Commissions painted on clay hearts

Commissions and an Exhibition

My “busy” is different to normal busy. Living with ME/CFS is challenging at times and requires careful planning so that I don’t run out of steam altogether. So, my being “busy” might seem to others like being in the slow lane, but for me I have been busy with commissions and enjoying the challenge of the varied work I have been asked to do. This blog image is just a couple of the requests that I have been given permission to show.

Sudden Double Vision is Scary and A Major Challenge for an Artist

Double vision is another setback but I’m not giving up. I’m figuring out how to deal with it.

Well life has thrown another curve ball. Not only am I still on hold, almost a year later, like tens of thousands of other souls waiting for routine surgery that will make my life a little easier, but over Christmas I woke up to severe double vision. It certainly creates a challenge

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 A selection of my hand painted floral clay hearts

Making air dried clay hearts is a wonderful creative pastime

Airdrying clay is widely available from craft and art stores. I’m experimenting at the moment with different brands, but primarily they all work out the same.  Here is a step by step of how I make my art decoration hearts.

 Hand painted floral clay hearts
Making and painting clay hearts is so enjoyable

I’m really enjoying the physical aspect of making my own clay hearts. It gives me the freedom to choose my own shapes and sizes, and I can say that I’ve made them literally from start to finish. I’m using air dry clay and it has been a challenge to roll the clay smooth enough to make a good painting surface for detail work. I also wanted the hearts to be delicate and thin rather than thick and chunky, which posed a challenge to stop them curling at the edges while they were drying, so they were turned

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Images studied for possible ideas for painting
Working in collaboration with another artist stretches the mind

It’s a good day in the art studio even when I don’t pick up a single paint brush. Working in collaboration with another artist is very rewarding.   Following on from my last blog post, Susan Zeppellini came to join me the other day for a session of exploration of nature through the lens of a microscope. There is so much to explore. So far together, we’ve looked at the cellular level of a flower, bracket fungi and lichen on trees, and the remnants

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Studying samples under the microscope and sketching ideas
A new art exhibition in the planning inspired by the beauty of microscopic life.

I am excited about preparing for an upcoming art exhibition this August 2018, at The Workers Art and Design Studio and Gallery, Ynyshir in the South Wales Valleys. I will be collaborating with ceramic artist, Susan Zeppellini on the theme of our natural world unseen. I’m delighted that Susan is as enthusiastic as I am about the beauty of nature that is so small it cannot be seen by the naked

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Postcard painting of algae in a drop of water for Twitter Art Exhibition
Twitter Art Exhibition Stratford Upon Avon 2017

The Twitter Art Exhibition is in the UK this year, and launches in Stratord Upon Avon on 1st April.  This will be my fourth year donating a postcard size piece of original art for a charitable cause. All the causes have been great including this one, with the proceeds of sales going this year to Molly Olly's Wishes, a charity that helps children with terminal or life

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Algae art paintings on each side of a hanging box
Early 2017, I was invited to take part in the creation of four art installations across North Wales and was sent a box. With the box, we were asked to make something that represented the state or contents of our minds. Tim Lliffe is the lead artist, and in collaboration with MOMA, Machynlleth and Disability Arts Cymru, an arts council award was given to carry out the project which will hopefully involve 1000 creatives.

Vic Selby , my Dad and the Books that he wrote
Vic Selby, Author And My Father

There are times in life that are hard to bear and this has been one of the toughest. My father passed away just before Christmas with most of his family around him. It was expected, though not nearly quite so soon, but no matter how much I thought I was prepared, it wrenched my soul to see the light in his eyes slip away. He will always have a piece of my heart.

 Having fun experimenting with air dry clay sculpting a baby dragon

To simply play with the sole purpose of enjoying the process of being creative is a wonderful experience. It throws out the rule books, not to mention the expectations imposed on us by others and ourselves. I absolutely loved playing with the clay! I've always fancied making a little dragon and this little fellow developed from my imagination as we played.

 Miniature paintings Artist Trading Cards ACEO

All that's needed to create ACEOs or Artist Trading Cards is a little space

It's been a difficult few weeks and my studio is stacked full of large boxes from floor to ceiling. But I do have a little space to work. It actually reminds me of my imaginative childhood when we created little dens out of boxes to play in. So, I am for the time being working in a little den!

Acrylic sludge build up from painting
Protect The Environment And Don't Pour Acrylic Paint Down The Drain

I love acrylic paint as a medium. It's vibrant and flexible enough for different techniques. Acrylic though is plastic paint. When we paint with acrylics, we rinse our brushes in a tub of water. Each time we rinse, we deposit acrylic particles in the water . If you pour all this down the drain, gradually over time there will be a build up of acrylic sludge. It's not good for your drain and it's definitely not good for the environment.

Experimenting With Different Art Techniques

 Variety of my artist trading cards

 Art Cards, Editions and Originals are miniature art. Fun to do and a challenge if you are used to painting big! They are also known as Artist Trading Cards.

Artist Trading Cards were originally used in the old days by artists to give to prospective customers, a bit like the business cards of today, except they were miniature originals. Nowadays, Artist Trading Cards tend to be swapped amongst artists, or still given to prospective clients as small gifts. There is one rule, they must measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches.