L&M Art Gallery Reception : Thank you!

 Thank you to all of you who came to visit the show at the L&M Gallery this Sunday. It was an excellent opening, very well attended with good food and some great musical entertainment as well. A feast from all the senses.

I met lots (and lots!) of lovely people, and some great artists too. And, as you can see from the empty hook, I found some good homes for a couple of pieces too. The show is open until the end of March, so drop by if you are close.

Thank you also to fellow exhibitor Al Martin for sharing this photo. He has some beautiful close-up shots of unravelling ferns and I'm rather fond of his friendly crawfish. Take a look at his website for a floral afternoon break.

www.albertmartinphotography.com/gallery

Charcoal Drawing of Eggs : trash art

This was so much harder to draw than I expected, which is undoubtedly what made it such fun, and may be why I get a calm satisfaction looking at the final drawing. This is quite a rare reaction for me. Drawing a satisfying picture is like cooking yourself a delicious meal - it's always tastier when someone else cooks.

I definitely need your help to name this one though, because there is a devilish imp inside me (lovingly nurtured by my Grandad) that wants to call it Great Eggspectations. Please save me from myself and my lovely pun-tastic ancestors, by leaving your title suggestions in a comment below.

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Picture Description : This beautiful charcoal still life drawing of a broken egg is part of the "Carbon Footprints" series. Soft shading and delicate transitions from dark into the light elevates the humble everyday eggshell; creating art from trash.

This charcoal still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series.

Original Drawing : SOLD Affordable Giclee Art Prints available to buy from Etsy

NJCVA Adult Student Juried Exhibition

woohoo! Onions, Black and White has been accepted into the Adult Student Juried Exhibition at New Jersey Center for Visual Arts. Please join me in a large slice of pie to celebrate...it needn't be Onion Pie.

April 23 - June 5 2009 Opening Reception : Thursday 30th April 6-8pm

Adult Student Juried Exhibition NJCVA 68 Elm Street Summit, NJ 07901

www.artcenternj.org

L&M Art Gallery Opening Reception

Just a quick reminder that the opening for "Stock the Food Pantry" is this Sunday 2-5pm The weather forecast is for a balmy 56°, so shake off the cabin fever and come and enjoy the Spring sunshine. Maybe even pick up a new piece of art to spruce up the house in the annual Spring Clean.

I have just delivered the work for the show at the L&M Art Gallery and am excited that I have two booths! I have included some of my larger color pencil drawings as well as the popular miniatures and I am happy that the new oil paintings will be getting their first airing. I will be eager to hear your thoughts on them.

I managed to sneak a peak at the other artists in the show and there is such a diverse range of work from the 18 New Jersey artists included. I saw some great photography which I have my eye on; abstract as well as realistic painting; some lovely encaustic pieces and an unusual enamel painting; beautiful ceramics and silver work. Something, in short, for everyone.

I hope I have enticed you out of the cabin and into the sun again. In the immortal words of Mole in Wind in the Willows - "Hang the Spring Cleaning" come and have some fun!

Opening Reception : Sunday March 15th 2 - 5pm Show : March 15 - 28

L&M Art Gallery 124 Elmora Ave Elizabeth, NJ 07208

Visit www.lmartgallery.com for directions. Ample parking in the rear of the building

Champagne Cork : charcoal drawing of rubbish

I was seduced by the weird wiry twisty thing, twinkling on the counter and just knew I had to draw it.

The drawing turned out to be more erasing than drawing. The wire was so spindley that instead of drawing around it, I blocked in the background and then used the eraser to lift out the thin line.

As ever, please post your title suggestions below.

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Description : A old champagne cork and wire lie twinkling on the floor, popped and forgotten after the celebration.

This charcoal still life drawing is part of the “Carbon Footprints” series.

Buy the Original Drawing on Etsy

Colored Pencil Art Work in Progress - Summer

Thank you for helping me finish this picture in record time! Keeping my promise to you has helped me stay focused on the job and not flit from project to project like a flighty butterfly in a sun drenched garden.

We are still deep in snow here in New Jersey and I am aching to return to the warmth of this beautiful garden cafe, where they serve the best local smoked mackerel and fresh pressed apple juice from their own cider orchard. Alas, their menu is so fresh that there is nothing posted on their website. Nothing for me to ponder over wistfully as I sup my meagre bowl of gruel ... (4th helping, thank you Mr Dickens).

http://www.aftonpark.co.uk/index.html

Colored Pencil Drawing: Work in Progress - Summer 3

nearly there ...

Color Pencil Landscape - Art Work in Progress - Summer 2

Well, as promised, here is installment No2.

It was odd working on "Summer" today when every glance out of the window took in a perfect winter wonderland. To try and remember the delicious respite of the shade under this arbor, escaping the summer heat beyond, whilst I am wearing three sweaters and my fingerless mittens to keep warm.

But it is often the way. In summer I start work on next year's Christmas card and have to recall the icy chill of winter in the sweltering humidity of a New Jersey summer.

Now if only I was a little more organized...

Today's Muse is brought to you by : Jack Frost (and by the number 6)

I have always had to take Hallmark's word for it that snowflakes are in fact delicate little lacy stars...until today. My reward for getting out and clearing the driveway was to be showered with these beautiful little wonders.

Please forgive a 30-something year old getting way too excited about snow, but a child growing up in England is deprived of many good snow days. Despite the fact that driving down treacherous hills and clearing a long steep driveway are more in order than snowmen and sledging these days, there is still a joyous bubbling in my stomach ever time the flakes start fluttering.

I hope there will always be magic in the snow.

Color Pencil Landscape : Art Work in Progress : Summer

I had just enough pencil left to start a small work on smooth mat board, so it won't be too hard on my remaining pencil stumps. This will be the final one in the "Seasons" series. I am hoping to get it finished and framed in time for the show at L & M Gallery - 15th March  :  www.lmartgallery.com

Yikes! 15th March - there's only one thing to do when deadline looms - make a promise.

I PROMISE to post an update on this drawing EVERY DAY this week, until it is done.

Lordy! now I'm for it