SOLD

This is my latest Painting which I finished last night. The scene is inspired by the Park at the rear of my house. I have used this a few times  with different characters in the paintings. I have only just been able to pick up my brushes as Chrismas has taken over in the house. Now its passed by I have more time to think and be inspired.
 I had a wonderful weekend in Plymouth a couple of weeks ago and took some really nice photos of the little shops in the Barbican and of the Hoe with the lighthouse. I have never been to the sea in wintertime before and I found it wonderful to walk on the beach ,all be it a wee bit chilly. A cup of hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows at a beachside cafe soon warmed me up. I never realised how big Plymouth was until I rode in a wheel (Plymouth's version Of the London Eye). I was petrified by this but the view was phenomenal.The town was cheery with a skating rink and xmas market. Lovely  winter break all in all.
We got back to the full on rush of Christmas shopping ,school plays and Chrismification of the house and so Painting has gone on the back burner for at least two weeks.
Now its full steam ahead as my bank balance is looking sad and I have fees to find for my next Ou module. So I shall hope to get to work over the next few weeks with some serious art work.
I think I have told you that I do some work with young teenagers. I find their ideas for art really fabulous. I met a young person last week who was working in inks and bleach, something I have never considered doing my self until now. She had drawn a London scene with a reddish /orange ink wash sky and had drawn Big Ben in biro. She was taking out light spaces with bleach and the overall effect was outstanding. of course like most of the young people I meet, she didn't realise how fantastic she was. I myself do at times find it frustrating when painting to sell, that what I want to have a go at might not be what is popular out there in the market. I do try and do a bit of what makes me happy too . I have a brand new sketchbook, bought for me by my Husband and so far it is still blank ,but hoping to catch some ideas in it soon. Any way People, thanks for reading my blog, have a nice Chrismas break and a Happy new year to you all! Carolyn x x
Ps  If you like this work and want to buy, follow this link to my ebay site. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170965373859?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

I just had some really good news I'd like to share. I found out today that I passed the Social Psychology course I took with the Open University this year. I really want to thank all the people who have bought and continue to buy my paintings because I use the money from my art to finance my studies.
This year has been quite a challenge as I have struggled to work, paint and study which at times has had a huge impact on my family life. I am really grateful to my Husband and kids who have tolerated living with me whilst frantically painting or sitting behind a book or in front of a computer. Other things (like house work) have slacked at times while I am engaged in these other passions. Forward and onward to Cognitive Psychology next year and many more paintings which I shall need to do to pay for it.

I hope you like this winter scene which I did some while ago and sold.  I haven't managed to get a painting done this week but I have one ready drawn out and ready to paint and have just sold last weeks painting.
I have had a busy weekend attending a family party in Plymouth. Whilst there, I did some Christmas shopping in the Barbican and I remembered to take my camera so I happily snapped away at the fantastic little shops and winding cobbled streets there. I found the little streets so inspiring and was able to get a lot of things photographed that will end up in my paintings. For example I saw a purple VW campervan and VW yellow beetle. I spotted an old fasioned bycyle outside a cake shop and a very stylish woman with an umbrella. all of these things are stored on my memory card to include in my street scenes.
 From our hotel room on Plymouth Hoe we had a panoramic view of the sea and Cornish coastline opposite the Plymouth sound.  We could also see the very attractive lighthouse called Smeatons tower and big wheel which we went up in this morning leaving me terrified but with a view to die for.
I was on a small shingle beach this morning and tonight I am back at home freezing in my chilly victorian house even though I have a log fire blazing and the heating on. The high ceilings and large rooms make it hard to heat but I do love its original features. I hope to share more work and inspirations with you soon.

 

 

As promised this is the painting I started late in the evening.  I really enjoyed painting the umbrellas!http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170947183153?ssPageName= to buy this painting follow this link.

I have struggled to find some inspiration this week which is always fustrating and started to think I'd lost my MOJO. Then like a bolt from the blue inspiration hit me at 11.15 pm this evening  just as my Husband and son were heading off to bed. Well even though I need to be up early, I decided to go with it and started to paint. You have to go with the flow when those moments come or they can be lost. I can't do the whole thing tonight as it needs to dry a bit but at least I have a good base coat on a smallish canvas and can see where i am going to go with it.
I have 10 watchers on ebay, on my last painting (Wood Street) Which looks promising for a sale. Its always nice to see people bothering to take time to look and follow my art. Anyway when this late night painting is done I shall share it with you. It'll be done this week I'm thinking,as its quite a small one. Good night then for now x

My Painting On eBay

WOOD STREET

This painting is called Wood Street and I just finished it an hour ago. The painting follows the style of Lowry being a busy street scene but In my own style I  prefer to use more contemporary bright colours giving the paintings a modern twist.

