oil pastel hyacinth

I did this hyacinth some time ago but only just managed to get it on the blog

Easter Sunday

It snowed. This stopped any plans to go out (not that we really had any). Had a long lie in and talked nonsense for about three hours. Felt mildly depressed but this lifted once I started doing things. Between cooking and with everyone busy, I did another half hour to Jon's portrait. Today I woke at six and read 'notes from an exhibition' by Patrick Gale, which combines painting and Bipolar Disorder in one person so I'm interested. Makes me feel less peculiar for not being materialistic or bothered by a run down and sometimes messy house. But is that because I'm a painter or does it imply Bipolar. Not sure I'll find the answer to this in this book.

Now I've done more to this I'm not sure I want to do more in case I spoil the more abstract elements. The right shoulder looks awkward but I like the ill at ease feeling that it gives the figure. I'm not looking for comfort.

Looking through the photos has reminded me that while lying in bed Aiden put cars on my face as though it were a landscape as we remembered how he used to do this when he was 3 or 4 on my arms and in the folds of my clothes when I came home from work tired and he'd been to nursery. This was a lovely way of being close while he played and I was happy to be a landscape for the cars. Very soothing-even on the face when done with gentleness-like a quirky massage

I may do a painting at least based on this. They are all laughing and talking in the kitchen after breakfast.

beginning a portrait

It's taken this long to get round to posting but the painting was done on wed. Jon-my husband ,sat for 1 hour and I made a quick start in oils. It's going to be a very neutral pallette which I'm pleased about. looking forward to next sitting but need to block in background first.

middle of the night

after posting all those life drawings yesterday, most of them old, it occurs to me that I'm wasting my time doing anything but people and that this is really what I want to do. This woke me in the middle of the night and I can't wait till tomorrow when I'll have time to do something. In the meantime I want to put pictures of my sons on the blog.

some life drawings

In a money driven culture it is hard to remember what life is really about and I'd like to thank Paul for playing 'Seasick Steve' for me. Great music and stories abou his life as a hobo.

Art used to be about being sensitive to the world and sharing this insight, and teaching art used to be about teaching skills and empowering individual expression. Now it seems to be about ticking the right boxes. I feel like the bumbling old master in the 'History Boys' a dinosaur in my own lifetime.



Tell me what you think of the drawings.

february 19th 2008

just created this blog and hopefully will have some artwork to put on by the end of today. I've been inspired by Anita Davies and her journal and can see how it can help develop a train of thought.