New non-equestrian work

Hello all… I’ve been rather quiet over the last few months.. a big sorry from me.

My general health has been poor with now 7 periods of strep pneumonia over the last year, leaving me tired and lacking blogging energy.

I’ve been under a lot of pressures with ‘issues’ that have stemmed from my 100 paintings in 100 days personal challenge, leaving me no option other than to close down my usual chatty productive self to a lower level of general grumpyness and disillusionment with life, art, creativity and psychological wellbeing…

I’m going to show you a new thread to my painting work, something I have created to help to release some demons and reclaim some power and self belief after I have felt stripped of my integrity and value…. Sounds serious eh? I’m not the melodramatic drama queen I could be, but I’m severely dented by the last 9 months of life as I’ve known it and I’ve managed to ‘paint out’ some off the issues and emotions that have been stopping me sleeping and allowing my ill health, depression and fragile non-immunity to continue….

I can’t explain these images further, just allow them to explain themselves to you. Some people have told me they are about broken relationships and lost love…. in some ways they are right… the broken relationship and lost love is not however with a lover or partner (I don’t have that honour) but a life betrayal, a lifestyle break, a denial of purpose and a inforced break from close personal associations…..

I soon realised that taking a photo of myself in the bathroom mirror on my mobile phone did not offer me enough detail as a reference image to paint from… so it was major hold my breath and dare myself time…..

My friendly photographer was John at Light and Dark Photography in Penistone near Sheffield…. he was so creative with the lighting and really listened while I nervously explained what I wanted…..

The second I saw the resulting photographs, I knew how and what I wanted to paint… the silver leaf is added for many reasons….. The difficult bit was painting myself, but as I progressed, my need to continue and the need to create an image with emotion and meaning became more important..

I have now had a number of these paintings accepted for exhibition through the juried process…. this encourages me, as I have been so blinkered on equestrian imagery, I at times feel that I have lost my personal soul with my art…

Can I ask you:

What is art about? What do I want to show? How do I make you want to feel? Can I draw you into my world? Can you feel an empathy for what emotions have fuelled my work? Are you picking up that edge? Do you feel that self questioning lack of love? The damage that has been inflicted by somebody else’s process? The need to value yourself because you are the ONLY thing you have that is solid??

Bird of Paradise

Under My Skin

Firing Squad

Duty Of Care

Thank you for reading my blog, it’s good to know I don’t just talk to myself…… My art therapy has really helped to lighten my heart and I am still busy in the studio and out and about exhibiting and demonstrating…. This blog post is really just about explaining my blogging gap…. I will return soon to be back to everyday….

A Tribute To Hank

Recently, a friend rang me and informed me that their fabulous dog, Hank, had just been put down after a very sudden and severe illness, I could hear the devastation in her voice as she told me what had happened…….

The reason for the phone call was that she wanted me to paint the dog, in secret, for her husbands up-and-coming birthday. I only had a tiny 3″ photograph to work from, but this one photo showed a proud and loyal face with such a direct gaze.

I set to work straight away, relishing the chance to work this portrait on a dark, sombre background; his outline almost melts into the darkness while his eyes follow your every move. I was very happy to say they are both utterly delighted with the completed painting and I so hope that it will keep their memories alive of this fabulous friend….

portrait of Hank

The end piece measures 12 x 12″ and is Atelier Interactive acrylic on canvas panel. I framed this piece in a heavy wide black frame with a natural linen slip, giving this beautiful dog the impact and importance that he deserves……

 

 

Horbury Art Club Demonstration

I was out and about last week demonstrating…. on tuesday evening I was in Horbury near Wakefield and on saturday, spent the day demonstrating at Penistone Show, where I had my regular trade stand….

