Caroline's space

Water-Lilies

2012-01-28T21:46:00.001+11:00

Where the water-lilies go
To and fro,
Rocking in the ripples of the water,
Lazy on a leaf lies the Lake King's daughter,
And the faint winds shake her.
Who will come and take her?
I will! I will!
Keep still! Keep still!
Sleeping on a leaf lies the Lake King's daughter . . .
Then the wind comes skipping
To the lilies on the water;
And the kind winds wake her.
Now, who will take her?
With a laugh she is slipping
Through the lilies on the water.
Wait! Wait!
Too late, too late!
Only the water-lilies go
To and fro,
Dipping, dipping,
To the ripples of the water.

A.A. Milne "When We Were Very Young"

I Can See What You See

2012-01-07T13:12:00.000+11:00

Paper Clay, Stoneware.
Created from the same block of clay. I am you, you are me, we are the same, I make you, you make me.

Body Image, Anti Gravity and Other Stories

2012-01-07T11:14:00.001+11:00

Paper Clay, bisqued with copper oxide and then blow torched. Tail feathers donated by my peacock.
Dream the dream, live the real, see beauty in everything.

Where the Faeries Live

2011-10-16T19:41:00.002+11:00

Palette knife painting with acrylic.

Yamba Cathedral

2011-10-16T19:34:00.000+11:00

Palette knife painting in acrylic.

Moving Uncomfortably Slow

2011-09-26T19:08:00.003+10:00

Lifesized body cast of muslin and plaster topped with a coat of acrylic paint, binder medium and PVA glue.

Steampunk'd Vices and Virtue

2011-07-16T13:46:00.000+10:00

A 3D game based on Snakes and Ladders. Made of wire, Muslin dipped in plaster and paint.

Mother, Daughter, Sister, Wife, Lover

2011-05-15T17:30:00.000+10:00

Lepidopteral Dreaming

2011-02-18T12:19:00.000+11:00

This dear little creature died with its wings open, too bad for him but fortunate for an artist's pencil.

Butterfly imagery is used in art to represent the launching of creative thought. The cliche phrase “flights of fancy” is applicable to a fancy butterfly taking flight of growth, creativity, or thought.

Dream Carrier, Bringer of Sleep, Bringer of News

According to a Blackfoot Indian:

You know that it is the butterfly who brings us our dreams — who brings the news to us when we are asleep. Have you never heard a man say, when he sees a butterfly fluttering over the prairie, ‘There is a little fellow flying about that is going to bring news to someone tonight.’? Or have you not heard a person say after the fire burns low and the people begin to make up their beds about the lodge, ‘Well, let us go to bed and see what news the butterfly will bring?’

The Indians use a cross, similar to a Maltese cross, as a sign for the butterfly. Woman embroider it on buckskin which she ties to her baby’s hair in the hope it will induce sleep. George Grinnel, who did some research into this topic before the l900′s said “More recent inquiry leads me to suspect that the influence of the butterfly is not confined to dreams, but to sleep as well. ” Grinnel also stated, “I have not been able to learn why or how the butterfly brings dreams or sleep. It is stated merely that it is soft and pretty and moves gently. And that if you look at it for a long time you will go to sleep.”return

http://www.insects.org/ced4/symbol_list2.html#42

Globally Challenged

2011-02-09T14:30:00.001+11:00

Come with me and I'll show you the trees, let's lie under a big fig and contemplate the world.

November

2010-11-19T16:39:00.000+11:00

Two o'clock

2010-10-18T12:36:00.003+11:00

An idea appropriated from Wet Canvas, my version uses acrylics and a bit of a splattering technique.

Leafy sea dragon

2010-10-16T13:34:00.004+11:00

Anyone need roasting?

2010-10-06T07:50:00.001+11:00

Paper mache project for Mum and 2 little girls. Loads of sticky glue and loads of fun.

All Fired Up

2010-06-30T11:02:00.002+10:00

Drawing is a verb

2010-05-25T13:16:00.005+10:00

The New Face of Body Bar

2010-05-10T07:41:00.002+10:00

A pastel goat, why you ask? because I was asked to draw one .. so there.

Naked or nude?

2010-04-17T16:44:00.002+10:00

Charcoal and pencil on stonehenge paper.

