2 March 2022
Well-it finally caught up with us-the family has been laid low with Covid for about a week now. The grey weather and rain isn’t helping, but it has given me some time to update my portfolio page a bit. I have had a start on my wedding reception piece. I had started with a blue background on both a 60 x 60 canvas and also a 20x20 linen board- to get rid of the white canvas block! When I went back to both, the smaller one seemed to call out-so that is the one I am focusing on.
One of the comments I have had in the past is-GO BIGGER! I actually had one visitor who was quite disappointed the piece he was interested in was a small piece. But, I generally find I am more comfortable with small! I guess I really should push myself to go big-maybe a goal for Open Studios 2022???
7/2/22
Time has flown by-now we are well into the New Year and thankfully approaching Spring. Amazingly, it is time to sign up for Open Studios 2022. Last years’ went really well. I had more passing guests this year. My venue was nearer to the village so it meant more people meandering by and coming to have a look. Overall, it was a good two weeks. I met some really interesting people and got some useful feedback on my pieces. My favourite comments:
‘I think it would be good if you could just lower the horizon’
‘It’s a shame you didn’t put a little bit of sun in that bit, just off to the side’
I promised to take both comments on board :)
I am now just getting back to some studio time after taking a bit of a time out for family and the holiday season. I’ll be working on a commission for some friends. It is a wedding gift-so the pressure is on. I have been asked to do a piece around Great Mis Tor. For those of you not familiar with Dartmoor National Park- a tor is an outcrop of rocks found on the hills in the park. There are over one hundred tors on Dartmoor. They are often places of great romantic gestures, picnics, hikes and epic views. In May they form the basis of an endurance event for secondary schools in the area and further afield. This two day team challenge comprises of different routes covering either 35, 45 or 55 miles. On each route, the teams have to reach ten different named tors. It is an amazing experience for the young adults taking part -quite character building and a real achievement.
The couple who are getting married took part in this event when they were teenagers and have asked a few of the wedding guests if they could produce a small sketch or painting of a particular tor to use as the table assignments for the wedding reception. So, the pressure is on to not only do the tor justice, but to please the happy couple. I have hiked and run up to that particular Great Mis several times now -so I know it well, but I think it is time to get on my warm coat, grab the sketch book and the water colours and go for another hike and soak up the atmosphere!
25/8/2021
Devon Open Studios is approaching fast. I am trying to get things ready whilst also completing some works in progress. This year a very kind neighbour has agreed to let me use some of her space to show my work. As I will not be exhibiting in my own space, trying to work out how to display my work in a garden summerhouse is challenging! Thankfully, the setting makes up for it-the views and garden are gorgeous.
I have started a new technique-cold wax. So far I am very pleased with the results. I will have some new works in this medium to show, but they will not quite be ready to take as they are. The drying time is pretty long, and the finish is quite delicate until it firms up.
This work is the start/sketch of a new piece inspired by a thatched cottage nearby.
26/1/2021
It is hard at this time to find inspiration to paint or write. I find myself in front of a canvas just staring at it. I made a resolution to spend at least six hours a week in my studio-so far, not even a minute has been spent with my paints or even a pastel in hand. I have applied more time rummaging around the freezer trying to find something to eat than putting paint to canvas.
I usually find plenty of inspiration whilst out walking, spending time with family and friends, people watching or even from other peoples’ posts/photos on facebook or Instagram. At the moment, nothing seems to be working. I imagine it is the current Covid climate infecting my creativity if not my body.
I recently bought an ‘antique’ French oil painting. The colours in it are amazing-deep and lustrous. The brush strokes are free and loose -no tight crisp lines or precise edges. It is a still life, but in all fairness, I am unsure of what it is actually a painting of! I bought it primarily because I love it, but also with the hope of using it as a study to work on my oil painting techniques.
So , there it is-my muse. It isn’t a beautiful spring day, a lover or an emotion. Today my muse is colour, shape, the texture of brush on canvas, cracked ancient oil paint and varnish applied too thick.
Stay safe everyone
Sara x
21/11/2020
Hello All
I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the people who made it up to see us during Open Studios week. Considering the Covid situation, we were really happy with the number of visitors. I was really pleased to be able to share my work with a wider audience and had some fantastic feedback. I look froward to inviting you to a new exhibition when it is possible.
Please stay safe and well.
Sara x
