New paintings for exhibition

I know I have been quiet - lots of family things going on, which took over from painting. However, have now done some new work and they are all at the framers getting ready for the exhibition held in conjunction with the Hilton Open Gardens. That is on Sunday, 14th July. However, Nina and I are also taking a table at the Eltisley Village Fete the day before - Saturday 13th July. We are selling cards and unframed paintings at that, but putting on a full exhibition on the Sunday with framed works as well.

Link to Hilton Open Gardens page on the village website here: Hilton Open Gardens
Eltisley's Village Fete is part of their feast week celebrations. Information can be found on page 9 on the link: Eltisley Village Fete

With the Open Gardens, we have been asked to stick to the flower theme - not a problem for me! All the new ones that are going off to the framers are in my acrylic ink and pastel combination.

I have always wanted to paint the oriental poppies in the front garden - when they come out, they are beautiful, but sadly fade quite quickly, not helped by the dogs' tails!

Sea Holly has a wonderful shape, that lends itself to this technique. I had some in a bunch of flowers that someone gave me and sketched and took photographs of them, always meaning to paint them.

Another flower I had always planned to do was the anemone. The centre can be difficult - too much dark can be overwhelming - luckily, using some techniques learned whilst doing watercolour, I managed to keep this one lighter in look, whilst still obtaining a textured centre.




Anyway - just a taster. Will upload more on to the "Inks" section of this blog in the next day or two.

Forthcoming Art Exhibition

Absolutely delighted that the organisers of the Hilton Open Gardens have asked the Carnelian Group to exhibit at one of the gardens on display. Exact details to following, but we will be exhibiting in the garden room at Angela Potter's house.

Angela has a company called English Eden Garden Design and designed a medal-winning garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Her website is here: http://www.english-eden.co.uk/. Angela does some brilliant work and has transformed a large section in my own garden - no mean task filling a void after fourteen or so 70-foot tall leylandii are taken down!

As we have been asked to keep to a plant theme for this exhibition, I have been busy sketching the beautiful flowers out at the moment to get inspiration for a new set of paintings. Watch this space for more details and some examples of the new work that will be exhibited....