The weather was glorious today, I went along to my first Thai Chi class (forgive me if my spelling is wrong) this morning. It was wonderful! During the relaxation at the end, I was almost nodding off to sleep!! I can't believe I will ever be able to remember the moves, I was watching our instructor intently! When she changed direction and I couldn't see her, I was all over the place!
I collected my new studio shelving units from the joiners at lunchtime and gave them a coat of paint as soon as I got them out of the car (2 journeys and I slid them out using a folded tarpaulin I had placed in the boot before they went in.) The worktops were delivered while I was at Thai Chi. My nearest and dearest has promised to put them in place on Sunday. That'll give me a few days to tidy up ready for my new classes.
The painting "Beach Daddy" shows a very clever Dad, who said he would stay and watch the bags, while the other adults and all the kids headed out for a paddle and swim - he settled down with his book within minutes! I enjoyed getting the chance to use some bright colours!
I know - more cherries! I can't help myself!! I so enjoyed painting this one! They have now all been either eaten, or thrown out because they were mushy. I have a bag of pears in the fridge.....
I am having a couple of cupboards made for my studio, I'm waiting patiently (not), the place is a mess! I struck lucky yesterday, as I parked my car near one of our local charity shops. Someone had left 4 great looking, well upholstered, office chairs on the doorstep! I hadn't time to wait for the shop to open, so thought I'd missed my chance! One of the ladies who runs the place was out early, shopping. She also saw the chairs dumped there and afraid they were going get wet, she duly opened up the shop to drag them inside!! I jumped in to help but also managed to buy 2 for my studio for the grand total of £8! Bargain!!! They are very comfortable too!!! For once I was in the right place at the right time!
I love painting cherries - lots of people do, but usually they like eating them too! Not me!! My better half gets that pleasure!
I sold a little cherry oil painting during the Art Trail at the begining of the month but could have sold it a few times over. One lady asked me to paint one especially for her. I was worried I wouldn't be able to buy cherries at this time of year! What decade am I living in? I still think of fruit and vegetables being grown in their seasons! My dear friend popped into the supermarket and bought me a nice little packet of cherries, complete with the very important stalks!
I hope all you cherry lovers out there enjoy my new 6" square oil! I so enjoyed painting it!!
It's been a while since I've posted! Today I had a photoshoot with Wendy and her 2 lovely kids - the photos were great, though not a lot I can use for portraits. I will do a few sketches from the ones I like and see what "Mum" says.
As I was leaving she gave me a few stems of her beautiful Hydrangea bush. I couldn't wait to get home and start painting! I had a few jobs to do first but after lunch I toddled off to the studio with my jar of flowers! I used MDF board 8inch square and my water based oils.
I sold a few of my small still life paintings during the Art and Craft Trail, which was gratifying. It's all very well painting away and thoroughly enjoying the subject but we artists all like our work to have appeal to a wider audience, other than just ourselves and the dog!
Well, it's all over, we are all exhausted but exhilarated too! I sold another 4 paintings, the girls lots more jewellery and our potter had very little to take back home!
The kids were a joy, their parents and grandparents enjoyed the art and their cream teas! We were so lucky with the weather, Scotland being Scotland, we were prepared for the worst! We even fed the drivers on the free bus dropping off and picking up our visitors!
The whole experience was like having a 4 day party in the garden! Well, it WAS a 4 day party!
I have been approached by a few people about art lessons, so I am preparing for them as I write this blog, even though I haven't moved a thing in the garden or studio back where it stays!
Day 2 of our Art and Craft Trail and the sun shone on us again!!! You must realise that for Scotland that is one big deal!! We had a bit of thunder rolling around in the afternoon but then headed off in another direction!
We had more great familes visiting, lots of children doing the workshops - we have been so impressed with their artistic abilities! The little boy in the white jacket made a fabulous beach stone model yesterday and brought all his family with him today to make a stunning driftwood creation! Some kids chose to make lanterns but the beach art was more popular!
Lesley and Becky's jewellery has been selling like hotcakes both days. Up till today I had sold only cards but today 2 paintings were snapped up much to my delight!!! Our potter has had steady sales too!
We all agree it is lovely to have the footfall, meeting lots of new people - I especially enjoy to see visitors returning from last year - sales are an added bonus!
Our cream tea numbers were down, I gave the remaining scones to my neighbours to enjoy! We must be getting used to the buzz and hard work - we are not so bone weary tonight!
The trail is now underway! Day 1 completed! My first job of the day was baking a huge batch of scones for serving with our cream teas! To say I was stressing a little is perhaps an understatement! Lesley ( my daughter) and Becky, my jewellery makers, went round town displaying posters and placing markers and arrows to our venue ( my studio in our garden).
My dear friend Lorna came along to help, she is a born saleswoman!
The sun shone on us, we couldn't believe it! People piled in, perusing the paintings, jewellery and ceramics and buying a little along the way! We met a lot of lovely people.
Our lantern and beach art workshops went down well too. With only one scone left at the end of the day, the cream teas were a roaring success! I enjoyed that last scone with raspberry jam and a cup of tea this evening!
The girls are fast asleep and I am nodding off during this blog - so goodnight - I'll keep you posted on the following 3 days
