John Connolly

Winter Woodland

2012-03-02T13:53:00.001-08:00

Having been back to the New Forest last week, I decided to try and capture the woods in their 'Nakedness'. I was only there for an hour so I did a few sketches and took lots of photos to work on back in my studio.

These are the first two paintings inspired by my recent visit, completed this week.

Winterwoods

Winterwoodland

WOODLAND LIGHT to Cheshire, Cumbria, Surrey and Hampshire.

2012-02-24T00:58:00.004-08:00

In the past 7 days I have been to both ends of the country with 'Woodland Light' Paintings... Last Wednesday I delivered work to Jack Sevens Art Yard in Macclesfield and on Thursday delivered work to Old Courthouse Gallery in Ambleside, Cumbria. On Tuesday this week I delivered over thirty paintings to 'KD Fine Art', Nr Guildford, Surrey and 'Gallery 55' in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, and as I was only about 40 miles away from the New Forest I walked in Whiteley Woods, nr Lyndhurst (with sketch book and camera) re visiting my favourite trees that I have now seen in Summer, Autumn and Winter.

June

October

November

February

June

October

November

February

The second part of my trip was not as enjoyable. I returned home to Derbyshire via one of my favourite but recently closed, Galleries 'Wonderwall' in Cirencester, whose owner David Bloomfield sadly passed away in January, aged 48. Wonderwall and David will be missed by many artists and customers for Years to come.

I am continuing to work on the Woodland Light project as more galleries have asked for paintings. I will be having a solo show at Leabrooks Gallery, Somercotes, Derbyshire throughout April and will also be showing at the Reading Art Fair on 27 - 29th April.

I will probably spend May getting ready for the Derbyshire Open Studios which is the June Bank holiday weekend. My studio will be open to the public for four days where you can watch me work or just look at the work which of course will all be available to buy.

WOODLAND LIGHT

2012-02-13T16:38:00.002-08:00

Since visiting the New Forest several times in 2011, I have been working on a body of work entitled 'Woodland Light'. So far I have produced over 60 paintings which will be shown in several galleries around the Uk throughout 2012. Many paintings are inspired by my visits to Hollands Wood and Whitley Wood in the New Forest. Some were produced plein air and others back in my studio. I have also worked in Sherwood Forest and other woodland areas near where I live in Bolsover and around Cromford in Derbyshire. I will be adding to this work throughout this year aswell as starting my next project which will be inspired by Rivers.

Having just photographed and uploaded 58 paintings, I now have the awful task of giving each one a title...

For further details of which Galleries will be showing 'Woodland Light' see my website www.connollyart.com or facebook http://www.facebook.com/Johnconnollyartist

Whitley Woods

Still Standing

Fairy Light

Into Whitley Wood

Sounds of the cockoo

Spring Colours

Walking with Jessie

Whitley 2

Whitley 5

Whitley 6

Whitley Wood - Back Hurting

Whitley in May

Whitley Woodland Walk

Whitley Woods 3

Woodland Moonlight

Woodland Walk

Wow the Colours

November Colours

Quiet Morning Walk

Sherwood Green

Silver Birch Wood

Skeletal

A few Dead Ones Still Standing

Apple Orchard

Autumn Mist

Autumn Glory

Autumnal reflection

Blue Hump

Bluebell Light

Can we pick some Dad?

Canopy

Cromford Blue

Cromford Blue Study

Dawn Bluebells

New Forest -Hollands Wood.

Hollands Wood

Hollands Wood Autumn Colour

It Started to Rain

Hollands Wood November

Icanhearacuckoodad

Jo's Wood

Kates Bluebells

Let's Follow the Path

The Light's in my Eyes

Loved the colours

May Blue 2

More shades of Autumn

New Forest Colour

Happy New Year

2012-01-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone.

OOOOps my back went, (doing nothing more strenuous than leaning over the bath) the day after Boxing Day and so JC looked like 'Badly Drawn Man' for a week. Fortunately by the time the Osteopath was open for business on Januray 3rd, I was a little more mobile, apart from having 'the bug' (some may call it man flu) which I think I caught when Santa met 350 children pre xmas. Although I didn't manage to paint for 2 weeks, the positive side was I read more books in that time than I have for the past 2 years. AND only 2 of them had pictures. David Attenboroughs ' Frozen Planet' is well worth a look at. As one reads it, one can hear his voice.

