Rainbow Warrior - 2

I've begun work by putting down a basic layer of red dots to define the main areas of shade.

 

I then proceed to add blue over the red dots....yellow ochre will be next. this is the stage where mistakes are made and any fault with the way the eyes look to me will mean a restart!

 

Rainbow Warrior - 1

 I've now begun work on my next large scale project. Now, observant readers will remember that way back in November I began a large scale piece featuring me amongst a bewilering amount of railway viaducts. Well I still have it and intend to return to it again someday. But this piece needs to be made, it's an important piece for me to do.Plus, I need to have a large piece as something I can demonstrate whilst I run my exhibtition in April!

As usual, for a self portrait, i'm working from reference photos...for acuracy, I've made a tracing which i've transfered to the page...I will begin dot work tomorrow when I can work in full daylight.

 

The photo above might give you a few clues as to the general theme here..I'm holding my trusty seagull called 'Boscastle'...he's featured in two pieces, once in 2006 and more recently in 2009. He was washed into the sea during an almighty storm which hit a village a couple of miles north of the holiday home we were staying in....I found the seagull bobbing in the sea a few days later. Slightly battered, he'd survived the storm...which is what I did on return from the holiday, I was made redundant from the Residential Social Worker I'd had for 6 years. It was during the 'stormy' period that followed that brought me to the decision to take my artwork full time. My current situation is also due a 'stormy ' period, so Boscastle is symbolic of the fact that I feel stronger than ever in my conviction that my vocation as an artist continues. Having found my faith in Jesus renewed, I want to offer him my talent and abilities as a sacrifice of my worship...I'm also holding the tools of my trade...my pens which you can see in my left hand (the hand I work with as it happens!) I'm wearing a jumper of my own design and hand...the back ground will contain a massive rainbow which will traverse across the page behind ( and to all intents) go through my head. The rainbow that to me symbolises the promise of God's lasting care and love for us and a seal on my heart that he's looking after me and my creativity in all I do. 

Misty forest -Development and finshed. Last of the Minipix!

 I'm sorry i've not been posting for a couple of days...I've had a rather annoying cold which has now thankfully gone! Almost back to normal i am. So here for your interest is the start to finish development of my final Minipic of the current series. I shall be concentrating on the start of a new large scale piece and preparations for a forthcoming exhibition.

 

Misty Forest - (2013)

10 x 7 cm.

Dandelion Misty Train - finished

Dandelion Misty Train (2013)

10x7 cm.

Misty Dandelion Train.

 Here's the development on another minipic...i admit that now i'm up and running again ...the production line moving...I'm chomping at the bit to get on with a larger piece. i've be waiting for the right inspiration to arrive and have toyed with s few concepts over the past few weeks which have seemed interesting. But i've finally found something that expresses what I'm feeling at the moment.

It remains on the sketch starting blocks ready to run, but whilst i'm in the swing, i'll produce this and possibly a few more minpics. I have an exhibition next month and need lots of new pieces to sell as originals. i'm on target ( there is no 'target'...but I like to think there is!) to have quite a good line up of affordable pieces to sell.

Anyway....here is the development of my current piece. I love steam trains in the mist (as you ought to know by now dear reader!!) And this is no exception....so I hope you enjoy the three photos of the same pic....i'm aiming to finish this tomorrow...so remember to check back for  the final result!

 

 

Smokey Train 2 - finished

Smokey Train2 (2013)

10 x 7 cm

Smokey Train 2 - Business opportunity...can you help?

I still enjoy putting my work here for you. My audience here however has remained fairly static for a long time. I also run a fan page over on face book which has a much bigger reach...it's also growing each week. my work is also available to buy from that site.

