Chernobyl Children's project

I had a painting session this afternoon with some children from Belarus, who are in the UK on holiday with the Chernobyl Children's project......it was particularly challenging for me as they did not speak English, and although their host parent was there, for some reason the Interpreter wasn't.....so...basically, we had to do most of it by sign language...and a very small smattering of the odd spoken word.

However, they all seemed to enjoy themselves and painted some rather lovely little Highland calves....and of course, when it came time to take the photos, the childrens' sense of fun kicked in.....and this was the (spontaeous) result:

If you are interested in finding out more about the charity, and perhaps how you can help.....have a look on the website:
Click HERE for the Chernobyl Childrens' Project

This wekk's Artist of the Week is Jeannie Zelos. Jeannie is a professional, contemporary artist who lives and works in Norfolk. Jeannie says:
"I was born and still live in North Norfolk; beautiful scenery full of traditional woodlands, vast beaches and huge skies. Why move?!
I've been painting for a number of years now and extending my repertoire of materials as time progresses and I delve further into the world of art.I describe my style as naive, and myself as a Colourist. My work has very vibrant colour ranges, often not what you would expect but it works!
Art can be a solitary pursuit and since 2006 I've been running a free arts forum for artists and people interested in art, just type my name and forum into google and you'll find it. I've learned so much from other artists there, and hopefully we have all benefited from contact with others.
I paint in a variety of mediums from watercolours through to encaustic, a method used over 2,000 years ago. For me art is a journey and by not restricting myself to one media I have the freedom to take my art to a range of possibilities. Over the last few years I have extended my experience via personal study and professional tuition and now use watercolours, soft pastels, oil pastels, acrylics, oils, and latest is the encaustic (beeswax) paints. I'm currently using the encaustics most of the while, seeking to reach the very essence of the subject through pure abstraction, and find that the beeswax - maybe because its such an organic material- works really well for this."
Of all the varied subjects and styles Jeannie shows in her gallery, I think this one above has to be one of my favourites.....it resonates with me....perhaps because I'm a garden lover....or perhaps becuse I love the colours in it....whatever it is.....I love it.....hope you enjoy Jeannie's art too.
Click HERE to see Jeannies work on her Affordable british Art gallery .

Holiday time.....

.....yes, it's that season again...and we are not long home from ours. We went touring in our caravan this year...around Scotland.....mainly on the west coast. Here are a few photos of our trip:

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would definitely do this again...it was a fantastic break...and the weather, although overcast at times, was kind to us. It only really rained one evening and through the night twice...the days were dry enough to allow us to do some sightseeing and to let hubby and son go hillwalking.

Artist of The Week - Cherie Sullivan

The artist of the week this week is Cherie Sullivan. Taking a virtual walk through Cherie's Affordable British Art gallery is a feast for the eyes......and definitely gets the old gastric juices going. Just look at these cherries.....they look so moist and juicy they're making me hungry.

Cherie Sullivan is a contemporary Scottish artist.
Her bold, distinctive, vibrant works are influenced by colour and nature. Preferring to work from photographs, rather than from life, Cherie can often be found photographing flowers and fruit. Some of these photos then, in turn, inspire her paintings. Working with acrylics, oils or in mixed media on box canvas, Cherie’s paintings are a bright and vivid representation of the natural world around us.
Cherie exhibits across Scotland, and has many works in private collections around the world. NHS Fife recently purchased 4 of Cherie’s paintings to be displayed in the Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline.

Cherie says:
“I enjoy taking macro shots of flower centres…these interesting photographs are often semi abstract by nature. I like to concentrate on their stamens, cropping the photos to get exactly the image I want. Once cropped, these images then form the basis for my paintings.
For my fruity paintings I use the same process, but tend to concentrate on the negative spaces between the fruits.”

To see more of Cherie's artworks, click HERE

Artist of The Week - Naomi Rae

The Artist of the Week this week has been Naomi Rae. Naomi grew up in an artistic family in the thriving art colony of St. Ives and drawing and painting has always been part of Naomi's life. A move to New Zealand provided the opportunity to develop her skills and on her return to St Ives she began painting full time. Although abstract in form, and painted in the studio, the canvases originate from close-up photographs of the surrounding landscape. Naomi is drawn to her subjects by texture and colour; surfaces that have decayed and weathered, such as peeling paint, rotting wood and corroding metal. Back in the studio these photographs provide the basis for the finished pieces. Acrylic is sometimes combined with stitching and textile work, to produce vibrant and textured canvases.
To see more of Naomi's work click HERE

Artist of The Week - Nick Pilatis

Our new Artist of the week is Nick Pilatis. Nick was educated to the level of "Doctor of Philosophy" in Engineering Science....and he says of his work "the push for creative thinking and innovation constitute two of the major components of my character. The need of self-expression through oil paintings appeared rather unexpectedly in 2004 and the result was the painting of "Nike (Victory) and its many forms". Painting has now become an obsession of mine. Being self taught, I have been inspired by the brush strokes of Van Gogh, the concepts and shapes of Picasso, the expressionism of El Greco and romanticism of Delacroix. "

Of all Nick's figurative works , I think my favourite is the one shown - appropriately named "The Suffering". For me...the handling of colour, tone and the texture of the brush strokes all help to describe the feeling of the piece in what is essentially a very simple composition....very emotive.

To see more of Nick's work on the Affordable British Art gallery, click here

Update on the Jamtastic Painting......

(Theo Pahitas, Lindi Kirwin & Richard Duerr)

Well, I thought you folks might like to know the outcome of the charity auction for Lindi Kirwin's jamtastic painting "Manchester Preserved". The auction ended last night with the winning bid of £5,000 by the painting's new owner, Theo Paphitas (of Dragon's Den fame).
What a fantastic purchase he's made, and a fantastic amount to have been raised for the charity.
Well done to everyone involved.