Rescue and rework.

Hello and welcome to my Blog.

‘Whilst the sun shines’.  

 Oils on box canvas 20x20 inches. 

I am on a rescue mission in my studio.

After weeks of making the equivalent of mud pies

I have resurfaced and rescued a few paintings destined for the bin.

They are all significantly heavier after adding more layers of oils.

There are some improvements and some are set aside to dry before 

deciding where to go next.  Some might call it ‘painter’s block’.

One painting has been particularly difficult to reach a conclusion.

It is a stretched canvas measuring 40x30 inches.

I painted it early in the year and it has been hanging in my bedroom.

It was one of those ‘alright but a bit boring’ pieces.

Time to liven it up a little.  Add a bit of colour.

My plan went downhill rapidly.

Yes, I added some colour...then a bit more.

It was not looking good. 

Time to leave it to dry and assess the damage.  

The next day I decided to leave it alone.

There is something mysterious about the image.

As though looking through a portal.

‘Searching for the silver lining’

Oils and cold wax medium on canvas 

40x30 inches 

Another piece in a waiting stage is this one below...

I like the warm glow underneath the grey blue oils.

I have called it ‘North Face’.

Back in the studio today and two more paintings on the way. 

Oils on box canvas 16x16 inches. 

This piece has been worked over several weeks. 

I like them hanging on my studio wall.

Gradually a composition is teased out until I am happy.  

This has been a battle of wills.

Nearly scrapped, it suddenly came together

when I got into a loose gestural mood.  

Now it has strength and purpose.

Oils on canvas 32 x 16 inches. 

This painting has moved on from a 

piece I thought was finished in summer.   

Although I liked it I was in the mood for change. 

Oils on box canvas 20 x 20 inches. 

(Before the revamp)

Until next time...

Thank you for visiting.

Good advice...

Hello and welcome to my Blog...

Eastern Shore.  

Oils and cold wax medium on canvas 

16 x 16 inches

Today I read an article by art critic Jerry Saltz...

11 pieces of wisdom for anyone not sure what a life in art means.

Jerry Saltz, Pulitzer Prize-Winning New York Magazine Senior Art Critic,

 gives a talk at the 2018 Frieze Art Fair. 

1. Your number one job as an artist is to embed thought in material. 

That means your idiot idea has to be there in your idiot art.

2. Being an artist is tough. 

So only be one if you really, really, really, really have to be.

3. If you’re in a relationship, when you are lying awake 

in the middle of the night fretting over something (or everything), 

for god’s sake, do not wake up your partner.

4. Work late, stay up late with your peers, 

and support each other. 

You’re only as strong as the weakest among you.

5. You will be poor, but your life will never be boring—accept it.

6. Make an enemy of envy today—tomorrow is almost too late.

7. Remember that you do not own the meaning of your work. 

As Oscar Wilde said...

“The minute you think you know a work of art, it is dead to you.”

8. Have an elephant skin—and grow a pair of…

 whatever you need a pair of.

9. If you have the opportunity to travel, 

go to the Prado Museum in Madrid. 

Then spend three days there.

 You don’t need to go anywhere else.

10. You only need to convince seven people that 

your work is worth taking a chance on: four collectors,

 one art dealer, and two critics. Just seven!

11. Be vulnerable, expose yourself, have an opinion. 

And remember: You know a lot less than you think you do.

🎨🎨🎨 It is a tough world.  🎨🎨🎨

I am busy preparing work for a forthcoming exhibition in 2019.

I will submit three paintings for possible selection.

Two are ready and a third is on the easel.

It has been a struggle and was scraped down twice today.  

I shall let the paint dry a little before going back into it.

Otherwise it will get very muddy.

Here is one finished on Saturday.

I have to give it a title

and resist the temptation to tinker with it.

Here is the second canvas...

Until next time...

Thank you for visiting.

Good advice...

Best laid plans...

Hello and welcome to my Blog..

Last week I had a painting on the easel which was finished.

Or so I thought.

An artist friend gave me some advice about 

a part of the work which might benefit 

from some colour changes.  

The painting is no longer there...

In an effort to alter parts of the painting 

one thing led to another and it all went horribly wrong.

I did mention last week that challenges live in my studio.

This became a big one.  

It was time to assess the situation and see 

if I could bring the painting back to life.   

It took two days before I was happy with the results.

It might even be a stronger piece of work.

 

A critique from another painter has made me 

question my belief about being true to myself.

I was doing what another person wanted...

I will think about that...

Here is the new piece.

It will stay as it is.

‘Third time Lucky’.  

  

Oils and cold wax medium on canvas.

36 x 24 inches.

Here are some close up details...

