Dance, Paint and Play
Letting loose in a bit of playful paint play with this study of two dancers mid-performance. Watch a little glimpse of this in action.
This is a very quick, quiet experiment, listening to some bachata tunes and having a good old fashion play with paint.
I was deliberately going loose and free to see what would emerge.
Been a bit locked into a mindset of trying to polish and refine everything before sharing it, so as a little challenge to myself I'm throwing something very unpolished out there to say, just now, I'm letting my hair down!💃
Freedom in paint, freedom in mind, freedom in dance - vive la liberte! ✊😊
A Birthday Wave
A special day marking another year gone by. Today I share with you my birthday thoughts and thanks.
A 'few' years ago yesterday I drew my first breath and here I am shortly before puffing out the candles on this yummy little cake which rounded off a lovely lunch provided by my wonderful mother.
One year older, one year more in awe than ever with the wonders and inspiration that surround me.
Incredibly grateful also for the support, humour, and wisdom of the people in my life who teach, challenge, nurture and encourage me - sending you all a massive hug and many a heartfelt thank you!🙏🤗❤
I am very excited about the year ahead and look forward to sharing all the various things I have planned! 🎉
For now wishing everyone a happy rest of Thursday!❤😊
Discussing Art and Mental Health with Dr. Jacalyn Kerbeck & Jenetta Barry
Join Dr Jacalyn Kerbeck, Jenetta Barry and myself in our discussion addressing a variety of topics including, digital painting, art and mental health, the stories behind my artwork and NFTs to name a few.
It was a pleasure to join Dr Jacalyn Kerbeck & Jenetta Barry for a wonderful conversation this week on their USA Global TV Show ‘The Art in Mental Health Wealth.’
I welcome you to watch the replay above and join us discussing a variety of subjects including:
Digital painting
Art and mental health
The stories behind some of my paintings
The Epiphany Process, pioneered by Jenetta Barry
NFTs
As with any dialogue this is very much a bouncing board for ideas and it is always interesting to hear your thoughts. So do let me know what resonated with you and any further questions or topics that you might like me to address in the future.
I have now also created a dedicated page to the recent interviews I have done which I invite you to explore by clicking the button below.
Hello from the Studio
Revealing a little glimpse behind the scenes, showing work in progress on my latest portrait and sharing two very inspiring podcasts which have got me rethinking the way I breath and the impact breathing can have on our well being.
Waving a hello from the studio and sharing a glimpse of the progress on my latest portrait.
I am happily at sea in this glorious mane of hair which I am slowly refining the details of and it's all getting a little bit magical!
I shall reveal the full portrait and story soon!
Whilst painting I have also been listening to a couple of excellent podcasts I was recently recommended about nasal breathing. I found them hugely eye opening and in some ways life changing, as I have begun to apply aspects of what I am learning.
I want, in turn, to pass on the recommendation to all of you in the hope that they may also be of benefit and help spread the word about just how powerful our breathing can be on a chemical level and how transformative.
The two podcasts in question are:
#99 how breathing through your nose will change your life with Patrick Mckeown
#124 why changing the way you breath will transform your body and mind with James Nestor
They come from the podcast series 'Feel Better, Live More' hosted by Dr Rangan Chatterjee (GP & Author) which is one to subscribe to in general for the quality insights and conversations you can find there.
My current breathing challenge is jogging with the mouth shut - what's yours?
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend full of good nasal breathing!
Knitting in Paint, The Art of Painting Woollens
Today I’m taking a mini dive into how I tackle painting wool, whilst getting cosy wearing it! Read the full story and watch a little time-lapse where I work up the detail on a section of my latest work in progress.
This week I've been knitting in paint!
After an intensive November in 'admin' mode, I happily returned to the painting zone this week working on a wonderful commission which has really got me looking at texture.
Add to which it has been particularly chilly in my attic studio so it is not without some irony that I have been wrapped up in warm woollens and knits whilst grappling with capturing these same textures in paint.
Here's a mini look at just one area I've been working up the detail on.
As with anything complex, it is best to approach it loosely at the start and let the colours and tones build gradually.
After a while you loose sight of the paint and really start to 'feel' the woven yarn, like you've cracked its visual code and can suddenly speak the same language!
An inspiring visit to the Tate Britain
A day spent in the inspiring company of Paula Rego’s work at the Tate Britain. Watch a video showing a mini walk through this interesting encounter and read my thoughts about her work and its impact on me.
Do you know the work of Paula Rego?
She is an artist who takes you on a deep dive into the imagination, creating intense narratives drawn from ideas both personal and political, a dance of figures, props, toys, animals and plants; all inventively woven together in paintings and drawings that both invite and confront you.