Drawing the nude

2010-04-15T12:17:00.004+10:00

Class project, draw yourself nude! These are drawn with conte crayon. I did actually have a bit of fun with this home studio session but have discovered that I am still way too prudish to be a good nude model.

My doll

2010-03-24T07:58:00.002+11:00

Class this week. Dismembering dolls and then putting them back together with different body parts, why? so we can draw them of course. I rather like the cute bottom on mine. This is a 3 hour long drawing. I still haven't got a name for her yet. Watch this space.

Arcimboldo head

2010-03-15T14:51:00.004+11:00

A drawing of a 3D sculpture made of chicken wire, white rocks, leaves, a bicycle helmet, apples, plums and some sliced lemon. Odd you say? yes I agree but it's teaching me something apparently!

Arp'd Granny

2010-03-03T15:01:00.006+11:00

This drawing is of a collage I made. The technique is one that artist, Hans Arp used where he arranged his collage pieces by randomly throwing them down and pasting them where they landed. This he called " Arranged according to the laws of chance" It's a bit funky, the cut out rings actually landed on this old gals eye brow, making her a bit of a trendy old bird in today's world.

Guess Who?

2010-02-28T12:56:00.003+11:00

Drawing whilst looking in the mirror is tricky. Contour drawing even trickier, but loads of fun. Good to try if you want a self portrait that looks like the head "Moffatt" that Clarice finds in 'Silence of the lambs'

White -Penny

2010-02-07T16:16:00.003+11:00

This is my alarm clock! although he wakes me up way earlier than I would like.
He has a lovely nature and keeps control of his harem quite well.

Kermit's mates

2010-02-01T13:54:00.001+11:00

acrylic on canvas

Wategos Beach

2010-01-08T17:12:00.001+11:00

Acrylic on canvas. What can I say, it's Byron Bay babe!

Betws-y-Coed

2009-12-07T20:58:00.003+11:00

Betws-y-Coed was founded around a monastery in the late sixth century, and grew very slowly with the development of the local lead mining industry. In 1815, the Waterloo Bridge built by Thomas Telford to carry A5 road across the River Conwy and through the village brought considerable transport-related development. The village became a major coaching centre between Corwen (to the east) and Capel Curig (to the west) on the Irish Mail route from London to Holyhead, which led to the improvement of the roads south to Blaenau Ffestiniog and north to Llanrwst and Conwy. (Betws-y-Coed and district tourist information)

Andrew's Feather

2009-11-20T07:58:00.002+11:00

Paintbox

2009-11-16T08:58:00.004+11:00

To paint .. to apply pigment to a surface and change it's appearance ... to paint .. to become lost to all sense of time and to be absorbed in a blissful waking dream of colour.

A Plume for Alice

2009-11-16T08:54:00.001+11:00

Oo Oo Matthew

2009-10-31T15:57:00.003+11:00

Acrylic on canvas. The original photograph was taken at Singapore zoo where these guys swing in the trees right above your head.

This painting was completed as a belated birthday pressie for my brother in law, being of the many monkeys name Gibbons .. I know it's not a gibbon but it's the closest relative I had to paint from .. anyway, Gibbons always remind me of "The Goodies" and after singing their daft string song in my head for hours last week I'm glad that it's not!

Nellie

2009-10-25T15:24:00.005+11:00

This is white gouache painted on cartridge paper for the highlighted areas, let dry and then a layer of indian ink applied over the whole area, let dry again and then washed off. It produces a modified kind of mono print and is hugely fun to do in that you don't really know how it's going to turn out.

My grand old lady is called Nellie after the one that went from the circus to the jungle with a trumpety trump trump trump trump.

Hippy Lizard

2009-09-29T13:04:00.003+10:00

This psychedelic chap is painted with acrylics using a watercolour technique on cold pressed 300g Archers watercolour paper.

