New Painting Style

Whoops, I see its been some time since my last blog. Time goes so fast these days. Just for a change I have been busy painting, (and sketching too, but not shown those) seen here is a very large canvas, with inks on. Now it has more colour, paint and black sides... the idea is to actually then put a painting on it.. but its very nerve wracking. I do have a place to exhibit in town now, just a matter of getting brave enough and I am hoping to start with this canvas.

Anyway, the new painting style is abstract, I love it. I love looking at brightness and fun pictures, and I love doing them... amazingly with all this expressionism my sketching of realism is improving, not sure how that works? Here is an A3 painting of a sketch I did in my book, its the first time I have actually managed a copy, aside from the dog who does look more like a gargoyle in this painting and is actually a greyhound in my sketchbook, not sure what happened there?



The next was part of my being brave and painting on a new canvas, its only A3 sized but was still an achievement for me to actually paint on it, the funiest thing about this painting is its marmite effect - everyone who has seen it either loves it or hates it.. I'm not really sure about it, but never mind its bright and cheery thats for sure.



This one was my first 'Love Heart Girl' it is my aim to do a collection of these once I am happy with one, the last one was so hideous I didnt even photograph her, so they do still need some improvements. But Mum was fond of this one as she likes the colours.




So there you have it, my new style (for now) love it or hate it - I enjoy it. Some of you may notice I am influenced by some of the abstract painters, one of my all time favourites on line, he can be found on Youtube and his paintings are on sale on ebay is "RaeArt" he is worth looking up, his works are great and he teaches on youtube and entertains too.

I'm off to take another look at this large canvas............

New Painting

Not sure if I mentioned it, but I purchased an A3 watercolour pad the other week, as I do prefer larger things to paint on now. The intention was to attempt an Abstract Face, not quite sure what happened there, she is not really abstract but obviously not realism either... Anyway, I quite like her so then decided to have a go at glazing, she has about 10 coats of different colour glaze so will take some drying but the colours are amazing, sadly not quite shown off on my photography there.

I currently have another abstract canvas on the go, not too large and its giving me some grief, not being very friendly toward my tape, so that too will be taking a different direction soon.

I have joined a sketchbook group on Flickr, so enjoying some ink, pen and pencil sketching in the evenings now - all good practice so I am told. I do so enjoy looking at other peoples works, I dont feel quite as 'odd' that its all I am interested in these days, there really are others like me out there.. Funny someone was telling me about a lady they knew who's only interest was her dogs and working them, thats all she does! I didnt see a problem with this, to me if someone is lucky enough to find something they enjoy so much they are very lucky, and usually a happy person too.

Righto, back to that painting lets see where it takes me.

Sand, Sea and Spray. Blackpool 2012

Today we braved the appauling weather conditions and visited Blackpool. Blackpool is hosting Sand, Sea and Spray which is the Urban Arts Festival. There is one more day to go, so if you can get there its still on tomorrow 17th June 2012 and the art works I have pictured below will probably be finished by then.

As it happened we were very lucky with the weather and stayed dry all day, just started to rain as we got to the car park to come home, armed with bags of Blackpool rock, fudge and inscence sticks (I know, dont ask there was a nice dog in the shop I went to say hello too - like this house needs anymore insence).

Many of the roads were closed as some singer called 'Elton John' is performing there tonight and has had this rather large stage built for the event.




Here are some of my fave artworks from the day, please do be aware they are not all finished and are work in progress. I must also add all the artists as well as being mega talented are also very friendly people who are happy to discuss their artworks and art backgrounds with the public.















I think this is to be an annual event, I know there was one in 2011 (pictures can be found on flickr.com).

A great day out, the Urban Art Festivals are held nationally too check out there may be one nearer to you too.

My talented friend

As promised on a previous post, my friend Jules has sent me her artwork. Bare in mind we have been friends for... erm... a very long time (we were christened on the same day in the same church) but dont see each other as often as we should. On my annual Christmas visit I told her I had picked up the paints and pencils to have a go at learning art, she sat there over the large glasses of wine we had, open mouthed... I didnt think it was THAT strange.. Then she dashed off to show me, she too had started up art last year, though having gone a bit further than I at school she is much better at it, but we are now sharing our fun and sure as a result will see more of each other this year (that is of course if we can put the paints down long enough)

Before I forget, also thank you to Zoe - who has just distracted me by her blog post of her wonderful work and told us of an on-line art course that I have signed up for and sent the link to Jules too.

Here is Julie's work;

Starting with my fave of the parrots




Next one is of her nephew Connor



Jules friends dog 'Dee'



mmh, now she did tell me... I think this is a friends granddaughter




Simple, but lovely




Hope you enjoyed them as much as I, I did try to do this blog post last night but by the time I had joined the online art class Zoe recommended, blogger had got too tired for the night and refused to load my pics. Hoping to have another go with ACEO's today, so might treat you to those efforts next time.


~SimJaTa~

Merry Christmas from SimJaTa

A Merry Christmas to all in blogland. A week early I know but I plan to be busy practicing my drawing and painting over the Christmas season, and unless I think I have anything good enough to show you will probably be pretty quiet. Today, with the help of Shoo Rayner
I drew and painted this Christmas wreath, going to laminate and put it on the front door, again it is NOT my design but Shoo's. This is the first real picture I have used watercolour paints, and must say I did enjoy it I found it far easier than my time spent attempting to learn pencil shading, just not getting my head around that one at all. I only have a small set of waterpaints, so hoping Santa might be reading this and be kind enough to provide some more.




It is also the time of year when my dogs have been subjected to wearing the Christmas hats, see just how much they enjoy it? Anyway they too wanted (as I told them they did!) to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope all the crafters out there enjoy a break from awaiting the sales fairy visit, and she too comes back nice and refreshed ready to visit Etsy in the new year.

All the best to you all.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

*SALE* ~ FOLKSY'S ONE DAY SALE

Now here is one you can all follow, each day the talented Folksy Artists have a *ONE DAY SALE* which means they choose just one of their fabulous items and place this on sale for just that day, so you do have to be quick to find yourself a bargain. Easy to find, advertised on 'twitter' and you could even use the search box on Folksy, or look at the "PROMOTIONS" at the top of the Folksy Forum and find details there.
But for today, I am going to treat you to just a few of the items on offer today.

To begin is "Pink Chihuahua kisses" who has this lovely big n bold necklace in today's sale



This watercolour and pen art of a forgotten street is on offer from "Created by Kelly"



A treat from one of the jewelers "Maxine Veronica jewelery" is this lovely blue, turquoise and bronze necklace



How snug is this? and made from soft blue cotton, a baby blanket from "Uniquely Yours"



This is lovely, a fluffy Phone/IPod sock with charm from "Basset House Crafts"



From another of the popular jewellery artists "Shoogly Beads" is this great design with coral sea pearls



Lastly to remind us of those now forgotten Wimbledon days, from me here at Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, a tennis feature tote bag




All you need to do is to click each picture to be taken to today's special offer, or so you can favourite the shop and keep checking back each day - easy sale shopping on line with no queue's. Enjoy...........

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~