WIP again

WIP again. 

(Acrylic on canvas panel, 10x8 in)

As if to prove the point made in my previous post, here’s another Work in Progress started yesterday, to add to the growing pile of unfinished work. When I’m ready, there’ll be a splurge of completed works. By the way, this painting is based on a photograph taken on the same day as that used for the previous post and only five minutes walk away. I think I see a consistent mindset.

Another Work in Progress

Another Work in Progress.
(Acrylic on canvas board, 10x8 in)

Lacking the will to push on and finish anything at the moment, I continue to pile up the WIPs and started this one yesterday at the Club. I rather wish I’d used a bigger panel now, so maybe I’ll consider this a study for a bigger painting.

In another forum, I was asked why I was attracted to this subject. I often find it difficult to articulate what it is that attracts me to a subject because it’s that old “if I could tell you what it is I wouldn’t have to paint it” trope. But I do recognise potential subject matter as soon as I see it. In this case I’m sure it was an element of dereliction, the monumentality of it (possibly why I regret the smallness of the panel) and the geometric shapes. 

Two Works in Progress

WIP - Aerial View

(Acrylic on canvas board, 12 x 12 in)

WIP - Crossing the Square

(Acrylic on canvas board, 12 x 12 in)

Two works in progress, both views from a tower in Verona. One begun yesterday, the other creeping to completion. Both with issues to resolve.

WIP: Crossing the Square

Crossing the Square WIP
(Acrylic on canvas board, 12x12 in)

Another new one blocked out yesterday. I’ve always loved views from above. In this case, I'm working on a photograph taken from a tower in Verona.

 

Diamonds and Pearls

Diamonds and Pearls
(Acrylic on board, 11 x 11 in)

This weekend’s work. My Regular Reader will know I'm rather fond of the shop as subject matter, so this new painting of a little jewellery shop I spotted in a quiet square in Trogir, Croatia, should come as no surprise. 

I painted it on a panel I prepared long ago with pieces of paper pasted down and that has given the painting a nice texture appropriate to the old walls of the town.

Concertina Exchange

In an effort to kick start some creativity in the drab early months of the year, I’ve signed up to a concertina exchange project run by Sally Hirst. I sent the first iteration of my concertina book to Julia, my partner in the exchange, a few days ago.

This is how it looked:

There’s no specific theme so far, but I’m reminded of pictograms and some of Barbara Rae’s Arizona paintings. It’ll be interesting to see where Julia takes it.

Up Pink Lane [SOLD}

Up Pink Lane
(Acrylic on canvas board, 10x10 in)

I understand that this day in January is known as Blue Monday. Well, I went to pick up my two paintings from the now closed exhibition at Newcastle Arts Centre today and was pleasantly surprised to find that this one had sold. Not such a Blue Monday after all!

I painted this one in 2023, in a burst of interest in relatively unlikely bits of Newcastle and Gateshead.

Merry Christmas 2025!

 

(acrylic on canvas board, 10 x 8 in. Digital text)

Merry Xmas and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year to all my Reader!

House on the Road to Halepa

 House on the Road to Halepa

(Acrylic on canvas panel, 30x30 cm)

 It’s taken a while to get there, but we have arrived. When I set out to paint this picture, I had a definite idea of how I wanted it to look, an idea that came to me even as I sat in the little park just outside Chania in September this year. 

It might be interesting to post the photographs I took of the house and the tree so you can see how things have changed in the production of the painting.

Lisbon Cafe WIP

 

Lisbon Cafe WIP
(Acrylic on canvas board, 10x8 in)

I laid this out last night with the intention of continuing at the Art Club today, but it was not to be. Oh well, reserved for a later date.

Mau's Wall

Mau’s Wall
(Acrylic on block panel, 20 x 20.15 cm)

As is often the case, I’m finding it difficult to pick up paintings I was working on before our holiday in Crete, so this little piece is by way of hopefully getting things going again. 

Streets in Bologna

Streets in Bologna [SOLD]

(Acrylic on board, 14 x 8.5 in)

Friday’s new start at the Art Club was this view of streets in Bologna. Several alterations later, and the Italian street scene is done.

It's a combination of a view I liked and the serendipitous finding of a panel that was the right shape. I’d do more of these views if the panels were readily available.

 

Dreamer

 Dreamer

(Oil on canvas, 12 x 12 in)

[SOLD]

This lovely lady is now on her way to be with a collector in Yorkshire. I know she’ll be in good company.

Shadows at the End of the Street

Shadows at the End of the Street
(Acrylic on board, 28 x 24 cm)

Started on Friday at Gateshead Art Society, finished last night. This is one of those views you spot abroad when you're walking down a narrow street and at the end of the street, framed by the two sides of the street you're on, is a fascinating composition. 

An interesting and challenging composition that I feel I’ve made work.

Chinese Bottle

 Chinese Bottle

(Acrylic on board, 8 x 8 in)

[SOLD]

This small still life painted, I think, during the Lockdown, has now sold and on its way to its new home.

Seville Tile Factory

 Seville Tile Factory

(Acrylic on canvas board, 10 x 12 in)

I was fascinated by the Tile Factory in Seville when we went there in 2017. The strange shapes of the bottle kilns with mysterious openings and cantilevered lamps were a delight for someone who revels in the unusual. I was immediately reminded of the paintings of Giorgio de Chirico, a tremendous influence on many of the painters I admire from the period between the Wars.

Here's a Photoshop treatment I did of a photograph taken on the same visit. I think it evokes some of de Chirico strangeness, but despite a couple of attempts I've failed to turn it into a successful painting. I may return to it again.

Memory Lane

 Memory Lane

(Acrylic on canvas, 8 x 8 in)

A painting from almost ten years ago. I needed the frame for something else, so took the opportunity to make some revisions. The painting is now darker and potentially more mysterious, and for me that seems right. I'm beginning to realise that changing times and my attitudes to the work, can be reflected in reworked paintings. Something for more thought.

Derry Girls

Derry Girls

(Acrylic on canvas board, 9 x 12 in)

The second of my paintings celebrating my trip to Derry / Londonderry. The Derry Girls mural was quite a surprise.

Up the Walls of Derry

 Up the Walls of Derry

(Acrylic on canvas board, 9 x 12 in)

Completed today, the first of my new Derry / Londonderry paintings. I was there two years ago and had a great time, but sometimes it takes a while for the experience to filter through and become a painting.

Speciality Coffee Bar

Speciality Coffee Bar

(Acrylic and collage on board, 12x7 in)

A small painting begun as a distraction at the turn of the year. It shows one of the derelict doorways I found as I wandered the streets of Chania on one of my many visits there. I enjoyed bringing the textures of the wall and door to life.

After today’s changes, I think I’m done with it now.