keeping the post office busy

mixed media sketch . Beacon Hill, Charnwood, Leicestershire. Vivien Blackburn
This one is winging its way to the US to take part in an exhibition with friends - 2 English and 3 Americans. I had to stay with small images to fit in so decided on a series of work on trees from my plan chest (she says smugly ;>) - said plan chest still feeling shiny and new and lovely and I need to look in at it each time I pass the room! ). I don't often work small except for plein air sketches so it wasn't easy to find work to fit in 10x8 or 11x14 frames.
Today I had to post the moley exchange book, the FPP exchange book, these sketches and 2 cards to the US - eeek!!! it added up to rather a lot!
Keep your fingers crossed for sales so I don't get these back.
.

Comments

Anita Davies said…
Beautiful work...Good luck! ;)
9:53 pm
vivien said…
thanks Anita! :>)
8:24 am
Yellow said…
Vivien, I hope it doesn't sell so that I can re-mortgage my house and buy it all for myself. It's a really strong piece.
10:32 pm
vivien said…
:>D remortgaging not necessary! it's only smallish! from an A4 sketchbook.
11:42 am
lmp said…
I think it will sell. Beautiful work. I would find it impossible to part with. :)
1:10 pm
Sandy said…
What a delightful painting Vivien! Best wishes for the exhibition!
I have only just 'discovered' your Blog ...I am enjoying it immensely and have bookmarked it for future visits
10:14 pm
vivien said…
thanks Lisa and Sandy :>)
4:22 pm
Chris Bellinger said…
just a quick note, did you try and leave a comment earlier? I have published it under Paul's church, unless it was a comment about my typing errors which crept in!
7:45 pm
vivien said…
yes Chris - I liked the series you are working on :>)
5:31 pm
Laura Frankstone said…
Yeah, me, too! If they don't want, I'll buy it! I'd love to have something of yours, Vivien, and this tree is just stunning.
4:28 pm
vivien said…
:>) really cheering me up at the end of a busy day Laura!
4:50 pm
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Eye, Urban/Rural exhibition

Image
Vivien Blackburn's work in the Urban/Rural show We've just hung a group show at the The Eye Project, Urban/Rural show.  If you want to come and see it it's on for a month - well worth seeing, 11 lovely artists and some fabulous work. Those large canvasses are 40 inches square. There are rural landscapes, flowerscapes, intriguing textile work including a large knitted building, abstracts .... something for everyone. It's in the gallery below the cafe in the Adult Education Centre at the top of Wellington street, Leicester, opposite Fenwicks.  Meet the Arttists day is Saturday 1st April 10-2.  Come and have a chat with us?
Read more

Hedges silhouetted agains the snow, winter light: watercolour and Derwent tinted charcoal pencils in Stillmand and Birn Beta Hardback sketchbook

Image
 Detail  I have always liked the calligraphic tangle of the hedges when they are sihouetted against the sky.   Recent snowfall meant even more opportunities with amazing light and the landscape simplified and hidden by the snow, throwing hedges into relief. Above is a detail of a double page sketch in the lovely Stillman and Birn Beta A4 hardback sketchbook.  This paper is so forgiving and the watercolour works beautifully with it.  It allowed me to work through wet washes with charcoal pencil - something that tears many papers, leaving holes.  Some of the hedge is paint, some tinted charcoal. First snow, more on the way, winter light: silhouetted hedges in watercolour and Derwent tinted charcoal in a Stillman and Birn A4 beta hardback sketchbook The earlier warm golden glow of the low sun is covered by clouds, threatening more snow to come.   The spiky calligraphic marks of the hedge and the underlying form of the bank, with some of the taller dried grasses showing
Read more

looking at non traditional composition and quiet vs busy areas in paintings

Image
Paul Klee I thought I'd look at non-traditional composition - where the rule of thirds isn't the key but the painting relies on different compositional methods. in response to an excellent series of posts on the various ways of looking at composition by Katherine (link at end). These alternative considerations or breaking of rules - but making it work - appeal to me more than too heavy a reliance on the rule of thirds. The painting above, by Paul Klee is a 'field' painting' - the composition is overall, the eye travels around enjoying the glowing colour that he creates by juxtaposing complementary colours, subtle greyed greens enhancing the oranges/reds/pinks. Most of the image is composed of the various greens, greeny browns and khakis, with accents of the warm colours. When working this way it's important that the balance is unequal and that the accent colours are placed carefully to keep the eye moving in the way the artist wants. A couple of the brighter
Read more