Exhibitions are a great way to escape from the busy world, take a deep breath and just enjoy the sensory pleasures of looking at beautiful things , beautifully made, feeling the patina of a finely finished sculpture or sensing the utility of a perfectly balanced handmade cup or bowl.

The Fircroft Exhibition in Albury Heath GU9DD has all these, and finishes this weekend on Sunday 23rd June. Open 11-5 daily. See map on website http://www.fircroft.info

Fircroft

I am excitedly looking forward to the Fircroft exhibition which opens on the Saturday 8th June for two weeks.

I have about 20 new paintings in the exhibition which takes place in The lovely house and garden of the artist Frank Taylor in Albury Surrey. There will also be sculpture, glass,ceramics and jewellery by various talented artists for sale.

I came across this punchy expression yesterday. It apparently means “a defiant stroke” or strike, and has been used to describe that final dash of paint applied upon completing a painting. It expresses a flourish, a bold and casual stroke that is the finishing touch. I like this idea! Although my paintings do not usually show brushstrokes I think a flourishing lick of paint to finish could be just what is needed to enliven my works.

I have used it in my latest painting of a silver chocolate pot in the reflected light. Baby steps. It’s subtle I know!

At this time of the year I am a bit more reluctant to be outdoors unless the weather surprises me and is reliably pleasant, which is uncommon in December! However I take great pleasure from the small things around me at home that I have accumulated because they interest me. Their shapes, colours and their meaning to me. Inevitably a new composition for a painting emerges which makes me see them in a new light(often literally). This is one I am working on at the moment, rich colours emerging from the dark space. Not quite finished yet.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year!

Anyone who has seen my paintings will be aware that I have a passion for still life compositions! I often get asked why I find them so interesting to paint. I have recently read a book called Thunderclap by Laura Cummings largely about the artist Carel Fabritius of “The Goldfinch” fame, where the subject is discussed.

“Still Life is where nothing more and apparently nothing is happening”. “life stilled”.

It is that essence of tranquillity that I find so beguiling. I am trying to create an intimate space where the focus is on everyday objects that have a simple beauty and grace. A calm space in a busy world where you can enjoy just the present moment.

I will be exhibiting in the following exhibitions. Both are at the lovely Denbies Wine Estate Dorking Surrey.

The painting A Fine Combination will be in the Dorking Group of Artists Exhibition. 13-15th October. Wine and Olives will be in the Surrey Hills Artists Exhibition 16th-29th October.

Artists have to dogged in their determination to reach their goal, be it mastering a new medium or selling a painting that has taken ages to reach fruition. As described in the book “Think like an artist” by Will Gompertz, Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb, wrote of his thousands of experiments that led to his Light bulb moment, “I have not failed 10.000 times, I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 10.000 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work I will find the way that will work.

Creativity is an iterative process of refining until you get to the point you wish to. That lovely moment when you see that you have painted what had been in your minds eye, or that your painting is finally finished, is worth all the effort along the way.

This painting of an elaborate chandelier of a Hibiscus flower will be in the Surrey Hills Exhibition at Denbies Vineyard October 16th-29th.

Self Expression

Art is a form of self expression, I read. I certainly think so. When I choose a subject to paint and bring the painting to fruition, I am thinking is it “me”. Does it feel right and does it express my personal view of the subject. If not, I know that I need to keep going until it is! I find this works for me and gives me more satisfaction than trying to emulate another artist’s style, much as I admire them. I have learnt a great deal from studying other artists work and am inspired by it, but I try not to copy it. Interpreting what we see is so individual. The complexity and extraordinary idiosyncrasies of the human character is what keeps art endlessly interesting!

Having recently taken my painting “Doughnut Treats” up to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, I was reminded of the story of how JMW Turner had turned up at the varnishing Day of the Summer Exhibition, in his time, and felt his painting was not standing up well against Constables entry. So, not to be outdone, he painted a bright red Buoy in his sea which contrasted strikingly with the green of the water. Since then adding a splash of red to a painting has been associated with Turner.

I have just been painting this complex Little Gem lettuce leaf, thinking it would be good tonal subject. However I felt it lacked a certain something as I approached finishing it, so I have added a splash of red with a radish, and it has worked a treat. It also fits in well with the title. “Little Gem.” I just have to wait to varnish it now.