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'Strawberry' - #1 in the five a day series - impasto acrylic on canvas 5x5 inches |
So,
I recently subscribed to a new magazine called Vegan Life. It is so very lovely to be able to read a magazine from cover to cover without having
to flick past all the sections that I can’t make use of, it’s really a delight
to know that I can bake every recipe and use every product advertised in this
particular magazine. I’m not saying I will, in fact chances are I won’t – I didn’t bake
before giving up eggs and dairy so I'm not sure if I'll start now no matter how yummy some of the recipes look! But still, it's nice to have the option.
Anyway, you’ll be wondering what this has to do with art. Allow me to explain. So, there was a surprisingly interesting article about strawberries which not only made me want to eat some, it also sparked an arty idea in my head. And one that didn’t involve animals or dramatic skies, at that.
The texture of the strawberry looked like it would be perfect for a little bit of impasto painting so I decided I’d buy a punnet next time I was in town. Of course, I didn’t figure on Lidl not having any the day I went in and I couldn’t be bothered to drive to Tesco and so, too impatient to wait for another day, I very loosely used a reference photo of one from Paint My Photo instead!
Anyway, you’ll be wondering what this has to do with art. Allow me to explain. So, there was a surprisingly interesting article about strawberries which not only made me want to eat some, it also sparked an arty idea in my head. And one that didn’t involve animals or dramatic skies, at that.
The texture of the strawberry looked like it would be perfect for a little bit of impasto painting so I decided I’d buy a punnet next time I was in town. Of course, I didn’t figure on Lidl not having any the day I went in and I couldn’t be bothered to drive to Tesco and so, too impatient to wait for another day, I very loosely used a reference photo of one from Paint My Photo instead!
Then
last Friday I got S to show me (yet again) how to set up his GoPro camera and
made a little timelapse video of the painting as it progressed. You wouldn’t know,
thanks to S’s careful editing, but this little painting was interrupted by a
burst water pipe in our attic with water dripping down through the window frame
in the dining room, where I paint, on the Friday evening. We had to keep the water supply turned off overnight until S could get to the hardware shop to get the bits needed to fix the pipe. Then while he was sorting out the plumbing on Saturday, I
spent the day at a Zen retreat of meditation and mindfulness. What
a truly relaxing day – no talking, just meditating and some yoga nidra - sleeping yoga – what could be better than that!(Although technically you aren't meant to actually fall asleep!)
Feeling
totally zen after my meditation day, I finished the painting on Sunday (the observant
among you might notice the change of clothing and the little bit where I forgot to pause the video while I used my hairdryer to speed dry the paint which I actually do after every layer of colour!) and then S
worked his technical magic last night to put it all together for me with music and text.
I’d like to do a little series of these. I was thinking I’d call it ‘One of your five a day’. I’ve had a think about other fruit that would work well and so far have come up with a kiwi (sliced in half for added interest), a pomegranate also cut open, a pineapple and possibly an orange – that pitted skin might work. If anyone can think of any other easily recognisable fruit that I could paint, I’d appreciate the suggestions.
In
other news, two lovely things happened this week.
Firstly,
I discovered my painting ‘Soulful’ in the Portfolio Plus member’s gallery in
the latest edition of Artist and Illustrators Magazine. That was a nice
surprise.
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'Soulful' in Artist and Illustrator Magazine gallery page |
Secondly,
I entered an older painting of mine called ‘a view less ordinary’ into the
Society for All Artists Facebook painting challenge for April (the theme ‘April
Showers’) and it won first place! I got a lovely certificate, my painting is now the cover photo for the month and it's now up
to me to choose the theme for the May challenge and I get to judge it!
I
also managed to blog twice this week so if you’d like to have a read of my blog
post from Monday, please just click on the link below.
