Lie-in time
Here’s my latest cardboard commission, celebrating a family lie in! Still some spaces for commissions coming up - see Commission Tips for details. Oil pastel on corrugated cardboard 50 x 70cm
Seeing double
Here’s 2 portraits of 1 cheeky chappy done as commissions before Christmas. I really enjoyed this challenge - the same but not the same!
Returning to my old favourite, oil pastel on cardboard 30 x 30cm each.
Hello Brave New World
I’m not going to to lie - these past months of homeschooling and barely picking up a paintbrush, along with a nice dose of Covid in half term for all the family, have been tough. But it’s made the last week with the kids back at school and myself happily planted in my studio all the more appreciated!
I’ve got behind with updates on portraits commissions for the end of 2020. - here’s one done for these 3 boys’ grandmother as a personal Christmas present. oil on canvas 50 x 40cm
Happy New Everything!
Happy New Year and good riddance to the last one! May 2021 be full of the hopes and positives that are keeping us all going at the moment. Stay safe and well all.
Some of my better moments in lockdown were spent painting these…
Last week of Christmas sale
There’s still a fantastic range of artworks in my Christmas sale including Pool Chat and Apple Blossom 1 and 2. All 25% off until 18th December.
Treat a loved one and tick them off on the present list!
Motherhood project - Future Uncertain
I’m currently working on a series of pictures exploring my experience of motherhood and the role of mother and family during these crazy times. This has largely been created during lockdown and so taken a step away from the everyday towards something more surreal…as I think many of us may have experienced during lockdown!
Here’s a sneak peek at one of them - ‘Future Uncertain’ is a mixture of oil and acrylic on corrugated cardboard and is 151cm x 151cm.
I spent a lot of time in my friend Sandra’s garden in the summer. I was struck by the difference between her younger sleeping daughter and our older kids clutching water pistols in the background, marching forwards with intent.
Left Right Left off to a new home
Just packing up this little beauty to send to its new owner bought in my Christmas sale. ‘Left Right Left’ won Life Drawing Prize at Hampstead School of Art last summer and was one of my first left hand drawings. More life drawings and paintings are available going for a steal at £45.
Charcoal on paper
Christmas Sale
WOOHOO!
I'm more than a bit excited to present my recent artwork in this year's Christmas sale! I'd love to help with your Christmas shopping whilst sharing in this crazy year of creative adventures, so please take a look and see if there's anything you fancy. I'd also hugely appreciate it if you could share this with anyone you think it fits - thank you dear friends and Merry Christmas shopping!
Autumn Reflections at Kenwood, Hampstead Heath
More fun with a palette knife enjoying the stunning colours on lockdown walks.
Oil on canvas board 61 x 46 cm
Wild swim
As some of you know, I've become obsessed with open water swimming since this pandemic kicked off (7.2° today if anyone's interested!) And so inevitably I've started painting the subject...this one oil on canvas board. A bit of fun with a palette knife and brush.
This will be in my Christmas sale - more deets coming soon!
Painting update
Oil on canvas 71cm x 91cm
This was the last life painting I did before lockdown. I’m really pleased to finally complete it with a strong background colour. Also my first hand stretched canvas which was an education!
Back to work!
Oil on natural linen canvas 40 x 50cm
Hello everyone - it's been a while, but I'm really happy to be back to work with this commissioned portrait of 2 cheeky boys!
Now taking commissions in time for Christmas (I know, sorry to mention it, but these make amazing gifts and take a while!)
Mum reading
Mum reading
I started this portrait of my mum well before lockdown but completed it in May. I always struggle to know when a painting is finished, but decided this was a good point. Reading is Mum’s great passion and secret world of escapism, so I like seeing her in this relaxed yet focussed state!
Lockdown art
After a few weeks of adapting to this strange new world, I managed to squeeze in time between homeschooling (I’m definitely no teacher) to pick up my paintbrush. The stunning Spring weather and burst of growth has been a balm and lifeline for many of us, and I wanted to capture its fleeting beauty. I’ve found comfort in the thought that just as nature is moving on, so too will the lockdown!
These paintings are for sale as part of the brilliant #artistsupportpledge. £180 plus P&P. (The bluebell woods has sold) Also selling some of my previous work as part of the pledge, please message me to enquire if one takes your fancy! More to come soon…
Last distraction
Oil paint on natural canvas about 70cm x 90cm
I had what may be my last session life painting at HSoA for a while…it was a very quiet studio! This painting of Vanessa was done in 1hr 15. The prospect of not returning next week proved a good challenge - I think I work better with time restrictions. There’s plenty more I’d like to do to it, but am thankful for having been so nicely distracted from the outside madness for a while.
Jackson's Painting Prize longlists Goodbye Feet
Oil on canvas
Long listed for the Jackson’s painting prize 2020.
I recently realised time’s running out for my sons to share a bath. One pushes against the other’s back in a quest for space. It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland drinking from a bottle that makes her grow so much she can no longer see her feet: ‘Goodbye feet!”
Happy New Decade!
Here’s a recent commission for a dad’s 40th surprise birthday present. The family were holidaying near vineyards in the South of France where his wife grew up. She asked fort he colours to bring out the warmth of the surroundings, and liked the fact her husband is looking out including the viewer in the scene ‘So I feel like I am in the portrait too!’
Eyes Wide Shut
A bit of fun with this 3 minute drawing of Dominic with my eyes shut. Note to self - don’t take the charcoal off the page!
Autumn palette
A first attempt at left handed painting after a cloudy autumnal walk - did the colours outside follow me in?
Oil paint on natural linen canvas board
Left handed man standing
3 minute life drawing of Dominic. One minute left, one minute right and 3rd minute left handed.
Charcoal on paper