Wow, its 24th January already.... Already got dates to deliver work to Gallery 55 in Hampshire (changed name from Strawberry Fish) and working hard to get ready for my Solo show throughout April at Leabrooks Gallery in Derbyshire and the Reading Arts Fair at the end of April. Seems a long time away doesn't it, but I am also due for a change over at OCG in Ambleside and St Johns Street Gallery in Ashbourne. It's good to give galleries new work as Spring approaches. (Not had winter yet have we)

I am still working on the 'Woodland Light' body of work and am due at the framers at the weekend. I have wide selection of sizes of framed and unframed canvas as well as some work on paper under glass. It looks like the first showing of Woodland Light will be at Gallery 55 in Hampshire from 1st March...

A day off to be Santa.

2011-12-17T11:16:00.000-08:00

I took time off painting this week as Clowne Infant and Nursery school asked me to be Santa for the day.

I hope they approached me because of my acting ability rather than my white hair and ever increasing waist size...

Having been on stage thousands of times, I was still very nervous, not wanting to disappoint the children... and certainly not wanting to hear "He's not the real Santa". I did the Nursery first... and I must admit, I 'filled up' as the tiny children sang to me.... Seeing their little faces looking at 'Santa' was amazing... I had 'revised' the night before and so was very confident when I could roll of the names of all 9 reindeer...

Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Dasher and Blitzen with Rudolf at the front. I had to blag it a bit when a smart 6 year old asked me how I would be able to deliver presents in his house without setting the burglar alarm... (Magic of course) and another asked me exactly how many presents I would be delivering to ALL the children in the World...

Answer being..

Four hundred and twenty Squillion, 9 hundred and 4 Trillion, 449 Million 678 thousand 9 hundred and thirty 6 was my answer.... WOW......... said the children, amazed that I should know the answer.

I had a truly wonderful day.... and only one child said to the teacher, "I know he's not the real Santa because he wasn't fat enough and I could see the elastic on his beard. He must have been one of Santas helpers. He was very good though"

Not fat enough eh? Good lad. I'll work on that over Christmas.... :-)

Here are a few Photo's which unfortunately are not the best I have. The good ones have lots children with smiling faces which I am not allowed to publish on the internet.

Santa danced as the children sang. ;-)

CHRISTMAS STUDIO CLEARANCE SALE

2011-12-03T13:42:00.000-08:00

They always say that no matter how much space you have, you always manage to fill it.... I have heard that said about handbags, but it also applies to my new studio... As I am now 'full time' my work output has increased. I am currently working on a major 'Woodland Light' project for next year and simply need the space to store new work.... SO it's time for a studio clear out.

I have I spent all morning hanging these paintings (and others) at Leabrooks Gallery in Somercotes, Derbys.

There are over 40 Framed and unframed canvases from 8 inch square to 36 x 36 inches.

All being sold at half price with many much less. Why not come along and snap up a xmas bargain.

This is an offer that shouldn't be missed.

Leabrooks Gallery is open every day (Closed Wednesdays)

Christmas Exhibition

2011-11-26T05:03:00.000-08:00

Since becoming a full a time artist. just over a year ago, my work output has obviously increased.. Unfortunately, the storage in my studio has not increased in size so THROUGHOUT DECEMBER I'm having a major sort out by having a STUDIO CLEARANCE SALE at Leabrooks Gallery, Somercotes, Derbyshire. There is a good selection of both framed and unframed work... All of it has been reduced in price to give you the opportunity to either treat yourself or buy affordable Christmas presents for friends and family.

Leabrooks Gallery is open every day but is closed all day Wednesdays.

Painting in the New Forest.

2011-11-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

As I am currently producing a body of work with working title of 'If you Go Down to the Woods Today' I decided to make a return visit to the New Forest. Having been there for 4 days in June, I decided to go back to paint the Autumn. It seems that I probably went a month early... as most of the leaves are still green, with only the bracken showing real autumn colour. Unfortunately most of the camp sites, if not closed already will be closed within the next two weeks ;-(

As I wasn't camping in Hollands Wood (it was closed) I decided to concentrate on Whitley Wood and spent all 5 days immersed in this amazing ancient wood, surrounded by Ponies, Deer and the occasional family of pigs... by the end of the week, some of them had names... Tantric Ted, the Rutting Deer being one of them...

I was very pleased with how my work developed throughout the week. After the first two days I began to loosen up in an attempt to capture the atmosphere rather than being too representational. Lots of artistic licence in terms of colour to try and create an autumn feel to my work. The reason I was there.

Whiteley Woods

Only the bracken looking autumnal.

Love the Light in this photo

Studio for the day.

