PAINTING THE DAY AWAY

1551 First Sign

2012-02-13T12:01:00.000Z

5" x 7" oil on panel, to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

1550 Spring is here

2012-02-11T11:46:00.000Z

8" x 8" oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

Lovely tulips, such pretty spring flowers to brighten up anybodies day after the long gloomy winter.

1549 Hemmed In

2012-02-10T11:20:00.000Z

5" x 7" oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

Here's another with my lemon and kiwi, almost done my quota of small paintings, just a few more to go. I'm off to the States in a few months so I'm painting like mad and we are also going to move house too, I've moved so many times in my life you would think I would be used to it by now. It's always a good time for a clear out but I can't say I'm looking forward to the upheaval.

1548 Cut Up

2012-02-09T00:23:00.000Z

5" x 7" oil on panel
I'm still amazed how long it takes to paint a small painting, I can paint a larger one 8" x 10"in about the same time.
I can't ask as much money for such a small size, as I price by size so it doesn't make a lot of sense. Recently a 6"x 6" painting sold in a live auction, for more than an 18" x 10" in an expensive frame, which I guess proves that a painting is worth how much somebody is willing to pay for it. So how does one gauge the price of a painting?

1547 Daisy, Daisy

2012-02-06T06:59:00.000Z

7" x 5" oil on board to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

Here's a few daisies from my garden 3 that survived the winter weather.

1546 Hey Little Guys!

2012-02-03T10:43:00.000Z

7" x 5" oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

This lovely orange pepper is centre stage again with these little blueberries admiring his striking colour and his size towering over them.

1545 'Partners' and his first swing

2012-02-02T01:42:00.000Z

5" x 7" oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

Number two small, still life for the exhibition

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This is my grandson Kai having his first swing, and you can see his delight!

1544 Three Graces

2012-01-31T10:22:00.002Z

5" x 7" oil on panel

Back to small paintings for a while, I have been invited by a gallery in England to display a number of small paintings in their spring exhibition, so I will be concentrating on small still lifes again and I am realising that they can sometimes take as long to paint as some of the medium sized ones.

1543 Copper Reflections & Auction Sales

2012-01-27T15:26:00.001Z

10" x 18" = 25.4 x 46 cms. oil on panel to be framed, available.

This one took me a week to complete and one I class as a 'fiddler' I could fiddle with this one never-endingly. But I had to stop myself from continually try to fix and improve things, there has to come a point when enough is enough!

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This week 5 of my paintings sold in a fine art auction in Cork, held last Sunday. I have also sold two more paintings to a private collector as well, so all in all a very good week...

Here are the paintings that sold..

1542 Cherry Necklace

2012-01-20T10:53:00.004Z

6" x 6" = 15 x 15 cms. oil on panel unframed

This morning, when trying to get some order among all my panels and paintings, (which doesn't last long) I came across a box of 6" x 6" boards and thought that it would be great to dig out my palette knife and just do a nice loose, simple painting, to start to use up some of these boards, this is the result. Now back to my tight, large painting with lots of intricate patterns, reflections and shapes!

1541 Country Apples

2012-01-17T14:51:00.000Z

10" x 18" = 25.5 x 45.7 cms oil on panel to see more of my paintings go to dianamarshallfineart.com

These beauties were brought home by my hubby and when looking out my kitchen window I saw my rustic back gate bathed in bright sunshine I immediately thought that it would make the perfect back-drop for these shiny red and yellow fruit.

1540 Somethings Come Between Us

2012-01-13T17:33:00.002Z

11" x 14" = 28 x 35.5 cms oil on board, framed. To see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

I love the play of light through glass and how it bathes surrounding objects in coloured light. I recently bought 2 lots of 6 glass paper-weights from a local auction, and I'm looking forward to including them in some future still lifes, some have an intricate inner life so should be quite a challenge to paint.

1539 Epicurean Delights SOLD

2012-01-11T15:27:00.002Z

18" x 14" = 46 x 35.5 cms. oil on board to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

This was a labour of love, I must say, elipses, and curves straight lines, lace etc etc! every time I thought that it was finished, I found something else to correct, can't have a wonky bottle or wine glass ..a real fiddler. The grapes and cheese were the easy bits! I was planning on doing another with this theme but I might need a break and paint something less demanding methinks.

1538 All Good Things SOLD

2012-01-06T10:46:00.002Z

11" x 14" = 28 x 35.5 cms. oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

Dark paintings are a pain to photograph especially on a dull day like today. The colour of the cheese is a lot creamier and less green, I have spent hours fiddling with this image and I'm afraid this is the best I can come up with! I have had a request to paint a painting with red wine and cheese so I'm doing a few so the client has a selection to choose from and as it is a popular subject, I am sure that they will find new homes too.

1537 Against the Sky

2012-01-02T10:57:00.000Z

14" x 18" = 35.5 x 45.7cms oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

First painting of the year a very transparent subject, various glass containers from my ever growing collection.

I'm looking forward to this year and the challenges I know it will bring for me, my family and my art career, my goals are set and hanging on my wall and I'm ready to go! .

1536 Golden Collection

2011-12-29T13:33:00.001Z

16" x 16" oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

This is my last painting for this year and one I nearly gave up on before Christmas, but what it needed was for me to have a painting break and to come back with fresh enthusiasm. I'm always ready to paint after a break, chomping at the bit, so to speak!

I have some exciting things to look forward to next year, which I am hoping will come to fruition, and also that my art career progresses (the economy willing)! well only time will tell how things will turn out!