Ever since I first saw her work when I was around 15/16 years old I have been moved and inspired by it. She speaks a visual language I feel instinctively in tune with. It was therefore a complete delight to visit the Tate Britain's major retrospective of her work this week.
Each painting felt like a conversation that opened my eyes and my mind a little more each time. They unlocked a door to space in my imagination that I had, for want of time, neglected for far too long, a space where ambitious narratives of my own are waiting to be painted.
Huge thank you Paula Rego for doing what you do so well and helping me re-engage with my own stories, giving them room to breathe and hopefully grow!
This Little Piggy, a Work in Progress
Today is a look behind the scenes at a new work in progress, a personal piece which plays with a variety of reference points. Read on to discover the full story and watch a short timelapse.
As you've probably seen by now, I really enjoy painting a range of different subjects, especially anything that conjures a sense of story.
And whilst I love visualising other people's stories, occasionally one has to look inward and find outlets for certain ideas that need expressing.
This piece is rooted in a personal narrative, it also happens to feature a pig - strangely apt therefore to find these creatures in headline news at the moment and the issue of their problematic abundance.
Whilst coincidental, my little piggy is very much the stuff of fairytale; the notion of a character building something of their own, out of their hopes, dreams and vulnerability, pitched against inevitable challenges.
Visualising these things in this way, helps me anchor a variety of thoughts in one place, without words or judgement - giving the feeling a face which I can hold up and reflect on, somehow helping me makessense of it.
This is still very much a work in progress...my working title for it is 'This Little Piggy'.
It is a real mash up of reference points starring a treasured vintage 1930s clockwork pig from my own little toy collection, mixed up with my graffiti explorations.
Putting it out there, never sure what conversations it may start...always interested to hear your thoughts and reactions, feel free to share in the comments below.
Another Work in Progress - The Dinky Aston Martin
Discover what is on the ‘digital’ easel this week and watch a video showing how I start my paintings.
My work on the Dinky Auto Union is still ongoing, so I thought I would share with you another work in progress today, namely a painting of a very handsome Dinky Aston Martin.
Like the Auto Union, I am painting with a stylus and pressure sensitive Wacom tablet, working in 'digital' oil paint on canvas.
The video below shows the very early stages where I am keeping my brush strokes loose, creating first a rough guide line, then blocking in the main areas of colour and tone.
Once everything is where it should be I will really start diving into the detail of surface patina, which is what I like to think of as a deep meditation on the quality and modelling of these beautiful toys.
I'll post another update soon with my progress! Wishing everyone a great weekend ahead, especially those on the hunt for some Dinky Toy treasure!
An Admin update - Introducing my New Business Card!
Check out my new Business card range; a long overdue update, finally accomplished!
Today I'm sharing a little admin 'hurrah moment' 😊
I finally got round to designing and expanding my business card range to include some of the recent animal portraits I've been doing.
This was the result, beautifully printed and boxed by Moo.com who always provide a top notch service!
Take a look at the full line up of designs the video below.
A Work in Progress
Today I talk about what I’ve been working on this week and give you a behind the scenes look at my progress so far.
Today is a behind the scenes sneak peek of something I'm working on at the moment.
I was set a lovely challenge to have fun with this stunner of a Dinky Toy. You'll get the gist of how I'm approaching it in the video, but I shall wait to reveal the whole thing once it is finished :)
To give you a bit of context, I've been painting in oil on canvas for over 20 years now and am continuing to apply these skills to digital painting, where I am using the brilliant Rebelle 4 software which replicates the texture and feel of oil paint and canvas beautifully.
You'll see my setup at the end of this video, where I'm working free hand with a pressure sensitive Wacom tablet and stylus to 'paint' with. I have my reference images up on the screen next to my 'digital easel' and am constantly looking back and forth between one and the other as I work.
If you have a much treasured diecast car or object you would like to celebrate in paint then do get in touch or check out my commission service page by clicking the button below.
Another Digital Painting Case Study
Today I’m showing you the digital painting commission process in a special case study. Watch a video showing you the step by step and hear all about the ideas that inspired my approach to this painting of Jeff & Corina
Today I wanted to share another digital commission case study - see video below - walking you through how my painting of the wonderful Jeff and Corina came together and what ideas inspired my approach.
It was a real privilege to paint this portrait of two people I admire both as amazing dancers and gifted teachers who help others experience and enjoy the power and beauty of dancing for themselves. It is also very exciting to see their classes starting up again, check out @incognito_dance for more info.
