The goddess of the half full glass

Hoping that I can extract some of the Godesses pma (positive mental attitude - 1980s lucozade ads) for 2013 :-)

Goddess of the half full glass

This title is likely to change, I can't think how to say what I want to about Sam, but her positivity is one of her many strengths. A wee bit of work to do on the tree but other than that almost done :-) and so much happier with her arms and hands, I can do them sometimes! Just ordered a payday book about hands and faces so hopefully further tips will get me improving as I go along.

The goddess of renewal

So this is Claire, and although I'm a bit annoyed with her arm and hand, I finished her last week. Renewal applies to her in many ways, and the picture looks quite springtime ish, a time of renewal. I might do another one with a different composition and sort her arm out, and perhaps include her lovely daughter Eva, but that's a wee way away yet! Only 12 outstanding goddesses to do.

Done

Goddess Battlecat

Been enjoying working in my new studio down the bottom of the garden. Been getting back into my godess project and this one should be finished in the near future :-)

East Lothian landscapes

Was home about a week ago and driving through east Lothian inspired me to paint some landscapes. This is the first one and I'm not really feeling it tbh. Was aiming for an abstract kind of look with the focus to be on the weird and wonderful shapes farming the land creates. going to finish the one I have underway and see if I should continue with this theme.

You've been framed

Here are the lovely Inger and Anne framed and delivered.

Cinema

Going to start work on a big expressive piece of the old decaying but beautiful art deco cinema in Hartlepool. It's a crime it has been left in such a mess. This is just a sketch to work out what I'm doing but I quite like it :-)

Godess of battles and cats

A long way to go with this one, my pal dee aka battlecat! She has had her fair share of battles and has some feline qualities, but the name comes from a snoop dog lyric haha!

Godesses of family

This is finally finished, has taken a while and I've learnt a lot about watercolours and how to use (and how not to use) them. Loved doing this one though. Thanks for all the inspirational input Inger and Anne :-)

Artsbank

Exciting happenings today, Artsbank gallery in Saltburn is now selling my work! They were impressed by my paintings of the A19, so pleased its not just me that sees a weird kind of beauty in industrial landscapes and motorways!
http://www.artsbank.co.uk/

Godesses 2

Hoping to get this finished either today or tomorrow, lots to do though. It is of Inger and Anne and their responses to my favourites list; eagle, fern, tulips, sunshine, lightning storm, strawberries, lychees, purple and orange/brown.

Jen, my first Godess!

Really enjoyed doing this, on to the next one now...

Tats new!

So a friend asked me to work on a tattoo design for her lower back and this is I came up with. The brief was a Phoenix with a tail feather that would extend around her hip... Not something I have ever done before but I really enjoyed doing something new:-)

And some daffys

Better go get ready for work now.

And the second :-)

I am loving this weather and sitting out painting in the garden. Hopefully I will get braver and maybe even venture out into the wilds of Hartlepool to pain en plein air!

The first tulips of summer

And my first play in a long time with watercolours, sat out in the sunshine, lovely.

My 15 minutes haha

Slightly embarrassed but also quite pleased with how much space and how many of my paintings they have managed to get in!

my website

just a wee reminder that my website is
http://bynjh.co.uk/

What have I let myself in for!

Before I went up to Edinburgh to have my exhibition I contacted the local newspaper to see if they were interested in me as a local interest type story, specifically the paintings of Hartlepool and Teeside.  I thought nothing had come of it until an email landed in my inbox the day after I got back.  Well today I have been photographed by the Hartlepool Mail photographer and apparently there will be a story about what I've been up to in the Mail tommorrow....  what have I let myself in for!!

Home

Well packing up the gallery was more stressful that taking it down strangely.  But I have cleared out and now its Davy MacDonalds turn, he came in as we were packing up to have a chat and it was lovely to meet him, you can see his work at Dundas Street Gallery until the 17th March or at http://www.dmacart.com/about/
Now its time for me to get down the road to my home and my husband and my chickens, I cant wait :)

SOLD!

Straiton Junction 2011 - SOLD

Bus Stop Park Square 2012 - SOLD

Junction Street 2010 - SOLD

Ferry Sunset 2012 - SOLD

Mother-in-law Mixture 2011 - SOLD

Schnerpenzeel Morning 2011 - SOLD

Harbour 2012 - SOLD

New toy

I recently got myself an iPad and have treated myself to the brushes app:-) its what Hockney uses so it's good enough for me! This is my first experiment, looking out at the Pentlands from my mum and dads.

Party time

There was a fab turnout to my preview, about 40 people came! :)  My sister and mum did some gorgeous canapes which went down well and it was fab to have a wee drink and catch up with friends.  And some sales too !!

Time to lock up the gallery.

Karen and I celebrating a sucessful preview.

Setting up the gallery

So I had some concerns about this bit, and had brought bits and bobs to address every eventuality, but it was actually quite easy (with my 2 6ft 4 helpers!)  I didnt realise that there is an optimum way to hang thigs, but we found the right way eventually and it looked pretty good.  A massive learning curve, but I learnt a lot!