May you all have a wonderful New Years celebration and that the coming year will fill you with new hope and enthusiasm for the future.

Christmas Break

2011-12-22T12:12:00.002Z

6" x 6" oil on canvas, framed

Wishing you all a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS full of joy and may the New Year bring new optimism for the future.

I would like to thank you all who visit my blog and support me and my work with your comments and emails, they are so wonderful and encouraging, I do appreciate them so much. Painting is a lonely occupation and to have blogging friends means a lot to me and makes me feel I am not alone.

I have found that the artistic community whether on the Internet around the world or here in the flesh, are an exceptionally kind, helpful and supportive group of people, who readily share their knowledge and guidance with each other, it is wonderful to be able to belong to such a group.

1535 Juice

2011-12-15T15:38:00.000Z

10" x 10" = 25.4 x 25.4 cms. oil on canvas panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

A bit of a change of pace, trying to think up new ideas and shake things up a bit, thought this would be easy.. ha ..never as easy as you think!

1534 Copper Kettle

2011-12-14T12:21:00.000Z

18" x 14" = 45.7x 35.5 oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshall.fineart.com

A recent purchase from a local auction house along with 3 other copper and brass vessels was this beautifully dented and polished kettle. I liked all the left on remnants of polish in the nooks and crannies, looking like verdis gris.
My Ikea shelving unit is now groaning under the weight of all my 'finds', I started off using 1 shelf and now all 5 shelves are packed with these gems, the choice will be soon to get more shelving or get rid!

1533 Split Level

2011-12-11T09:51:00.000Z

10" x 10"= 25.4 x 25.4 cms. oil on canvas board to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

I loved the rich colours of these two very different vegetables, posed together in my old wooden box.

1532 Look at our Reflections! SOLD

2011-12-08T11:56:00.001Z

10" x 18"= 25.4 x 45.7cms oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

These two rosy cheeked apples seem to be admiring their reflections in the silver suface of the jugs, I am sure they know that they are in the spotlight although the jug and coffee pot are still trying to outshine them with their glints of light!

1531 Plum Job

2011-12-06T12:49:00.000Z

10" x 10" = 25.4 x 25.4cms oil on canvas panel,
to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

After the last painting it was great to get back to a manageable sized painting! This was a pleasure to paint, no intricate patterns to fiddle with, nice and straight forward.
I chose this combination of fruit for their lovely colours and textures that harmonise so well together.

1530 Time for Tea

2011-12-05T12:01:00.000Z

20" x 24" = 51 x 61 cms oil on board to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

Phew finally finished! This is the largest still life I have ever painted and I'm so glad it's done, well I don't think I will be painting such a large one (for me) for a while, and doesn't red oil paint take forever to dry, it seems to get everywhere too.

1529 Behind Glass & Auction Sales

2011-11-28T17:26:00.004Z

11" x 13" =28 x 33 cms oil on panel, framed.
to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

I enjoyed painting my glass bottles recently so I thought that I should give them another outing, teamed up with my other recent purchase, my favourite bit of this painting is the distortion of the lemon edges behind the glass, funny what appeals!

5 out of 7 paintings were sold in yesterdays auction in Dublin, unfortunately they were at the very end of a lengthy auction which is not the best place to have ones paintings, still I'm happy that they are gone as I have cupboards full of paintings, better on somebodies wall and a little cash in my pocket to pay for more frames. Tonight is another auction in which I have 2 still lifes so will be watching it live on my computer in a few minutes.

1528 Portuguese Plate

2011-11-26T12:55:00.000Z

50 x 60 centimeters (aprox. 20" x 16") oil on board to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com
Couldn't think of a better name for this one, sometimes it's easy and a title pops into my head while painting or at least at the end of it, but this time I drew a blank, nada, so if anybody thinks of a better one I'll change it! This one took me the best part of a week to finish and although I'm quite pleased with it, I think I need a change now, not quite sure what, but maybe I will be inspired more next week.

I have 3 auction sales coming up one after the other, starting Sunday in Dublin. The recession is really making it's presence felt even more this year so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a few of my paintings will sell. My hubby is going along to watch the proceedings but I don't think I could stand the agony of it, so I'm staying home!

1527 Orange Appeal

2011-11-20T09:29:00.000Z

14" x 7" oil on panel, to be framed, to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

More citrus fruit! this time in an ancient sauce boat that was donated to me by a friend, unfortunately I had to glue the handle back on as it didn't survive the rigours of the baggage handlers on route from England.
The sun is shining and the sky is blue and I think I should emerge from my painting room and get out into the light, I'm beginning to feel like a mole in a hole! I think that I will down brushes and do just that.

1526 Zesty Lemons

2011-11-18T17:04:00.002Z

12" x 6" oil on board, to be framed, to see more of my work go to :- dianamarshallfineart.com

Back to lemons again, one of my favourite fruit to paint, they are expensive here I don't know why as they should be plentiful at this time of year.
When I lived in Spain, during the winter months, you could get a big plastic shopping bag full of lemons for 1 or 2 euros and oranges, a box for €3 from the local fruit and veg. market. These I used to juice or make marmalade or lemon and orange curd from, I miss those lovely sweet and juicy treats and of course all the other lovely produce that was bountiful and so cheap.