If I could reproduce this in a large format 

it would make a colourful picture.

If you wish to own a piece of my art,

please email me to arrange a visit to my Studio.

Card payment accepted.

annewoodpaintings@gmail.com

Until next week...

Thank you for visiting.

 

The art of being true...

Hello and welcome to my Blog.

I saw this quote today and it really made me think...

Here is another...Be true to oneself...

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. 

William Shakespeare

My Studio World 

I am happy in my studio moving oil paint around.   

Making marks on canvas.  

Am I true to myself?

I like to think so.

I get to choose what and how I paint.

I do not paint what others want...

Not now.

How do I do it?

Where do ideas come from?

Is there a formula?

Questions asked by viewers of my work.

It is hard to explain...I really do not know.

There is no initial plan and no prior sketches.

I just begin.  

As the painting progresses I might make colour 

changes and the shapes evolve as I work.

I add layers until I like it and will take 

parts away or make new marks.

I rely on my feelings and follow my intuition.

The oils and addition of cold wax medium 

make the paint pleasurable to sculpt with

a knife or brush.  Scrapers and rollers

are also used to create the effects I want.

Struggles and battles on the shop floor.

Studio life is full of challenges.

There are few times when the picture almost 

paints itself. Mostly there is a battle of wills.

These keep me focused and prevent complacency.

A recent example...

Below is a painting on my easel which has been a struggle.  

A reasonable painting was turned into a nightmare 

by my tinkering and meddling.  I should have walked away.

Layer after layer has now been applied, scraped back and scribbled over.   

It represents hours of struggle and perseverance.   

  

It has gone through many stages but I think I am getting somewhere. 

I like the texture and thick parts of oil paint 

which gives a luscious appearance.

Now it rests in the house until it dries.

Then I will decide if I go further, change parts 

or leave it alone for a few weeks.

Here it is...  

If you would like to own a piece of my art,

please email me to arrange a visit to my Studio.

Card payment accepted 

annewoodpaintings@gmail.com

Until next time...

Thank you for visiting.

On the road.

Hello and welcome to my Blog 

On Saturday I went to the Lincolnshire 

Artisans Market in Louth Town Hall. 

 I had a stall there for the launch 

of my new gift range featuring 

images of my abstract paintings.

Thank you to all the lovely visitors who gave

 me positive comments and purchased my work.

  I am encouraged to continue.

My Monday Studio 

The painting on the easel is nearly finished.

I have used small parts of this one for images 

on my new gift range which I took to Louth.

This collage is a group of photo images 

used on cards and small gifts.   

It might be useful for creating bunting.

The large square painting has returned 

from my first Craft Fair.  

It was on an easel for display.

I have used images of this colourful piece 

for my branding Wildartdesigns.

‘A touch of Cinnamon’

Oils and cold wax medium on canvas 

I am happy with this piece...

it has a warm and cosy feeling.

It will be submitted for an exhibition in January 2019.

This little ceramic vessel was made by

Lyn Lovitt.  

It is a new addition to my home.  

Until next week...

Thank you for visiting.

My next Craft Fair is on 11 November 

in the Assembly Rooms, Bailgate, Lincoln 

10am until 5pm.

If you would like to own a piece of my art,

please email me to arrange a visit to my Studio.

Card payments accepted 

annewoodpaintings@gmail.com

Tuesday Blogspot.

Hello and welcome to my Blog.

Tuesday in my Studio 

Detail of a painting in progress

I take photographs of my work as it happens.

This painting has already been featured in the images 

being used on my range of Wildartdesigns gifts. 

Here is a detail of another painting in progress.

The canvas below is on my easel.

The full picture...

Oils and cold wax medium on canvas 

36 x 24 inches 

I am leaving this to dry and settle.

If it is finished, I will submit it for the

Lincolnshire Artists’ Society 2019 Show

in the Usher Gallery, Lincoln

Another detail of the same painting which 

may be used for my designs on cards and gifts.

Work in progress...

Oils and cold wax medium on canvas 

16 x 16 inches 

This painting is on the easel.

It has had many layers of paint applied,

Scraped back and more applied. 

This state of affairs will continue until it 

is finished.  Or rejected.

This happens.  

Finally...

This painting will be on show this Saturday 

20 October in Louth Town Hall, Lincolnshire.

A reminder that this is the launch of my 

Wildartdesigns range of cards and gifts.

Lincolnshire Artisans Market 

Opens at 10 am until 5 pm

I am really excited and have been packing all

my stock and display equipment ready for

the drive across the Wolds to Louth.

I am sharing a table with my friend,

Ceramicist and Painter Lyn Lovitt.

We look forward to welcoming visitors.

Until my next Blog...

Thank you for visiting.