back had told me it had had enough bending, I had an hour in the studio with my sketchbook. There aren't any roses in flower yet but the bushes are leafing up nicely and it won't be long before I can paint from life. In the meanwhile last year's photos will suffice.

I'm working in one of Laura's printed sketchbooks but today I chose to work on a blank page rather than one with existing colour and pattern. The white roses are very low key - the petals are pretty much untouched white paper with only the shadows placed to describe the form of a flower. I used a combination of coloured pencils, watercolour paint and soluble pen. Very enjoyable - now for that well earned gin and tonic and a loll in a deckchair to catch the last rays!

Bye for now - Linda x

Portrait Shuffle Fun!

The sun is out, the sky is blue........... and I am actually singing today. Luckily I don't have neighbours to worry about so I can do what I like!I have my iPod on full blast and I'm out in my garden studio painting. What could be more fun than that?

Don't laugh - it's only the first coat and I'm hoping she'll get better with another lick of paint tomorrow! The finished panel will be among the exhibits at the Portrait Shuffle exhibition next August. If you don't know about your chance to exhibit with the Through Our Hands artists at Festival of Quilts yet then please take a trip over to portraitshuffle.blogspot.co.uk for all the info. We particularly welcome portraits involving fabric and thread because they'll be seen by thousands of quilters - so don't be put off if you don't mess around with paint like I do!

Please join in and help us raise much needed funds for Save The Children. Annabel is busy sending out the canvases right now but the finished portraits don't need to arrive back with her until July.

Hope I don't sound as though I'm telling you what to do BUT after you've gone to the portrait page (and hopefully signed up to buy your pack!) you really should also check out my daughter Frances' website. She's added a collection of lined fabric cases perfect to hold sunglasses or mobile phones to her range this week and they are in great time for summer. I've got one already as she gave me mine as a Mothers' Day gift! What a good daughter!!



While I've been writing this my first coat of paint might have dried enough for the next layer - think I may go and do a bit more before dinner!
Bye for now, Linda x