Plume de Peacock

2009-09-15T15:05:00.004+10:00

Peacock Feathers have been used for healing for tens of thousands of years in every culture throughout time. They are said to carry Spiritual Healing Energy that can be used to assist people seeking balance and harmony in their lives. With the proper guidelines of use, they allow the individual to connect with the Universal Healing Energy and use this energy to heal people of all of their complaints, imbalances and disease. This tradition is based on this principle
Peacock Symbolism
Peacock symbolism speaks of attributes such as:
Glory
Vision
Royalty
Spirituality
Awakening
Immortality
Refinement
Incorruptibility
It is a possessor of some of the most admired human characteristics, and is a symbol of integrity and the beauty we can achieve when we endeavor to show our true colors.
In history, myth, legend and lore, the Peacock symbolism carries:
Nobility
Holiness
Guidance
Protection
Watchfulness
In Greco-Roman mythology the Peacock is identified with Hera (Juno) who created the Peacock from Argus whose hundred eyes (seen on the tail feathers of the Peacock) symbolize the vault of heaven and the "eyes" of the stars.
In Hinduism the Peacock is associated with Lakshmi who is a deity representing benevolence, patience, kindness, compassion and good luck.
Similar to Lakshmi, the Peacock is associated with Kwan-yin in Asian spirituality. Kwan-yin (or Quan Yin) is also an emblem of love, compassionate watchfulness, good-will, nurturing, and kind-heartedness. Legend tells us she chose to remain a mortal even though she could be immortal because she wished to stay behind and aid humanity in their spiritual evolution.
In Babylonia and Persia the Peacock is seen as a guardian to royalty, and is often seen in engravings upon the thrones of royalty.
In Christianity the Peacock symbolism represents the "all-seeing" church, along with the holiness and sanctity associated with it. Additionally, the Peacock represents resurrection, renewal and immortality within the spiritual teachings of Christianity. Themes of renewal are also linked to alchemical traditions to, as many schools of thought compare the resurrecting phoenix to the modern-day Peacock.
Contemplate the powers of the Peacock when you need more vibrancy and vitality in your experience. The Peacock can also help you on your spiritual Path, and breath new life into your walk of faith.
The Peacock can rejuvenate self-esteem levels too. If you're feeling "blah" and blue, imagine the glorious, techno-color display the Peacock provides. This puts us in a proper mood to embrace your own nobility. In no time, you'll be walking tall and proud as a Peacock too!

The Trail from Pontypool

2009-09-09T09:49:00.004+10:00

Pontypool is the place where I was born, it's welsh name being Pontypŵl.
It sits in the valley of the Afon Lwyd. Lying on the eastern edge of the historic South Wales coalfield, it was an early metalworking centre, with iron smelting (from 1577) and also tinplate manufacture (the first in Britain, from 1720); in the 18th century it produced lacquered ironware known as Pontypool ware. Today it has both glass and steel industries, including stainless steel manufacture, some rubber production, and electronics manufacture. Pontypool is the administrative centre of Torfaen county borough. Pop. (2001) 35,447.

I had a brief visit in March this year and was a bit disappointed at how run down the place looked but the walk back to Cwmbran from the canal basin along the tow path was just magical.

The last chorus member

2009-09-06T10:21:00.002+10:00

This little man is a red poison arrow frog, he lives in South America and is used by the Choco Indians of Columbia to poison their arrow heads and blowpipes. The frog is pinned down on the ground and the arrow tip wiped across it's skin. They are tiny but deadly little frogs, unfortunately their existence is being threatened by the depleting rainforest. This grumpy cutey is painted on canvas with acrylics.

The Finger Of A Goddess

2009-08-25T14:23:00.005+10:00

Ah! Luna, is she not beautiful as she trails her fingers across the ocean? also known as Selene in Greek mythology and boy! could I tell you some crazy stories about that wild chick, something about begging Zeus to grant her mortal lover eternal youth by putting him to sleep forever so she can kiss him each night. Also bearing no less than 50 daughters! that's one busy goddess, but then aren't we all, hey gals?

Jeremiah

2009-08-25T14:14:00.004+10:00

Reminds me of someone I know .... hmmm ... but most of all puts me in mind of my daughter's favourite song, like all good ones about drinking wine and rainbow riding.

As Time Goes By

2009-08-11T14:34:00.002+10:00

Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time,

like dew on the tip of a leaf.

- R.Tagore

Clocks Combo

2009-08-11T14:21:00.003+10:00

An afternoon of of good cheer, good chatter, music and painting .. Thank you Rebecca, I think we came up with a funky masterpiece.

Geisha Collage

2009-08-11T13:53:00.003+10:00

My first attempt at a collage since I was 6. Apart from the fiddly cutting out and glue up to my elbows it was actually quite fun. My geisha does seem to have rather beaudacious Angelina lips though .. pucker up babe ;-)

Not So Common.