1525 Play of Light

2011-11-15T13:23:00.003Z

24" x 12" oil on board, to be framed, to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

1524 Cherry Jubilee

2011-11-12T15:41:00.000Z

8" x 8" oil on panel, to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

My little brown jug has featured a lot in my still lifes, it always manages to sneak itself in without me realizing it! I have just bought a very large brown pitcher in a job lot of ceramics from a local auction, so it might be feeling a bit small against this grandaddy of jugs, and it's making sure it gets immortalized one more time before I turn to it's competition!

1523 Bottled Up SOLD

2011-11-11T15:34:00.001Z

10" x 8" oil on panel, to be framed. to see more of my work go to :- dianamarshallfineart.com

I found these interesting bottles among a cabinet of such bottles at a local indoor flea market, I was excited to find such a great source of interesting bottles, there were so many different shapes, colours and sizes I was spoilt for choice, I think that these are old medicine bottles at least the smaller ones were. I enjoyed the challenge of painting glass and the lettering on the left one, teamed up with a few blooms a perfect pairing I think.

1522 Daisy Shadow

2011-11-10T12:08:00.001Z

12" x 6" oil on panel, framed to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

Back to smaller paintings and my little brushes as I had a request for one, I will paint some interspersed with larger ones, all my others have been distributed among galleries and auction houses and I need a bit of stock. I have two large ones on the go as well and they are both intricate and time consuming, fortunately I have got quite a bit of patience although occasionally I love to paint one where I can slap on the paint and not get too finicky about it!

The financial news is all doom and gloom here in Europe, just when you think it can't get any worse it does!! Where and when will it end, it's hard not to worry about it..

1521 Best Pals

2011-11-03T16:31:00.000Z

18" x 14" oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

Here's a playful one! Thought I needed a change from the norm and these two sitting on my wine box made me smile so I thought 'why not?!!' might not to be to everybodies taste but it was a fun one to paint.

1520 Balancing Act

2011-10-31T20:15:00.000Z

18" x 14" = 45.7 x 35.5 cms oil on board to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

I combined this sprig of pretty, variegated leaved Fuschia, cut from my garden, with this quirky yellow glass vase. I liked the combination of shapes, textures and colours, every painting is a new challenge and I learn something new every time that's the joy of painting.

1519 Strawberry Reflection ( & some process photos)

2011-10-28T00:28:00.001+01:00

18" x 14" oil on panel to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

It's been a funny week some how, I started two paintings at the same time and I think I've come to the conclusion that I prefer just to concentrate on painting one picture at a time. I get into a zone when I'm painting, I just paint without consciously thinking too much, although I'm making decisions all the time as I go along. When I change to paint a second one it's like breaking the spell and I have to find my way into the other painting which is hard, and I don't like the switching back and forth.

Anyway this is a little glass jug I found at a flea market the other Saturday, I fell in love with the Art Deco shape so I bought it. I thought that I would perch it on the fruit box my hubby acquired for me, and the strawberry decided to keep it company and revel in it's own reflection!.

Carol DeMumbrum asked if she could see my process, I remembered to take pics to about 1/2 way through then forgot all about taking more so here are a few to give you a bit of an idea.
I start with a rough sketch , then block in with thinned down paint. Next stage another layer of thicker paint, and then the final layer finishing with highlights.

1518 My Garden Roses SOLD

2011-10-22T23:25:00.002+01:00

18" x 10" oil on panel, available through Dolans Fine Art Auctions, to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

I cut these two soft, pink roses from my lone rose bush the other morning, the last two buds of the season. I put them in these two vases and waited for them to open. The sun came streaming in through my window early in the morning making wonderful reflections and shadows, they looked so pretty looking at one another, there it was, an instant composition.

1517 Sweet and Sour

2011-10-21T15:06:00.002+01:00

24" x 12" oil on panel available through Dolans Fine Art Auctions, to see more of my work go to dianamarshallfineart.com

This one took a week of hard work and a lot of layers of paint until it was perfect, and those lines on the plate made me see checks before my eyes when I went to sleep! I'm finally happy with it after a lot of fine tuning.
As you can see my paintings are getting bigger and bigger and of course they take a lot longer to paint than small ones and they are not as easy to photograph either. I think it is probably harder to go from painting small paintings to larger ones, rather than vice versa, problems show up bigger too:))

1516 Centre Stage SOLD

2011-10-13T19:24:00.001+01:00

10" x 18" oil on panel to see more of my work go to
dianamarshallfineart.com

Another classic, thought I would paint a pair, same format, with traditional still life subjects that seem to be still popular with collectors.
Not too much exciting happening here just painting, painting and more painting, well I love it so who cares !
Sent my hubby out to find a wooden fruit box to feature in my next still life, he found one at the local fruit and veg market, a nice freebee, all I need now is a few good props to put on it and I'm away.

1515 Fromage SOLD

2011-10-10T16:48:00.002+01:00

10" x 18" oil on panel to see more of my work go to
dianamarshallfineart.comI really enjoyed painting this one especially the camembert in it's paper wrapping, I bought some red grapes for this set-up, makes a change from the usual black ones although they have less bloom on them they are a lovely colour. Mmmm looking forward to sampling this lot, bang goes my diet!

1514 Into the Light

2011-10-07T10:37:00.000+01:00

11" x 14" oil on panel

I fancied painting some simple shapes with no patterns just interesting shadows and reflections. I find setting up and experimenting with set-ups is half the fun of creating still lifes. Now that most of my recent still life paintings have been distributed between various venues, I've got to get cracking and start building up a new body of work, no rest for the wicked ;)) well don't have time to be wicked anyway!