Snow White came to see me most days

Whitley Woodland Light

Tantric Ted kept me awake every night. He was a very noisy 'rutter'

Sunni Brown: Doodlers, unite! | Video on TED.com

2011-09-27T23:05:00.000-07:00

Sunni Brown: Doodlers, unite! | Video on TED.com

Some of the Autumn work going to OCG

2011-09-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

I'm going to Cornwall for the weekend to deliver and pick up work... It's not a good weather forecast but I'm taking my paints anyway and hope to capture some Cornish light. ;-) The car is packed and I'm ready to go..... better get some sleep as I'll be setting off about 4am Friday... Full Monty breakfast in Launceston.

Going to OCG in Ambleside next week and will take a group of paintings all produced in similar autumnal colour palette..

As I may not be going up there again before xmas, I will also take some of my winter work that they may use in the December mixed show.

A busy start to September. :-)

2011-09-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

Just had a good weekend at Sheffields 'Art in the Gardens'. I was very busy chatting to visitors, selling hundreds of cards and most of my small 8 x 8 inch affordable canvases and a large " Scilly Painting'. It was good meeting so many new faces in Sheffield and I have already been booked for several workshops and Demo's, some one to one tuition and accepted 3 commissions...
The start of September is pretty busy with visits to Ambleside, Cornwall and Hampshire all within the next 10 days. I will be delivering new work but will also have my paints, sketchbook and canvas with me to capture the light. :-)
I am not wishing my time away, but I am really looking forward to my next visit to the New Forest when I will continue with my 'Woodland Light' project capturing the Autumn Light and expected blaze of colour that the New Forest is so famous for. I have even bought a bigger tent for the trip. Those of you who have read earlier Blogs will have seen the 'action man tent' I used in June. It was even too small for ME and I'm errrrrrrrrrrrrr 'Fairly vertically challenged'.......... ie. A bloody short arse. -)
Talking of being vertically challenged, Alice measured me last week and I am now officially 1.5 inches shorter than I was 5 years ago....and exactly 12 inches shorter than Alices boyfriend Ray. I wonder if it's my age or just the need for a visit to my osteopath who will 'straighten me out' .

August

2011-08-31T01:13:00.000-07:00

Where did summer go? I went to Falmouth for two weeks intending to paint from sunrise (the ever changing light on the water is amazing) and then spend the rest of the day chilling with Sally and Alice when she joined us half way through the second week.
I managed to paint 'some' mornings when it wasn't raining.... and if it rained, I sat in the car down near Custom House Key, sketching and watching a film crew set up for the day. Brad Pitt was in town making a WW2 Zombie movie and part of the film set was a Royal Navy battle ship which just happened to be 'parked' in Falmouth Harbour.

During a break from filming, Brad was unable to have his favourite sandwich for lunch, and was offered a Cornish pasty. He refused at first but eventually ate it ... He then ordered 700 more pasties for cast and crew... now. Was this because he enjoyed his pasty so much or was it a case of "if I have to eat one of these bloody monsters, so will you."

We had a very relaxing, mixed weather, chilling and eating lovely food sort of holiday, seeing old friends and visiting relatives who are lucky enough to live in Cornwall. My cousin Anne has the most amazing house which overlooks Porthmeor Beach and is just 800 metres away from the Tate. Will be down there later painting from her garden.

I'm back from Cornwall now and busy finishing work off and preparing for this weekends 'Art in the Gardens' at Sheffields Botanical Gardens. 3 -4th September 10.30 - 5.30 each day. Hope to see you there. :-) The preview is Friday 2nd September at 6.30pm.

Here are some of the 8 x 8 inch paintings I did when it wasn't raining. They will be on sale next weekend.

New 8 x 8 inch Affordable Paintings.

2011-07-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

In times of recession, I have decided to produce some smaller unframed work that is more affordable than the larger framed work I normally do. I am really enjoying working on these small box canvases and have already sold several before they have been exhibited anywhere.

The first planned exhibition will be at Art in the Gardens in Sheffield from 2nd to 4th September when there will be lots more of these miniatures that I think make ideal fairly inexpensive gifts for special friends and family. (aren't all our friends special ;-) )

For more information about these paintings, visit my Facebook page.
http://facebook.com/Johnconnollyartist

Work delivered to Harrison Lord Gallery. Brighouse in Yorkshire.

2011-07-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

I was asked to take some of my work up to Harrison Ford Gallery in Brighouse. Having seen my work on my website, I was asked for a selection of Landscape, Moorland, Lakes and Mountain pictures to go in a mixed exhibition. Steven, (the owner) didn't want to risk seascapes (at this time) as Brighouse is as landlocked as Derbyshire. Perhaps he'll take some next time. ;-)
Access to the gallery was easy and I managed to park right outside, which was fortunate because it was pouring with rain... Steven even helped me to unload my car while his assistant katie, made us some coffee.

