Dorset Art Weeks 2012 venue 318

BlogPublished May 6, 2012 at 07:06 No Comments

Here is a teaser of just a few of the things I will have up here at my home and new garden studio during 2012 Dorset Arts Weeks.

I will have over 40 pieces of work available to view and buy, and now offer a print to canvas service for most things on show.

I will be having a studio opening and preview on the 19th May 10am to 3pm details on directions are available here at my DAW page on the main event website. http://www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk/index.php/daw/venue/daw1413.html

10% of all takings during the preview will go to the Blandford Evangelical Church, which support many local initiatives. During the main event, 10% will go to 3 various causes close to my heart: Macmillan Cancer Support, Endometriosis Uk and The Water Project in Uganda with Sue and Simon Morgan.

My studio will be open daily 9.30am – 6.30pm. Late night opening till 8.30pm Thursdays & Fridays.

Dorset Art Weeks – a long journey to get here

BlogPublished April 28, 2012 at 07:16 No Comments

Well, time is drawing closer to the launch of dorset art weeks 2012. I am so glad to be doing this, this year. I was unable to take part in the last one in 2010 as I was struck down with conic abdominal nerve pain in late summer of 2008, and then being diagnosed with endometriosis and a following operation. It has been a long road of recovery for me, and one filled with the prospect of medication as the only help. I had to stop painting for a long time which was a sad and depressing fact of my condition, and after a long struggle I only found my feet again last year, when I discovered that caffeine was exasperating the symptoms I was feeling, and I have now got a handle on my pain.

I made the choice to return to art full time when I was able to, I also began to regain my fitness, and despite early on suffering a badly sprained ankle, I found other ways to get fit and have not looked back since (and don’t miss my 2 1/2 stones either!)

My husband and I put a plan in motion to build a garden studio at home, as a place of sanctuary where I could be as creative as I could be (and no worries about splashing paint on a wall or carpet!) We started the project in July last year, and after winter stopping play, we finally got electricity put in in January this year, and I have never been so happy, or at peace while working.

So after this very long and troubled road that has been 4 years in the recovery of, I am back, doing what I love, in a place that is full of God’s peace. Being able to take part in something like DAW again, is a huge step for me emotionally, and I want to say a huge thank you for those who have supported me in getting here, both with prayer, and help

On that last note, I am going to start the process of framing my work, to be hung, and the transformation from home and studio to gallery.

A Misty March Morning

BlogPublished March 27, 2012 at 21:05 No Comments

I went out and about with the camera this morning for an hour, and stopped at a place I have passed but never paused at before, not far from Upton, in Poole. It was wonderfully misty today (I adore mist) and the roads were quiet, almost erie. I saw some lovely distance shots of trees vanishing well into the mist, so here is one, coming to a watercolour painting near you soon




It is the pool of water I see frequently, and it was just revealing it’s secrets through the mist when I got there. A few minutes more and the mist had all but lifted.




On walking back to the car I passed a lovely place full of mini daffodils so dainty and bright, all covered with moisture clinging to them.




More often than not, when there is lingering mist about, it is not a morning I have a car to appreciate it! so it was bliss to do this today

‘The Hobbit’ Poster

Blog GraphicsPublished March 15, 2012 at 09:39 2 Comments

I recently made this and entered it into an online contest, to design a Hobbit poster, for which it placed First. At this moment in time, there are not many promotional images available to choose from, and so had to do a lot of searching for the right ones. I am delighted with how it came out.
Thanks to David Nemer for the landscape photo and James Fisher for the Gandalf photo

Teacup with Blossoms

BlogPublished March 8, 2012 at 17:44 No Comments

When the sun is shining and in the afternoon on a nice spring day, I get the opportunity to take some shots that really appeal to me. I love pinks and blues and aquas all together, so these shots make me smile.

Dorset Art Weeks 2012

BlogPublished March 8, 2012 at 14:06 No Comments

I am in the process of getting ready for Dorset Arts Weeks. we have a proof read of the final book entry we have paid for in just a few weeks. DAW is going to run from 26th May till the 10th June 2012. I am really excited to be apart of it this year, after not being able to take part in last years, but enjoyed the two before that. I have a new garden studio, that will be opened during this time, as well as two reception rooms in the house. There should be around 45 pieces of artwork on display, a complete mixture of portraiture, landscapes, fabric work, and contemporary works, and I will be demonstrating throughout the whole two weeks.

Sherborne Castle asked me if I would care to demonstrate from them on the Jubilee bank holiday Monday, so I am thrilled to be able to go there too! this is all a huge adventure and a great way to meet people who like and enjoy art.

Bring on the 26th of June

Floral fabric design – twitter background

Blog GraphicsPublished March 8, 2012 at 13:53 No Comments

I wanted a fresh new look to my twitter page (as well as the facebook cover photo’s) so designed this. I bought a length of fabric made by Clarke and Clarke, for my new studio blinds, and the feel of it inspired this creation.

