So far at the Royal Bath and West.....

This is going to be more of a picture story than a narrative, methinks!
Well we arrived all bright-eyed and grins to set up and actually left all bright-eyed etc, as everything went to plan. It's such a relief when it's all in place, switched on and ready for action. Looking back I think we were lulled into a false sense of security with the balminess of the weather! What fools we were! Our weather system is all 'broked up'- what a load of rubbish! When we did eventually get a nice spell today, miserable monsoony mayhem came back late afternoon with a fearful vengeance! Within minutes the main drag was under 4-6 inches of muddy water, and no item of clothing was left dry from the driving rain- even underpinnings were saturated. I think I was 3 the last time I sat in such wet knickers!! I wish I could have stopped and taken some photos of people and their reactions to the deluge- what a variety! We fell squarely into the 6 year old kid- type reaction- wayhayyyyyyyyy! Warm rain is fabulous stuff! Although it wasn't nearly as funny having to wait for over an hour to get out of the boggy car park in a twin-axle, and even less funny now waiting to hear if the whole thing is called off. Oo. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Le fin...

Nearly eleven o'clock on a sunday night and I have finally put down the work tools. If it's not painted now, tough! It won't get a trip to the Show. This is the last of the vases, and the only thing left to do tonight is to race my husband to bed. To sleep, perchance to dream. Have a good week ;)

A matter of platters...

I love these manic modes immensely- well, so much gets done, doesn't it? I had to step on the gas mind as my husband is an actual bona fide superhero, and he was making me look bad. I set another challenge today... finish the 4 platters off in one day. Easy! All done and more! Actually, they're not totally finished- all need a "felt" bottom (well now, don't we all!? And there I go talking about something you can't eat again!)
The other photos are of a large freeform abstract lamp, and a work in progress on a large dish. I'm not sure if you can see it but the lamp has a swathe of iridescent dust through the paint, which is very effective in the right light. Take care and enjoy.

Get in there!!!

And 14 hours later........Ta-dahhhhhhhhhh! (These vases are 8" x 7" x 3' and weigh more than my head.)

I had to use the flash so light has bounced off the glass and one photo is blurred- but hey, I can sort that tomorrow. As for today, I'm a contender! I beat the challenge- more power to my elbow and all that jazz. Right what's next? Oh I remember. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!

Today's part one......

Found a new use for pipettes- propping eyelids open! Finished these very late last night, and had some thought of galvanising myself into action, by posting (hopefully) the finished articles later today. Challenge on! At least 5 picture vases to do ....... I am going to have Popeye arms by tonight as these beauties weigh in at 3.5kg each. Big 'ol Berthas.

Blooming blogging bouquet!

I really do need a right rollicking, someone who will deny me something occasionally. Went out for a loaf of bread and a pint of milk, that's all, nothing more.....and came back with £100 worth of new glass. I feel a bit sick with myself! Ha! I only have 4 more painting days, and I have just gone and done that! This does of course mean other areas are going to suffer- no long winded blogs for a while. So, precise and to the point will be the order of the week. The picture is a wee thank you to everyone who has taken time out to spend time viewing, or commenting on my blog. I honestly don't think I could find anything more colourful to post (apart from a transcript of my language at the glass checkout!) so happy digital bouquet, everyone! Thank you muchly!

A picture says a thousand words!

Well, it was easier to post one photo than blah-blah on about how busy I have been! I am such a hero- all of this was done by 3ml pipettes, no bristles on me, no siree. Out of the 34 pieces there I only broke one- that's a record sure enough. The table downstairs is also covered in glassware now, and that's a big old piece of timber! I am an obsessive. I need help. I can't wait for tomorrow, as I have a new range to play with. I really want to get on with the new platters too, but the paint hasn't arrived for those yet. Come on Postie, stick your '7 Leaguers' on! We got most of the material sorted for The Show today too- there is so much white fabric I could re-sail all the boats at the Henley Regatta. Ooo! It's gonna look sexy!

