Reflections on a completed commission...

A couple of weeks ago I had a phone call from the gallery in Marsden, Enjoy Art, asking if I would be interested in a commission. The lady had seen my work and rather liked my style and she was wanting a red iris. There's no such flower I said but yes please ask her to ring.

Wendy who is now based in Atlanta rang and we arranged a time to meet.

After discussing the possibilities we decided that it was worth a try.

It took me about a week to paint the flower - a bright red iris - and I wrapped it up and off I went to deliver it metaphorically keeping my fingers crossed in the hope that she would be pleased.

Wendy was thrilled to bits and so was I. So off it goes to foreign parts.

Wendy has been searching for the elusive red iris for a long time. This is the e-mail she sent to me which I think is just lovely so romantic ......

   

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That’s perfect.

I will love it – I love your style and you are lovely and I love red iris - and can't believe I found an artist to paint one. 

I think it's so wonderful that I followed my fictional story all over the world from the Chinar Island of Dal Lake, Kashmir, to the ancient caves of the Gobi Desert, to the banks of the dried river in Isfahan, to the donkeys of Bukhara and the wilds of the Panj River in the Pamirs – to end up in Marsden with the elusive red iris – so it is a great end to the hunt. Thanks so much for being a part of the story :)

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This is the second commission I have been given through the gallery in Marsden and whilst it is always a worry when I am trying something new it is such a satisfying exercise because under normal circumstances I wouldn't be painting these particular pieces. I feel as though I have really accomplished something.

Sadly - no photograph because it's on my phone and I haven't yet worked out how to move photos on to my pc dammit - really must make an effort. But here is one I did earlier as they say and it was in fact what Wendy first saw in Enjoy Art and is still on sale in the gallery should anyone be interested....

A Clearance Sale....

 I am sitting in my studio today looking at some of the work on my walls that has been here a while and I have decided that I need to make some space for the work that is emerging now. 

It's really not possible to keep everything for ever - so - I intend to have a 

CLEARANCE SALE. 

On the afternoons of 17 and 18 October I shall be here from 1 - 4.30 pm in the hope that there are people on the lookout for bargains.

And of course Christmas is on the way.....

Completed Commissions

There is a gallery in Marsden called Enjoy Art in which I have work on sale. A few months ago a regular customer was looking at some of my work and rather liked my treatment of the subject so he got in touch and commissioned two pieces .....

I was really quite thrilled and as a great believer in agreeing to anything and worrying about it later I was very happy to accept even though the subjects were not my choice.

After a couple of false starts I settled down and was really quite happy with the end result. I find it so interesting being forced to do something away from my comfort zone.

Today they were collected and have gone straight off to the framer. The client seemed genuinely pleased with them and I was actually able to explain what was in my mind as I worked on them - properly grown up and professional - there's a first!!!

Fading Abbey... Whitby

Shadow Steps... Whitby

So - after a few weeks of being a bit fed up -especially after not selling anything at RHS Harlow Carr I feel much happier.

Onward and upward.......

Which ones?

Today I am hoping to tap into the wisdom of crowds...

I can only manage to have three of these pieces framed for the exhibition at RHS Harlow Carr in May.

Can't decide which.

What does anyone think?

All help gratefully received.

Thirty years of Moonraking in Slaithwaite.

The whole of the village will be en fete this Saturday 21 February as the crowds gather together with their lanterns ready to process through the village.

All this week there have been workshops and 

get-togethers ready for this milestone birthday.

Many artists and craftspeople will be exhibiting on the Handmade Trail on Saturday afternoon including myself, at Slawit Studio.  My new work will be on show for the first time.

Please feel free to call in and have a browse.............