The challenge of capturing the mood of a moment, especially one as animated and dynamic as dance, is one I very much welcome.
Have you got a special occasion or experience, perhaps sporting or performance related, that you might like to celebrate in a commissioned artwork?
To find out more about my commission service head click the button below
Rapping with Dr Jacalyn, an interview about who I am and what I do
Talking art with with Dr Jacalyn on her show, read on to find out more.
On the 7th July I spent a very happy afternoon talking with the wonderful Dr. Jacalyn Kerbeck on her programme Dr. Jacalyn’s Interviews, co hosted by the brilliant Al Cini, Ian Turner and Helena Chard.
You can watch my interview in the video below. I kick in around the 42 minute mark, where I talk about how, why and what I paint, showing a couple of demo videos and discussing a selection of artworks.
A Glimpse Behind The Scenes
Today we are going behind the scenes of my digital painting process in a mini introduction on my working set up.
Today I’m taking you behind the scenes, showing you my digital painting set up and process.
In this mini video you see me working on my portrait, now complete, of Boris the cob (click here for the full timelapse and story of Boris)
As you may know my background is in traditional fine art painting and up until last year I was working predominantly in oil on canvas. Lockdown got me experimenting more with digital painting and in doing so I discovered an amazing resource.
The joy of digital is it allows me to apply the same approach and techniques I use in oil on canvas, but I can work faster, with more flexibility. There is no drying time to factor in, no expensive paints, no strong chemical solvents, and no waste.
I will still continue to paint in oil, but I do see many advantages to digital painting, which I will be talking more about in the lead up to the official launch of my digital painting commission service next month.
Portrait of Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon - A painting Spotlight
To celebrate International Women’s day, I have put together a special 10 minute spotlight on my portrait of the wonderful Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, where I tell all about her and the story behind the painting.
Happy International Women’s Day!
In honour of the day I wanted to share a portrait I did of a very special lady called Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon. Here it is, all 100 x 100 cm of canvas.
To find out the whole story behind the painting I have put together a fun 10 minute video, where I tell you how it came about, take you on a tour around the portrait and reveal a very exciting new feature which I will be demoing toward the end!
Click play on the video below to watch, hope you enjoy and do let me know what you make of the surprise feature in the comments below.
A Mime Inspired Painting
Today, in honour of the London International Mime Festival, I am talking about a mime inspired painting I did a few years ago. I will also be sharing details about how you can access more information about the Mime Festival.
This week, in honour of the London International Mime Festival, I thought I’d do a little spotlight on one of my mime inspired paintings:
Dreams of Tomorrow and Yesterday, oil on canvas, 100 x 161 cm
In the video below I share the thoughts and the ideas behind the painting. If you have any further questions about this piece then do let me know.
The Mime Festival has already kicked off so check out their website for more details about what’s on offer.
A lot more content will be made available from tomorrow (18th January) onwards so don’t miss out!
Wishing you all a lovely rest of day!
Lasso the Moon
Today I am celebrating one of my favourite Christmas films and how it inspired my latest digital painting. I also walk you through how this painting was made in a special in depth video about my digital painting process.
Today I am celebrating one of my favourite Christmas films It’s A Wonderful Life directed by Frank Capra, with James Stewart starring as George Bailey and Donna Reed as Mary.
All credit to my bro who treated me to my first viewing of this many Christmases ago at the London BFI. Since then, it has become a bit of a family tradition to watch every year.
It is the movie that planted the delightful notion of 'lassoing the moon' in my head and all the associations it carries for reaching for one’s dreams.
I have been itching to make a painting about this for a long time and this year, as of literally this week, I have just finished my first attempt at it. The film triggered the idea, but I should also mention the little diecast cowboy toy, from my father’s collection, which was my reference point.
I welcome you to take a little tour of my digital painting, accompanied by the dialogue between George Bailey and Mary, without which it might not have come about. I hope you enjoy!
I have also put together a special in depth video below which walks you through how I painted this piece. It will hopefully give you a clearer understanding of my digital painting process.
I am however also interested to know your thoughts and hear your questions about this, so do let me know, in the comments below, if you have any.
A Virtual Open Studios
Here is my virtual twist on open studios, where you get to visit my studios and me from the comfort of where ever you are viewing this post. Hope you enjoy!
Every Autumn it has been a tradition of mine to open my studio to the public, to show them what I have been working on, talk a little more about my art practice and answer any questions.
This year, for obvious reason, I had to rethink my approach. This little virtual hello from my studio was the result. Hopefully it offers you an insight into my world and the things I do. If you have any questions feel free to type them in the comments below and I shall get back to you.