Auction Sales

2011-10-04T00:12:00.000+01:00

These three paintings sold in Limerick on
Sunday at the live auction held by Dolans Fine Art Auction House. One sold at the lower estimate, one top estimate and the third above estimate, a very gratifying result. Next Auction will be in Dublin at the end of October.

I am still occupied with a complex and large commission which will take up another few days until I can get back to painting some more still lifes. I am off to Skibbereen near Cork quite a long drive from Dublin, to deliver more paintings to a new auction house that I have not dealt with before, all exciting stuff!

1513 Bearly Light & Sweet Babe! SOLD

2011-09-30T10:57:00.001+01:00

12" x 9" = 30.4 x 23 cms. oil on panel, unframed

The hardest part about this painting was finding a title for it that I liked! I have been wanting to incorporate some unusual objects into my still lifes and have a few more ideas I want to put onto canvas soon.
I have a large commission that is beckoning me which I must finish, and will take up a good few days yet.
My goal for the future is to paint larger paintings, which is quite daunting, very apropo this week was the subject of painting larger in the bi-weekly letter from Robert Genn (click on name to read article)
which I have subscribed to.
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A bit young for all these candy treats although he does look delighted!

This is my grandson Kai surrounded by sweeties sent by his Aunty to his mum (her childhood favourites from Germany)

1512 Elegant Collection SOLD

2011-09-21T14:20:00.002+01:00

40 x 50 Cm's = 15.7" x 19.7"inches oil on panel

This one has been finished for a couple of days and for some reason I forgot to photograph and post it, don't know why ;)
Some of these lovely objects I found in England, a treasure trove for still life objects. The cup is fine bone china, in an unusual shape with a very classic pattern, the pretty plate with the gold edge I found in a charity shop, I just love rummaging in said shops, bric-a-brac shops, flea markets and the like, I don't think I will ever run out of things to paint.

1511 Spheres

2011-09-15T15:22:00.001+01:00

24" x 13.5" oil on panel

This is a painting I have been labouring on for weeks and weeks, everything about it was a challenge, then the photographing was another challenge, and last of all I couldn't come up with a title so I plumped for this unimaginative one. I am so glad to see it finished at last, these decorative balls were in a blue glass bowl on the dining table of my friend Ingrid in Germany, the overhead Tiffany style lamp made for interesting reflections on the glass and the balls themselves. It was a complicated subject to tackle and half way through I almost abandoned it but I persevered after ignoring it for a while.

1510 Rustic Charm

2011-09-14T14:39:00.002+01:00

11" x 14" = 27.9 x 35.5 cms. oil on panel (available through Gormleys Auction House click on link in right bar)

Another one finished! This set up is in an old oak drawer I found in a local junk shop, the back or rather the bottom of it is slowly disintergrating and I think it has a touch of woodworm as well. I find it very versatile as I can line it with different coloured paper to make an ever changing back drop for my still lifes and was a useful find for a €1.
The weather has been blowing a gale here the last couple of days, it came in off the Atlantic and blew all my flowerpots over and broke many a flower stem and caused quite a lot of havoc, although nothing like the devastation that occured on the East coast of America, probably quite tame in comparison!

1509 Cornered SOLD

2011-09-13T08:42:00.002+01:00

8" x 10" oil on panel
I have two large and one medium size paintings on the go, one the background is driving me crazy, one the paint won't dry and the other is half dry, so I thought I would paint a less complex one while I wait.!
I have been painting from sunup to sundown lately to get enough inventory for my next display on St Stephens Green, I all but sold out of still lifes on the last one, I will probably ease up a bit in October and get a bit of fresh air and exercise, I'm beginning to feel like a an obsessed hermit !!

1508 Blue for You SOLD

2011-09-10T15:01:00.002+01:00

18" x 10" = 45.7 x 25.4 centimeters

I love this little teapot, another find from my recent trip (many more to come) matched it up with a tiny jug and a pretty hand thrown vase, love the colours too.

1507 Family Heirlooms & Auction Sale

2011-09-07T16:42:00.002+01:00

7" x 14" oil on panel
This pair of pretty frosted green glass vases, rather art deco probably from the 30's, belonged to a friend's mum and are precious to her. I placed them on this sunny window sill so that the sun could illuminate them and show them off to their best paired with this pot of blooms.
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Last night 3 of my paintings went under the hammer in a live art auction in N. Ireland , Collectors could also bid via the Internet) we followed the action on-line and it was quite nerve wracking when it came to my lots, I had one sell in the early lots, but the other two were placed almost at the end of the auction, which took the best part of 4 hours, I think by then most people were exhausted but I managed to sell another one, with the last one falling just short of the reserve. So all in all quite a successful night.. a bit more funds to pay for more frames!!

1506 Lemon delight SOLD and SOFA Exhibition

2011-09-05T15:36:00.003+01:00

10" x 12" oil on panel available through Dolans Fine Art Auctions,

Those lovely lemons again, I couldn't resist painting another one with them! Blue and yellow is such a great colour combination looks fresh and appealing.
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Here are my 4 paintings (top four white framed square paintings) in the exhibition, unfortunately I couldn't make the opening as I was back in Ireland by then.
The society has had an annual exhibition of cat paintings at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery in London for several years, featuring over 100 artists, some of whom exhibit internationally and showing more than 300 paintings in a range of media, making it the largest exhibition of cat art in the country.(England)

1505 Luscious Lemons SOLD

2011-09-03T11:35:00.004+01:00

9" x 12" oil on panel
This pretty green glass bowl was another car boot find and I chose the perfect partners for it, to set it off a treat!

