Day 4 of 30

Frosty Day at Wells

A beautiful crisp day today. We were heading back to Lincolnshire along the coast road,  my plan being to call in at Thornham to paint. Hah! I drove down a hill that was still in shade and soon realised it was a sheet of ice, we passed a lovely old MG that was embedded in the hedge and decided to head back to the main roads. We carried on to Wells and stopped there first where I was able to paint this.

Day 2 of 30

it was so cold and windy today but I was still determined to get out there. I waited until 3pm as the sky started to change colour.
My brushes were on fire as I painted so quickly to try and capture those amazing clouds. The painting took 35 minutes and when I'd finished packing up the clouds had completely gone.

Clouds over Wiveton

Round The World Blog Hop

Before Christmas I was invited by Mari French to participate in a Blog Hop Around the World. Unfortunately everyone was so busy, I couldn't find another artist to pass on to so I thought I'd wait until the new year. The Blog Hop is wherepeople share something about their current projects and creative processes. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet other artists and understand the thought processes that run through creative work of all types right round the world.
I first saw Mari's work in a mixed exhibition many years ago and was very impressed by it. I have ventured into realms of abstract painting many times and find it so very difficult. Reading Mari's blog and thought processes was very inspiring. I am pleased to say that I now know Mari and we often paint out together on the North Norfolk coast and I continue to be a great admirer of her work.

Reed beds and bird calls. Mixed media on paper. Mari French.

Now to answer the four blog hop questions

What am I working on? 

As a mostly Plein Air painter I have been a bit restricted and reliant on others recently due to a broken ankle but I am pleased to say that it didn't stop me taking part in a Plein Air competition in Norwich.

Elm Hill

 Another trip out was to Brancaster Staithe on the North Norfolk coast with a group of like mind outdoor painters. I do enjoy the company of other artists, chatting over lunch about what we are all up to. Painting can be a very solitary occupation and input from other artists is very encouraging and inspiring. On the day I managed three small oil sketches.

I am using the information gathered on the day to work on larger studio paintings.
I love the immediacy of painting plein air as you have to work quickly to capture the moment and constantly changing light. This something that can easily be lost back in the studio when you have more time. I try to put myself back into zone, trying to recreate my responses to scene in front of me , difficult in a nice warm studio. I also find that setting a time limit helps too. I rarely work from photographs, there is a tendency to be representational if you're not careful

How Does My Work Differ in It's Genre?

That's a tricky question. To be honest, I don't think it is that different. I would like to think that I have developed my own style which I guess is something all artists strive for,  to be different and stand apart. I find it very difficult to stand back and assess my own work.

Why do I write / create what I do?

I can't remember a time when I didn't want to paint. I'm often asked where did it come from. As far as I know non of my ancestors were particularly creative. I wasn't encouraged that much either. I always wanted to go to art school but was persuaded to get a 'proper' job. So I went for the next best thing, teaching art. With the arrival of our family, I left teaching in school and went on to teach Adult Education which I found extremely rewarding. As a self taught artist, analysing other peoples paintings taught me to look at my own paintings in a different way. Eventually I had to give up the weekly classes to give myself more time for my own work. I was becoming a frustrated artist and the urge and need to paint full time won over. Today I continue to teach, taking groups abroad and teaching residential courses.

How does my writing / creating process work?

I mostly answered this in the first question.
I am constantly looking around me and am drawn to the large skies of Lincolnshire and Norfolk
I have got a neat little pochade box that I take out and about with me. This will take a panel up to 14" across. I work quickly usually completing the sketch within an hour.

Back in the studio I prepare my canvas or board with a coat of gesso to give more texture and a base coat of diluted Burnt Sienna.

 Next stage is to block in the main image with diluted Ultramarine and Burnt Umber

 The sky is tackled next using Ultramarine, Titanium White and a touch of Yellow Ochre & Magenta

The clouds and sea are a darker mix of the sky colours. I don't use pure white as I find it looks rather cold.

 Varying mixes of Yellow Ochre, Ultramarine, Magenta are still used in the next stage of putting in the pine trees, dunes and beach

I use some of the sky colour in the pine trees to define their shape. Figures help to give the painting more perspective. Diluted paint splattered on the sand is used to suggest the shingle.