2009-07-26T14:34:00.004+10:00

I read that this common variety of frog not only uses it's lungs but can breathe through its skin meaning it can hibernate under water .. to me this is amazing not just common. Being put in a nice warm cardboard box with some straw for the winter like my childhood pet tortoise "Flash" sounds much cosier however.

This froggy is painted with acrylics on canvas.

Lilly

2009-07-14T17:18:00.001+10:00

Acrylic on water colour paper using a watercolour technique.

The Lilly by William Blake

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn:

The humble Sheep. a threatning horn:

While the Lily white, shall in Love delight,

Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright

Poppies

2009-06-20T14:45:00.002+10:00

In Flanders Fields By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army :

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing,

fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived,

felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved,

and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw The torch;

be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep,

though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

La dee da dee da

2009-06-20T14:29:00.003+10:00

I love frogs, Kermit being a favourite of course. "The Princess and the Frog" being one of my all time favourite fairy tales. The title? from "Play Schools" fabby song about frogs.

Giddyup!

2009-06-20T14:23:00.003+10:00

Pastel on tinted paper. This fine fellow graces an exterior wall in the city of Oxford somewhere. I didn't realise he had his tongue sticking out until I went to draw him but apparently they do that a lot. Knowing nothing about horses, it's something I will be looking out for now.

Artichoke

2009-06-02T15:44:00.003+10:00

Artichoke in acrylic on canvas. An unusual plant that grows in mild climates up to a metre tall in the veggie garden. It was pretty fun to paint and is pleasant eaten with a dip.

Cherry Bowl

2009-06-01T17:04:00.003+10:00

That's you that is.

2009-05-26T14:00:00.003+10:00

Gorillas are the largest of the living primates. They are ground-dwelling herbivores that inhabit the forests of Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and (still under debate as of 2008) either four or five subspecies. The DNA of gorillas is 98%–99% identical to that of a human,[2] and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after the two chimpanzee species.
Gorillas live in tropical or subtropical forests. Although their range covers a small percentage of Africa, gorillas cover a wide range of elevations. The Mountain Gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2225 to 4267 m (7300-14000 ft). Lowland Gorillas live in dense forests and lowland swamps and marshes as low as sea level.

This one is called Sasha and lives in SanDiego zoo.

He was drawn with a water soluble graphite pencil and then a water wash put on top.

Oh The Drama!

2009-05-25T14:44:00.003+10:00

Continuing on my passion for still life painting I picked this little trio of fruits. I can't remember the last time I ate a pomegranate but do have a mental snapshot of picking out the seeds with a toothpick .. thanks Mum, kept me busy for ages! Grapes of course are one of my favourites, especially once squeezed into a bottle and labelled 'Shiraz'

A Country Kitchen

2009-05-14T07:44:00.002+10:00

My hens love watermelon, they peck out the insides until nothing is left but the shell. They are funny, quirky creatures that make soothing clucking noises and produce fabulous eggs, all for a few scraps each day. Here they are, acrylic on canvas.

After painting the apples, I could just picture them and my chooks living on a wall in a farmhouse kitchen with an old fashioned dresser and a Belfast sink.

Heffalump

2009-05-05T13:06:00.002+10:00

Conte crayon on paper.

Shoes

2009-04-19T14:26:00.001+10:00

Cock-a-doodle-doo

2009-04-03T07:51:00.002+11:00

A rooster, also called a cock or chanticleer is a male chicken (Gallus gallus), the female being called a hen. Immature male chickens of less than a year's age are called cockerels. The oldest term is "cock", from Old English coc.

The rooster is often (accurately) pictured in art as crowing at the break of dawn. He can often be seen sitting on fence posts or other objects, where he crows to proclaim his territory. However, a rooster might crow at any time of day, if he looks into the sun - even sometimes on a bright moonlit night. He has several other calls as well, and can cluck the same as a hen. Roosters will occasionally make a pattern following clucking sound to attract hens to a source of food.

This dear chap is drawn with a 6b lead pencil on cartridge paper.

Yellow Rose

2009-04-02T14:11:00.004+11:00

Acrylic on Arches cold pressed watercolour paper.

