Top Entrecard Droppers for February

A big, BIG thank you to everyone who has been dropping on my blog this month.

The top ten are:

Picture to People

vanillaseven

The Junk Drawer

Youniquely Chic

Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice

Stroll Through Storyland

iWalk,U2?

Dallas Marketing Services

Moshi & Kibo's Dog Blog

ThemeLib

You are all wonderful and deserve lots and lots of visits.

Around the house sketches

I've been going MAD sketching around the house. Haven't done this for ages.
This first one is my cat Niobe making herself very comfortable on MY chair at MY painting table in the kitchen.


This second pen sketch is again in the kitchen showing my 'Nodding Homer' (tap his head and he looks like he's eating his doughnut!!!) next to a camellia plant that has been gamely producing flowers all winter.

Win one of my original paintings
See this post

All Routes South

All Routes South
Artist quality watercolours on watercolour paper
11.7" x 8.3"

In this watercolour, I have tried to capture the almost magical, softening effects that a snowfall can have on an otherwise ordinary street scene. The location is Mansfield Road, Nottingham, just up from the Victoria Centre. The snow was being blown around by strong winds, and I was wet and cold. How wonderful it would have been to be able to follow sign's directions, to the South and the warm sun!
For those of you who are interested here is the original photo I used as a reference for the painting.


You can see the changes I have made in interpreting the photo as a painting. For instance, I decided to leave out the main lamppost. I just didn't like the way it divided up the painting. As the snow was being blown around rather ferociously by the wind the camera wasn't really able to capture the falling snow effectively. Also a photo can never quite capture the mood that a scene like this imparts. This can only come from the artist's genuine interpretation of the scene.
If you are interested in purchasing this work, please take a look at my Etsy shop.

I'm in a Treasury!!!

I would just like to say a BIG thank you to Jean and Scott of Trillium Studios on Etsy. They have included my work 'All in a row' in their treasury 'Life is Short'. I'm really honoured to be included in this eclectic mix. I'm particularly intrigued by the edible chocolate martini glass (chocolate martini glass - MMMMmmmmmmm.......).
Also another BIG thank you to Theresa of Theresa's Treasures who has written a review of my work in her blog.

Win an original painting!! - reminder

Apologies for not blogging much recently, but have been feeling at bit 'under the weather'.
So as I'm a deal more bright and chipper now, a reminder about my competition to win one of my original watercolour paintings. The painting on offer this month is:

Outside the Pavilion, Whitby
Artist quality watercolour on watercolour paper
8.3" x 11.7"

For details see this post . Also five lucky runners up will each win one of five signed limited edition prints of this painting.

Too cold to rest

Too cold to rest
Artist quality watercolours on watercolour paper
11.7" x 8.3"

I painted this scene from a photograph I'd taken during a walk after a snowfall near where I live in Nottingham. It is near the top of a steep rise called Corporation Oaks. There are some rather grand Victorian houses along this tree-lined (oaks, of course) path and is actually a conservation area within the city of Nottingham. Near the top is this bench, which I was very tempted to sit on as I'd had a long walk, but it was just too cold!
If you're interested in purchasing this work, please have look in my Etsy shop.

Reviews

I must acknowledge two wonderful blogs that have recently reviewed my work.
The first is Fran Caldwell at Home .In her blog, Fran does a marvelous job reviewing artwork by Etsy sellers. She has found some fantastic artists on Etsy and has produced some very insightful comments on their work. You really must take a look at Frans blog and of course at her review of my work. Also take a look at Fran's Etsy shop. She produces the most colourful and whimsical paintings.
The second is Mel Avila Alarilla's 'Literatti - An Artistic Blog'. Mel reviews work by the great artists of the past such as Van Gogh, Matisse, Raphael - and now me. I feel so honoured to be included with these great masters!! Take a look at Mels blog (he also maintains several other blogs) and at the review he did of my work.
I am really grateful to Fran and to Mel.

The Guardian in Snow

For this week I'm painting snow scenes from photos I took last week, beginning, as Dorothy might say, in my own back yard.
We first saw this little statue of a mysterious hooded figure at local garden centre, along with various pixies, goblins and trolls. Perfect for the garden, I thought. So home he came with us and now stands guard at the top of the steps leading to the old garden shed. Even in the coldest weather, he never deserts his post!!
If you're intersted in buying this work, please visit my Etsy shop.

Pavilion Posters, Whitby

My latest watercolour painting shows posters advertising the entertainment that could be enjoyed at the Whitby Pavilion. The painting was taken from a photograph that I took back in 2005. It was on a day visit to Whitby and it must have been late in the year as the dates on the posters are in November. I love Whitby (and other seaside towns) at this time of year. There aren't too many people around so your're not constantly having to fight your way through crowds. Everything seems more leisurely and you just seem to have more time to take in the atmosphere of the place.
Of course there isn't too much going on at this time of year, so performances at places like the pavilion are important social occasions.
And I just love old posters!!
If you would like to purchase this work, please look in my Etsy shop.

All in a Row, Robin Hood's Bay

Well, Monday we had our first proper snowfall of the winter. I was straight out with my camera taking loads of photos. Snow tends not to hang around too long here , so I wanted to get loads of reference material for future paintings.
Meanwhile, I'm still painting the summer!
This latest watercolour shows the beach at Robin Hood's Bay, a small village on the North Yorkshire coast, just south of Whitby.

All in a Row, Robin Hood's Bay
Artist quality watercolours on watercolour paper
8.3" x 11.7"

This family were having a lovely, relaxed time in their deckchairs.
This work is available for purchase from my etsy shop.

Win one of my original watercolours

For details, see the previous post

February "Win a Painting" Competition

Well, here it is. The first competition to win one of my original paintings. The work I am offering is one of my Whitby paintings.

Outside the Pavilion, Whitby
Artist quality watercolour on watercolour paper
8.3" x 11.7"

This painting shows the view looking down onto the "big beach" at Whitby from outside the Whitby Pavilion. The pavilion itself is built into the west cliff (hence the wall - stops you from falling down the cliff!) and offers stunning sea views along the coast.

In addition five other lucky people will win one of five signed limited edition prints of the painting.

To qualify you must:

1. Subscribe to my email posts.
2. Comment on this posting.
3. Mention this posting in one of your posts this month. The post does have to be only about my competition, but it should mention it with a link back to the competition post.
4. Comment on at least 5 other of my posts for this month.


This painting has been produced specifically for this competition and the edition will be limited to 5.
This is a great opportunity to own an original artwork.

Please note:
One entry per person
The painting and prints will be unframed and unmounted.
The prints of the artwork will be printed on A4 paper and will have a small white border on all edges.

The competition will run from the first of the month to the last day of the month.
The winner and runner-up prizes will be determined by a draw from all qualifying names and will be announced during the first week of March.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any inquiries about the competition and Good Luck!!