Exploring ideas with pastels

Finally clearing the clutter from my mind to think and feel my way into paintings for my next project. I think it will be at least eighteen months in the making. I will be taking two weeks out shortly, to go and research, photograph and sketch, which will form the basis of more paintings. I will post more pictures and information as I go along. In the meantime here are some pastel roughs exploring some of my ideas. This is the elusive and scary stage when you can see exactly what you want in your head and you can feel how you want to paint it. The pastel roughs are a start, but now you have to transfer all of that onto your canvas without losing any of it.

Mandrill - Acrylic on canvas

SOLD
This painting of a Mandrill was completed in late 2008. It was my first entry for the David Shepherd wildlife Artist of the year competition. Not an obvious choice for me as I imagined all the paintings would have to be very realistic, but I was advised by one of the promotors that it is open to all styles of work. Although I was not lucky enough to be accepted, the painting is now in the collection of a fan who loves it.

You can submit your entries for 2010 by going onto the David Shepherd wildlife foundation site, Click on wildlife artist of the year 2010 to download an entry form . For more details go to http://www.davidshepherd.org/index2.shtml

All the winning entries are exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London and will be well publicised. Well worth a go and all the money goes to very good cause.

The Wallace Collection

I was so pleased to visit the wonderful Wallace Collection in Manchester Square, London, yesterday. My first visit in a long time. A peaceful calm haven, right in the middle of the city. I especially wanted to see The Lady with a Fan by Diego Velazquez. I love every inch of this painting, the position of the figure on the canvas slightly to one side, and the way the shape and mass of the sitter creates a perfect balance with the background space. Velazquez's colours are elegant and low key, mainly browns, blacks, silvery whites and greys. The beautifully painted and perfectly positioned blue ribbon on the rosary, provides a note of contrast.

The shape of the opened fan is echoed in the sweep and curve of the brown dress and at the top of the silvery glove gently holding the black shawl. The beautiful and mysterious face is superbly painted, a living breathing human being being with thoughts and feelings. There is so much humanity in the painting and I find it so moving.

Well worth a visit.

Mary Fedden - Inspiration

After a long break from painting, it is so hard to get back into the flow again. The ideas are begining to come now so I can start having some fun with it. It often helps me to look at the work of other Artists for inspiration. I have been looking at Mary Feddens wonderful still life paintings. What an amazing Artist she is. Here are two I particularly like. What I love is the quality of light in them, the gorgeous off beat colors, the way the pictures have been composed as though seen from an unusual angle, and off course the sheer beauty of her brush strokes. She has such a unique and beautiful way of looking at the world. How good to know such people exist to create beauty and enrich our quality of life.

Back to work

Now that the school summer holidays are coming to an end, my children are looking forward to going back to school and I am looking forward to claiming back my studio. During the holidays, the studio has been used as music room, homework room, reading / study room, computer room and getting away for some peace and quiet room. Not much painting has been happening in there! What I have been able to do is develop ideas, make notes and do some research for my next book project involving my Mother’s recipes and our family Olive grove in Cyprus. I will be keeping a diary of the whole project from beginning to end. Roll on Monday 7th September!

Snoring

Apparently my snoring is so bad, my children warn their friends about it before they come for sleepovers. They give them advice like ‘If you hear a terrible noise in the middle of the night, don’t panic, it’s just Mum snoring’

The subject of my snoring came up again recently, my teenage son likened it to ‘A walrus having an asthma attack’ Lovely, thanks so much!

If anyone knows of a ‘proven’ cure for snoring, please let me know! I will send you a reproduction print as a thank you.

Art Fairs - For Artists?

I have been looking into Art Fairs, to see if this would be a good way to exhibit my work or even if I would be welcomed or included in this scene. I have always felt that the Art World can be a very exclusive place, not at all welcoming unless you happen to be 'inside' this world, otherwise it seems the door is firmly shut, and the key thrown away. So far I have looked at these sites, Frieze Art Fair, The Affordable Art Fair, London Art Fair, 20/21 British Art Fair, Art London and Brighton Art Fair.

From what I can see, it is only Brighton Art Fair, that offers applications for individual Artists to take part. Otherwise applications are for Galleries only, not individual Artists.

If you have taken part in any of these Art Fairs, I would appreciate your views.

Have a great day.

Hani