26 March 09 - 19:17Exhibition Success and Major gets shirty
The Equestrienne exhibition was marvellous and a bit of a steep learning curve for all of us. We had a really fantastic attendance and I sold well so my bank manager is very pleased with me. I have now got to know Cheltenham really well and can negotiate the one way systems. All the artists worked really well and I think we are formulating into a notable group to promote equestrian and animal art in Gloucestershire.Desi Dillingham gave us fantastic support in opening the exhibition as did Graham Cory BHS CEO and my friend Jan struggled to Cheltenham twice to support me so thanks for that. Caught up with lots of old friends and clients and the sun shone on us.
My good friend and client Andrew Wiles was disappointed when his horse Miko de Beauchene fell in the Gold Cup but he has great hopes for his comeback so I must keep fingers, toes and everything else crossed as he may run in the Scottish National.
I am now on facebook so sign in and see what I am getting up to. ...
(more)
15 February 09 - 16:41And more about the exhibition
I have just come down from the studio on a suprisingly warm, sunny day. The snow is lingering in small blobs but I can feel spring coming.I feel so virtuous this weekend, the posters and invites are all done and been sent to each artist in the new exhibition to dispose of as they feel fit and I have done my emarketing onto websites so it is appearing on events pages. I have also managed to change the beds, do three lots of washing, cooked soup and pasta, shopped and taken the dog for walks over this weekend as well as putting several hours in on painting in my studio.What is the phrase about ask a busy woman?
I am sure this won't last and I will be in panic mode soon as I have three very wet, very new paintings to finish and then resume my commissions. It has an exciting, by the seat of your pants type of feeling until complete exhaustion sets in but I'm not at that point yet.
Having difficulty in making my work looser and more vibrant, maybe I am a subdued, colourless ...
(more)
23 January 09 - 19:17The Flu takes its toll and a new exhibition
They say if you have flu you can't do anything but stay in bed. Well it isn't true, yes you stay in bed but whilst you are dying alternately sweating and freezing and with limbs aching and teeth chattering you can still blog. In fact whilst in bed I have updated my website,written two press releases for work and two articles. I can't say they are good and I did them slowly and with considerable feeling, a lot of ovaltine and Beechams Flu Plus and Night Nurse.Onto better things Equestrienne, this is a brand new exhibition with five other equestrian artists which we are holding in a charming gallery in Cheltenham in March. We are co-inciding with the Cheltenham Festival and hope we might get a few of our racing friends and clients along. Sally Lancaster is one of the artists who lives a tad away from me. ... (more)
04 January 09 - 10:15And a Happy New Year to all
Well the festivities are now over and I am getting back to the world of work. I have done very little painting over the extended break and now must buckle to and get on with it. A frozen menage means my riding activities are somewhat curtailed so up into the studio I go and get on with the daunting business of starting new paintings. It is always the most difficult process for me with that blank white paper or canvas and I suppose it is the same for all artists.I have some really interesting commissions and paintings to do for 2009 and a raft of exhibitions but sometimes it all just whirls round in my head and I don't quite know where to start. I think I will post one of the paintings as I go through the process and would welcome anyone's comments on how I go about it. I am always willing to learn.
I have started the new BHS Christmas Card for 2009 and this time have decided not to do a cartoon but a proper painting. ...
(more)
11 December 08 - 19:40Thursday 11th December- Courses and Horses
Life just gets busier - I am going through a First Aid at Work course and trying to remember my blood pressure from my bandaging. Hopefully it will come in useful for my Riding for the Disabled Group as well as my work at the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Monmouth.
The horses are feeling very arsy as the ground has been so hard and slippy and only gentle exercise has been going on. Bob the Cob, kindly donated to the centre by Carol Young from Lancashire, has settled in well. He will make a really good painting subject for some illustrations for BHS Scotland's new access leaflet. He is a handsome, good natured lad. Only problem is that he and my horse Major hate each other with a passion and I am wondering if anyone else has this problem. Hopes for them riding out together has been somewhat reduced and I now ride Bob out on his own. I have recently become a member of Intelligent Horsemanship and went to the Monty Roberts demo at Hartpury but have searched in all the books by him ... (more)