 

I'm currently producing work to sell as originals...I have an exhibition coming up in April and another one in May...my aim is to have a good stock of work to sell....which of course they never do! But one has to try. i'm am forever frustrated by my lack of marketing skills. If i'm perfectly honest, it doesn't excite me...I realise that to make a successful business, one has to give all ones energy and time into developing it. I am primarily an artist who loves the conception and creation of art. I'm also a Husband and Dad who's devotion to his family means that my wife could not do what she does (doing the job she loves and coincidentally earning the wages that put bread on our table) If i were to dedicate my time to exhibitions and selling, I would spend a lot of time away from home. I'd not only neglect my children's needs but the domestic needs aswell.I'd also probably do even less art than I do now.

what i'd really like...what i really dream and pray for is either an agency...or an agent who will help me to develop a market. I'm absolutely sure that just around the corner lies a lucrative market for my work. i hold fast to my claim that i'm the only person in the UK producing the kind of work i do...unless anyone can step up and contradict me ( which of course i'd be pleased to have happen!!!) I remain unique...and in the art world, that is something that is very rare these days.

So I know it's a long shot, but if you or anyone else you know has the time/experience and desire to join me in business and help me, i'd love to hear your ideas. i'm sure I can ask anything else or more. I can't afford to pay anyone, but a join business partnership between us and also possibly with other artists might be an idea. Have a think and let me know.

Smokey Train - finished

Smokey Train (2013)

10 x 7 cm.

Moon train - finished.

Moon Train (2013)

14 x 10 cm.

 

Well....it's taken long enough to finish this minipic...it's actually rather stark and cold, the colours are quite nice especially when you see them for real in the daylight. I'm currently spoilt for choice as to what I'm going to go forward with next...I have one or two very solid ideas for larger pieces, but am tempted if i'm honest to press on producing these smaller pieces which i intend to sell as originals at my up coming exhibitions. I'll have a rest tomorrow and see what comes to mind.



Moon Train - 2

Worked mainly on the sky today...must try to be less busy in my life...and find more time to work!

Moon Train 1

I'm working on this mini pix which I've decided to call 'Moon Train'...again I'm producing small format work specifically to sell as originals. misty...glowing ...ethereal subjects seem to attract attention well, and since I love steam trains..bridges...twiggy trees and moon light...this seemed the perfect use of those ingredients.

You'll have to forgive any delays in posting over the next few days. I've been having serious problems with my ageing lap top, which today has finally entered it's last days. I'm working on my son's machine which sadly has a badly cracked screen...(that's it's only problem...the rest has hardly been used!)

Cold Trees - finished.

Cold Trees. ( 2013)

14 x 10 cm.

Cold trees - 4

Not very long to go on this piece now...there's more colour to introduce to the buildings and sky on the horizon, then the lower part which is mainly snow....

Cold Trees - 3

The upper quarter of the picture is now more or less finished...I'm gradually moving down adding detail and shading as I go. I'm having a day off working on this piece tomorrow because I'm going to give the kitchen a very thorough spring clean...it will probably take all day !

Cold trees - 2

Managed a whole days work on Cold Trees today. Work on the complicated tracery of branches and twigs is fun...the temptation is to draw each twig, but at this scale, it's enough to settle for giving the impression. I still find it surprising that a few applications of yellow ochre and red in the right place can almost create the feeling of direct sunlight. For those of you interested , I'll be making this piece available to buy via my Face book fan page later in the week.

Cold trees - 1

I began working on this piece today, I might have mentioned that I have a plan to work on a piece involving busy traffic ....I've taken photos towards the idea, but funnily enough, even on a busy Saturday in Derby City centre, the traffic was not as busy as I'd hoped it would be. so I'm going to have to make a trip down one early morning to catch the rush hour...

In the mean time, I've used a photograph I took on my recent trip to Derby Arboretum in the snow the other week as reference. I'm acutely aware that this is just a 'pretty tree picture'...but people quite like them....and I have to have once eye on the upcoming exhibitions ...I really want to see my work selling again.

This picture is by the way exactly the same size as the preceding minipixs....it's 14x10cm!

Tree'o - finished

 

Tree'o (2013)

14x10 cm.

 

Finished this at last. Was not really what I was aiming for, but it's pleasing never the less. I continue to produce a series of relatively quick , small and affordable pieces with which to stock my coming exhibitions.I'll make prints too.

 

Below is a little fun i had later in the day. I quite like little comic strip features, and I often use caricatures in my commercial work for posters etc. the piece below is a simple and mildly humorous sketch which holds a deeply significant personal symbolism for me ( of course!!) and was a reaction to a saying attributed to the Buddha.."No one can save us but ourselves..no one can and no one may..we ourselves must walk the path" I'll not go on about it other than to say..saving yourself , is like trying to lift yourself by standing in a shopping bag....it doesn't work...I've tried it!

