So its now 2024. I applied again at the beginning of this year to exhibit in the garden house. My motivation to do this came from the positive feedback I received last year. I particularly remember somebody admiring one of the larger landscapes and saying, "maybe next year", meaning she hopes to come back to buy it!
Well, that's not the only reason, and I'm not solely counting on selling the big pieces, but you never know!
The above is one of three large landscapes which have been hung up in the garden house all year. There's no room in the house for them. I remember when my teenage nephew came to see the paintings as the exhibition was coming to a close. His response was, "Sick"! I trust this is a compliment!
I have many pieces from last year. Mainly they're animal portraits. I was beginning to do some still life paintings towards the end of the summer. My main interest there is of some of the quirky artifacts that my mum decorates her kitchen with. These include Small bovril jars and tiny green - silver medicine bottles. Probably about a hundred years old. Another thing my mum has in in her house. It's a small, equally old Teddy bear who she names Piglet, she knitted his jumper and made his dungarees, which are a bit tight, so he doesn't sit down properly! I Painted him as well and made a short film about his history.
I wonder if he's a similar age to the antique teddy bear that I've seen on the TV programme about working behind the scenes at the V & A museum.
Ok, I know, that's not it. I just find it cute so I added it!
Following some dabbling with still life, I decided to try some portraits of people, and of myself. I got interested in the self portrait after taking my daughter to an open day at college. She wanted to do an Art course (but since changed her mind and swapped to film studies). We wandered around the college art department. I have to say, we both got a lot of the experience, but I probably got more out of it as memories of my days at Art college came flooding back.
As we left the college via the toilets (its a long drive back), I noticed myself in the mirror and thought, 'that would make an interesting painting'. I think it had to do with the quality of the sunlight coming in the window.
I admit, I did get to a point where I thought I looked like Ross Noble!!! (see below)
However, I still wish I'd submitted this one for 'Portrait Artist of the Year' (Sky Arts). It might have gone a bit further than the weird one I did send!
(see below, again!)
Just - don't ask!!!
I wasn't selected!
Going back to the Open Studios exhibition; I did sell a few pieces, including a snow scene of the local pub. Its a very picturesque building with a thatched roof. It was even prettier under a layer of snow back in 2018 during the so called 'beast from the east'.
I sold that one to the pub owner after tagging them in a picture of it on the socials. They were new management who were refurbishing the place, so I took that as an opportunity.
We paid it a visit when we went for a birthday dinner. Mine and my Dad's are in the same week.
Besides attempting to get onto Sky Arts, I also attempted to get into the Royal Academy Summer show for this year. No luck there though. Perhaps next year.
The theme for the summer exhibition was 'The space between'. I might have taken it too literally.
I was talking about portraits earlier. Here are some of my celebrity portraits...
Khaby Lame
Michael J Fox
Michael McIntyre
Sir David Attenborough
Gregory Porter
Nik Kershaw
Pedro Pascal
Ariana Grande
Bella Ramsey
Ant and Dec
In other news, we sadly lost another of our guinea pigs at the beginning of the year. It was Rosie of Pea and Rosie. Now its only Pea, Sweetpea that is. We are still undecided whether to get any more Piggies. We no longer have the space.
Sweetpea is almost seven years old and gets a lot of love and attention from the humans, so that's okay for now.
Rosie
Rosie and Sweetpea
Sweetpea
I'll create another blog soon about just the guinea pigs.
Meanwhile, preparations continue for Open Studios. I just put up my home made bunting. Next will be dropping off exhibition booklets.
I haven't done much framing this year. I'm not great at woodwork! Last year I had a near miss with a finger, so that put me off!
Anyway, with my fingers intact, I shall post a further update very soon.
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