Art delight

I love painting white animals on slate

This week I had my first experience as a member of Ashdown Arts.

I joined other members in the Arts gazebo at the Forest Row Fun Day.

Glass, ceramics, paintings and conte portraits were all on display along with my animal portraits. A free art table with paint, brushes and pens was provided to encourage the passing children to join in.

bugs and butterflies

animal pendants

One of the artists sketched portraits with speed and gained stunning likeness to her sitters, though in my case I stood, overseeing the children's art. In spite of my restless pose Sara captured an uncanny but flattering likeness.

As I paint animals I encouraged the children to paint a bug or butterfly on shells. The results were stunning. Some children enjoyed spending time on their art and one came back for a second paint session.

The time flew by as we were entertained by bands and children singing.

Thank goodness the rain held off.

Art versus Writing

Writing the sequel to the Intrepid Pony Escapes has come to a halt because my art miniatures of animals are selling as fast as I can paint them.

I paint all the ponies from ‘The Intrepid Pony Escapes’ and the various dogs from ‘Lurching Through London’.

It is great fun taking a stone and choosing what design will complement its texture and seeing a picture take shape as oil paints are added over several days.

My husband is central to my success as he prepares wood for me to paint and drills holes in my wall hangings.

My new line is slate pendants which challenge me to work smaller than ever before.

It is satisfying selling artwork after many years without painting. At the moment I describe myself as Author/Artist but perhaps it should be the other way round.

All I know is writing ‘The Intrepid Pony Escapes’ made me want to illustrate it, and now little Intrepid and Lottie Lurcher portraits have found new homes with school children.