That was the Week that Was

Where did this week go too, as I don't seem to have very much to show for it. I had a day at the Royal Society of Marine Artists exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London on Monday. As always some amazing paintings to a very high standard. It was good to go again as I missed last years show being laid up with a bad back! The Royal Society of Miniaturists were also exhibiting there as well so that was a bonus. The detail that they can achieve on paintings measuring just a couple of inches is incredible, though I wonder what it does for your eyesight. Have a busy week ahead of me this week.

It's been a busy few weeks

Well I have just finished taking a beginners watercolour course, attempting to pass on some of my knowledge to aspiring artists, which has been very interesting and I have been asked to do another course starting in a couple of weeks, I also have a demonstration for an Art Society scheduled. To add to my committments I have been commissioned to do a painting of the Nubble Lighthouse in Maine by some former clients who already own three of my paintings. So there is no peace for the wicked, guess I shouldn't be so wicked.

The finished commission

I mentioned a commission a while back that I couldn't show as it was to be a birthday suprise for the recipient. I can now reveal the work, Michael Schumacher at Silverstone. Possibly the worlds greatest driver.


This painting came about as a result of them seeing another painting I had done of Lewis Hamilton, which has been sold, although Limited Edition prints of this are available. The question is will Lewis become World Champion this year?

On the domestic front, the new conservatory is having the floor laid as I type so hopefully by tonight the upheaval will be finished. Just have to do the painting then, just boring emulsion stuff, I don't have the time to do a Trompe Loeil as I have another commission to start, then a demonstration for an art society, then take another beginners watercolour course. So it goes on!

A Classic Landscape Garden

Since we had a day without the builders and the weather was nice I took the opportunity to visit the National Trust gardens at Stourhead, a stunning manmade landscape garden, these are a few of the photographs I took which will serve as reference material for some future paintings.

The saga continues

The new conservatory is progressing though I have to confess I shall be glad when the chaos is over. Been a busy week with preparations for the watercolour course that I am running. This caterpiller ws wandering across the path it is an Elephant Hawk Moth, at least it will be when it grows up, do caterpillers grow up not sure if metamorphosis can be called that. I wonder if he has finished munching in the garden?

Out of the Chaos

We are currently in a little bit of a mess at the moment as the new conservatory is being installed, still I suppose it will be a nice place to paint when it is all finished. The client came to collect his painting of Fausto Coppi at the weekend and was delighted, he said it was far better than he envisaged. Always nice to have really happy customers.

This painting of the great days of the 'J' class yachts is listed on Tazbar



So pop along and take a look, there are also plenty of other things to look at on Tazbar which is a refreshing alternative to eBay.

Cyclist Fausto Coppi

This is a commssioned painting for a cycling enthusiast. Fausto Coppi was a renowned competitor in the Tour de France in the 1950's and this depicts him way ahead of the competition in the mountains. He sadly died aged only 40 after catching malaria. Many consider him to be the greatest cyclist of all time.

Another commission completed

I have just completed another commission for a client, to be a special birthday present, I can't post the image here yet, just in case it spoils the suprise, socheck out my website www.artyman.co.uk later on and look under commssions.

I now have to start another commission, this time a painting of Fausto Coppi, a renowned cyclist from the 1950's

On the domestic front the builders have now completed the brickwork for the new conservatory, it will be a nice replacement for the old wooden construction that I built many years ago, but the garden looks like a battlefield.

A visit to the Past

I have been having a bit of a tidy on my hard drive and came across some of my earlier paintings, this is one of those early works and I may revisit this theme again when I have a moment. It is called after the rain which is perhaps somewhat appropriate after the recent floods that some people have had to endure.

A garden visitor

The warm sunshine that now that Summer has finally made an appearance brought this visitor to my garden a couple of days ago. I tried to capture him in flight but it was next to impossible, I did get some very 'interesting' shots though!! Any way I had to settle for this. I'm told it is a 'Common Hawker'

Is this your handsome Prince

My wife discovered this little chap, he was only 1.5" long, in our garden, Ok so you may have to kiss a few frogs before you get lucky, but hey I think he looks cute, and before you say it, yes I know he's a toad, but there weren't any frogs about

A rare day off!

Took the opportunity to grab a rare day of sunshine this week and went to Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve. These are some of the photos that I took and may well be turned into paintings when I get the opportunity.










It made a pleasant change from all the bad weather that we have been experiencing lately

Preparations this Week

I have been busy this week preparing entries for the main Summer Exhibition that will be held in Portsmouth during late July and early August. I have also been commissioned to do a painting of Michael Schumacher, so still going to be busy, and the studio still needs tidying up!

Lewis Hamilton Grand Prix Winner

This is my latest painting in tribute to Lewis Hamilton's first Grand Prix win in Canada driving the McLaren F1 car. Painted in Acrylic it measures 15" x 11" unframed and would look great on any Formula One enthusiasts wall. If you are interested in this painting or perhaps a signed print then contact me on my website www.artyman.co.uk I now have to get some works ready for my main Summer exhibition, however there is still the chance of getting one of my prints or painting Post Free in the SS2BM campaign, but you will have to hurry it finishes tomorrow.

Chance for a bargain

Well the SS2BM campaign is now well under way with plenty of bargains to be had. There is a charity auction being run at eBid so a chance to grab something and do your bit for charity as well.

Just starting a new painting today, so check back later to see what it is.

Only two days to go to SS2BM !

Well it is only two days to go before the SS2BM 'Summer Solstice to Blue Moon' St.Elsewhere promotion. What is all this you may ask. About a year ago an increasing number of sellers on ebay were unhappy at the failure to deal with fraud and scams, the eventual outcome has been a dramatic rise in the viability of alternative auction sites that have acquired the nickname "St. Elsewheres"

Many people may not think to go anywwhere else except eBay, well here is the good news, there are plenty of alternatives and this promotion is to draw attention to the buying public, that there are plenty of bargains to be had at these alternative sites.

Just type SS2BM into Google to find thousands of links. I have listed my items on eBid and Tazbar but apart from artwork you never know what other delightful bargains you may find.

Wildlife Activity

The local wildlife has been busy, and we had some collared doves set up a nest just opposite my bedroom window in the neighbours guttering. Unfortunately the first brood were taken by crows, they have however succesfully raised two more. The first picture is of her two youngsters both down her throat at the same time!






This is one of the fledglings in the garden yesterday.

The Beauty of the Garden

As anyone who has met me or chatted on various forums know that "I am to gardening" what a "politician is to straight talking" ie I'm from the Machette and Flamethrower School of Horticulture.

I photographed this rose in my, or should I say the wifes garden, who tells me it is called 'Peace', the photo was so stunning I felt compelled to paint it, and this is the result.

The South Downs

Despite living on the South Coast of England I am fortunate to live a few minutes drive from the rolling landscapes of the South Downs, and this painting is typical of the views on can experience. I remember as a child we used to walk down lanes such as this, with our packed lunch, not reappearing at home until teatime. Sadly a pleasure not possible for youngsters today. I hope I've captured some of that sense of open air freedom I one enjoyed.

The Ultimate Recommendation

I suppose for any artist recognition of their work is what gives them a buzz, but selling a piece is confirmation that it is valued by someone who is prepared to spend their hard earned money on it. It is especially pleasing then, when a client having liked their original purchase so much, that they purchase a second artwork.

This has happened with this painting of the legendary Lancaster bomber, made famous through the Dambuster raids with the incredible bouncing bomb.



He now joins a select group who now own two or more of my original paintings.