 

I had asked the art group to supply me with an animal photograph to work from, and was given a shot of a border collie, one ear up the other down… I did struggle a little with the detail as the photo had been taken indoors and lacked fur description and had ‘good-old’ red eyes where the flash had caused havoc.

after one hour

 

I used my Atelier Interactive acrylic on canvas panel, steadily building up the main shades up to the one hour mark and coffee break……

close examination

 

There were many interesting questions that came from the group members which ranged from which colours and brushes I use and how the Atelier Interactive and unlocking spray worked, to how to create realism into the eyes and fur……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

completed piece

 

I managed to complete the piece just within the two-hour timescale and was delighted when the dog’s owner wanted to take the painting home with her…..

 

A few days later I set up my trade stand at Penistone Show. I’d been moved last-minute into the demonstration marquee, and set up a painting to last me the whole day. I chose an image from my photo session with Lorenzo at The Great Yorkshire Show this summer. In my speed of packing that morning, I’d forgotten my white paint, so it was an interesting painting of 4 white horses not using any white paint! (Malcolm Coward would be proud of me!)

 

The painting was left incomplete.. I’ve now worked on it a little further, but I feel that there is still a way to go…..

further progress..

Exhibition at Sally Mitchell Sporting Art Gallery, Tuxford, Nottingham

Exhibition Invitation

 

I’ve not exhibited with The Society Of Equestrian Artists in a while, I’m an Associate member of this fabulous collection of equestrian specialists…… Many of their events are held in London at the Mall Gallery, and I have found it too far to drag my little one to submit, drop off and re-collect, so have sadly had to miss their summer exhibition out of my schedule.

see www.thesocietyofequestrianartists.co.uk

 

I was delighted to find that this year that a Northern exhibition was to be held in Nottingham at the prestigious Sally Mitchell Gallery in Tuxford.

The submission of paintings was held last weekend, and I’m delighted to report I had 3 of my 4 paintings put forward, selected!! One of my favourites ( to give him his pet name ‘Mr Sexy Neck’  ) was selected alongside two of my ’100 day challenge’ paintings…..

To say I’m very happy is an understatement… I hope to give you some good news on the sales front! Fingers crossed!!

So this 100 thing….. did it work???

As you all well know…. I completed 100 paintings in 100 days. My goals were to strengthen my technique, to use more colour, to become more creative and well.. erm…. to know myself better ( in the true artistic meaning! )

SO, DID IT WORK ??

You are the better judge of this than me…..

I can see for one thing, I’ve learned to paint faster! That art will hold me together through times of great personal stress, mishap, loss and duress….

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PAINTING?

I painted this image almost a year ago……

Turned Away...

 

I used my same photo reference (from Madeira of all places! ) to complete my DAY 57 piece….

 

 

day 57 of 100

 

I see more accuracy, more looseness and more confident handling…. The story is not the same for all of the pieces… I have found it hard to break out from copying the reference photo… to become more intuitive and creative…. my ‘commission’ style is a gremlin on my back with a loud voice that shouts “COPY..COPY..COPY!!”

Great when you want it, but the Devil itself to shake off when you don’t….

 

day 13 Dirty Paws

 

day 30

 

I have had a go at previously untried media… a new set of Atelier Interactive acrylic, which has turned out to be my new best friend, coloured pencils with monochrome underdrawing, using silver leaf rather than kit-kat wrappers. I’ve revisited graphite drawing media… I find I adore this… and also pen drawing which I haven’t done for almost 20 years…..

 

Day 1, with daughters monkey! My first go at Atelier Interactive paints...

 

Day 43, Armchair Ride, coloured pencil

 

Day 9, Black Stallion with silver leaf

 

Day 67, Lead four, graphite pencil

 

Day 57, Tessa, pen and ink

 

I can see that being able to work without a rule has done me a service… I’ve tried different approaches and styles, images that I have been drawn to paint without being requested to, media I have never tried before………

 

What am I most proud of?

completing 100 days….

 

What could I improve on?

being more creative and throwing my accuracy copy gremlin out of the window….

