August

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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. ;-)