Happy Birthday, Mum

I am about to test the theory of 'suffering for your art', as I am currently sat by the window at the 'puter whilst there is a really flashy, crashy, bish-bashy thunderstorm going on. I could be in for the best root lift perm ever! Actually, I'm trying to big this storm up a bit, as I can see the blue sky two minutes behind it. I just like to pretend I live dangerously. Another example of living on the edge would be to forget to mention my mum's birthday today! She may be past retirement age but she certainly doesn't look it, or more importantly act it- we saw her 'busting some moves' on the dance floor last week in my son's 'blinged-up hip-hop hoodie' (could somebody please translate for me what on earth I have just written? I feel weirdly bi-lingual.) Mum hasn't even had her first grey hair yet...marvellously disgraceful indeed! That's Mum's gnome Gerbert on the window sill. He is in for a spray job, so I thought while he's here he can have a guided tour of my new artwork. Educate him a little, open up new horizens for him. I think I have my work cut out though... all he wants to do is drink beer.
The lamp and tank vase I finished today ready for The Show. I was really pleased with the way they both turned out....until I stepped back and looked at the lamp again. A wry smile spread on my face. Is it just me or does that look like a futuristic hamster tower complete with hamster? I won't be offended. Surely some Art is supposed to make you smile?!

Fake fusing!

Nearly finished these little beauties off- just have to peel back the tape and clean up the edges if needs be. These panels will be glued onto mirrors to reflect the colour back. The result is like fused glass, but without mucho scorchio electricito. And quite the only option when you don't have a kiln! I get commissioned to do these in all sorts of colourways and sizes- the left is 'lots of blues and greens please!', and the right one is 'can you do aubergine?!' To keep the effect as glasslike as possible I use pipettes, rather than brushes which leave marks. Time-consuming but utterly worth it for the wow factor.

Edda- a small nod to......

(I have been sounding very flippant, so no exclamation marks today. All day. I may carry this un-punctuation thing on tomorrow. 'No Brackets Thursday' has a certain ring to it, or 'no Q's on Friday. That one would be helpful for people who drive to work.)
This piece was inspired by a lady I met for all of 5 minutes last week. An annual expo called Select (in Bath) was held for trade to go along and see the latest works from artistic showcasers. It was the first time we had been, and it was pure magic. There was so many different artist in all medias and all different styles that I could have stayed for a week just looking and chatting. One lady's work however made me stop in my tracks. I found her work exquisite and beautiful, and then we met her. She too was exquisite and beautiful. All dinky and stylish. I always feel very shy with people, so I waited until I got home, and had a good look at her website. Edda Hadley.com if anyone would like to see what I'm on about. So with her in mind I was inspired to create this Deco lovely, with her dark hair and sumptuous colours. Hope you like it.

New Large Art Deco Vase.....

If anyone can hear a strange, dry, raspy creaking sound, that's my fingers trying to remember how to use a keyboard again! What an age since last post. We have just had one of those all-consuming 'personal' weeks, which has left us the proud owner of an eighteen year old! The other one is twenty-one this year, and I'll be forty as well, so it's a fair bet that there will be a few more gaps in posting coming up! What else has been happening? Arthur the Van is looking more gorgeous than James Bond naked- can't wait to test-drive him for the shows (Arthur that is, not Daniel Craig!) And talking of shows, we have just been allocated a spot at this years Royal Bath and West, with the Wealth of Wiltshire. So SerenArts is feeling very excited and all 'teamed' up with lots of other small businesses local to us. Quite a few are artists though, so I will have to pull my socks up to grab some attention... well, I'm too old to show leg, and way too content to cause a stir, so best let the art speak for itself, methinks! This does of course mean that I am now going into hyper-drive work wise now, which makes for the best mood-booster. I feel invincible when I'm working towards something, but very unfocused and aimless when I'm not- anyone else like that? I'll try and contain myself, if only for my poor, long-suffering hubby. What else has a'happened? Ooh big drama came and went early last week. We were subject to a foreign takeover bid out of the blue. Woke up one morning and someone else (unwittingly, to be fair) was trading online as SerenArts. I've never boned up on e-commerce laws so quickly in all my life. Everything is happily sorted now, and apparently a good scare every now and again is good for you. Righto! That'll be two good scares then- The Saints left it until the last half hour of the last game in the season, to NOT be relegated. Thanks for that, Boys!
Any-road-up, here's the first of the new stuff for the Bath and West..... not sure what to call her yet, but Laundry Day popped into my head and wont shift. That'll never do!