Venice Trip

I've just returned from 5 wonderful days painting in Venice!

The weather was a mix of cloudy & sunny days & I managed to paint these few small Watercolours on tinted paper.

The papers used were: a buff coloured rough paper manufactured by Two Rivers & a pink paper with a finer texture by an unknown manufacturer.

No masking fluid was used, just a little white Gouache, tinted with colour.

The paintings are around 6" x 8" in size, making transportation & execution easy.

If you would like to know more about this method of working, please contact me.

Kildale Group of Artists 22nd March 2007

Thanks to all the artists who attended my demonstration yesterday. This is the completed Watercolour painting, as promised.

On viewing it at home, I decided to put another wash on the foreground, but other than that, I left it as it was.

I'm fairly happy with this painting and may include it in the exhibition at Talents Fine Arts in Malton, in the Spring Show

Studio News March 2007

It's an extremely busy time in the Studio at the moment. I have several exhibitions to paint for over the next 2 months.
The first being a 'joint' show at the Staithes Gallery, (30th March to 15th April) in aid of the R.N.L.I. The next being another 'joint' show at Talents Fine Arts in Malton, (19th April to 1st May). Followed swiftly by my Annual Exhibition at the end of May (26th to 28th).
This year I hope to exhibit around 60 original paintings, together with a good selection of prints.
As you will appreciate, the number of paintings required to meet these exhibition commitments, is extensive, not to mention the planning involved in making sure everything comes together at the right time!!
One of the most difficult decisions that has to be made, is the selection of which paintings go where, which will be most suited to each gallery/venue, etc. Liz & I seem to ponder over these decisions for longer each time!!
In addition to these commitments, I have a painting trip to Venice to look forward to! 5 days painting, weather permitting, will hopefully replenish my Venice painting stock, some of these may even be included in the Talent's show & my Annual Exhibition?
Watch this space for results of this trip!!

Annual Exhibition

It's coming up to that time of year again!

I will be holding my Annual Exhibition at the wonderful venue of Sneaton Castle again this year. (Saturday 26th to Monday 28th May inclusive, opening between 10am & 4pm each day)

Over the weeks leading up to the exhibition, I will be adding paintings which will be included in the show, to my website, if you would like to preview these paintings, please follow this link.

Should you wish to join us for the Opening on the Friday evening, please contact me for an invitation.

"Beware the Ides of March" (15th)

You may be interested to know, that on this day in 44 BC, the Roman dictator, Julius Caesar was murdered by a group of assassins, including his friend Brutus.

However, not wanting to be 'picky', but the 2051st anniversary of Caesar's death actually falls on March 28th this year, due to the difference between the Julian & Gregorian calenders!

We have William Shakespeare to thank for the saying "Beware the Ides of March" a line from the play 'Julius Caesar' and a saying, which has now come to mean a foreboding of doom.

The 'Ides of March' is celebrated each year by the Roman branch of the Hash House Harriers with a toga run through the streets of Rome where Caesar was assassinated.

In case you didn't know, The Hash House Harriers is an international group of running/drinking clubs, founded in 1938 in Kuala Lumper by a small group of British colonial Officers & expatriates!!

Breaston Art Group Demonstration 8th March 2007

This is the completed painting of Sandsend beach.

I mentioned during the demonstration that I would change the sky when I got the painting home.

I re-wet the whole area & introduced some soft clouds using Light Red & Ultramarine Blue in varying strengths.

I added a little 'spatter' to the beach area and a few figures.

By all means contact me if you would like to ask any questions, look forward to seeing you all again.

Guisborough Art Group Demonstration 1st March 2007

Thank you once again to everyone who came to my demonstration. This is the finished Watercolour painting, entitled "Evening, River Esk, Whitby"
Please contact me with any queries