FINISHED 😊

"Honey, You're so sweet"

Not too sure what 'Ringo' thinks of the painting but I think there's a resemblance!?

My favourite part is the honey dripping down amongst the hydrangeas. This was a really fun piece, a complete break from my other work :)

Paint what you know

Writers are advised to write what they know.

I always draw and paint using whimsical imagined worlds and people. Recently, when camping I started sketching what was in front of me and realised everything is interesting, anything could be a beautiful painting if you use the right colour & light.

On returning home to the farm, the hydrangeas were in full bloom and Ringo our cat was catching shade under them, with a bumble bee dancing amongst the blooms singing his happy honey song.

I couldn't wait to get into the studio and start this one ...

Completed!!!

"MOLLY"

(SOLD)

Im so pleased with the end results

How it all started...

Adding colour

Onto The fun bit - colour!!!!!!

Now she doesn't look like an old lady, really enjoying playing with the eyes

NEW PIECE

molly, peacock and ferret

working on a wash to build up the form and tone work

(the ferret looks more like a baby Tassie devil :)

black and white acrylic on treated canvas

 My models, badger the ferret and Molly 

RED HORSE

(sold)

The Hairdresser

Almost finished!

'The Hairdresser'

I've loved working on this piece, it's one I've had in my mind for a while. It's not as decorative and fun as I would like just yet but I like the faces and background. The suggestion of who these people might be and what might occur during this intimate moment.

The beginning (below)

coming up with the skin tones and shapes of the figures on the canvas in relation to each other.

As you can see the hairdresser's elbows are up more in the original sketch but I lowered them due to the height/comfort levels of the hairdresser.

The features of the hairdresser was the most important aspect of this image for me. I wanted to portray a particular character, someone who had a ready smile but was serious in this moment - contemplating ...

This took the most time - as well as getting the finger positioning correct. Finding the right colour and shade to put them forward. I want them to remain soft but controlling.

Two for Joy

(SOLD)

Magpies are fairly prolific here in Tasmania, we have a few generations of them here and every year we love watching the new chicks grow.

I love their warble and it always makes me feel at home.

Unfortunately, the photo isn't so great and I wasn't counting on it selling so quickly. 

But, it's gone to a good home and I loved painting her.

                 

One for sorrow,

Two for joy,

Three for a girl,

Four for a boy,

Five for silver,

Six for gold,

Seven for a secret,

Never to be told.

It used to be 'two for mirth', I like the modern lyrics being joy.

           My beautiful Maggies             Me, in the studio - YAY!

These two lovely ladies were delivered into the gallery and went straight back out again on the same day.  It's so lovely that they are wanted and I especially like the confidence of the buyers, will need to take better photos in the future.

Have a lovely week,

Naomi X

Little Lost Lamb

I've been distracted from work of late with lambing Season, it's such a nice time of year - but busy.

  My amazing, gorgeous, humanitarian daughter loves lambing Season, and it is upon us. Every year we manage to succumb to at least one of these long eared cuties that have been abandoned. Either by their mum's passing or some weird fault in nature where there are too many bubs per mum.

In this particular case, mum had 2 babies, but only wanted the one - honestly, who could not want this little lamb??

The first time mum with her lamb that is strong and well.

Another mum who lambed on the same day with 2 jet black lambs - soo cute!!

"Duke"

He is now 2 years old and raised on the bottle, he simply refuses now to believe that he's a sheep and still acts like a pet dog. 

We love you Dukie xoxox

Christmas in July

There is something so primitive and satisfying in playing with mud and using powder and fire to create shiny, functional, decorative pieces.

Loving the glazes on these pots - it's like Christmas 

 I think, I can safely say that I'm getting addicted to pottery, I still love painting on canvas and will never stop practising it. But clay is very rewarding in its own way.

It is nice to be able to make something from beginning to end and the end is such a solid result. A result that is not going to be disposed of easily, I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing - mugs are next on the agenda!

Bumble bee love

                     

Opening the kiln door and finding ...

Sgraffito, this is the teqnique of scraping the underglaze away and applying a clear glaze on top.

Basic - but I love the shine and bold colours

Have a great week,

Naomi X