January themes of Amish

SHAME ON ME!    The blog seems to end up last on the list as I update FB pages first with new work.  however this site gives me a chance to mention my 'theme' for January, which was about starting and finishing some of the wonderful Amish themes I've had brewing in my mind since being in PA last year.  It is an area I love, as it's so fertile, green, rustic and peaceful, and you can feel the pace of life slowing right down, especially when you take the route we took, from NY then to NJ then into PA...I could feel the tensions slipping away, the nearer we got to Millheim!

So here are the first two paintings from my new Amish Collection.  There will be more USA themes this year, as I am delighted to say I have been invited to have an exhibition of my work at the Elements Gallery near Denver COlorado, while I am teaching at Terry Ludwig's Studio in November...what a thrill.  So watch out for red rocks and rugged scenery coming up next!!  We are nearly into February, and I am just cranking up the gears!!

New Gallery ....new exposure?

Been contacted by Eliza The Gallery and put 10 paintings on to their website - let's hope they are as good as they say they are and can sell some work to their corporate clientele....definitely where the money seems to be at the moment.

I am SURE there are lots of office/ boardrooms with space on the walls for some of my BIG pieces..like this one!!  40 x 28"...can do bigger if need be!  This is 'Ice Flow Glencoe"   It's in Aberfeldy Gallery right now!

A ridiculous amount has passed since my last post which proves i have been neglecting this blog, but here are some Australian demos I did recently ( and sold!) during my Pastel Workshop Tour there...we travelled from Perth to Sydney, Hunter Valley, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne then Tasmania, and over 5 weeks saw some amazing places, met fascinating people and enjoyed some sunshine before heading home to Scottish winter...but we love it!

New Year resolution no.1...to write more on the blog, especially as it will keep you updated on what's being written simultaneously in the new book!!

Up up and away ....again!!

I cannot believe where the summer has gone...it is August already and I am packing the pastel box again in preparation for flying to USA today....  first to Christina Debarry's Studio in NJ, then to Millheim PA, then up to Hudson River Valley Workshops...  after this, fly out to COlorado to Terry Ludwig's Studio then finish at the PSA in NYC!   The Heilman Field Box will be well used by the time I get back and I will be ready to restock it with fresh stock...probably some new TL pastels while I am within grabbing distance of the factory!  Watch this space for some of the demos, or see my page on Facebook!

Venice beckons......

After a week of finishing off Scottish paintings for Summer Exhibitions, I can at last enjoy some new work from some of the millions of paintings ideas from my recent Venetian travel sketchbook.   The watercolour sketches inspire, and a series of nocturnal paintings are on the cards......  the first is the watercolour from the sketchbook, and the third is the gouache/pastel painting that's been painted from the sketch.  The middle one is the first of a series of 'nocturnal' paintings ..Venice Nights No 1!

Slowly getting there!

Some weeks the paintings fly off the easel and other weeks it feels like years!  Since getting back from So Carolina, there have been lots of interruptions to the flow of work, including workshops, visits & one large birthday celebration, so it has been a slow process!  However I have decided to go slower this year anyway and produce fewer but stronger pieces...hopefully to lead to more sales.  I'd like to spread my wings and exhibit in London, then some galleries in USA, so spread the word if any of you know of good galleries that may like my work!

A Southern Low Country experience USA style

Just finishing a great trip to USA with workshops in Pittsburgh and York PA, then a superb visit to the Palm Key resort at Ridgeland, near Beaufort South Carolina.  This is an award winning retreat set in wonderful wooded and marshland landscape, with a superb purpose built studio that any artist would crave for.  The 5 day workshop there covered pastels and any medium and the hosts, Judy and Emir Rigg organise everything from food to fabulous accommodation in pretty cottages surrounding the lake.  Delighted to say that this will again be the location for an annual visit for our first USA PAINTAWAY and we look forward to returning in April 2013 for another superb trip which will include visits to Beaufort, Savannah & Charleston, as well as private visits to plantations for superb painting locations.  Keep in touch for future details...this will be on the lines of 'Outdoor Sketching & Indoor Painting in the Low Country SC'