 

 

Tree'o - 3

I'm quite enjoying working on these Minipix as a way to ease myself back into the routine of working , concentrating and guaging colours.  It's a challenge in some respects as I'm not using any reference or source material...I'm making it up as I go along. My main purpose at the moment is preparing for upcoming exhibtions. All my recent pieces will be for sale as originals.

Tree'o - 2

Still haven't made it out to take photos for the inspired  picture I have on my mind. So have moved on with this piece...this gives you a good idea as to the way I'm currently producing my work. On this scale...which is small by my usual standards,,,I'm putting down layers of colour rather than working on a small area for a day or so. The sky consists of light blue then a layer of mid blue ( you can see the progress from right to left) The trees have only received a black/blue layer so far...I intend there to be a layer of mist around the trunks of the trees....my eventual aim is to create a fairly overall ethereal look to the whole piece.

Treeo - 1

As I lay in bed this morning, I had a wonderful inspirational thought...the ingredients for a new artwork came together very quickly and needed almost no preparatory sketchwork. however...it did require me to go out and take some rescource photographs...sadly the sun that greeted the break of day did not remain for very long and clouds covered the rest of the day.

So ...hopefully it will  shine tomorrow...in the meantime...here's the start of another tree themed piece. hurrah!

Sea Trees - finished.

What an interesting afternoon!  Apart from managing to finish this piece which frankly has gone on for far too long!..I had a few problems which ended up with me calling the police...needless to say I'm not going to go into all the details here...but lets just say that now my blood pressure is controlled...so am I ! Such fun!

Sea Trees - 4

I've spent time refining the overall spread of dots today...most notably on the horizon and the trees...I only have yellow ochre to add in and then it'll be finished.

Sea Trees - Progress 3

I'm finding that my time is becoming valuable once again..in that I have to make time for work. Despite that, progress on this piece is coming along nicely..most of the blues have now been added..some red too...but ti will be the addition of light blue...green and my favourite Yellow Ochre that will see the picture come alive.

Sea Trees - progress2

For the past 5 days, we've been in the grip of a snowy period...subzero temperatures have ensured the snow stays on the ground. This morning the sun rose into a clear sky...so I knew it was time to get myself down to one of my favourite places, the Derby Arboretum Park. The selected photos below show what it was like down there. Gorgeous and beautiful...like Narnia! I'd have stayed there all day if I hadn't lost the feeling in my fingers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sea Trees - Progress.

 

Not very impressive is it?....but this is exactly how the previous pieces have begun their life. I've gone up to a slightly larger scale for this one..14 x 10 cm. Based on the Sea Tree picture from last week...I wanted several trees in the sea.....will be interesting to see which way it goes tomorrow!

Misty Star Tree - Finished.

Misty Star Tree. (2013)

10 x 7 cm.

 

Now I've finished the three piece series which I've called 'Treeptych'. The above photo is not so good...I think it's better to view this piece along with it's other two in the series ( see below) They hark back to a time many years ago when I used to produce hazy dream like scenes...I really like these ...I'm now intending to work on a piece double the size of one of these...ie: 20 x 14 cm. I'm quite intrigued by the Sea Tree (the uppermost of the trio)...I'm wondering if I might represent a series of trees planted in the sea...each tree at a different distance from the shore and all interspersed by clouds...I have also had some interesting ideas sparked by comments on my Facebook page...a snow covered beach seems like an interesting image to present...so...watch this space...

 

 

Crow Tree - finished.

 

Crow Tree - 2013

10x7 cm.

 

Finished this piece today...now I know I said I had planned to go double the size for my next picture...but since this and the Sea Tree are on the same piece of paper, it seemed only natural to produce a third in a similar theme and style. when I eventually offer prints or the originals for sale, they will actually look good hung or mounted together in a 'Treeptych' the third piece is now underway. See you tomorrow for the finished series!

Crow Tree...progress.

Here's a piece I've been working on today. I would have finished it but I went to a knitting group this morning...sounds odd doesn't it?...But it was great..I took my current project along , drank coffee...had cocky biccies and talked. Tomorrow I will finish this and then move onto the next piece which will ( i have decided) be double the size of this one...