It wasn't until around the 18th century that yellow roses were discovered growing naturally in parts of the Middle East. Before this, roses in cultivation were mainly shades of pink and to a lesser extent, white. However, once the first yellow roses were introduced, their popularity quickly spread.

The bright, sunny colour of yellow roses evokes a feeling of warmth and happiness. The warm feelings associated with the yellow rose are often akin to those shared with a true friend. As such, the yellow rose is considered an ideal symbol for joy and friendship.

This particular one is called "Yellow Bunny" it lives in my garden and is thankfully quite low maintenance. The latter being important for survival in my backyard. It has a very sweet fragrance and blossoms abundantly twice yearly.

Daisy

2009-03-31T14:05:00.005+11:00

Whilst back in Wales recently I fell in love with the local flowers all over again. My favourite being the common old garden daisy. This one was plucked from my Grandfather's garden and painted in 'Newton and Windsor' travelling watercolours. I'm sure passers by thought I was crazy pointing my camera at little white flowers in the grassy verges.

Little Dancer

2009-03-11T07:51:00.004+11:00

Acrylic on oil paper. This was my first time at using this particular paper and I rather liked it. The acrylics blend really well on it although you can't get it too wet because you put a dirty great hole in it ..

The subject, my beautiful daughter Bronwyn, at a younger age this time, putting her shoes on for dancing lessons. I always liked the photograph and thought it worthy of a painting. I almost called it 'Tiny Dancer' but got Elton John's song stuck in my head so changed my mind .. thanks Elton .. I'm going to be singing it all day long now!

More Voluptuousness

2009-03-10T12:52:00.004+11:00

More fun drawings from my life drawing class. This one is done using coloured pencils, one pencil in each hand and drawn at the same time! bit tricky and not how I would usually choose to draw but she turned out alright.

Bit of a triangular bottom cheek happening on this one but the model gave me the seal of approval so it can't be all that bad. These were created using charcoal mainly and a bit of coloured pencil for interest.

Sunflowers

2009-03-03T14:23:00.002+11:00

A H ! S U N - F L O W E R
Ah, Sun-flower, weary of time,Who countest the steps of the Sun,Seeking after that sweet golden climeWhere the traveller's journey is done:
Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale Virgin shrouded in snowArise from the their graves, and aspireWhere my Sun-flower wishes to go.
~By WILLIAM BLAKE~

Life drawing

2009-03-01T15:32:00.017+11:00

These are a few samples from my fun life drawing classes. So far we have used a mixture of charcoal, pencil and water soluble graphite on cartridge paper.

The models have been terrific. How they manage to hold a pose for 20 mins is beyond me. I can barely sit still for 5.

I think these demonstrate how fabulous our bodies are at any time in life. Delightfully curvy and ultimately drawable.

The Brindabellas

2009-02-24T17:31:00.003+11:00

Acrylic on canvas.

The Brindabella Ranges is a mountain range in NSW. It is visible to the west of Canberra. The Aboriginal name is said to mean "two kangaroo rats"

I took the photograph on a trip whilst visiting my sister in Canberra. We were on a mission to find some snow, of which we saw a small peak covered in white over in yonder distance. Not from this view obviously or I would have painted it. The trees really caught my eye in this spot, all gnarled and whackily shaped..... it snowed a week later in her back yard, poor kids missed out as we were back home again by then.

Sand Crab

2009-02-15T11:25:00.002+11:00

Graphite on cartridge paper. This cute little creature was an exercise in shading and burnishing. I was going to paste some smarty pants facts about him but apart from saying he is a crab I couldn't tell you which type and so we'll leave it there.

Siamese Fighting Fish

2009-02-15T11:12:00.002+11:00

The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), also known as the "betta fish" or just "betta", is one of the most popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. It is native to the rice paddies of Thailand and called pla-kad or pla-kat ("Biting Fish") in its native Thailand.

Like anabantids and all members of the genus Betta, Siamese fighting fish have a labyrinth organ in their heads that allows them to take oxygen directly from the atmosphere in addition to the oxygen taken from water via their gills. Bettas that cannot reach the surface will drown.

