Bridlington, acrylic inks on watercolour paper, 15x29cm

Jean Illingworth, photographer, runs “Chasing the Light Gallery”, Wellington Road, Bridlington. She came to see me during the open studios, liked my work, and asked me to paint scenes around Bridlington to exhibit in her gallery. This is one of the results, and is now in her gallery. The gallery is taking part in the East Ridings Open Studios, and is open this weekend and the next (15/16 & 22/23 September 2012, 11am to 5pm). The gallery cafe will be open on the Saturdays, and she’s hoping to have live music on the Sundays.

Staithes. oil on canvas, 50x70cm.

Recently finished, this painting was commissioned by friends who want coastal views. Commissions are great, because I know where the painting is going, yet a bit daunting, as I never know how it will work out or whether patrons will like it (I don’t do the same thing twice, and although I decide on the composition before I start, I like to let things change during the painting process…). This painting was commissioned when they saw one of my small square oil paintings (Staithes Boats) and liked the subject and the colours, but wanted a larger one in a rectangular format.

Usually I just paint what I want to paint, with the hope that one day someone will like it, and will have space for it, and will have enough money to buy it… Usually it works out, but sometimes a painting need to go to many galleries before it is seen by the right person.

Staithes Boats, oil on canvas, 20x20cm

Robin Hood’s Bay. oil on canvas, 50x100x4cm. £650.

My latest painting,  50x100cm, one of my paintings in the Coast Gallery (Cloughton) 2nd Summer Exhibition, from today 10 August, til 25th September.

Starting on a new one of Robin Hood’s Bay…

Robin Hood’s Bay, 50x100cm

Robin Hood’s Bay, oils on linen, 50x70cm

This is what I’ve been painting for the last month, as a commission. It takes a long time because I love black, but hate the greys one gets when colours mix with black. So the paint has to dry between layers. Robin Hood’s Bay, an idealised view with distorted perspective to get the whole of Ravenscar in, and no gutters on the houses because it’s not raining! I’ve really enjoyed this though it took much longer than predicted… And now, I’m starting on another painting of Robin Hood’s Bay! It would be good to get it finished in time for my exhibition at the Coast Gallery, but that starts in 2 weeks…

To an american visitor in Pannett art gallery, Whitby, who asked if I would send paintings to the USA, the answer is yes. I will not send glazed frames, because if the glass breaks in transit, it will damage the painting. But I can send work in a mount, or in a frame with acrylic glazing, and canvases are no problem.

Robin Hood’s Bay 2012. ink on paper. Currently in Geall Gallery, Grosmont.

Finished at last. This took much longer than expected, but I’m pleased with the result.

Staithes. oil on canvas, 30x90x7cm. £725.

Oak III. January 2010. (just to help to appreciate the warmth of June, or to cool you down if you’re lucky enough to be in the sun.)
Here the focus is both on the strength of the oak, and on texture. I also tried to capture the beautiful colours of the snow clouds, I suppose it’s the ice crystals which act like pastel rainbow makers.The softness of the snow contrasts with the heavy relief of the trunk. It took months to dry!
oil on canvas, 80 x 100 x 7.5 cm.

Oak III. January 2010. oil on canvas, 80 x 100 x 7.5 cm. £750.

This isn’t quite finished yet, as I need to paint the bottom of it (always rather awkward) but nearly done. I started it about 5 weeks ago, but the open studios season got in the way a bit. Still, it was great to meet new people, see old friends, some whom I see regularly, others I only see during the open studios, and even an art tutor whom I hadn’t seen for 20 years…back to normal now, or at least as normal as my life usually is.

Staithes V. oil on canvas, 30x90x7cm

Tomorrow is the start of the last weekend of the North Yorkshire Open Studio. (http://www.nyos.org.uk/Artist.aspx?id=115)

If a lot of people come round, it will be great. If they come round, it is because they are interested in art, and it’s great to talk about art and meet new people because I usually work on my own.

And if there are no visitors, then I will carry on painting Staithes. And if I finish it this weekend, then I can start on my new commissions! And it would be nice to have new work for the exhibition at the Coast Gallery in August. It is always quite exciting to start something new. A little bit daunting, due to the infinite possibilities, and the wish that it will be even better than before…

Staithes, painting in progress

I feel very lucky.