'BLOGGING'

Writing blog posts

I’ve decided to try and write a little more about my work, as an insight to the creative process, the ideas and concepts behind what I paint.
It means so much for people to support and be interested in what I do. When you make art and sell your work you’re sharing your way of seeing the world with someone else and drawing them in, and they’re adding little bit of their way of seeing the world in how they view your work.
It’s such a lovely thing to be able to do, to have that connection through colour and marks and texture. It’s paint isn’t it, and it’s just magical that it can open up worlds.

I’m not so great at writing, my head goes too fast for my hand, and I definitely can’t type fast enough!
I also know that my mind is not exactly ‘process driven’. My husband will quite often say to me ‘would you like to finish one of those sentences Rach?’!  When I plan, it’s drawings, or lists that turn into spider diagrams. I accept that I don’t have a logical computer brain, and I like to talk freely and emotively about my work.

I recently had the most lovely studio visit. A lady who has a few of my pieces came to buy a big painting for a nice big space.
We talked a lot!  About how I capture emotions, conscious and unconscious thought processes, drawing, motherhood, nature, colour, the feeling of ‘home’…
A flowing conversation opened up so many different ways of seeing the work, and she felt like she had a really deep connection with it.
I wondered how I might capture that flow in ‘blog’ form. I’ve been using the dictaphone on my phone, its hilarious! It’s been struggling with my Bedfordshire accent and the stream of consciousness has been amusing.
BUT, it is getting things down in writing which I can then translate and put on here for anyone who would like some insight.
So, give me a shout if there’s anything you’d like to know more about. I’ll try and stay on topic!

Very loose sketches in the studio

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I’VE BEEN PUTTING A COLLECTION OF PIECES TOGETHER FOR RACHAEL FROM THE OLD LOCKUP GALLERY TO SELECT FROM FOR HER UPCOMING SHOW - THE COLOUR OF NATURE.

It’s so interesting to look at my new work, especially in the context of the exhibition title.
There’s a freedom, a confidence with marks and colour that I’m really enjoying. Staying put in Herefordshire for a while has done me good. The rich soil, trees and hedges have seeped into my work, in colour and texture.

I can see my work becoming more obviously seasonal….

Previously a lot of my inspiration came from winter trips north, and fed into my work over the year. Now I am really rather happily rooted in our spot by the Black Mountains, (with the occasional trip to the Pembrokeshire Coast) and I think it’s going to be interesting to see how my work develops now I’m painting regularly again.

‘One day like this’ (Based on a day in Pembrokeshire)

I’m continuing to paint when I can and I’m enjoying every second in the studio. I have new work out in the world and it’s exciting to see what a positive reception it’s getting!

R xx

UPDATE AND NEW WORK

It’s been a while!

Since my last post, re my new studio, rather a lot has happened.

We now have TWO lovely daughters, Evie and Skye (my lockdown baby) and I am back to painting after a break.

Having less time on my hands has certainly given me focus and a new sense of confidence and freedom in my work. If you have less time for procrastination, you tend to trust your initial instinct a little more!
I love being a Mum but the quiet of my studio and the ability to be completely absorbed in something creative does me good. I’m making work I’m really happy with.

I’ve just finished a series of small works on board, just 20 x 20 cm. Here are a few images of full pieces or sections.

I’m now working on 3 larger works. Here’s one in progress.

Distractions…..

ARCHIVE SALE

We moved to a new house around Christmas (NEVER doing that again!!) and I have been very lucky to get a perfect new studio built. While sorting and being rather ruthless I have found some slightly older, but still lovely work.
I’ve decided to do an archive sale, so that these pieces can be enjoyed, rather than being stuck in a drawer! They are all unframed so the prices are very reasonable.

Do give me a shout if there is anything you’d like to have on your walls (especially while we are all stuck inside looking at them!!)

GO TO ARCHIVE SALE

EXHIBITION AT THE OLD LOCKUP GALLERY

A few (one handed because I had a little helper) snaps from my exhibition at The Old Lockup Gallery in Cromford, Derbyshire.
There was a lovely warm log burner and lots of people braved the cold and snow to come to the PV.

LITTLE CHANGES

Someone asked me recently if I thought my painting style had changed since having a baby. I can certainly see a gradual development.
Since having Evie, I have a new found confidence, perhaps once you have given birth you know you can do anything… or maybe I just have less time for procrastination! Either way, I am enjoying my time in the studio and am pleased with the work I am making.
I think I am embracing slightly more obviously gestural marks, as well as the natural qualities of the paint. I like the looseness it is creating but I hope I am still creating softness and stillness in my work.

NEW ARRIVAL!

I have a new studio assistant.

Evelyn was born on 16th April. Paddy and I are over the moon and enjoying our new roles as parents. Paddy is managing to process photos while she sleeps on his belly. I've tidied my studio but not got much further. She's only 9 weeks old though so I'm going to enjoy her for now and get paint on canvas when she sleeps!

MADE IN THE MARCHES GALLERY 'OUT OF EARTH'

I have a group of new work (finished before Evie arrived) on display as part of Made in the Marches Gallery's 'Out of Earth' exhibition. They have a beautifully curated selection of work, and it's well worth a visit.

PHOTOS FROM THE 'HEREFORDSHIRE BEAUTY AND POWER' EXHIBITION AT APPLESTORE GALLERY, HEREFORD

Thank you to everyone who came to see my and Maggie's work at Applestore Gallery.

SCOTLAND TRIP

Paddy and I decided on a little tour of some of our favourite places in Scotland. We spent some time in Glencoe, Applecross and Assynt. We weren't as lucky with the weather this time... if you look closely you can see drizzle on some of my sketchbook pages! We always come back refreshed and inspired though, and I'm already working on some paintings to be shown in a gallery up there in February. What a great excuse to go back!