When the Saints go marching in........

to the Championship League! Congratulations to all connected with Southampton Football Club from fans to players, and everything in between.... have a picture of a red and white flower to celebrate with! It's the least I can do.....

Right, onto equally important matters such as new ideas for the gallery, and keeping things fresh and exciting. I enjoy a lot of experimentation as do many other creative, arty farty types and find happy accidents lead to some fantastical results. A prime example being the lamps I do. I recently saw a television program where slivers of semi precious stones were scanned and the results printed on silk. The colours were so vibrant and reminded me of the glass paints I use. So a fun morning was had, scanning the more abstract of the lamps and taking out interesting sections to blow up and print onto canvas. The colours were fantastic on the canvasses- the light from the scanner really picks up the luminosity of the special paints. The upshot means people can now buy a combination of a complementary, contemporary abstract canvas to go with the lamp they like.... all for under the price of a football shirt, a ticket and petrol money to get to St Mary's!

( That's £80 to anyone with math as bad as mine!)

Cascade.....

Every now and again the sun shines and the wind abates long enough to feel it. Every now and again you revisit places and remember why you return.

It has been at least two months since the camera has come out in anger. My husband and I played hookie from the Gallery, and took a day to walk round Bowood Gardens. We have been to various parts of the grounds several times over the years, from doing shows to just getting some energy off the children as they were growing.... but we have never been just for ourselves to take a leisurely stroll in the warm.

It is beautiful. Soft, undulating, emerald green lawns sweep down to a lake teeming with wildlife. The House itself sits at the top of the small hill watching over proceedings, but the joy is the layout of the trees, plants and rocky, hidden walkways through it all. No matter which time of year you go there will be something to look at and admire. We took the long way round and came across a a quirky walled maze of boulders and miniature caves under a canopy of cooling tree tops, following a small stream. And look what we found........

( this photo taken with a long high aperture setting and a four second delay- soft, bright and delicious!)

Glass Art Lamps.....

Just a quick post to show a mini selection of lamps I have been working on. I normally paint abstract, floral or geometric panels, but every now and again a 'scene' flows from the end of the pipette. Looking at these I think the post should be called 'from dusk 'til dawn'.....

Big stage whisper Sshhhh!...........

I am trying not to speak in anything above a whisper and am on tippy toes stealing through my own blog.... hoping that no one will notice that there has been a rather large absence of blogging from this quarter, while i set about rectifying the tardiness. Anyone who knows me will realise the quietness will not last... in fact I can feel a song and dance routine coming on already, with full orchestra backing and at least four score of tap-dancing elephants... well, it is so nice to be back blogging!

Posted are two pictures i have finished working on. I have had a small resurgence on local scenes recently, living as i do in a very picturesque town. I also figured tourist season is nearly here as well, so my subject choice wasn't entirely for aesthetics! The town bridge pictured is in acrylics, a medium I do no use enough. The colours are so bright and handle completely differently to my usual oils so it was a happy change for me. The other picture is a pet portrait commission of a lovely little fellow called Scamp. I was really pleased how this turned out, as were his owners. Luckily I didn't have to do his tail.... it was always a blur of wagging!

Splashes of Colour......

It must be the sniff of a nice sunny day thats done this.... I thought I would post some colour studies I have worked on recently. These are all photographs I have tinkered with ( quite liberally in some cases! ) and which are now included in the website. Thats the same website my poor, hard done by husband has been spending his days and nights revamping for me..... yes, I had another whim. It's like spring cleaning the house after taking down all the Christmas decorations... you feel the New Year needs a new look, so a big tidy up was needed I thought for my internet presence. I'm not convinced my husband felt the same but he has laboured away manfully and it should be reloaded in a couple of days. Hoorah! I know how to keep him sweet though so he has had all weekend off to watch sport. I shall crack the whip again on Monday ( as if!)

Isn't it odd where we find inspiration for photography? Deep mid winter I found myself ankle deep in freezing cold water taking photos of damage to a hot tub. Amongst the blistered paint bubbles I found an oddly shaped one which really caught my imagination. After a little colour boost and crop I had what I think is a lovely abstract photo of a blue hand.... can you tell which one it is?

Oh, and very quickly....... Hello Sally!! (See, I said I would mention you!) Thank you for reading my blog! x

''Amber Wilderness''- glass painted landscape

Hot off the desk ( and a highly messy, paint strewn one at that) is the latest offering. I had a little experiment with the size of frame here, opting for a long, thin one instead of my more traditional sized portrait-style picture. I also chose to use glass paints this time ... for no other reason than to shake myself up a bit. I am getting quite good in my middle age of just settling into a routine ( except where exercise is concerned!) and staying in my self-imposed rut. So a different approach was taken this time to blow away the cobwebs. I have noticed over the years that this slim orientation sells quite well as it fits neatly over fireplaces etc..... that's the theory anyway. Let us see if it gets put into practice!

(Painting 35'' x 10'')

Happy New Year....

Oops! I believe I have left it a little late to wish everyone a happy 2010, but better late than never. The prodigal painter returneth finally, after an eight week absence. My sincere apologies to my regular readers for the quiet fingers of late..... my digits were superglued together by a gum that lasts for two months, and then magically disappears. Not really. I just needed the break! I will endeavor to pick up my slack ways and get a-posting regularly as to be honest, I miss the comments! I hope everyone is in the finest of fettle and getting back into the swing of the New Year.

It has been a quiet January so far, which means all the small things and bits that have been put aside can now be sorted out properly. I have been very lucky though to have picked up several commissions already, and diverse ones at that which is always a bonus for me. Most of the commissions have been glass panels which I find do not photograph well ( much like me when I have just woken up) so I thought I would post this little chappie instead. He is Dylan and a birthday present for someone, so I hope for a change that there is at least one person who doesn't read this blog as I will have ruined their surprise! Hope you like him....