 

which painting is my favourite?

my day 100…. It was a wrench to give it away for free and I hesitated as I gave it to the post office… almost like sending a favourite child to boarding school… ( I can only imagine…)… but I am donating its ‘cost’ tomorrow and will smile..

 

What do I regret?

The timing of the 100… the most family accident prone, illness fuelled, work striffed period of my life….

 

 

 

My day 100… the end ( yet now a new beginning ) to the journey…

 

Day 100... The Ice Maiden

 

Can I say an ENORMOUS thank you for the support I have been given through my 100 days….. I am still painting, slightly less furiously, but I would really value you looking in on me and seeing how I’m getting on with ‘normality’ now my challenge is completed…..

 

 

The Backscratchers…..

After a brief break (at pony club camp with Junior Artist ) I decided it was time to get back to painting! While ‘at camp’ I took a few photographs of a couple of horses, obviously stablemates, indulging in a spot of mutual grooming… the light was just right and I knew immediately, that this was going to be the next thing on my easel….

Due to the speed ethic of my 100 days challenge, I waded in with a big brush. My immediate thoughts were that this painting would be all about colour and I would keep the shapes bold, allowing the darker horse to become almost abstract with minimum detail.

Again I have taken a number of progress shots… My working time was under 4 hours for this piece, and at 16 x 20″ I have opened up the scale from my 100 pieces and decided to have a little fun!

stage 1

 

stage 2

 

stage 3

 

completed

 

This painting is now off to the framer, the lovely guys at Impact Framing, and is then destined for an exhibition in Nottingham, if I can get it through the selection panel… fingers crossed!

If it is still with me in October, I shall be putting it on public sale, so if you are keen, please let me know if you are interested and I will contact you if it is available….

DAY 100

100 paintings in 100 days for under £100

PERSONAL CHALLENGE 

 

DAY 100

The Ice Maiden…

 

9th August 2011

10 x 14″ – 24 x 35 cm approx

atelier interactive acrylic on canvas panel

reserved 

 

Personal challenge completed… here is day 100….

 

I have looked for so long over a length of days at the reference image….. This hasn’t been a hard or a long job to produce… it’s been the exact thing I have chosen to paint, given over 150  images to choose from ( a massive thank you! )  tonight has been pure, concentrating pleasure..

 Thank you for your support over my last 100 days of artistic struggle and production.. It’s been a very winding path!

 I will muse  over the 100 and my real progress in my next blog post… but for tonight, I’m now just going to relax and put the paint brush down….

Purchases available through Paypal or by personal cheque.

Deposit secures. Installment plan available.

If you are interested in making a purchase, please contact me either by text or email.

Text:  07974 404765     email:  arrkidd@yahoo.co.uk

Paintings are sold on a first come, first served basis

 

 

Low resolution images are used for each painting day, this is to help to prevent unauthorised usage and downloading,  hence the colours may vary slightly from that of the original.

 A higher resolution image is available to view if you may be interested in purchase.

 Please contact me for further details.

 

 

 

Thank you for following my progress on this creative journey,

all comments and support gratefully received……..

 

 

DAY 99

100 paintings in 100 days for under £100

PERSONAL CHALLENGE 

 

DAY 99

 

The Falling Leaves Of Time

 

8th August 2011

7.5 x 10″ - 19 x 25.5 cm approx

black onyx pencil on paper

S O L D 

 

This image gives me a quiet serenity to my soul……the tones, the curves and the fabulous interaction between the three (have you spotted little Hushpuppy under the donkey’s belly?)

I have needed to draw this piece, it’s eaten away at me,…. again the second I first saw it, I needed to absorb it…. this is the 9th image from my top 10 competition… I feel very lucky and honoured to have the chance to create from such quality images….. 

 

I’ve used my black onyx pencils tonight, they give a lovely velvety denseness without the metallic glare of graphite pencils and are comfortably ‘fat’ in the hand… I’ really looking forward to tomorrows painting, I don’t really want to stop this 100 days journey, yet I’m aware that if I continue at this breakneck speed I will burn out and falter…..