1504 Antique Roses

2011-09-01T23:51:00.003+01:00

14" x 7" oil on panel

Three treasures I found on my England trip, a delicate china tea cup, a pretty pink glass with a gold foot and an embroidered linen serviette combined together for this nostalgic still life.

1503 Gossip

2011-08-29T15:10:00.003+01:00

8" x 10" oil on panel (click on photo to enlarge)
Well I never... two plums having a good gossip maybe about the chinese bowl who knows?!

1502 Speeding along

2011-08-26T15:12:00.002+01:00

11" x 14" oil on panel (click on photo to enlarge)

This is a set up with my friend Linda's teapot, inherited from an auntie and probably dates to the 40's or 50's. A lot were made at that time and some of the earlier ones with silvered parts are rarer than this one and can fetch quite a bit in auction.
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I thought that I would include this cute cartoon, it makes me smile!

1501 Cherry Decoration

2011-08-25T10:41:00.001+01:00

6" x 8" oil on panel (click on photo to enlarge)
I thought that I would paint a small, simple and easy subject, well that's what I always think until I start painting and then I notice all the variations in colour, highlights, reflections and the like and then it becomes more and more complex and those blooming lines on the jug well.... xo!!+%* This little painting took me two days almost as long as a larger painting. Still I'm happy with the results so I mustn't grumble I guess!

'1500 Quiet Repose' and successful exhibition!!!

2011-08-22T17:31:00.003+01:00

6" x 12" oil on panel,framed
(available through Gormleys Auction House click on link in right bar)
This peaceful looking Buddha head was posed on the window sill in my friend Linda's house in Bournemouth, England. On spying it, I thought what a great subject for a still life with the sun streaming through the window.
As I was visiting England to deliver some paintings for the Society of Feline Artists annual exhibition in London, we took the opportunity to visit friends and familiar places. I also got loads of photographic material both the furry kind and lovely still life objects. We also visited my favourite car boot sale for more items to paint!
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Art Exhibition in Dublin
This was the selection on Sunday after 10 still life paintings had sold on Saturday and before four more sold and three more went off to auction. My still lifes turned out to be winners with no other paintings selling, so guess what I will be concentrating on?!! I have another out-door exhibition at the end of September, the last of the season, so I've got to get producing like mad until then. All exciting stuff!

1499 Hidden Treasure

2011-07-30T10:17:00.003+01:00

24" x 8.5" oil on panel
(available through Gormleys Auction House click on link in right bar)
I am enjoying the challenge of painting these sea shells they are so beautiful, varied in their colours, textures and shapes.
I only have a few more days to paint and then I'm off to London to deliver my feline paintings for the exhibition. Of course there's always lots of mundane problems before hand, of what to pack (limited weight allowance) and who will water my plants, that I have to think of too, mustn't forget my camera etc etc, I think I had better write myself a list!

1498 Beautiful Trio

2011-07-27T19:00:00.004+01:00

11" x 14" = 28 x 35.5 cms. oil on panel

I was half way through this and I realized what a task I had set myself, so many different textures, shapes and shadows, but I struggled on and am pleased with the finished painting, I will look at it again tomorrow and see if anything needs 'fixing' !

1497 When the Cat's Asleep...SOLD

2011-07-25T18:32:00.001+01:00

6" x 6" oil on canvas

...the mice will play
Sammy is sleeping peacefully while a cheeky mouse thinks that it's safe to come out and play and she's just checking to be sure!

1496 Treasure of the Sea SOLD & rain,rain,rain..

2011-07-21T14:01:00.002+01:00

7" x 14" oil on panel

Another two objects I'm using that are on loan, this was very hard to photograph because of glare and stark contrasts. This is one of my recent favourites, I like a bit of drama in a painting!

__________________________________________________________________________

The weather here is gloomy, rainy and cold, boy I sure could use a bit of Spanish sunshine right about now! How's the weather where you are?

1495 Cocktail Apples SOLD

2011-07-20T15:25:00.002+01:00

8" x 10" oil on panel, framed, sold

I'm into interesting shadows at the moment and seeing which colours are reflected within these shadows, I think that they can be just as interesting as the objects that cast them.
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I will be selling some of my paintings through fine art auction houses here in Ireland this coming autumn, I am starting with one and will see how well my work sells and then I may approach others. My other aim is to find some more galleries that that would be willing to represent me. It is an uphill battle in this economy and according to the news the outlook doesn't look rosy either, but I guess you have to look on the bright side of life and carry on carrying on!

1494 Pink Lady SOLD & new family member

2011-07-18T12:51:00.002+01:00

8" x 10" oil on panel SOLD

We visited friends at the week-end at their beautiful house in the Midlands of Ireland and Annie has a wealth of gorgeous ornaments and interesting objects some of which she kindly lent me for my still lifes. Here is the first piece, a lovely cranberry coloured wine glass, casting beautiful shadows on the back cloth which I paired with a Pink Lady apple. There will be many more to come, I'm now spoilt for choice with things to paint, it's now just finding the right set up for them

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. Introducing my brand new grandson Kai Andreas
Born 7/16/11 at 4:05am
8lbs3oz and 20 3/4" long
Born in Washington USA to my daughter Katy and partner Justin

1493 Five Green Apples SOLD

2011-07-14T17:41:00.003+01:00

11" x 14" oil on panel, framed

I have been wanting to paint a still life on a piece of cloth for ages and I have often seen wonderful paintings of cloth by Suzanne Berry click HERE to see a brilliant one of hers. Finally I have got around to painting one, easy to get lost in all those folds and things and it can drive you crazy if you let it!

