Charity shops and painting

studio with new painting

 So today I have spent the third day in the studio on this composition, initially its a slow process working out how to start the painting and then I take each stage as it evolves and change and modulate my original plans to fit with each new development.

setting up my flowers for painting

  I make  working sketches that are short-hand visual aids for patterns,

etc this one is inspired by some beautiful dress material of my daughters, I must add it was inspired not copied as the original bears no resemblance whatsoever.  The vase was from a charity shop, as soon as I saw it I knew it would translate into paint,  and the copper tray was from a lovely interiors shop Ryle and Company that has now moved to Glencormac, Kilmacanogue. I have done 6 hours in the studio since this morning and my head hurts and I am painted out, must escape and get some fresh air!!

All painted out!!

Patterns and Woodpiles

The Invitation 122x92cm oil on canvas

Every year we stack up our logs against the outside shed, in preparation for when the evenings draw in.  I love to paint the logs piled up, the patterns and shapes that are created by the round cross-sections of the branches or the straight edges of the split trunks are endless and very painterly.  I will often paint logs in a log basket or the evening’s logs piled up in readiness next to the stove or fire. 

However, since the last storms we have even more wood piles around the place, all around the garden, waiting to be brought down and stacked nearer the house. These make for wonderful subjects for drawing and teamed with this lovely and unusually dry sunny weather we have been experiencing , means I don’t need to go too far for inspiration.