The Siamese fighting fish mate in a fashion that is called "nuptial embrace", in which the male and female spiral around each other, around 10-41 eggs are released and fertilized at each embrace, until the female is exhausted of eggs. The male carefully keeps every egg in his bubble nest, making sure none fall to the ground, and repairing the bubble nest as needed. Incubation last 30-40 hours, and the eggs hatch in 3-4 days.
Betta males build bubble nests of various sizes and thicknesses at the surface of the water. During and after spawning, the male uses his mouth to retrieve sinking eggs and deposit them in the bubble nest. After approximately two days the eggs hatch, and after three more they become free-swimming fry. Sounds like a very good arrangement to me.

This one is a blue veiltail male. I painted him using my fabulous new travelling Windsor and Newton watercolour set as an experiment. I picked him particularly .. well.. just because really. Must have been drawn to the pretty blue scales.

Lizard

2009-01-28T19:44:00.002+11:00

Graphite on cartridge paper.
What a handsome chap!

Agapanthus

2008-12-22T13:38:00.002+11:00

Acrylic on canvas. Agapanthus also known as African Lily. It is a vigorous, bulbous plant that is evergreen and grows into large clumps. The large heads of tubular flowers are blue or white and the plants are incredibly hardy, growing almost anywhere you want them to. They flower in summer.

I painted this distorted view of one blossom for my in-laws for Christmas. The image I found on 'Wet Canvas' but decided the background was too busy so picked a bright sunny colour to throw the flower out of the canvas instead.

Neelix

2008-12-15T16:20:00.003+11:00

Acrylic on canvas. This is my dear old ginger mog. He came to me from animal rescue back in 1998. He eats a lot, meows a lot and sheds fur a lot!

The earliest evidence of the domestic cat was found in Ancient Egypt, where it was worshipped as a god and the penalty for killing a cat was death. Cats were buried with the ceremony befitting a pharoah and were often mummified. Neelix keeps telling me that I should feed him like a king and why can't he sleep anywhere he likes, especially when the comfiest place is obviously the dining room table!

Roggenburg

2008-12-03T14:51:00.006+11:00

Acrylic on 300g hot pressed water colour paper.

This is a place in Roggenburg, Neu-Ulm in Bavaria, Germany. A friend asked me to paint it for her and gave me a lovely photo .... with lots of snow in it! snow painting was quite a daunting thought but I must admit it was quite fun once I'd got over the shock and the head scratching of where to start.

The building is part of a community that boasts a Premonstratensian canonry, a hotel, museum, art centre and a training centre for families. The monastery was founded in 1126, raised to status of Abbey in 1444 and was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18th century, which is how it is today. I am unsure which building this is, all I know is, it's big, very beautiful and lives in Bavaria. Place of snow, huge beer glasses. oom-pah music and much thigh slapping (or have I watched too much Monty Python?)

St. Michael and All Angels

2008-11-23T16:28:00.002+11:00

Acrylic on canvas. This aged beauty is situated in Llantarnam, Cwmbran, S Wales. It is a medieval church of early 12th century design. It stands on the site of an earlier building that may have been a church that was linked to the Abbey nearby. It is a grade 2 listed building.

In the 15th century the tower was added, its battlement walls being an impressive 1 metre thick. It was later to be restored in the Gothic style during 1860 but the present church is the result of further restorations made in 1921. The landlord of the pub next door told us of a secret tunnel that used to join the church and the fine drinking establishment ... I suppose the vicar needs to top up the communion wine bottle now and again!!

The church is named after St. Michael (the archangel) In the book of Revelation he is the principal fighter of the heavenly battle against the devil (or dragon ... well .. we are in Wales after all) as depicted on the front altar.

I painted this picture for my Mum as it is one of those buildings held dear in her heart. She was married there, I was christened there and my grandparents rest in its grounds. It also has a fabulous stone interior and beautiful stained glass windows to boast of.

Deux Belettes

2008-11-04T14:01:00.003+11:00

Acrylic on 300g hot pressed water colour paper. This sweet place is situated in the Ballina Byron Hinterland of the far north coast of NSW. It may be hired out for special occasions and is where two friends of mine are tying the knot this month. This painting is for them ... sssshhhhh! it's a secret.

Sugargliders

2008-10-30T14:28:00.004+11:00

These are two seasonal sugargliders. They are an experiment of archive pen on paper and will be reproduced and printed onto card for the annual dispersal of well wishing. I wanted something australian that didn't have big teeth, spikes or scales to send to my overseas friends and came up with this cute little marsupial.