1492 Summer Sweetness SOLD

2011-07-13T12:46:00.001+01:00

9" x 12" oil on panel,
I'm back in the swing of things now, after a few weeks of not feeling well and other stresses, got loads of ideas and can't paint fast enough!

Found this lovely shiny sauce boat at of course my favourite shop and had to incorporate it right away in a still life, love painting reflections which is handy as this weeks challenge at DPW is to paint just that, so it will be posted there in a min. !! (The sauce boat came in handy too, for the gravy with our Sunday roast, got my monies worth! )

1491 Felix

2011-07-09T10:51:00.002+01:00

6" x 6" oil on canvas to purchase click HERE
Felix is looking intently at a bag of treats being opened up of his favourite nibbles, 'Hurry up Mom I can taste them already, soo good, and I promise not to climb up the net curtains again and I promise not to bring any more presents home and I promise... just hurry up!'

Tools of my Trade

2011-07-08T13:55:00.003+01:00

5" x 7" oil on panel

This is my submission for this weeks DPW challenge, which really was a challenge as I switched from tight realism to loose and it was hard!

1489 Orange Time SOLD

2011-07-07T18:56:00.004+01:00

9" x 12" oil on panel, framed
Another find from my fave shop, this silver platter and creamer, set the stage to show off these orange wedges nicely.
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It has been a difficult week, this week, due to a bereavement and I find I just can't paint when I'm sad, also it's my hubby's big birthday this week and neither of us are in the mood to celebrate it, I know that this feeling will eventually pass, it's just getting through it.

1488 'Boxed' SOLD

2011-07-04T16:15:00.004+01:00

6" x 12" oil on panel,framed in a contemporary white wood box frame with glass

These three lovely hand thrown pots have been collected here and there, I especially like hand made pieces with their beautiful glazes and uniqueness. In the box that I posed them in, once held 2 special bottles of French wine given to me as a thank you for a portrait commission I completed a little while ago. I love to collect items I think I might be able to use in a still life set up.

The weather has turned warm here and hubby has gone lobster red after a day out yesterday, he has a fair Irish skin and once upon a time a head of red curly hair, that has since turned to snow! Poor love he's suffering today.

1487 A Good Year

2011-07-01T16:25:00.007+01:00

14" x 7" oil on panel available through Gormleys Fine Art Auction House

The last of the grape and cheese paintings, on to new subjects now. My hubby has been aching to open this bottle and keeps asking me if I'm done with it yet!

1486 Tasty Marriage SOLD

2011-06-29T19:18:00.004+01:00

9" x 12" oil on panel

I thought that I would paint another one using my wedge of cheese and this one took a lot longer to paint on account of all those grapes, easy to get lost among them. I've one more on the go thats at the block in stage and will be a challenge as it has a red wine bottle against a dark background and then I think I will be done with cheese, grapes etc for awhile at least!

1485 Classic Partners SOLD & a hectic weekend

2011-06-28T14:39:00.001+01:00

6" x 12" oil on panel due to be framed when dry.

I recently painted a similar composition of Stilton and grapes which I enjoyed painting very much it sold quite rapidly after framing. I've a few ideas of what I want to paint this week keeping them really classic and realistic. I'm looking forward to eating this yummy cheese tonight with hubby after dinner.

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Did another outdoor exhibition last week-end after getting drenched on Friday, which was no fun,
the rest of the week-end went well though, with a mix of weather conditions. Forgot to take my camera along so no pics of it I'm afraid. Sold well, top sellers were still life and cats, no suprise there then!
It's quite a social event and you get to meet some really nice people and make contacts with other artists and garner lots of tips and info relating to art, galleries etc My experience of artists whether in person or on-line is that artists are a friendly, helpful and generous bunch all-in-all lovely people.

1484 'Break Away' and almost ready

2011-06-23T13:09:00.000+01:00

40 x 30 centimeters - 15.7" x 11.8" inches mixed media on beech plywood

I incorporated many layers and materials including copper nails and copper strips, loads of texture and pieces of loosely woven material, acrylic paint, texture mediums and metallic paints to finish.
I think all paintings look better in person and abstracts are no exception!
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I'm almost finished putting picture cord on the back of my recent paintings ready to display the lot this week-end at an outdoor art exhibition, I'm praying for good weather and lots of customers!
Wish me luck!

1483 Tumult

2011-06-22T23:24:00.000+01:00

60 x 60 cms = 24" x 24" aprox. mixed media on deep, gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted

This is the largest canvas I have worked on and I realized, that my painting room needed to be a lot larger if I'm going to do a lot of these!

I collaged on several heart shapes diagonally onto the canvas and some texture around them and then went from there, because of the size and the vibrant colours it looks quite stunning, even if I say so myself!
So this is my new favourite!!

1481 Together

2011-06-21T11:27:00.000+01:00

40 x 40cm - 15.7" x 15.7" mixed media on deep gallery wrapped canvas,sides painted

An abstract that came together really well and evolved into this painting, it is at the moment a favourite. I have another in the works which might be a favourite too, (or is always the last painting you do that is a favourite?)

