Hare Today, More Tomorrow!

I have neglected my blog of late, I apologise to all my followers! For many years I have promised myself I would paint hares. Born in the month of March, my granny called me a Mad March Hare! I have always been fascinated by them. I done several several sketches of hares and even tried hare Linocuts.  This is the start of my first hare painting, he is appearing before my eyes, as if I have no part in it! It is a 'he", in my mind, for whatever reason.... I am painting with oil on watercolour paper, a fairly new venture too!

I use W&N Artisan Water Mixable Oils but have changed the medium I use with them. I always used the quick drying medium, which leaves the surface with a slight sheen, resembling a faint varnish. 

I wanted to try my oils at our life drawing sessions and thought I'd try Artisans Safflower Oil, to aid the flow of paint, when I was working against the clock!

 The safflower oil was very successful and also dries with the same slight sheen. I love how the paint feels as I apply it to board or paper. 

Another piece in Whitehouse Gallery

A larger piece, now on show and for sale at the Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright
"White Phlox and Windfall" oil painting
Generous neighbours and friends gave me the flowers and apples for this still life

Volunteer Portrait Models Required Broughton House Kirkcudbright

Portrait volunteer models required!
This weekend, renowned portrait painter Euan McClure is holding a workshop in Broughton House.

Saturday, short poses are the order of the day, so if you have a spare hour, we would love the chance to sketch you!

Sunday, 11-4 models for the whole day will receive lunch
So if you are at a loose end this weekend or just fancy the experience, please email with your phone number or leave a message on 01557 331313

Rozelle House Save the Children Exhibition

I am happy to tell you I sold both my paintings that I had showing in the Save the Children exhibition held at Rozelle House, near Ayr. This was the first time my friend Pauline and I had shown in this particular exhibition, she also sold her two pieces.

These are are my two paintings

Friday Class

 What a great day my artists had yesterday! I run beginners drawing and painting classes every Friday, mornings and afternoons. They all got stuck in to the exercise, producing charcoal sketches from a black and white photo, then went for it with colour, in oils. Their colour choices are beautiful.

There is one space in my afternoon class.....come along and give it a go!

Whitehouse Gallery Deadline

Paintings all finished, framed and delivered to The Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright! Never thought I'd make the deadline...it hasn't been without its stressful moments!
"Enchanted Christmas" opens on Saturday 8th November, please come along and see my new work and all the other gorgeous paintings and craftwork

Ullswater

Here are a couple of sketches from Ullswater. I didn't sketch them in the rain and wind! The Lake District does lend itself to the drama of mist, rain and gales, it's beautiful but I am getting a bit fed up getting soaked every day!

I usually can't look sheep in the eye since I read the book Under the Skin, (the film does not do the book justice , partly because it changes the fundamentals of the story!) I looked these sheep in the eye and asked "are you a clone?" They stared back.........Please read the book.......then you will understand...........

Enchanted Christmas, Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright

After my last 10 hour day of painting, I've completed my ten pieces for Kirkcudbright's Whitehouse Gallery's Christmas exhibition "Enchanted Christmas" beginning on November 8th!

I may have had a bit of a "jug" fest! I didn't realise that I owned so many!

Everyone welcome!

Christmas Exhibition

I shall be exhibiting in the Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright from November 8 - December 31 in their 2014 Christmas exhibition, "Enchanted Christmas."

Everyone is welcome to come along and see my new work and a raft of beautiful pieces by other arttists and craftmakers

Last Sketchbook Saturday of the Summer

Sketchbook Saturday 27 Sep
Broughton House and Garden
The sun didn't shine for us but that didn't deter our artists from sketching in the garden! Some decided to sketch in Hornels Studio too!
Thank you to everyone who came along on that day and to all the other Sketchbook Saturday's held this summer.
A big thank you also to Sheila from Broughton House and her staff for making us so welcome! The coffee and biscuits were gratefully received too!