Sae Tree - finished

Sea Tree ( 2013)

10 x 7 cm.

 

I've got a little production line happening here...ideas seem to be fairly plentiful and I'm happy to a certain extent with the results. I do however consider what I'm doing at the moment is rather like the warms ups I do before a run of exercise routine. To tell you the truth, I'm beginning to think of larger compositions again. I've started the next minpic already..so will see what happens after that one!

Finished - 3 Lung trees having just been launched.

3 Lung Trees having just been launched.

(2013)

!0 x 7 cm.

Each version of the Lung Trees suggests something a little more obscure and surreal. Of course the real substance of Surrealism is in dreams and the subconscious...so this is not pure surrealism. But to take a theme and allow it to suggest itself by allowing ideas to develop visually in my mind is interesting and surprisingly satisfying. My lowered blood pressure has also allowed me to concentrate for longer and longer periods. I've now started my fourth Lung Tree minipic...how long i wonder before the next step up in size and content?

 

3 Lung Trees - finished

 

3 Lung Trees.

(2013)

10 x 8 cm.

 

 

3 Lung trees. - progress.

Have begun the the process of colourising 3 Lung trees. There is a way to go yet, but I'm happy so far.

Minipix - Lung Trees.

Lung Tree - (2013)

8 x 5 cm.

 Well...here is the first piece of original work I've done since November last year. It felt good to sit down and apply myself today....there is probably only about 4 hours work in the image above...it is after all fairly small...hence the name 'Minipix'. I've sold a few this size at exhibitions in the past...it's an inexpensive way for people to own a piece of original Hyperpoinillist artwork.

 

Having completed this, I moved onto another composition today...below is the base colour of dark blue dots for '3 Lung Trees' It is created in exactly the same way as 'Lung Tree' and will probably have a similar colour scheme.The size is a little bigger than the previous one at 10 x 7 cm. I liked the idea of the lung theme since trees are the lungs of the planet...

 

Tomorrow I'll hopefully finish this one...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to work!

Have begun work at long last. I've started work on a minipix...nothing new there...but I've not used my pens for a couple of months. All went well although I'm having problems publishing the pictures here ( bear with!) I shall publish them as soon as I can.

 

It felt good to work ...I've felt unable to concentrate since early November..but having my BP back to normal and having cleared my room...I'm now ready to start expressing myself again.

 



Procrastination...moi?

Day two of clearing my workspace. This is not procrastination...honestly! this is all about new beginnings....sweeping away the cobwebs..opening the channels for fresh tides that seem to be washing away the flimsy sandcastles I had built in the hope they would be a fortress..a shelter from the storm...a place of safety.

It's something I've not had a lot of experience with...Epiphany. This last weekend of course was Epiphany in the Christian church calendar...According to the definition, 'Epiphany' is an experience of sudden or striking realisation. For Christians, it defines the moment when the 'Christ' Child was at last revealed to the Magi who had travelled to witness his birth.

 

-*-

 

 



It's quite easy to ride the waves...to allow every turn in the tide to take over...especially when you've grown cold and tired of swimming against a current...trying to keep your head above the water and on the disappearing coastline which may have been your destination...you can't tell...you've long ago stopped hoping for a hand to reach down...to pull you up to arms of strength...warmth..love...safety. but I can tell you something...a drowning man will grasp onto any hope ..anything that will keep him from going under.Sometimes it will be a floating piece of broken hull...a piece of junk...a phantom...a delusion...sometimes a voice will call out..."The answer is within you...you and only you can help yourself...be in the moment..be mindful of the water entering your lungs and be thankful for the moment"...This cannot save you..

Sometimes there is a moment... a moment when everything turns on it's head...a kind voice...someone who notices you...who reaches out...gives a little hope...All you have to do is reach..take hold of safety...suddenly you are raised skyward...dripping diamond drops of clinging seawater...solid ground replaces the ebb and flow....then you notice.. there are others...who have also been plucked from the depths...there is warmth..there is food and drink...we huddle together to keep warm ...to sing songs to celebrate our salvage.

when once you were about to die...a new hope..a new start has come....