We took the paintings out of the 'Stiffy Bags' (much better than bubble wrap) and arranged them around the gallery. Stephen was joined by two other assistants who helped him select 8 paintings from the 18 I took. He wanted to take more, but in a mixed show, space is at a premium. I haven't shown with the Harrison Lord Gallery before so I was happy for him to take 8 including two of the largest on offer.

Ennerdale

Highlands

Meadowland

Moorland Walk

Springtimecolours

Summer Colours

Thistle Down the Winds

Wild Flowers

Demo Painting

2011-07-06T03:49:00.000-07:00

I found a 100 x 100cms painting of St Anthony's Head, Cornwall that had been damaged. So I decided to use it when I teach workshops to demonstrate various techniques. I call it my 'Demo Canvas'.

Firstly I inverted the picture, using the large smooth sky area as the sea.

I then applied Golden Acrylic with a printing roller to ceat an interesting texture surface on the smooth canvas. I love the way the colours merge when using a roller.

I added Cornish beach sand and Scrimms to create texture at the bottom.

In another workshop, I re painted the sea and added more Gyllyngvase Sand to the right hand side to create a beach and rocky area.

Showed various techniques of pouring, flicking and throwing inks and paint. Sometimes with the canvas flat on the floor and sometimes on my easel, on it's side to let gravity allow runs to create suggested waves etc.

The painting is far from finished although I quite like the sky (done with a knife) so that may stay as it is... for the moment. :-)

My Demo Painting

2011-07-06T01:43:00.001-07:00

I recently found a 100 x 100cms painting of St Anthony's Head, Cornwall that had been damaged in transport. So I decided to use it for teaching purposes at my workshops... I call it my 'Demo Canvas'. No idea if and when it will be completed as I keep changing it.

First thing I did was turn it upside down. I wanted to use the same horizon line but used the large smooth sky as the sea....

I started by playing with an ink roller, applying Golden Acrylic over the whole canvas. I love the way that the colours merge when applied with roller... This gave the whole canvas a slight texture...

I used a knife to create the sky and then various other techniques, pouring, throwing, flicking etc to do the sea... adding sand from Gyllyngvase Beach and scrimms to create other interesting textures.

In the next demo, I added more sand, to create a beach and rocky effect up the right hand side of the painting. Then I showed how acrylic inks and paint can be used to create light and suggest waves on rocks... The painting is NOT finished and will probably change again. Particularly the water where there is still much to do. I'm quite happy with the sky... For the moment. :-)

In these times of recession I am having to cut back on the number of paintings I am having framed. Even though I have a good relationship with my framer, I need to cut costs. I decided it was time to work on a few box canvases that do not require framing. I bought 2 cartons of 20 x 20 cms canvases and am really enjoying experimenting producing work that can be sold at a very affordable price. These will be for sale at 'Art in the Gardens' at Sheffields Botanical Gardens on 2nd 3rd and 4th September. (unless anyone sees some they like before then) I will put them on my Blog, Facebook and my website. www.connollyart.com as I complete them.

Watch this space.

The Life of a Painting.

2011-07-05T23:15:00.001-07:00

In these times of recession I am having to cut back on the number of paintings I am having framed. I decided it was time to work on a few box canvases that do not require framing.(Like i worked on when first started painting seriously 8 years ago) I bought 2 cartons of 8 x 8 inches and have really enjoyed producing a group of paintings that can be sold at a very reasonable and affordable price.

Contemporary Landscape Course at Pear Tree Farm

2011-06-29T03:02:00.000-07:00

Just ran a brilliant two day course with a group of 8 amateur artists. 'Students arrived early, in the sunshine, having driven from all parts of the country. They all got to know each other, chatting, drinking tea and looking at my work displayed in the arts centre while I unloaded my car and set things up for an evening presentation and demo. I was concerned that my MAC laptop may not be fully compatible with the centres 'digi' projector but after buying the suitable convertor, everything went well... :-)

We ate at 7 and drank complimentary wine (always tastes better when it's free).. I decided to go and do some painting and my 'students' eager to start the course early, followed me to the studio. I did another demo and talked about what we would be doing over the next two days.

