As I sit in my sanctum sanctorum ( Man Cave ) at the bottom of the garden, it is snowing heavily for the first time this winter. The temperature will rise later this morning, so I suspect it will all be gone by mid-afternoon. Sure looks lovely, though I’m quite happy I don’t have to drive anywhere. I do plan on taking a walk to get some photos for reference that might come in handy for future paintings.
The never-ending task of putting bread on the table meant that my art activities had to be put on hold for the week. Quite frustrating, considering that I was involved in Microsoft Teams sessions with the Auditees in Germany while sitting barely an arm’s reach from my easel. My newest project is not an aviation subject, but a painting of one of my niece’s rescue animals: a fox, in this case, who was saved from a fur farm in the US. I have a couple of aviation paintings on the go too, but this one is another attempt to get comfortable with Gouache, while the aviation ones are in my more usual oils. As I won’t be doing any more remote working for a couple of weeks, I’m hoping to get the time to seriously crack on with the artwork.
I’ve done animals before, but usually in Pencil, coloured pencil and/or ink. The pooch below was done for a work colleague and is in graphite, pen and coloured pencil on A4 Cartridge paper.
Flick
I’ve done a couple of beasties in oils as well. The foxes below are also now living a more comfortable life at my niece Nicole’s rescue centre in Florida. Those are actually two separate 8” x 10” paintings in Oil on board. The critter on the left is Libby, who was slated for extermination due to not having a tail, and Louie on the right, whose ears were seriously damaged by disease. Both animals were rejects and would have been put down, but as I say, they have been rescued and are living out their foxy lives at PAWSITIVE BEGINNINGS INC. in Florida. These are the only two oils I’ve done recently of animals, but may do more. If the idea of rescuing animals interests you, go here to check out what it’s all about: https://pawsitivebeginnings.org
While the lockdown here in the UK toddles on and keeps us close to home, here are a few links to things coming up Online that involve art and artists. Some of them cost a few pounds, but hey, it’s cheaper than the train fare to London.
Art History in Focus has some courses and presentations that cover a range of art subjects. I’m signed up for this one on the 25th as I’ve always loved El-Greco’s work;
You can go to their main web site for the full list of things available: https://www.arthistoryinfocus.com
It’s also worth checking out Stella Grace Lyons’ series of talks here: https://www.facebook.com/stellagracelyonsarthistory
The National Gallery has a good selection of talks and online tours that are quite interesting as well. Here’s a link to their menu of online goodies: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/online
In keeping with my predilection for Aviation Art, here are a few links to some of the best aviation artists in the business:
Peter Robichaud: https://www.facebook.com/studiorobichaud/
Wade Myers: https://www.wademeyersstudios.com
Alvaro Lino: https://www.instagram.com/alvarolino.art/
Rehan Siras: https://www.facebook.com/RehanSirajAviationArt
Take care and stay safe. ‘Til next week.