Though the new house didn't need a lot of work, the work needed has taken longer than anticipated. Add a pretty nasty cold/whatever, and 2 holidays (a few sketches in Rome but nothing from the second holiday as didn't take art materials as I wasn't well enough), bad weather holding up the builders and the necessary work in the garden and so far I've spent about 3 days in the studio in total since we moved! Ground elder dotted about in the borders has taken up a lot of my time and with husband digging out a mass of pink geraniums which were harbouring the dreadful weed it's been hard slog out there. however we are reaching a point where we can leave it to its own devices for a few months, just watering and spot weeding till then. Then, hopefully...I will be taking the art materials out and about at last.
I've had some pretty small studios in the past but my last was wonderful and I will miss it like mad. not least the light from the large window, even if it was west facing, meaning I had to make sure Id finish work by the time the sun came over as I couldn't see a thing. That was on days when the sun shined of course, but it was amazing how even on a rainy day, suddenly the sun decided it would have a fling and blind me before it sank behind the hills opposite. My new studio can't accommodate my art tables, or my easels (the ceiling is too low) but Ive managed to get my plan chest in place and my large piece of furniture that takes most of my materials so for now that will have to do. Eventually, once all the work in the house is completed, funds permitting I might be able to convert two small outbuildings into a studio. They have high ceilings so maybe I will use that space for oil painting and keep the inside studio for works on paper. I remember a time when all I had was a kitchen table to work from and all signs of artistic activity had to be put away before meal times, but that was a long time ago and Ive become spoilt! Ive also acquired a lot of painting materials since then and I reckon if I didn't buy anything else (apart from the odd colour) I could probably get through the rest of my life with what I have..but where's the fun in that???? The house has many compensations, not least being easy walking distance to the shops, good bus links and a lovely walled garden. Im looking forward to meeting up with local artists (and assorted old friends) for some plein air work and I know we plan the usual trip to Italy plus maybe France so next year will be exciting but I also know I will be weilding another sort of paintbrush as well in the next few months and just hope that doesn't take up too much of my time when the other sort beckons! bye bye old studio!
With all the snow we've had I was very tempted to paint outdoors but having had a bad bout of bronchitis a few years ago I decided against it as I still feel vunerable so I tried some interiors and was happy to be indoors if not in the warm, seeing as only our kitchen is really warm in these temperatures during the day, standing right next to the AG at that ! I love working outside, there is nothing quite like plein air work but I still feel enjoy pottering in the studio too, working up sketches and oncentrating on interiors. I've never been keen on still life work, though admire examples from other artists. In fact one of my favourite paintings is a Victorian still life executed by Fanny Moody when she was only 17, a masterly watercolour of a ginger jar, a dead pheasant and Christmas greenery. Talking of Victorian watercolours another favourite of mine is below, artist unknown, alas.
We had a fab few days in the Canterbury area recently. We bravely left the car at home and took the train, a complex journey but not difficult. The weather wasnt wonderful but it didnt matter, there was some rain but I managed to do a little work. Had 2 meals in a newly opened restaurant (and, my goodness, aren't you spoiled for choice in Canterbury!) which was excellent and reasonably priced..Wildwood by name. It's in the main drag if you want to find it. We managed to get to Whitstable, Sandwich, Deal, Broadstairs and Walmer..all by bus..and would very much like to visit again when the weather is more enticing. I was annoyed with myself after the event to find that the Salutation (lovely garden) is in the centre of Sandwich so we could have viisited that but I'd thought it wouldnt be within easy reach of the town, and therefore difficult to reach...I should have done my homework.
Since contracting severe bronchitis some years ago I no longer paint outside whatever the weather,saving my trips out for certain days. I dont mind a little rain but cold I avoid like the plague. Our British weather has been so awful this year I've sought the sun elsewhere,wherever possible,but it is getting beyond a joke. Even my studio seems dark and I dont work with artificial light and my studio is too big for daylight bulbs. An artist friend has a much smaller studio than mine and uses 5 daylight bullbs, so her husband told me.
We took a cruise at the beginning of December visiting Rome, Livorno (for Florence, Pisa or Lucca). Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Palma. We were lucky in Rome, the rain was lashing the coast but we had a sunny day when we got there, we passed on Livorno,etc as the rain was pelting down (though again, inland was fine we were told by those who ventured to Florence),Monte Carlo was fine, Barcelona ok(but we were too busy footslogging to paint) and Palma, or rather Valldemossa, was mixed,with a nasty wind picking up...and so I managed a sketch in Rome, 3 sketches in Monte Carlo, and one in Valldemossa. The cruise was a bargain, however we feel that might be our last, or at least for a few years as there is no substitute for staying in one place and really getting down to work. Also you cant really absorb the flavour in places you visit for a few hours. We know Rome well so that didnt count but I would certanly like to visit Monte Carlo again and also Majorca which is stunningly beautiful. Next year we are planning on Venice, southern Italy, and one other hot destination in tandem with another artist and his wife. If we can squeeze in Paris for a few days we will! We had a marvellous week on Capri recently. The purpose of the trip was just to grab some sun and catch up with a friend who has lived on the island for many years. She has a lovely villa whose terrace overlooks Ischia and to sip a glass of wine and watch the sun go down is sheer magic.
I took some art materials as I know its not easy to find anything you need on the island, just in case I felt like doing something. I totally amazed myself by producing a total of 26 works! Some were only loose sketches as insects can bite in paradise like elsewhere so even dedicated artists reach a point they cant take any more! cant believe we left it so long to return to this fantastic place it must be 6 years since we were last there, but we will be going back next year for sure, for longer. Several of us have been getting emails coming from a George Russo, claiming to be interested in buying art work. These are not very sophisticated emails, the English is not good and would not fool many people but there is always the danger a young artist, or someone new to selling their work, may be taken in. I do hope not. Whoever this George Russo is, maybe a group of people rather than a single person, let's just hope they don't claim any victims and let's also hope they don't become more sophisticated in approach. One thing is for sure, right now they haven't a clue how to approach an artist, thank goodness! There is also someone with another name, which I have forgotten, who approached me first and I immediately binned it, only becoming more concerned when the latest email arrived. I couldn't understand what would be in it for them but I'm told it is a money laundering scheme. So keep your eyes open! Had another jaunt with the Wapping Group this year. Great fun, great company but the weather was not with us. There were some really good results painting-wise but unless you had a clip-on umbrella (makes mental note to get one) or had found somewhere under cover with a suitable view point life wasnt easy! My shoes took days to dry out so open toe sandals were the only other optionand they stayed wet too! Ugh. The trip came at a difficult time of year for us as all our old roses were just coming into bloom and of course the weather was foul whilst we were away too so we came back to drooping roses, some nearly over and we said we must remember next year not to go away at this time. As it is we have lost all our apricots and peaches thanks to the ridiculous weather and to be away when the old roses are out too is madness, one has a year long wait and it's a shame to miss them. Taking shelterAn overhang provided a good dry spot..so long as you wanted to paint the hotel! |
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May 2015
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