The Goddess

When I was talking to this lady (Hannah La Rouge), she was telling me that she loved modelling as she felt like a goddess standing up on the stage, with all eyes on her. She was so passionate and enthusiastic, she almost made me want to go up there with her!
This, despite my always having suffered badly from stage fright, even to the stage of having real trouble recording a message for my phone. So, if you get an automated reply, yes, it probably is me. Sorry.
Although, oddly enough, I do like talking with people one-to-one, so if you see me out and about, please say hi. And ignore me going bright pink . . .

Art Exposure

More paintings at Art Exposure for their christmas show - a total of 6! Wooo - think I'm taking the place over!
The opening was fun, got to talk to my cousin (whom I first bumped into after years of not seeing at the Western's orthopaedics outpatients, of all places, a few weeks ago. She was busy selling christmas decorations that she'd made - so she has enougfht money raised to go climb some big mountain (she did tell me, but I'm not really strong on that kinda stuff). So, go Vanessa!
The painting is of another Jane, Jane Faye, who runs http://www.gaia-noir.co.uk/ and is therefore yet another crafty lady.

Been a while

Been very busy with non-painting stuff unfortunately recently, but have still been thinking about life drawing - and have been experimenting with painting during classes instead. This is my second attempt.

This is from an evening class I've been doing at Maryhill Art School with Cynthia Bowles. It is a new technique for me, based on laying a layer of oil and turps first, then a layer of transparent oil paint (in this case, burnt sienna) and then rubbing out the lights with a cloth. The next week, we went back and put in the darks.
Can't quite see how to develop this further into full colour, but think I will be experimenting with the technique with other colours over the next wee while.

Wasps Open Weekend

Wasp Studios Open Weekend this weekend coming, so I'll be around Hanson Street Studios most of the time, although I am looking forward to having a wee peek at the Briggait Studios. This drawing, and maybe one of Vendetta Vain, should be on display - it's always useful to see my work hanging with other folks, spurs me on - although last year was the first time I was brave enough to hang something!

Bob

Six paintings on show at the moment, including this one at Art Exposure Gallery, where I had a rather nice night despite being stood up! The Skull is there too (below a Howson!) and there are three at ARTeries Gallery on Douglas Street.

Skull

Having been concentrating on faces for a while, I thought it was time to go back to still life, and was searching for something white to paint, when I came across this skull lying around . . . This really lets me explore warm-cool differences, and may become a little series - the next one while be overall much lighter - can't wait to begin!

Stretching Canvas

This is the first painting that I have made the support entirely myself (well, I did buy the stretcher bars . . .) - made the frame, stretched the canvas, gesso (x3)!

Don't think I'll ever go back - was kinda fun, doing all that work (in a kind of mindless way) and the painting just seemed to flow onto the canvas so much easier - there are still niggles that I need to fix, but I could see where I was going right from the start.

(the model is www.dominicjohnson.co.uk/Dominic_Johnson/Introduction.html , who certainly seems to be an curious chap, with plenty to think about).

ESSA

The opening at Art Exposure was interesting, got to really look at other artists work, including the lovely paintings of Fiona Wilson.

Currently have 3 works at ESSA auction - closing at lunchtme today - so went into Edinburgh on saturday - the Lyon and Turnbull showroom was in a bit of the town I'd never been to before, but it was too wet to really explore . . .

This painting was done as a study in using ultramarine and burnt sienna, along with titanium and flake white. First time I've really understood the advantages of layering.

First Show

Taking part in my first commercial show on Friday, at Art Exposure Gallery. Very nervous. This picture was framed by a new framer to me (at East Cambell St), and he did a marvellous job - will try and get a picture of it up in the gallery.

Newbie

Hmm, not sure if this is my thing, but thought it might be interesting.