 

After my 100 I shall continue to blog my work in my ‘on the easel’ section, and will post regular painting progress updates… I’m really enjoying talking to you, and would like us to continue our blog relationship! x

 

 

Purchases available through Paypal or by personal cheque.

 

Deposit secures. Installment plan available.

If you are interested in making a purchase, please contact me either by text or email.

Text:  07974 404765     email:  arrkidd@yahoo.co.uk

Paintings are sold on a first come, first served basis

 

 

Low resolution images are used for each painting day, this is to help to prevent unauthorised usage and downloading,  hence the colours may vary slightly from that of the original.

 A higher resolution image is available to view if you may be interested in purchase.

 Please contact me for further details.

 

 

 

Thank you for following my progress on this creative journey,

all comments and support gratefully received……..

 

 

DAY 98

100 paintings in 100 days for under £100

PERSONAL CHALLENGE 

 

DAY 98

 

 

7th August 2011

10 x 14″ – 24 x 35 cm approx

 acrylic on canvas panel

reserved 

 

This photo really caught my eye…… strong sunlight, beautiful horses, unusual composition and the thing that nailed it for me; the colour in the shadows and blocks of cast shadow… 

 

This would be a piece I would like to work on much larger, I felt that it became quite fiddly on the smaller scale…… I’m back in my usual acrylics…. I can see I am starting to prefer the chunkier more opaque Atelier Interactive acrylics now infront of my old trust friend, the Liqitex acrylics…. I have almost run out of some colours, so I shall replace both brands and continue to use both….. Internet shopping here I come!

 

The light is well and truly at the end of the tunnel now for my 100 days…. this is just as well as I have a 4 day pony club camp starting tomorrow, so my final painting may have to be started at the field and completed after midnight… then there’s no celebration of completing the challenge! I have to shut up, get my head down and lead the small fat pony in circles!!!

 

 

Purchases available through Paypal or by personal cheque.

 

Deposit secures. Installment plan available.

If you are interested in making a purchase, please contact me either by text or email.

Text:  07974 404765     email:  arrkidd@yahoo.co.uk

Paintings are sold on a first come, first served basis

 

 

Low resolution images are used for each painting day, this is to help to prevent unauthorised usage and downloading,  hence the colours may vary slightly from that of the original.

 A higher resolution image is available to view if you may be interested in purchase.

 Please contact me for further details.

 

 

 

Thank you for following my progress on this creative journey,

all comments and support gratefully received……..

 

 

DAY 97

100 paintings in 100 days for under £100

PERSONAL CHALLENGE 

 

DAY 97

 

Johnny

 

6th August 2011

10 x 12″ – 25 x 30 cm approx

atelier interactive acrylic on canvas panel

S O L D 

This dog’s eyes say it all…. he is a ‘foundling’ but he has the look of love in those beautiful eyes, I’m sure you agree?

 

I ‘needed’ to paint this image the second I saw it… golden light, dark background… a truly beautiful dog!

 

The painting itself was very relaxing to create, the brush almost seemed to guide itself… leaving me time to pop out to do some photography, and later arrange to meet up with friends..I’m ready for the final 3 days of intensive work now and feel happily recharged…..

 

 

 

Purchases available through Paypal or by personal cheque.

 

Deposit secures. Installment plan available.

If you are interested in making a purchase, please contact me either by text or email.

Text:  07974 404765     email:  arrkidd@yahoo.co.uk

Paintings are sold on a first come, first served basis

 

 

Low resolution images are used for each painting day, this is to help to prevent unauthorised usage and downloading,  hence the colours may vary slightly from that of the original.

 A higher resolution image is available to view if you may be interested in purchase.

 Please contact me for further details.

 

 

 

Thank you for following my progress on this creative journey,

all comments and support gratefully received……..