Happenings

'Reverie,' oil and acrylic on canvas, 55 x 45cm

Whirlwind! That is the only word that describes the past week! Monday: I had to prepare and deliver two paintings for an exhibition called 'Flight,' at The Gallery, (Tunbridge Wells, Kent). That entailed painting white around the canvas edges, to neaten them, and attaching wires on the back, and signing them on the back. It took more time than I expected. I also had to varnish one of them, and then took them to the gallery.

On Tuesday I set up Skype on my computer, to connect with an artist who wanted to interview me via Skype. That night I went out to the Private View at the gallery. It was crowded and I met some other artists.

In the gallery, my two paintings.

The Private View.



The two blue paintings are mine. They refer to flight over the sea, though I was thinking about people's journeys through life.

On Tuesday night at 10pm, just after I returned home from the PV, I connected with Phillip J. Mellen, on Skype, to discuss the podcast. Thankfully, the connection was really good, and we chatted about my work and the questions I would be asked on Thursday night.

On Wednesday I made my notes for the podcast, and began some new paintings. Altogether last week I worked on five new canvases, all fairly small because my supplies of canvas are low. But these were freebies! I was sent 6 small canvases by an art supplier because I'd received a slightly damaged canvas in a previous order. Small canvases can be fantastic for working out ideas fast, and making changes fast. This is one of them.

'It's That Time of Year Again.' oil and acrylic on canvas, 35 x 24cm



On Thursday I painted most of the day. It put me in the right frame of mind for the interview. I also had to finish filling in some forms for exhibitions and a website I want to be included on. Sometimes admin work seems to take as much time as painting.

The podcast was very enjoyable. I was more relaxed than I expected to be. The questions took about an hour and I was fully prepared. We both had our drinks next to us - talking for so long really makes your throat dry - and after the first 10 minutes passed, we were both at ease. I found it quite amazing being able to see Phil's room, and cat, and Phil picked up his latest painting to show to me! (It's the first time I have experienced Skype.) We ended up talking from 10pm to 11.30pm. For the last half hour, we discussed our own work. Phil is a wonderful artist and we both love colour.

I was really thrilled to be asked to do this interview as I am now in the 'company' of a lot of incredible artists from around the world. I feel as if I am part of an artistic community as many of these artists are either known to me, or are Facebook friends.  My podcast should be on this week, along with photos of my work. I also spoke about my book THE JAGGED GREEN LINE, and made a tribute to Stass Paraskos, my ex-tutor from art school, who I'd learned only that day had died. Stass was a big influence on me, and always encouraged my use of colour. I was really very shocked to hear of his death and that was the first thing I spoke about when Phil and I connected on Skype.



'The Land of the Midnight Sun.' Oil and acrylic on canvas, 35 x 24cm

 

 

As the weather has improved, my colour has become brighter. I finished the week with 5 wet canvases propped up around the room, and on Sunday I went to see the Paul Klee exhibition at the TATE MODERN, London. It was the last day and I was so glad I made the effort.  Klee's colour affected me emotionally, and I have started this week buzzing with painting ideas. 


The podcast website is:
http://www.ahtcast.com/