Sketchbook Saturday Broughton House Kirkcudbright

Broughton House and Garden Sketchbook Saturday
Saturday 27 September 10am-12noon £10

Come along this Saturday, this is the last Sketchbook Saturday of the season! Believe me it is a real treat to sit and sketch in this beautiful garden! If the weather is against us we can go inside and sketch in Hornel's studio and gallery!
Pm me to book and for more details or ring on 01557 331313 or 07845306818

Today's the Day Scotland

Whatever the outcome of today's vote, please let PEACE reign, in our glorious land. I've never felt so nervous about a political situation in my life!

We have got to the point we can't trust our UK politicians, they feed us lies, it won't be any different if we get independence , Scottish politicians do the same, where have all the good people gone?

Painting on the Back Burner

I managed to get some painting done today, I am so far behind getting work ready for my gallery's Xmas exhibition! No painting done on Wednesday, no painting done yesterday. The reason for me not being in the studio .... See below!

Meet my newest grandson, born yesterday to my son and his wife, who've waited nine long years for this moment, there is such joy in our family on his arrival!

Logan James Milligan

Wednesday 10th September Open Studio Afternoon

My Studio Open Afternoon - Wednesday 10th September! 1-5pm
14 Stirling Crescent, Kirkcudbright

All welcome! Come along for a chat and a cuppa, have a look at how I work and the mess I make!

Directions - follow the sign for the Golf Course (near St Mary Service Station) head on up to the top of the hill, past the golf clubhouse entrance, the golf course is on your right, Stirling Crescent is on your left. My banner will be on the gate. The studio is at the bottom of the rear garden!

Still on the Copper

I'm still plodding away with this painting of my copper pots. I was at a loss what to paint and had spent a few hours in my studio, looking for inspiration and had decided that perhaps, I was done with Still Life!

I took myself down to the studio one evening, still looking for the elusive idea! My eye caught my collection of smaller copper pieces that I had strung on a piece of purple ribbon hanging in front of the window! Why hadn't I noticed them before? 

I think I had to view them with the dark of the evening behind them, to see something new in the copper.

So I am only painting whilst it is dark outside, hence the very early mornings - a nap is necessary at some point during the day, as I am back out painting in the evening!

I still have loads to do, the little jug base is all wrong......talk about suffering,for your art!

Day Three 5am Start!

I have had to come back into the house to have my porridge, it is decidedly chilly in the studio this morning! Goose pimples everywhere!
My new full spectrum tubes are in and the light is just delightful, like someone pulling back the curtains and letting inthe sunlight! I needed to renew a lightfitting too unfortunately, thank goodness for brothers!
I scared myself to death at 5am, trekking to the bottom of the garden in the dark, I reached the studio to see a glowing red light inside! Eek! Fire!
I'd left the torch inside, with the red light setting on!

The Dawn Patrol

This is the second morning getting up at 5am to paint! I have loads of work to do for an upcoming exhibition and have been feeling the strain! Nothing was inspiring me, no flowers left in my garden....on top of that the BIG vote is coming up and I am no further forward in making a decision.

 I was a NO initially but after reading lots of stuff, watching the dreadful TV debates and talking to as many people as I can, I am in the "dinnae ken" camp (don't know for non Scottish speaking)

I had to remove my particular dislike of Alex Salmond from the equation but I'm still on the fence!

Now I'm set for a day of bookkeeping.....hate it so
much!

30th August Sketchbook Saturday

Broughton House Garden Kirkcudbright, this morning!
We were so so lucky with the weather for our Sketchbook Saturday!
Well done to all who came along, great work, see you next month!

Saturday 30th August Sketchbook Saturday

Come along! It's Sketchbook Saturday time again! This Saturday 30th August. 10-12noon £10 for the session

Broughton house, Kirkcudbright 
Hopefully we will get out in the gardens again to sketch but should it be wet we will be sketching in Hornels gallery and studio! Either way we will have a great time!
Phone 01557 331313 to book a place or just for more info

Last Day of Exhibition Monday

Glasgow Girls Exhibition Kirkcudbright 
Monday 25th August is the last day of this wonderful exhibition.
I have been lucky enough to have had my work displayed on the main stairwell, heading into the main exhibition, please stop and have a look, further work can be seen at my studio, open this coming Wednesday 1-5pm

Hard at Work

I'm hard at work producing paintings for the Whitehouse Gallery's Xmas exhibition, trying to get going with the flowers available at this time of year. Some from my garden, some from Val and Joe Farrell's! The summer is disappearing fast, panic is setting in!