Portmeirion

2008-10-05T15:34:00.002+11:00

Acrylic on 300g hot pressed paper using a watercolour technique.

This delightful place is a wee slice of heaven on earth. Situated on the coast of Snowdonia, North Wales. UK. It was designed and created by Clough Williams-Ellis and built on his own private peninsula between 1925 and 1975. He wanted to prove that the already lovely surroundings could be enhanced by his creation. The whole place is like a stage theatre come to life, brightly coloured and quirky but also quite beautiful and a very special place to spend some time.

Marmite, Australian style

2008-09-21T11:36:00.003+10:00

This stuff is the natural progression in blighty after mother's milk and Farley's rusks. Some love it, some hate it, I love it!

Coloured pencil on paper.

The Tree Of Life

2008-09-17T15:02:00.004+10:00

Pastel pencils on tinted paper.

The "Tree of Life" was of great spiritual significance to the celts. This one is from a panel from the book of Kells. The designs vary but often seem to grow from a pot or beaker, found in both pagan and Christian Celtic art. The seasonal cycles of the tree linked it to death, rebirth and growth.

Amaryllis

2008-09-06T16:53:00.005+10:00

Amaryllis (Belladonna Lilly Brunsvigia) This one is growing in my garden, I think it's called Red Lion and is always a beautiful sight to see when it pops up at the end of winter.

I was aiming for a botannical style of painting, unfortuanately it's not what I pictured in my head but then that's all part of a learning cycle. It's red, it looks a bit like a lilly so I'm happy enough! 3oog hot pressed paper and acrylics was used for this one.

Flying Fox

2008-08-31T11:00:00.003+10:00

Fruit Bat, Flying Fox, Cute furry creature that hangs upside down in trees with it's mates or menace that eats all your stone fruit, makes a huge mess with it's droppings and annoys the neighbours with the terrible noise that it makes? I think this one is cute but then again being a canvas bat he's not going to leave me any presents on my car to wash off so he's ok.

Kate Tjuta, Northern Territory

2008-08-14T15:36:00.003+10:00

This painting was a bit of fun to do. It's a collage on 300g hot pressed paper using impasto gel to glue on scrunched up tissue for the mountains and cut netting for the flowering bushes. Modelling compound was used to shape the tree on the right, scraped through with a plastic palette knife to give a stand out texture. It was then painted in acrylics. It felt a bit like being back at primary school with glue pots and sticking bits on!

A sunburnt land indeed. I've never been out into "the bush" but am told it is very beautiful. One day I'll go and see for myself what it's all about. Apparently the desert is very pretty when it flowers.

Tuvok

2008-08-05T15:11:00.003+10:00

Coloured pencil on sketch book paper. This was just a muck around session picture but I'm pleased with the haughty look on his face, just like the real chap!

William Squire

2008-08-05T15:04:00.003+10:00

Acrylic on 300g hot pressed paper. This gorgeous chap is my maternal great grandfather, not a perfect likeness but it's finally finished. This one took a long time to complete, there are about 8 layers of paint on his face! I just couldn't get him the right colour but he turned out ok in the end.

Daffs

2008-06-22T16:54:00.002+10:00

Pastel pencils on tinted paper. The daffodil .. a bulbous plant with yellow trumpet shaped flowers. One of the national emblems of Wales. "Gwlad! Gwlad! pleidiol wyf i'm Gwlad"

Pebbles on the beach

2008-06-12T16:22:00.002+10:00

Pastel on tinted paper. This is my youngest ray of sunshine at Ocean Shore's beach looking for shells amongst all the pebbles.

The Highland games

2008-06-05T14:03:00.007+10:00

Pen and Watercolour on 300g hot pressed paper. Another cartoon design to keep my celtic princess company.

Stralitsia

2008-06-05T11:43:00.003+10:00

More commonly known as Bird of Paradise, these striking flowers were painted in acrylic on 300g hot pressed paper using a watercolour technique. White guache was used over the top to pick out the highlighted areas.

Bonny Miss B

2008-05-27T14:07:00.005+10:00

Pastel on paper. This is a portrait of my eldest daughter. She was walking across the sand at the beach, unfortunately I decided my skill at painting sand with pastel was very limited so opted for a safer background that doesn't detract from her sweet little face.