Big Skies, Little Planet - a commission (or two)
Big Skies, Little Planet - a commission (or two)
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Wishing
you all a wonderful rest of week and I’ll be joining in the Paint Party on
Friday as always. See you there.
given your liking for painting black fur - I can imagine a dark plum or some blackcurrants or blackberries
ReplyDeleteLoved your time lapse video. Did you use real seeds in the paint? It looks so textured I could eat it! Speaking of which lidl in thurso ?! Good heavens when I lived there they only had a coop ! :)
ReplyDeleteYour little strawberry is cute and enjoyed your time-lapse video. Congratulations on being published in the Artists & Illustrators Magazine! Woot! :) Hope you have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteBonjour,
ReplyDeleteUne fraise qui donne l'eau à la bouche... En ce moment j'en fais une cure, tant j'aime ça !
Très belle peinture et mes félicitations pour votre publication dans ce grand magazine.
❀ Gros bisous ❀
Wow, your strawberry looks good enough to eat!!! It's amazing! I love the texture... Ooh... How about a Pineapple?
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I am so happy for you that your painting was featured in the magazine and the Win too! I think you are on a roll Nic! And so well deserved! :0)
Well done on your very much deserved successes! Love your strawberry, and I am just sitting here eating strawberries for breakfast! Happy PPF, Valerie
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE the video and strawberry with fabulous texture...I think banana should be next because it has a different shape that matches well with strawberry!! Maybe a peach or pear after that... nice little series!! Wonderful about first place ....I always think you should get first place...but that's just me!! Well done...great post!! Thanks for sharing it was really fun! Sorry about the pipe though...Sounds like a great spa yoga diversion!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
Love the texture filled strawberry. Congrats on winning. Your painting 'Soulful' is stunning. I want to look at it more and more-:)
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF
Susan
What a wonderful week of affirmation!!! Yay! LOVE that strawberry.
ReplyDeleteYour strawberry is soooooo juicy!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning. I love your art! :)
I love how your strawberry painting fits with your carpet :-) And aren't you lucky to have a husband who edits your videos! Congrats on winning first price, and how thrilling to see your painting in a magazine. Although it makes me wonder: aren't they supposed to ask your permission before they publish something of you? I was thinking that avocado might be interesting to paint too ...
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning first place! How exciting. And the strawberry looks juicy enough to eat. Love the dimensional texture. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteWow, Nic, the video was great! So many beautiful colors used to make the fantastic impasto painting.
ReplyDeleteSuper strawberry and well done on your certificate
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on everything Nic. You are really doing a fantastic job of getting your work out there. I applaud you!! Love your strawberry and the video. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the news! And thanks for sharing the time lapse, always fun to see an artist paint ♥!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on this! Wow! And love to see you painting!
ReplyDeletebeautiful strawberry.. such a yummie texture!
yay! congrats on winning first place! :) love the strawberry texture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect subject for an impasto painting - so much natural texture! I have done a little impasto painting but loved watching your technique. I feel motivated to try some more. Congratulations on all your good news this week and especially your first prize. Awards are not why we create - but they are encouraging!
ReplyDeleteThe strawberry looks delicious and I liked watching the video of you painting it. Congratulations on the magazine and the 1st place award. And thanks for the link to the meditation site. I recently tried to meditate. I was planning on sitting for 15 minutes and just focus on my breath. I saw there and breathed in and out, in and out. After 15 minutes I opened my eyes and looked at the clock. It wasn't 15 minutes but THREE minutes. And that three minutes was very difficult. I need to try again. :)
ReplyDeleteOh that strawberry looks beautiful! So juicy. Loved to see you paint in the time lapse video. How long did it take you to paint it? The other fruits you've chosen sound great too, it'll make a great series. Trying to think of other fruits but just can't come up with something. Maybe a kaki? Your Zen retreat day sounds wonderful! I'd love to do something like that too. I'm sure there'll places around here too, but everything tends to be all luxury and stylish and expensive here. Not really what I want. Congratulations on being in Artists and Illustrators!
ReplyDeleteYour strawberry is awesome, I love the texture! It looks really shiny!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the magazine printing. I am not familiar with impasto painting. I enjoyed the video. The painting is tremendous. It definitely looks like candy . . Thanks for the vid. Blessings, Janet PPF
ReplyDeleteYou are very inspiring and talented artist! Congratulations! Your work is beautiful! Thank you for sharing
ReplyDelete