Wednesday 13th August Open Studio 1-5pm

14 Stirling Crescent, Kirkcudbright DG6 4EZ
Come along for a look at the paintings, the studio and have a cuppa and a chat!

Directions - follow the sign for the Golf Course, near St Mary Service Station, go on to the top of the hill, past the entrance to the Golf Clubhouse, Stirling Crescent is on your left, the golf course on your right.
Look for the banner on the gate and my string of bunting! Plenty of parking across the road from the house.
The studio is situated at the bottom of the rear garden

Hoots Man, the Travelling chickens are in Bonnie Scotland!

Ive waited a long time for my turn to have the chickens and then find I am up to my ears with our towns four day open studio event, followed by teaching a one day life drawing workshop,

My studio is now operational and finally got my painting done!

This is an exciting time in Scotland, we have just hosted the Commonwealth Games! It is also a time of division, as we prepare to vote in the referendum for Independance.

It is a huge deal for each one of us, here in Scotland, for or against....I am still deciding.......I find political speak difficult to understand....I'm hoping someone will speak up in a language I can understand!

Here, the chickens are having a heated discussion "yes" says little yellow chicken, "no" announces skinny blue bird.....see, they are just as confused as me!!!!

Actually the blue bird, I have just found out is a cockerel or rooster, as I went to pack him away, I found his "comb" in the bubble wrap!

So we have before and after shots! I quite liked the shaved look!

Beginners Life Drawing Workshop

Beginners Life Drawing Workshop
After a dodgy start to the day with a power cut at home just after I had washed my hair and had a quiche to cook for our workshop lunch, the day at Ringford went really well!
A lovely group of people who all produced great work! They worked in charcoal, pencil, water soluble pens and water soluble pencils, pastel, watercolour pencils....they worked at easels, standing, sitting with their boards on their knees, on the floor....they were game for anything and lunch wasn't half bad either! Our model for the day. Kat, was amazing, as always! X

Last Day of our Art Trail

Day Four Kirkcudbright Art and Craft Trail 2014
Venue 68 14 Stirling Crescent
Id like to thank everyone who has supported us over the years by visiting, buying, partaking of a cream tea or two and of course for having a go at our Have a Go!
This has been our final trail at 14 Stirling Crescent. You have all been wonderful - we are not giving up on the Trail, you are not getting rid of us that easy, we will be somewhere down in the heart of the "toon" next year, hopefully - if Colin, Pauline and Vivien can squeeze us in!
I must also thank Caitlin our "Have a Go" Leader, who worked tirelessly over the four days, she's a star! Thank you to Lorna, my bestie friend, our Catering Manager, sales woman of the year!!
Thank you to my sidekicks, Lesley, Becky and Sadie, their work is just amazing!
We were so busy on the final day, tables and chairs had to be removed from the house into the garden!
We went out with a BANG! xxx

Don't forget you can visit my working studio the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 1-5pm August and September, it will not be clean or tidy but you will see how I work and enjoy a cuppa and chat!

Day Three Kirkcudbright Art and Craft Trail

Day Three Kirkcudbright Art and Craft Trail - Venue 68 - after being awakened by the battering rain and wind on the window, I didn't expect much for today's trail! This the best Sunday we have ever had on the trail! I ran out of chairs and tables for our cream teas. It was lovely to see a lot of locals today!
We obviously think our mutt Millie is super smart, she was all set to start her Have a Go project as you see by the photo! Then 16 month old grandson finished the day with a bit of beach art! We all treated ourselves to a cream tea at the end of the day!