 This painting was inspired by a street near my home and I added the two birds on the chimney as I'd seen two crows on the chimney opposite me in the morning. I was watching them for a while drinking from the gutter. Some how they found their way into my painting as people and things often do.

Very creative evening in my home tonight as my Husband doing a bit of stained glass which is a hobby I also share with him. What else can you do on a cold winters evening but a bit of art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Painting for you! This idea was inspired by an old black and white photograph from the Francis Frith collection. I added into it my own people to make a busy street scene. I have actually been quite creative this week having decorated my living room, Revamped a piece of furniture (Shabby Chique style) and done some decoupage. Also I did 6 hours of oil painting yesterday and have nearly finished another street scene, so thats not so bad in the space of a week.
    I did have quite a few hours to myself last week and was able to go out running three times and fit in an autumn woodland walk but the evenings are getting dark so fitting in a run might be difficult. Tonight I am off to our local firework display with my family which is usually quite good and later in the week I shall meet with other artists which I do once a month to work on either seperate art interests or as I prefere a collective peice. We tend to decide what to do on the night and sometimes drink so much wine that the art never comes and we just chat. Any way I always look forward to it and am inspired by the work of my artist friends.
 I generally don't have much time to watch tv but I have found the arts and culture chanel and have been enjoying Rolf Harris's program about famous artists of the past, some of who I am unfamiliar with . Also I have enjoyed Paul Martins handmade Britain which is about crafts people and  I have been pleased to see artists of all ages working in all mediums. I am in a fortunate position of working with young teenagers and some of them are extraordinarily talented and they often don't realise it. They continue to inspire me and I say to all you fellow artists , use it or lose it!

 Thought I would share this painting which is inspired by Lowry but entirely my own. It has already sold so is not available to buy but I thought you might like to see it any way. I was hoping to create an everyday street scene that anyone can relate to. I have a little bit more time on my hands to paint right now but struggling for inspiration. I think I need to get out to some galleries and view the work of other artists as that usually gets my creative side in gear.

I have been working on some art this evening .Some pencil illustrations for a childrens book which I have been asked to illustrate. I started some while ago but have been struggling to keep the main character looking the same on each page. Scrapped the lot and started again this evening and have come up with 11 sketches that I am kind of happy with.
I think I shall paint them in water colours and they will take a while yet to get finished but anyway I feel as though I have made some real progress tonight. I may share when they are finished ,if the finished article is pleasing.

I really enjoyed painting this picture in oils of Liberty's which is the oldest store in London. It was bought by a Lady in Blackburn and to date has earned me more than any of my other paintings. I enjoy doing the street scenes inspired by Lowry and his work. I choose much bolder colours and put the same characters in a lot of my street scenes.  You will often see the old man in the painting who looks like an elderly uncle I have and also the lady postiing a letter. I try to capture the busyness of the street and will put in things that I see when out and about.
I intend to do a lot more painting since I have just taken my final Open University exam for this year in Social Psychology. I have much more time on my hands and have found that my creativity has been some what squashed with all the studying. I am not sure what to paint next and am looking for inspiration.Thanks for looking at the blog anyway and shall post something new soon.
                                                                  Carolyn

This is  something I painted a while ago and sold. I aimed for a busy street scene with lots going on!

 

Elegance 2

This is my latest artwork which I painted from a photograph of a young lady sitting on a car. The Painting is in an oil medium and it took me about 6 hours to do altogether. I enjoyed painting the woman but found it quite tricky to get in perspective. I really should not be painting at all as I have about ten days left to my final exam in Psychology with the open university which I reckon I will need a small miracle to pass.  Any how I hope you enjoy looking at my work and if you do like it you can find it for sale on Ebay this week.

Painted a while ago and sold. This painting is called a day at the races and I really enjoyed doing the horses and the people. A friend who saw it later commisioned me to do a similar painting of a crowd at a train station .

Sold this week

Sold this Painting on Ebay this week to somebody who lives in London. It had a lot of interest with 19 watchers but in the end 4 bidders went for it. Thinking about my next Painting,It takes a few days to find inspiration. Also sent a painting to Brazil this week would you beleive it? I am itching to paint but still need to study so painting must be posponed!

Elegance