After a wonderful Full Monty breakfast on Monday morning, we jumped in cars and went up to look across the valley from the Top Road at Holloway. By lunch time, after a hard mornings work in the hot sunshine, everyone was well on the way to filling there first sketchbook with lots of quick 5, 10 and 15 minute studies.

After large Buffet Lunch we worked on some mixed media studies in the studio, experimenting with a variety of materials until dinner at 7.00.... I then did another hours demo before going to the Jug and Glass for a very well earned pint or two of Copper Dragon.

On the second day, we had more fun and everyone worked really hard until 4.30 when we had a mini exhibition of work... A really enjoyable time made even better by the wonderful cooking and hospitality shown by Sue and Alan Barber who run the centre.

I have just returned from the gym where I have been to try and lose some of the pounds I put on in just over two days...

If anyone is thinking of doing a residential art course, I would really recommend Pear Tree Farm. ;-)

The New Forest..

2011-06-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

I spent last week camping and painting in the New Forest. Having never been there before, I wasn't sure what to expect. I chose wisely when I selected Hollands Wood campsite... It had no less than THREE well appointed shower blocks... I decided it would be a good idea to camp at a not too considerable distance away from one of them... just in case.....
I arrived Monday lunchtime half an hour later than the sat nav predicted.... but then Tom sent me to the wrong site at first.... one that didn't have ANY shower blocks or loos. I set up camp. Erecting the smallest tent in the world, borrowed from my daughter Alice who had bought it last year for the Leeds festival which she didn't attend... (another story)
I spent Monday evening exploring Hollands Wood, deciding where I would paint when got up at sunrise on Tuesday. (which happened to be 4.45am) I cant believe that I was actually painting by 5.15,after having two VERY strong stand your spoon up in mugs of coffee....
Hollands Wood looked wonderful with the light coming through the canopy and lighting up the wet ferns.I spent the rest of the morning sketching, walking, painting and photographing Hollands Wood.
In the afternoon I decided to go find Bolderwood. Which I did after a Pub lunch of chargrilled chicken which I think upset my tummy for the next three days... My close proximity to the shower blocks coming in use on more than one occasion during the night... :-) Bolderwood was very different having many huge conifers as opposed to the mainly deciduous trees in Hollands Wood.
Wednesday was spent in Hollands Wood... having decided that it might be a good idea to stay pretty local for reasons already mentioned... Anyway, Hollands Wood is well worth painting and I had now made friends with a wild Pony which I named Frank... (don't know why)
Weather played havoc with my painting on Wednesday.... Raining for a while, then the sun came out, then it rained again etc etc... you got the gist... However, Wednesday night was very Sunny and warm so I painted until sunset... Painted was eaten alive by lots of wee beasties, midges and mosquito's which I am now paying for...( itch itch, dont scratch it aghhhhhhh you'll make it bleed) Next time I paint in the woods, Ill spray myself with anti we beasty stuff...
Thursday was my last day... it had rained and rained during the night... and as I woke up Thursday morning which I knew wasn't going to be a painting day... By 11, the rain stopped, I 'de camped' and packed the car.... intending to go home... BUT THEN THE SUN CAME OUT so i decided to drive 20 miles to Bournemouth and treat myself to a paddle in the sea..... and doing a couple of quick sketches with sand filling my paint tray up to give added texture to my seascape.
Quick visit to the beach cafe for a slice of cake and cup of mint tea (to try and settle my still upset tummy) and then home to Derbyshire. :-)

Really enjoyed my short trip to the new Forest and intend to go back in the autumn when i am sure the colours will be spectacular... (Might be a bit cold to camp tho)

Welcome

2011-06-21T00:44:00.000-07:00

Wow... I just clicked a few buttons and hey presto, I have set up a blog... I only sat down at the computer this morning to search for a chain saw on eBay and look what's happened. Oh well, I may aswell have a go at 'Blogging' as its seems a pretty logical time to start. ie. I recently retired from art teaching and am now painting full time. I have also just moved house and into a brand new Studio... New beginnings and all that. ;-) I have no idea if anyone will bother to read this of course, as in the whole scheme of things, I am pretty much unknown as an artist. In fact, I question if I am an artist at all.... To quote Lowry... "I am not an artist, I am just a man who paints"

IF you are one of the few people who MAY read this Blog, I apologise now if i get things wrong while producing this blog.... I am a 'novice little blogger' you might say... learning as I go along. Isn't that what we all do throughout life.?
I have uploaded some of the woodland studies I did in my sketchbook. I will use these, together with other sketches and photos to produce a body of work which will be exhibited some time next year...

Welcome !

Welcome

2011-06-20T23:45:00.001-07:00