One of the artists I invited to participate is Peter Barker http://peter-peterbarkerpaintings.blogspot.co.uk also a Plein Air painter that I have admired for sometime now. He has held many solo exhibitions and regularly has work on show at the Mall galleries, London

Day 1 of 30

To get the New Year off to a good start I have decided to join in Leslie Saeta's 30 day challenge
So this afternoon I wrapped up warm and headed towards the coast. This veiw of the sea beyond Weybourne took my fancy

                                                Weybourne.       10" x 12" oil on board

Brancaster Paint Out

Haidee and I decided it was about time we had another meet up in Brancaster. We agreed on Monday 17th November and put the info on the Plein Air Uk Facebook page.
We weren't quite expecting the response we got. Well over twenty people said that they would be coming so I phoned the pub, The Jolly Sailors to reserve a couple of their large tables.
Things get in the way and other things crop up so in the end fifteen artists convened at Brancaster.
As I still can't drive, Frank dropped me off after a lovely relaxing weekend at our cottage on the N Norfolk coast (Haidee was taking me home).

Although I am not in a wheelchair anymore, I didn't think it was wise to stand for too long so had to sit to paint

I did two paintings from this position. I would have preferred to move but the effort was too much to think about

 

Time flew by - time for the pub!!

Lunch at the Jolly Sailors

We had a great time getting to know all the newbies and chatting about painting. I was impressed at far some people had traveled. We had people from Brighton, Grantham, Cambridge, Lincoln, London and Bungay 

After lunch some of us went and painted from the common. Why had I never been there before? The views were stunning and the light was just right. Clouds casting shadows with bursts of sunlight.

We didn't have long as the light was fading so managed this quicky.

Cloud Shadows over Brancaster

 There was a fantastic sunset but we had to hit the road and admire it whilst driving. I am looking forward to the next meet up. I'm sure most of the group will return too

One Step Forward........

I am pleased to report that the acupuncture is working very well. The swelling has reduced dramatically and Paula is manipulating the foot and giving gentle massage. It feels much stronger and am able to put a bit more weight on it.

The downside is that, now the swelling has gone down a bit, one of the pins is causing such pain, I can feel it just under the surface and my walking boot puts pressure on it.

I don't get to see the doctor another 11 days then he'll have to set up an appointment to have the pins removed. Goodness knows how long that will be!
I finally have my appointment from the hospital for physio with them - end of next week. Over three weeks since the cast was removed.
I may just consider going private with this one.

Progress

Nine weeks now since 'the fall'. I finally feel that I am making progress. Two weeks ago I had the cast removed - not a pretty sight., withered leg and dry skin also, surprised to see I was still sporting a rather handsome bruise on my calf and ankle. The doctor said he would send an appointment for physiotherapy. (Two weeks later - I am still waiting!!!!!!)

First job for me was to soak the offending foot and exfoliate, bit painful as still very stiff and swollen. was pleased with the results though.

Next job, get on to the internet and research exercises for broken ankle. I knew I had to be careful so started with some gentle flexing.
I realised I needed more professional advice so I booked an appointment with Paula at Aspire in Spalding. After initial consultation we decided to try a course of acupuncture, gentle manipulation and a course of exercises.
Acupuncture was interesting, never had it before (I've a bit of a phobia about needles). Paula carefully placed six needles, OK so far, she then asked if I felt any thing. I couldn't feel a thing, so she asked me to wiggle my toes - flippin heck!!! I felt that! An area where one of the needles was hurt like mad, apparently that was good. I sat like that for 15 minutes by which time some of the other needles were either tingling or itching, also good apparently.
I didn't feel any immediate difference but was pleased to note the next day that the swelling had reduced. It feels stronger and I now have confidence to put a bit more weight on it.
Trouble is, if I do too much I suffer for it, the foot swells quickly and I am getting quite a bit of pain where the pins are holding the bone on in my ankle. I think they are aggravating the tissues inside when I move them. I will ask to have those removed next time I see the doctor in two weeks time.

I am under strict instructions from Frank to rest today as i did a lot of walking yesterday and it has swollen and gone purple again. So much to do, it's very frustrating but I must be patient.

the height of fashion 

Meanwhile I have another appointment with the lovely Paula this Wednesday.
I wonder if I will ever get an appointment from the hospital??