Whatever happened to June?

I can't believe that it is almost July - whatever happened to June!

Since my last blog, I've haven't done too much as family matters took me away. Amongst which, we sadly lost a few members of the family... also lost my dog Tyler and now one of my cats, the eldest one of 14 yrs is missing, which isn't like him at all :(

I'm undergoing more investigation into my health issues again. The doctors are once more saying Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I wouldn't accept that before, despite the symptoms agreeing... anyway I have 2 extra cervical ribs at my neck. It seems that now they can also do keyhole surgery to remove them if it's straightforward so there is a possibly that if I have to go that way there is a chance of a good result.

Ahh, I have to go for extensive nerve conduction studies on both my arms at the end of the week at hospital to see if anywhere needs decompression again before moving on.

Some days are hard going. The pain is strong at times through compression, trapped nerves, etc, and my hands don't always do as I want them to because of it - so annoying, especially as I'm normally one of those persons that doesn't want to sit still and just wants to do!

I've complete the painting of the Blue Tits in Acrylic on canvas. I haven't placed it online properly as yet as I haven't really got a good photo of it. If I can get one I'll add it.

Also completed is Smoo (digital version).

Still working on Peregrines at Black Rocks - did some more work on that one this month, Springer Spaniel, and also a new one - Lioness in acrylics and colored pencils.

In July, I'm taking part in JulNoWriMo - similar to NanoWriMo (write a book/50,000 words or more in a month), but in July, so will spend much of the month concentrating on that as it's easier on my arms than the artwork, but will no doubt have some new work to show you during the month anyway!

Take care and have a lovely week :)

New Photo Packs and Artwork tube - just released at Mistaken Art!

Three NEW releases at Mistaken Art for PSP >

The Sea Photo Pack contains sea themed images of a Blenny, a Sea Apple, a Grouper and Sea Anemones. A gorgeous pack for nature and ocean lovers.

and

Scapes Photo Pack, containing the following water featuring images - Twilight Reflections, Lakescape, Beachscape and The Quay.

Both will be $4.00 but are currently on offer at $3.00 for a limited time, so hurry to get yours now.

and

NEW artwork tube - Jeopardy. Currently on offer for a limited time at Mistaken Art during the Center Stage Artist Month for June - will be $1.85..... JUNE PRICE - $1.20!

Don't forget to check out the freebies I have at Mistaken Art also!

Center Stage Artist for June at Mistaken Art!

I'm the Center Stage Artist for June at Mistaken Art.....

 

which means that all my tubes and images are available for a limited time at a lowered price - and that includes my unlimited license too!

So call and see the special offers here!

Also NEW photo pack Click > - Fish, Fur and Feathers Photo Pack. This will be $4.00 but is currently on offer at $3.00 so hurry to get yours now.

Great pack - Tang, Soay Sheep, Giant Marmot and Ferruginous Duck.

Don't forget to check out the freebies I have at Mistaken Art also!

Painting in progress - Peregrines at Black Rocks

I started to layout and paint this piece back in Spring 2005. Due to my ups and downs with Fibromyalgia and what not, it gradually moved to the back on the pile and has been waiting for me to get back to it.

So starting at the beginning...

On a cold icy day back in 2005, January 23rd to be exact, I went out on a circular walk which covered the Cromford area of the Peak District and took me around the farmlands and over to the Black Rocks. Of course, as always, I took lots of photographs including references for my backgrounds.

This is one of those photographs, of which I decided to use as my background for a painting that I wanted to do depicting wildlife in Derbyshire.

I haven't as yet spotted any peregrines during my walks into the Peak District but have read many articles about them being there. So my 'models' of peregrines are found from the range of birds of prey photographs I have taken over the years; the peregrine photographs captured at various bird stands, sanctuaries and parks. I will be turning to many of these when I finally start to work on the ones in my painting.

After priming the canvas, I sketched the black rocks background onto the canvas and decided where I wanted my birds to be. Then I laid several light washes of ultramarine, alizarine crimson hue and chroma white acrylics for the sky. I began working on the background and the foreground trees and gave a light wash of grey over the rocks. And then I put it away.

Until now that is :)

I decided to get back to this one today and after giving it a quick clean I began to lay in several light washes again for the sky, using the same colours as before.

After I was happy with that, I began to work more on the background and worked over the foreground sketch in paint to make it easier to see. Then I stopped but haven't put it away this time :)

Another update soon - this is the painting so far -

 

I'm hoping that I can achieve a similar end result to my painting of the buzzard at Lover's Leap in Dovedale that I painted in 2006.  

Latest update on the Lioness painting

Here is the latest update of my work in progress, The Lioness, working on Stonehenge 100% cotton - size is approx. 8.5  x 10 inches. 

I have coloured the background using Caran d'Ache Pablo pencils and then after working on the Lioness also in the pencils and adding some shadow areas, I began to use my acrylic paints.

Starting from the top of the head to her cheek, each layer of paint, each fine hair is painted using thin acrylic. I also add thin washes to the fur where I want to strengthen my shadow areas being sure to blend the edges for a soft finish.

Finishing for now at her cheek, the next stage in this works progress will be shown at a future update. 

Adopt a monkey -Kelloggs offer

I just adopted a vervet monkey by buying the special packs of cereals by Kelloggs. They've teamed up with Lilongwe Wildlife Centre in Africa to help us to support the rescued and orphaned monkeys they have there with an aim to release those suitable back into the wild.

What a great idea!

Anyway, my chosen adoptee is Chico, a great little vervet monkey. 

And here he is - 

I can see me eating coco pops for the for-seeable future as the offer carries on until the end of next March - but, such it's a super way to contribute to a great cause.

MAY Tag Contest Winners!

© Gaynor Lewis Photo Pack + 1 Tube Single
MtA-P0270 - HiDBee

and

2 © Gaynor Lewis Tube SinglesMtA - F266 - WillowRaven


So many beautiful entries, thanks so much to those that took part and of course to the winners - stunning tags!
All entries will be displayed in the featured tags section on my website for 1 month.
The winners tags will be displayed on the Competition Winners page on my website.
To view all May Contest entries - click here

Blue Tits painting

Here is the finished painting:

Painted in acrylics on a box canvas

All sides have also been painted.

Many, many layers of acrylic paint went into creating this piece and a little paper texture added also here and there to add more interest to this painting featuring these sweet little birds - the Blue Tits.