At the moment my hubby and I are suffering from a touch of flu and I think he has it worse than me, (or is it a man thing ;)) hopefully I will fight it off as we have another 3 day art exhibition at the week-end, which is quite energy draining so I've got to be fighting fit for that, gonna dose myself up with plenty of hot toddies that might not cure anything but if you drink enough of 'em well...lol

1482 Curtain Call

2011-06-18T10:07:00.002+01:00

6" x 6" oil on canvas, sides painted and framed in an off white wood floater frame
to purchase click
HEREAnother little kitty to finish up the week or should I say green eyed monster, no just kidding!
I have been painting some large abstracts this week on 24 x 24 canvases which is enormous compared with the small paintings that I am used to painting. When I have taken some pics I will post them here for your appraisal.

1480 Gentle Rose

2011-06-16T11:50:00.005+01:00

6" x 6" oil on canvas, sides painted

This beauty was a challenge to paint, so easy to get lost in the labyrinth of it's petals and the subtle colour changes, but at last I am pleased with it, and then it's on to the next painting.

1479 Cat Stack NFS

2011-06-15T11:39:00.004+01:00

6" x 6" oil on canvas, sides painted

I wonder whether ginger is comfy under his brother, you can see who is the top cat here!

1478 Oh Butterfly

2011-06-14T17:39:00.001+01:00

6" x 6" acrylics on canvas to bid on this painting click HERE

This is the last of 3 floral paintings I did at the week-end. Now it's back to oils once again and I have to say that's my first love. I like the consistency of oils, much stiffer and stickier than acrylics although it was nice to use acrylics once again and believe me I have a drawer full of them begging to be used!
The butterfly adorned one of my flowers in the garden, I can't think of the flower's name at the moment, one of my favourites though.

1477 Yawn of Fire

2011-06-13T10:49:00.001+01:00

6" x 6" acrylic on canvas, sides painted black, can be hung framed or unframed
To bid on this painting click HERE

The Poppy

Summer set lip to earth's bosom bare,
and left the flushed print in a poppy there.
Like a yawn of fire from the grass it came,
and the fanning wind puffed it to a flapping flame.

Francis Thompson

1476 A Flock of Phlox

2011-06-12T11:03:00.003+01:00

6" x 6" acrylic on canvas, sides painted black ready to hang to bid on this artwork click HERE

lavender phlox

has spent itself uproariously
having attracted myriad admirers
summer looms
fall and winter unimaginable
eons
to be ordinary
Hanque O . . .

1475 Daisy Chat SOLD

2011-06-10T09:40:00.004+01:00

12" x 9" oil on panel
Reserved for Dolans Art Auction House

I'm slowly painting larger still lifes of course they are more time consuming and I can't finish one in a day, I have a stack of larger boards waiting to be tackled, I'm just building up to them veery slowly (:O)

1474 Pearfection SOLD

2011-06-09T15:01:00.001+01:00

7" x 5" oil on panel

Back to still lifes and a relatively simple one after the puddie-tats to ease me back into them, my hubby came up with the title when he saw it, which saved me scratching my head and stressing my creative name finding brain cells ;)

'1473 Having a Nibble' and cat in the cupboard

2011-06-08T19:24:00.001+01:00

30 x 30 cms = 12" x 12" oil on linen canvas to purchase click HERE

These three lovelies took me a lot longer to paint that I thought that they would, I guess 3 little faces take longer than one! I'm alternating now between still lifes, abstracts and animals, quite a mind shift each time.
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This is a pic of my daughter's cat Tigger among the freshly washed baby clothes, which are ready for the new arrival, complete with cat hair!

1472 With Cherries on Top SOLD

2011-06-07T09:54:00.003+01:00

12" x 9" oil on gessoed panel,framed

I just bought some more oil paint from my favourite art store I always seem to come out with more stuff than is on my list, I guess I'm like a kid in a sweet shop, I just can't resist! I bought a tube of Winsor & Newton Vandyke brown a colour I have never used before and I tried it out this morning on a new still life, it's a rich purply brown that is translucent, I know you are supposed to mix your own browns but it's nice to have one ready and I like this one a lot, do you have any favourite colours?

1471 My Marguerite SOLD

2011-06-05T08:23:00.004+01:00

8" x 6" oil on panel,framed

I picked this daisy from my garden from among a bunch of plants that had gone wild and taken over a lot of the bed in which I had planted them, the thugs! Anyway I popped it in this little blue and white jug and set it up inside my old oak box and off I went.

1470 From the Point and butterfly in my garden

2011-06-04T07:44:00.000+01:00

40 x 40 cms = 16" x 16" mixed media on deep gallery wrapped canvas,sides painted ready to hang.

Another abstract that I created last week-end using many different materials, click image to enlarge (twice) to see detail, photographs never manage to show texture and metallic surfaces well. I will probably be painting a sister piece to this one in the same format, got to clear the decks for that one and cover my table well with plastic sheets as its gonna get rough!

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a pretty visitor to my Marguerite's

1469 Wild Thing

2011-06-03T12:14:00.001+01:00

20" x 16" mixed media on canvas, sides painted, click on image to enlarge

Here's one of the paintings I did at the week-end, the title probably refers to me as I painted ;O !!
For some reason I couldn't get this painting squared to crop the photo properly so I gave up in the end.

Photo of the Wicklow Mountains
The weather has turned warm and sunny at last, just in time for the bank holiday week-end. Although the garden could do with some rain, I'm sure everybody will be out enjoying themselves in the parks and the countryside.

