It’s 2017 already?   

Hi, and welcome back, although I really should be saying that to myself. It’s hard to believe that it is over a year since I’ve posted anything here.

So what have I been up to since November 2015?

Painting, painting, painting and travelling. I was tempted to post updates on some of my projects but they were commissions, and often surprises, and it simply wouldn’t do to let the cat out of the bag – yes even if the likelihood of the recipient catching a sneak preview was pretty slim. One can never be too careful with the internet.

Here is a set of miniatures, commissioned as a 50th birthday present.
It was a challenge to encapsulate memories into a series of images but the client was thrilled with the results.

           

Rather than stage another exhibition in 2016, I entered works in community art shows and farewelled some more of my miniatures. I have also placed work in a local gallery, and am happy to say they have begun to find new homes.

Rosemary Whittaker asked for more illustrations for her wonderful children's novels, bringing the current total of six Pom Pom books to enthusiastic readers. It’s always a treat to work with Pom as he gets inside my head to such a degree that images of him creating helpful havoc ‘leap’ onto my drawing pad.


2016 afforded me a wonderful opportunity to attend a weekend master class in Maroochydore with the amazing Susan Harrison-Tustain, a very well known oil and watercolour artist from New Zealand. I cannot thank Susan enough for her generous way of sharing her knowledge and her keen encouragement of talent in others.

Last year also saw me take a little detour into the world of oils. It has been an exploration of painting knives, smelly-sticky-messy oil paint, texture, direction, and as ever, patience. 

One last thing before I leave you. 
Blogspot is an old and sometimes clunky platform, but one which allowed me to set up a clean, clear blog prior to my first solo exhibition. If someone googles me, the link appears quite easily, and that is a major incentive to stay. However, followers and casual visitors cannot post a comment or connect my site to other interested people unless they are actually registered users of Blogspot – and that is a major disadvantage. It’s one reason why I have not been posting. But in 2017 that will change. I’m on the lookout for a new platform which will answer all my needs and as many of my wishes as is technologically possible. So, erm, welcome if you’ve found me since I made the move, and welcome back if you knew me before I did.

Happy 2017 everyone, I hope it’s a brilliant year for us all.

Lynelle

Done and Dusted!

On Wednesday, I removed my exhibition from the walls and began the happy task of delivering the paintings to their new owners. It was both fun and sad, as I treasure each one that I create.

I'd like to thank everyone who visited the exhibition and shared their enthusiasm for my work. I was delighted to see such a large crowd at opening night, and honoured that so many people made such an effort to get there during the weeks it was in place. Some people even returned for a second and third look.

I'm excited to tell you that many of the works sold, and I have begun working on commissions which have arisen as a result of the show.

It's got me thinking about what I sort of exhibition I will stage next year...

Illustration work this fortnight has centred on images for Rosemary Whittaker's wonderful Pom Pom books. This is a back cover image, painted twice the size it will appear on the book. When the illustration is reduced all the fine detail remains and gives a nice crisp image.

Pom Pom is a very cheeky monkey who has decided to live with young James and his parents. He leaves a trail of mess and startled people wherever he goes, but he barely seems to notice. He is sure that everyone appreciates him as much as he appreciates himself.

Painting Pom Pom is great fun as Rosemary usually gives me a few chapters to read prior to beginning work. The stories are full of life and humour, so selecting subject matter is easy - I'm spoilt for choice. We discuss options with the help of some quick sketches sent through our favourite messaging system, and then I'm off.

I usually send through a progress photo for Rosemary like the one below. I know what it's like to wait, and wait, and wait for a picture to appear-and I'm the one doing the work!

I'm in Australia and Rosemary lives in Denmark. To me, that means Pom Pom is one international little monkey.

I thought I'd share some photos that track the progress of a painting. This is The Purple Pushy from early stages to finished work. I take photos as I work - it's great to keep a record of the stages a painting goes through, but also because I can see the defects in a piece more clearly by looking at a photo of it.

Not every painting works out. Sometimes I work for days before I get a sense that the piece I'm working on will actually turn into something special. At those times it is a challenge to continue rather than resigning the picture to the bin. I've learnt that process and patience is the key. 

Enjoy

Early stage - wobbly wheels and all

Getting that wet pavement right gave me confidence!

Decision time - how much detail should the background hold?

A few more finishing touches...

This is the final picture that currently hangs in my exhibition.
One viewer was astounded, telling me he couldn't believe
that the lines of the wheel spokes were 'there but not there'. I love those reactions.