I’ve been experimenting with abstract art and to get a finished piece that you are pleased to look at is not as easy as it seems. This 10″x8″ canvas has been through a number of incarnations before arriving here as ‘Summer Heatwave’.
It was created during the heatwave of 2022 when a plume of hot, Saharan air engulfed the country for a few days, breaking the British maximum temperature record by exceeding 40C, making it a good excuse to stay indoors and paint.
This is different from my usual pen and ink, it’s not a building, and it’s not wonky.
This commissioned work is acrylic on 10×12 canvas board. It depicts a Tamar class RNLI Lifeboat.
Although I often work with acrylics on mdf and greyboard, those works are more ‘crafting’ and 3D articles (see my Kim – splash it! blog here on WordPress). Working on the textured canvas, with crafters’ acrylics was a totally different experience, but a learning curve worth the trip.
So, here it is, soon to be in the post to its new owner. Let me know what you think.
A bit of work-in-progress this time.
I recently did a few workshops with Joby Carter – of vintage steam fair fame – looking at fairground lettering and sign writing. One of the fonts he taught was Playbill, and old-school font popular on the bills that were handed out advertising plays. It is reminiscent of cowboys and the wild west.
I’m working on a book cover and thought this would be an appropriate style. So this is it so far. Ink with graphite shading. The word ‘shadows’ is shown but, when complete, the title will be ‘Book of Shadows’.
On a technical note ‘blocking’ is the part of the design that gives the letters depth or thickness, ‘shadow’ is what is cast by a theoretical light source. Let me know what you think.
This is the new Dan Rox shop in Tiverton, Devon.
A new venture for Dan and Adam selling crystals and rocks, running workshops on all aspects of working with crystals, and having guest presenters along to join in the fun.
And they had a personal anniversary, too!
Another commission for Christmas, that has had to wait until now to be revealed. A lovely thatched cottage in Wiltshire.
Contact me if you want to give a special gift, or to treat yourself to something unique.
Around 1830 the railway arrived in Gosport. It was a special line for the convenience of Her Majesty Queen Victoria who had a house on the Isle of Wight, Osborn House, to which she was inclined to visit on occasion, so a train from London direct to Gosport, for onward travel by ferry, was most advantageous.
Also quite handy for others in the area, whether frequenting the railway station, or just in need of refreshment, was The Railway Inn. It was built around 1830 and is of traditional design for the period. Sadly, or not, the licenced trade has not faired well in recent years, and in 2010 it closed and the building was sold.
It has been beautifully converted to a spacious dwelling, retaining many of the original features, and is now grade ll listed, in an area steeped in the history of the Royal Navy.
This was commissioned as a new home gift for the new owners – let’s hope it still has a well stocked bar.
What better gift for a birthday or anniversary present than a unique drawing of your house. Or how about a gift for yourself just because you can.
This is a lovely town house, somewhere north of London and includes a personal memory.
Here is Arthur, the cockapoo. Not my usual architectural article, but I wandered off my beaten track to try some new techniques. He was well received by his mum.
One of my early commissions, three years ago, was ‘The Shed’. It was the new workshop of Karen of @karensquilts. All sorts of ‘additions’ appeared – Cheryl, the crow; Lance, the good knight; Treacle, the family’s late cat – and a strange dog who was who was, perhaps, a premonition of Arthur, the cockapoo.
Karen has now moved to Devon, and for her special birthday, I was commissioned to draw her new home. This is the barn, The Old Granary. And Karen and Ray now have a real Arthur to keep them company.
This lovely house was ordered as a Christmas present to celebrate moving to a new home, but because of lockdown restrictions it wasn’t received until until the person’s birthday. So another happy customer, and I can post it for you all to see.
Do you know someone who has moved to a new home?
Pen and Lens Artwork 