1468 Tea-time SOLD

2011-06-01T13:30:00.003+01:00

12" x 9" oil on panel Reserved for Dolans Art Auction House

My hubby found this unusual tea pot in our favourite charity shop, parts were silvered and the rest painted with line painting which is raised from the surface. The body is made of red clay which is quite soft so it has a few minor chips which isn't bad for a pot that is at least 50 years old and could be older, I researched the stamp on the base which dates it from 1909 + and was made in Staffordshire in England.

1467 Lemon Caressed

2011-05-29T17:01:00.000+01:00

7" x 5" oil on panel

My last still life before I started a couple of abstracts. I needed a bit of light relief from the precise and time consuming still lifes. I am having fun splashing,dripping, scraping paint onto canvases and generally getting myself and my painting room covered in paint! I'm not sure whether the end results will be saleable but I'm enjoying my painting therapy very much....

1457 Miss Fluffy SOLD

2011-05-27T14:37:00.002+01:00

6" x 6" canvas, 8.5" x 8.5" framed

One little kitteh to mix things up a little!

1466 Siblings nfs

2011-05-25T15:45:00.000+01:00

30 x 30 cm oil on linen nfs

Just finished this double portrait of a brother and sister, the photo I had to work from was taken indoors with a flash and wasn't the best quality image to work from, but saying that, I managed to get what I hope is a passable likeness. I do prefer to work from my own photos and to meet the clients and then I can position them in a more pleasing pose and get more interest and emotion into the finished portrait and also portray some of their personality too..

1465 Odd Couples SOLD

2011-05-24T10:24:00.002+01:00

8" x 6" oil on panel

I guess these must be the first cherries of the season, I found on a market stall on my way back from the framers.
Dublin has had an exciting few weeks first with a visit from the Queen and then yesterday President Obama came for a visit to Ireland, first stop on his European tour, the city was packed to bursting with Dubliners who came to hear his address which was as eloquent as usual and wowed the crowd. His next stop is London to visit the Queen!

1464 Strawberry Fayre SOLD

2011-05-22T20:29:00.004+01:00

8" x 10" oil on panel
A bowl full of luscious strawberries not as easy to paint as to eat afterwards!

1463 Hello Titch! SOLD

2011-05-20T12:55:00.003+01:00

10" x 8" oil on panel,framed

This pepper gang have been infiltrated by this little 'Limey' and they sure don't know what to make of him!

1462 Perfect Partners SOLD

2011-05-18T15:04:00.002+01:00

5" x 10" oil on panel

Here's the Stilton I was telling you about in the last post, all gone now, perfect to be nibbled with these delicious grapes.
On another subject, Carol DeMumbrum has posted a Memorial Day painting give-away on her blog go check it out here you might be lucky and win a lovely painting!!

1461 Odd One Out SOLD

2011-05-16T14:08:00.002+01:00

5" x !0" 12.7 x 25.4 cms oil on panel

I'm on a roll and am loving doing these tight still lifes, got loads of ideas.
My brother was recently visiting and bought a lot of his favourite Stilton cheese to take back with him to Germany where he lives. Unfortunatly for him he forgot to pack it so I'm enjoying this unexpected treat. I have set up a wedge to use in my next still life but I keep nibbling at it, so I will have to open a new piece! What a shame ;)

1460 The Usual Suspects

2011-05-15T14:25:00.005+01:00

5" x 10" oil on panel,framed
(available through Gormleys Auction House click on link in right bar)
I'm really enjoying these still lifes and have loads more ideas to come!

1459 I Got the Blues

2011-05-14T13:53:00.002+01:00

5" x 10" = 12.7 x 25.4 cms. oil on panel
(available through Gormleys Auction House click on link in right bar)

These blue bottles I found in my local charity shop, which is a rich source for finding interesting objects and is my favourite shop I love to rummage through.

1458 Snuggling Up!

2011-05-13T20:10:00.004+01:00

5" x 10" = 12.7 x 25.4" oil on panel
(available through Gormleys Auction House click on link in right bar)

At last back to painting!
I have had visitors for the last 10 days with a three day art exhibition in the middle of that, so it has been a busy couple of weeks, but now I'm back to doing what I love the most.
After having a bunch of my still lifes box framed, making them look really contemporary, they attracted a lot of attention and I received some very positive feedback at the recent exhibition and of course I made sales too which was very gratifying.
So I have decided where I will be focusing most of my attention for the near future, after feeling that I had no particular direction, it's great to have a focus and will see where this will lead me. All very exciting stuff!

1453 Come Along Girls!

2011-05-05T14:00:00.002+01:00

30 x 30 centimeters = 12" x 12"x 3/4" oil on linen canvas, sides painted, unframed

This cockeral caught my eye with his harem gathered around him, he looks so proud of himself so cock-sure and a handsome fella he sure is too!

1456 Kayak Anyone?

2011-04-29T12:59:00.002+01:00

10" x 10" = 25.4 x 25.4cms oil on deep gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted ready to hang

The fourth in my series of beach paintings, now back to a few kittehs!

1455 Just Waiting for You!

2011-04-28T16:29:00.002+01:00

10" x 10" oil on deep gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted ready to hang

Wouldn't you like to take a seat in the shade, looking out over the ocean and maybe a good book and a pina colada to keep you cool, not forgetting to fill the other beach chair with someone close to your heart?