NICOLA YOUNG

The last few weeks I’ve been struggling to really throw myself back into painting.  I have kept up the studio habit but haven’t really been making much progress on the pieces I had already started, or indeed starting new works.  I used some of the time to finish off a few paintings – as I knew I was in a bit of a slump. Those last few stages always take a bit longer than expected – applying gloss medium, levelling gel and then cold wax. 

And I also got round to painting and varnishing frames, ready for exhibiting in October.  Including a selection of my rock pool paintings.

All of that changed this weekend.  I still have a number of half abandoned pieces that I’m struggling to resolve, including a commission.  But two smaller paintings I thought were going to be beach or harbour inspired took a change of direction.

Home Improvements

For the past couple of weeks we have been trying to sort out plans for a new kitchen.  As it now involves a small extension and knocking rooms together it’s starting to get quite complicated (and expensive). Still, it has been nice visiting kitchen showrooms and flicking through lots of brochures.  

We’ve finally agreed on what we want so now it’s a case of getting cost estimates and sorting out dates for work to start.  You may be wondering why I’m chattering on about new kitchens when I started out talking about painting.  Well, the reason is it’s all had a big impact on my time in the studio.

A Change of Direction?

It started with some sketches. I wanted to play around with ideas for new paintings to put up in the kitchen when its complete.  Maybe a bit premature given its going to take at least 3 months to complete.

I’m not 100% sure how it happened but I found myself transforming the two paintings from beach to kitchen themed.  Only one is resolved but I’m actually quite pleased with where I got to over the weekend.  So much so that I started a few more.

My hit rate seems to be around 50% of paintings that I start, I continue with to some form of resolution. The other pieces sit in drying racks for weeks, sometimes even months. Until inspiration hits and they end up going in a very different direction. I’m not sure how many of these house themed boards will make it through to final paintings. I have about eight I’m currently working on, but even if only 4-5 work out I thought it would make for a little mini series.

Hope you have a good week!