Cat Portrait, Casper

BlogPublished March 8, 2012 at 13:34 No Comments

A cat painting of a very happy cat, Casper, in Christchurch. Anne, the woman who I painted this for, did the most exquisite Japanese embroidery! very skilled, and very very clever.

Dog Portrait, Bobo

BlogPublished March 8, 2012 at 09:30 No Comments

A painting of a most beautiful and energetic dog, Bobo. She really has a wonderful character, and I spent a good deal of time with her, taking the shots that I used to paint this.

Pink Tulips

BlogPublished March 16, 2011 at 23:45 3 Comments

I was given some stunning pink tulips on monday night, what better thing to do than to take some outdoor shots of them. I want to build up my collection of greetings cards, so that I can have a nice selection for craft shows coming up, as well as for Dorset Art Weeks next year.

Havana cat portrait, Llandra

BlogPublished March 15, 2011 at 21:14 No Comments

I have finished and delivered this watercolour portrait of a Havana Cat, Llandra, to a lovely and special couple. This is their 3rd cat portrait I have completed for them

Shaftsbury’s Gold Hill

BlogPublished March 14, 2011 at 00:59 1 Comment

We went here this weekend with a good friend, as the weather was lovely before lunch….. and then the clouds came rolling in.

Cherry Blossom has bloomed

BlogPublished March 13, 2011 at 23:37 2 Comments

At long last, the cherry blossom has bloomed! I have been waiting for this for what feels like forever, as I missed the opertunity to capture them last year. This is one of my favorite flowers because of it’s delicate and fragile petals.

New painting – a Boxer

BlogPublished March 6, 2011 at 18:22 5 Comments

I have been commissioned to do a new painting of a Boxer, which I start my preparations for tomorrow.
Here is the main photo I will work from, but I will use another 4 to cover all the angels of her face to help build up her character.

This final drawing which I now have to transfer onto the ‘Not’ textured watercolour board to then begin painting. I cannot draw straight onto the board, as I am unable to use an eraser, which destroys the painting surface.

Here are the series of photos and the development of the boxer. The colours vary slightly as I was taking the photos at different times of the day.

And this is the finished painting.

Ice patterns

BlogPublished March 5, 2011 at 23:52 No Comments

I experienced the most wonderful ice patterns on my car first thing this morning, it was like the fairies had been out with their fairy dust and left a magic spell behind. The beauty was wonderful, so when the sun came out and reflected it’s deep peach glow through the windows, they just came to light in this wonderful twinkling display of beauty.

Sunset over Piddle Hinton

BlogPublished March 4, 2011 at 19:20 4 Comments

I stayed at my sisters this evening and saw this lovely mellow colour seep into the lounge, and knew the sky outside would be beautiful. She has such beautiful, rolling fields literally on her door step, so hobbled outside to go and capture it. I do love Dorset!

Example logo designs

BlogPublished March 3, 2011 at 16:46 No Comments

Spent some time this morning creating some logo designs in Illustrator. This is the latest arm of my business that is growing fast!

Spring snowdrops

BlogPublished March 2, 2011 at 19:54 No Comments

Spring is not spring without snowdrops….

These were taken on the river bank at Sturminster Marshall.

Portland Lighthouse

BlogPublished March 1, 2011 at 21:51 4 Comments

I drove to portland Lighthouse, at Portland Bill, in Dorset. I was there years ago with a small point and shoot camera, so it was lovely to go back this time with something more substantial. The only fly in the ointment was the sprained ankle I gained while navigating over the rocks. I didn’t stay as long as I would have liked this time as I wanted to get ice on my foot, but I still came away with some wonderful memories of the place, knowing I will have to go back again soon (like I need an excuse to go back – the place is wonderful!)

Chesil Beach

A couple of shots of the lighthouse. I would have walked to the other side of the lighthouse, but that is one I will have to save for next time.

The cloud came over not long after I arrived, but it was letting through the most wonderful rays of sunlight, hitting the sea.

Flourish design for twitter

Blog GraphicsPublished February 20, 2011 at 20:40 4 Comments

I have finally gotten round to making myself a new vector brush from one of my doodles.



I decided to use it for my custom twitter background :- )

Marketing Workshop

BlogPublished February 6, 2011 at 20:42 No Comments

Off to a marketing workshop in Poundbury this morning – looking forward to picking up some useful tips and meeting some interesting people.

Now where did I put those business cards?…………

Web Wizardry

BlogPublished February 6, 2011 at 20:27 No Comments

Phew! My new website has really come together in the last few days – I know they say a little knowledge is dangerous, but without it I would never have been able to do all the little tweaks to make it ‘just so’.

Dorset Studio – Open for business!

BlogPublished January 31, 2011 at 09:56 No Comments

Finally, a place where I can upload a portfolio of my latest creations

I used to specialise as a portrait artist, but over the many years I have been painting, I have discovered a love for so many different creative art forms, the latest of which is photography.

I’ll be posting a selection of artwork to go into my galleries, and then regularly adding new pictures and blog entries daily from March 2011.

This is going to be great fun!