 Of course not all is as perfect as you might think. There is still the taste of the brine..there is water to cough up..a unwanted wriggling fish you never noticed hidden in your boot. Post traumatic remembrances...dreams..emotions...it takes time...to forget the sway of the waves...to warm from the piecing cold...to begin to build again a new appreciation of living.

This is what I am doing now...

Out with the old!

Determined to set about my new start today...thought: "oh...perhaps I should have a bit of a tidy up around my work space before I start!"  result...big bonfire at the bottom of the garden. I'm trying to and becoming less sentimental about 'stuff'...way back in the 80's and 90's we didn't have the wonder of computers...so all my resource material came from magazines...sketches..photos...all sorts of places. I have masses of old pictures..tracings....magazine etc...so I had a mass clear out...was good saying bye bye to 'stuff'...stuff is not good...stuff is ...well...stuff. I want my work to be fresh and original...not relying on 'stuff' from the past. I do however draw the line at throwing away my old sketch books...they date back to the early 1980's and have so many unused ideas.

 

The bad news is that I'm only actually half way through clearing out...moving things around requires new places to be found...it's actually a cathartic process. I will begin dotting...honestly I will..but this clearing out is all part of the process...it really is!

Where I am..what's been..and what might be to come!

Hello dear reader...for those of you who have missed me...here's what you've  been missing!:

Life events..health problems...visit to GP who took my blood pressure and discovered it was at critically high levels ( 250/ 140 )....I was ordered to stop running...seek relaxation...was prescribed medication...visits to GP weekly revealed stubborn hypertension...increased meds each week till eventually this week my BP hit normal levels! Now am able to run again....went for first tentative run today...ran 2.03 miles..felt great...will go again tomorrow. Also went to play Badminton with my daughter this afternoon...medication gives me fluctuations on BP when I bend over...so nearly collapsed a few times due to dizziness...but this is to be expected.

Many, many other things have happened and many many other things are new in my life....I'm now attending a local Church in Derby ( I'll tell you why and all the background another time!) which has given me a lovely welcome and has the most wonderful worship I've ever heard! I'm a more peaceful and relaxed 'Me'...I'm discovering things about myself that I never knew...I'm experiencing for the first time a support network of close friends and church members who care for me and allow me to be myself......

I'm also on the verge of picking up my pens once again to start creating. I'm never sure if I ever will when I take a break...and this time was no exception. I often wonder if it is worth it...if there is any point in spending time creating something that is misunderstood. I wonder if I should redirect my energies elsewhere. But each time the answer is 'no'...I have a talent..a gift..and it leaks out...it takes hold...it urges me to create images.

My experiences have coloured my thoughts and brought contrast to my opinions and ideas....whatever I go on to create next will certainly be an expression of what is inside...my initial intention is to again create minipix to get the feel of the pens once again...now my BP is at a normal level..I'm expecting my levels of concentration to increase...my hand to be steadier....but it's what's in my heart that matters...how I interpret the world I see and live in.

Be patient dear reader...I'm certain there'll be surprises along the way...and you'll be the first to see what it is...I'm expectant...I'm excited...I'm listening...watching...I'm ready!

Up North.

Thank you for your patience dear reader..I'm going through an interesting...challenging and in many  ways a healing time in my life. I've totally lost the desire for creating my own artwork for the time being. I'm concentrating on looking after my health..my blood pressure has decreased somewhat but is still too high...my medication is increased each time I see my doctor and i'm having regular blood tests to monitor their effect on my kidneys etc...

This weekend saw friends travel up to North Berwick in Scotland to witness and celebrate the marriage of two dear friends. I've never really been a wedding photographer...if i'm honest I'm not that keen on photographing people at events. i prefer to keep those things in my heart as memories. I like landscape photos of the places I've been.

Above and immediately below are two photos I took at sunrise on Sunday morning. I took a walk n my own along the beach and found a deep peace in the solitude.

Very different from the night before when a terrific storm lashed the coast. the photo below shows some fairly substantial boulders which had been picked up by the waves and deposited where you see them.

I'm undergoing a time of renewal...a time of endings...a time of exciting new adventures. Please bear with me..that pen will be attracting my attention once again....!