Fun with paint.

Sometimes I read about analyses of different paintings and wonder. Is that what the artist was trying to convey? Do most paintings have a deep and serious meaning? Do I want a picture on my wall that makes me think too much?

Or do I want something that makes me feel good?
I painted this garden scene, which I have called The Great Escape, just because it makes me feel good.
Watching petals being blown on the wind like confetti it suddenly seemed like the flowers were trying to escape the bounds of their garden bed and fly off full of life.

This is a fun painting to do, here's how

You will need good thick watercolour paper and good quality artist's paints.

Soak your paper and stick with gummed tape to a board. Allow to dry.

Wet your paper all over. Using a bright yellow, lay a wash all over the paper. Using a hake or wash brush touch in very strong washes of blue and green at the bottom and sides leaving the central area from the top down to the middle just yellow. Now lift your board and tip to one side to let the washes run and merge, then tip to the other side. Finally raise the top of the board to allow the washes to move downwards. Mop up the excess with kitchen towel as you go.
Lay the board flat and sprinkle salt over the darker areas to create texture.

Leave to dry for a couple of days.

Using small brushes work over the bottom half of the painting using the texture created to inspire the forms to paint. I "took my brush for a walk" letting it lead the way to create random flower like impressions.

In the lighter areas paint loose flowers in the colours you have used. make some seem edge on and some facing away or towards you. Make them smaller and paler as you move up the sheet.

Add any finishing touches that you like to make the picture all yours :-)

I'd love to see the results if you have a go.

Happy Creating

Janice x

ARTFINDER: Abstract garden 1 by Janice GILL - Abstract based on colourful garden border.Be...

ARTFINDER: Abstract garden 1 by Janice GILL - Abstract based on colourful garden border.
Be...

This is a recent oil painting based on a view from the house where I used to live. I have now opened a shop on Artfinder where there are a number of my paintings for sale from as little as £25.
It would be great if you could pop over and have a look. There are lots of great paintings and photographs on there.
This is the link to my little bit of the site - it would be awesome if you could follow me on there as it all helps get me noticed :-)

Furthest from the sea

Until a few years ago I lived in Mid Wales. It's a great place to bring up a family, quiet, peaceful, beautiful. As a family we enjoyed regular day trips to the sea as well as longer holidays. I was never a sun-seeking type - I burn rather than tan - but loved a walk on the beach in the evening. I would drink in the atmosphere, the fresh air, the beautiful skies.
Now I live as far as it is possible to get from the sea in England. Too far for a day trip. So this painting was created to feel dreamy - high key, subtle changes of tone, no focal point other than the bright light of the sun. It's a little bit of the atmosphere I love for those moments when of wistfulness.

I'd love to know if any readers have a place they hanker for and can't reach and if they create a comforter like this.

By the way, this is painted on canvas in water mixable oils and measures 16" x 20".

Recent Paintings

Crochet with dream yarns.

Whenever I complete a craft project I like to use the best materials I can. After all if I am going to spend a lot of time on a project why make something inferior. The time is after all the biggest cost.

As an example, I am making a crocheted jacket style cardigan. It would have been cheap to use a basic acrylic yarn that cost maybe £1 per hundred grammes, or about £8 for the whole project. It will take me about 20 hours altogether to make. At minimum wage that would be £130 worth of time. A total cost of £138. It won't wash well or wear well.

On the other hand, I could use a quality yarn with natural fibres that may cost £8 per hundred grammes or around £64 for the whole project. The total cost is now almost £200 but you have a truly unique item that washes and wears beautifully and will last for years.

In this case I am using a hand painted Alpaca and wool mix from Artesano. It is a dream to work with and the colours are stunning. This isn't the best photo as it was done on my camera phone so it's a bit dark. You get the idea of pools of colour though and great stitch definition.

This sample is treble crochet (English naming) and is completed on a 4.5mm hook.

What are your thoughts when choosing yarns? Cheap and cheerful as the time is not important? The best you can find for that little bit of luxury?

Relocating and Getting Married.

Dew on Red Rose in our garden

My blog is being ignored again.

But I am resolved to change that, even though life is going to get a little frantic in the forthcoming weeks.

Firstly, we are relocating - again!
It will be the third time in under 4 years but it should be the last for a while (famous last words) and opens up a host of new opportunities. The reason for my optimism is that we are moving to Sheffield where there seems to be a vibrant art and craft scene. I've already been looking at galleries in the area and have a couple in mind to approach.

Secondly, 20 years since I was divorced, I am getting married again. I always said I never would a second time, but I met the perfect person to share the rest of my life with and it just seems like the right thing.

And all this before the year moves into it's second half. Hopefully the latter part of the year will be less eventful :-)
( I'm crossing fingers and touching wood :-))

Of course, there will be quite a lot of crafting to do - jewellery, invites, buttonholes and even a little something for my granddaughter who will be just over a year old by then. Not to mention growing flowers for the bouquet.
I have lots of plans
but don't want to give too much away just yet :-)

Did you craft anything for your wedding? I'd love to hear about it.
Did you marry later in life or on a budget? Would love to hear your experiences as there is going to be quite a bit of that at our wedding ( you wouldn't believe how much my wedding dress has cost, but more of that later ;) )