pigstystudio's blog

Glorious Spring Day

2009-04-12T19:53:00-07:00

Looking forward to a week off with riding and painting and Easter eggs.

Had a super ride out in the sunshine with Bob the cob who looked with interest at lambs and goslings which seem to be in abundance along the lane today. Apple blossom is out and the longer evenings mean so much more work can be accomplished.

Started three paintings and felt very virtuous and saved all the tadpoles from the pond. Yes I know you are not supposed to move them but last year the fish ate most of them so this time I thought I would try to help the local frog population. There are hundreds teeming around in the large bucket I bought and they are consuming fish food like it is going out of fashion. Goodness knows what I will do with them when they grow but I will address that problem when I get to it.

Poppy the collie came round the field when we were riding today doing her level best to round everybody up and keep them together. The swallows are back and I heard the very first cuckoo of the year.

Not a bad day really�

Exhibition Success and Major gets shirty

2009-03-26T19:17:00-07:00

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.

My work for the Wye Valley is increasing in interest and all the new publications are out now and being distributed as we speak. New projects like the Farming Awards and working with the Forestry Commission in creating an outdoor studio space for arts and health in the Wye Valley is progressing well. We hope to get our first workshops going by early summer.

On the equine front Major has a spring in his step and is generally acting like a two year old (see pictures). Jazz spends a lot of time playing and chasing my collie Poppy round the field. Bob and Shandy have had the clippers around them again and are looking much sleeker . Spring resolution is to get them all working in time for the clients to ride when we have our RDA centre really up and running.

And more about the exhibition

2009-02-15T16:41:00-07:00

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 personality where I find bright colours difficult to cope with. I think I need inspiration from a different type of artist.

Walking the dog in the woods today I noticed the marked trees for felling, a death sentence for some very old beech trees which I mourn a little. Birds are all galvanised by the sudden warmth into singing and scrabbling for space.The pond is unfrozen now and I finally saw the fish again. What a relief as I was sure they had gone to the big pond in the sky.

Well onwards and upwards back to the studio. I am painting my first polo work, a bit tough and unhappy at the moment.

The Flu takes its toll and a new exhibition

2009-01-23T19:17:00-07:00

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. She is an exceptional painter and also has her blog so have a look�sallylancasterportraits.blogspot.com

If anyone is around then pop in and see some fantastic work. We are putting together invites for the preview on Wednesday 11th so if you are horsey and want to come then just email nikpigsty@btinternet.com �I am doing two new paintings for it so watch this space

On the horse front absolutely nothing. The cold, wet and my flu have prevented Major and me progressing again. He is fine and very full of himself with new girlfriend Jazz who is proving to be very bossy and a madam to boot. Riding for the Disabled is progressing very slowly, I am told I now need a riding school licence and the planning clause needs sorting. Very frustrating particularly for the clients as we cannot get insurance until it is all sorted.

Back to the Night Nurse

And a Happy New Year to all

2009-01-04T10:15:00-07:00

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. So I hope you will all look out for it come the back end of the year. I have also got some interesting racing paintings however I went with my good friend and client Andrew Wiles to Chepstow to watch his horse in the Welsh National in December on a freezing day , unfortunately the gods were not smiling that day and poor Miko de Beauchene ended up losing his rider at the second fence. It was bad luck that Andrew Thornton had no place to go and ended up on the floor. Racing seems such a leveller as last year Miko won the race in a brilliant exciting finish. Lets hope 2009 is better for them, I am hoping to see him race at Warwick on Saturday if the weather allows. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

I will keep everyone posted

Thursday 11th December- Courses and Horses

2008-12-11T19:40:00-07:00

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 and Kelly Marks regarding the horse's behaviour but have found nothing so far that helps. Maybe it is just time.

Commissions are still flooding in and I am always so flattered people like my work and want to buy it. I never manage to get over the kick of others liking my work as I am so critical. Equestrian art has a limited client base and is very competetive and I am so lucky to have so many supportive clients, some who have now become good friends.

Jazz, my new Exmoor pony and a baby, has now joined the stable and is making her presence felt, usually by chewing everything in site and bossing Major around. See the pair together, she definitely rules the roost.

Well hope all goes well tomorrow for my exam and getting all the Health and Safety work ready for the RDA centre. If anybody has any experience about that aspect then please let me know. check my site out �www.pigstystudio.co.uk

Here are the motley crew, some pretty, some handsome and some not so handsome but all loved �Bob, Shandy, Major and Jazz

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