Celtic Princess

2008-05-23T08:06:00.002+10:00

Pen and watercolour on 300g hot pressed paper. This picture is taken from part of a design created by fabulous celtic artist Courtney Davis. Her book "The Celtic Art Source Book" is a gem for all things knotty and spirally! I saw this illustration and thought I'd like to have a go at colouring it in!!

Speckled Tree

2008-05-18T15:42:00.002+10:00

Acrylic on canvas. This weekend's attempt at creativity is a beautiful tree covered in multi coloured lichen. The photograph was taken by my friend Lorin whilst on a trip to Broadwater National Park, NSW.

Cricket Champ

2008-05-13T12:03:00.003+10:00

Pastel on tinted colourfix paper. This is my very focused young cricket star waiting his turn to bat. It's not a perfect likeness but I'm happy with the way it turned out. The gritty surface of this paper is terrific to work with. It chews up the pastels fairly readily but the velvet appearance of the finished blending is superb.

peacock

2008-05-06T14:48:00.003+10:00

Acrylic on 300g hot pressed water colour paper.

I wanted to have a go at some celtic knots. Pretty time consuming but very rewarding. I'm unsure whether the peacock is finished so will keep him stretched on the board until I've made up my mind. Sounds barbaric doesn't it?! as for his celtic authenticity? well, I have noticed that often these beautiful creatures seem to inhabit stately homes and castles in Wales so apart from being an icon of India they must also impart some celtic flavour.

Engrossed

2008-04-30T13:40:00.005+10:00

First attempt at painting a real body. A friend of mine told me that in fine art classes his naked women always looked as though they had eaten too many pies! this partly inspired me to have a go myself. Not because I particularly like pies or naked women! The pastels were great for this as they are easily blended on the paper.

Dandelion clocks

2008-04-30T10:27:00.004+10:00

This one was a bit of an experiment with background washes. I used some salt crystals sprinkled on the initial wash that worked a bit too well and so the whole effect is a bit more tye-dyed than I was hoping for. For the clocks I used some masking medium as the washes were being applied and then completed them with some white gouache and finally some picking of the paper to produce an appearance of seed heads.

sunflower

2008-04-25T08:54:00.001+10:00

Acrylic on canvas. Sunflowers are my favourite of the petalled varieties. This one was grown by my father for me back in 1995. It opened up very timely for the garden party we were having..

flooded gum

2008-04-25T08:40:00.000+10:00

This is a painting in acrylic on canvas. The subject is a magnificent flooded gum tree that resides in my backyard.

Bushranger Adrian

2008-04-24T16:46:00.000+10:00

This was my very first attempt at pastel painting. It's taken from a photograph that was snapped by young photographer, Sam Collins as we were on a camping holiday in Drake, NSW.

I had a box of lovely pastel pencils that a friend had leant me and an old tin of broken soft pastels to play with.

Friday

2008-04-24T16:38:00.001+10:00

Watercolour painting of my sister's cat "Friday". He's a real beauty of a moggy. I used white titanium gouache over the top of the watercolour in fine strokes to accentuate his lush coat and whiskers.

Stonehenge

2008-04-24T08:46:00.001+10:00

I think the old celtic blood pulled this one out of me. I love the magesty of stone circles and of course Stonehenge has to be one of the famous of them all. Having spent my teenage years around the area I visited fairly often and always marvelled at how far the blue stones had been transported by stoneage man to erect in such a manner. The druidic stories and the worshipping of the sun and the moon also fascinates me so maybe will have to produce an evening scene at some stage too.

This painting is in watercolour. There are five layers of paint on the stones along with the odd streak of candle wax to produce a highlight or two. It was fun to do.

Oxford Gargoyle

2008-04-22T03:12:00.000+10:00

Another statue in pastel on tinted paper! This distinguished chap is a gargoyle residing on a wall in Oxford, UK. I fell in love with him and his gigantic moustache.

Girl Statue

2008-04-20T20:34:00.001+10:00

Pastel painting on tinted paper. This elegant beauty captured my interest as a subject to paint. I thought a statue would give me a bit of a challenge, it's amazing how many colours there are in something that looks predominantly white on first inspection. The flowers circling her hair were a bit tricky but look suitably stony I feel. I like the way the light falls softly on her face, although she looks a bit tired. Those late night Roman parties will do that to a girl!! She is serenity frozen in time and in stone... also now in pastel...