A few weeks ago I published a post about some new pieces I was working on which were a diversion from my abstracts. They started out as a bit of a distraction. I was working on a large painting (still unresolved), and after a few hours of painting I needed a break. We’re just aboutContinue reading “New Work”
Author Archives: Rag Tag Magpie
Royal Academy of Arts Varnishing Day
Just a short post this week to share some of the photos from my day at the Royal Academy. It is the first time one of my paintings has been accepted for the summer exhibition. So, on Sunday we drove down to Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire and on Monday hopped on the train into London. TheContinue reading “Royal Academy of Arts Varnishing Day”
What a Week!!!
Well the past week has been a bit of high point art wise for me. I’ve not only broken the creative slump I was struggling with, but I’ve had some significant wins to celebrate. Exhibiting My Work I mentioned in a previous blog a local arts centre (The Exchange) is showcasing my work in OctoberContinue reading “What a Week!!!”
Bank Holiday Weekend
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 IContinue reading “Bank Holiday Weekend”
Holiday Over – Normal Service Resumed
So my first official two week staycation is over and have to say I loved it. Usually we jet off somewhere hot. This year, with the prospect of mask wearing and potential traffic light status changing we stayed in the UK. Last year I didn’t manage to get a full two week break because ofContinue reading “Holiday Over – Normal Service Resumed”
Reflections
It has been a few months since completing CVP. Now I’m dipping in and out of the portal to re-watch content. I thought I’d reflect on my first pass to capture and remind myself of some of the key learnings. There was so much great content in the 3 month course I definitely need toContinue reading “Reflections”
Studio Update
The collection of partially finished or just started work in my studio has been mounting up. Many of the paintings started as CVP boards but have taken different directions, changing with each layer of paint. I finished a few with a generous layer of gloss medium and finally a coat of cold wax. In theContinue reading “Studio Update”
Graduating CVP
So before I get into this post the first question I want to address is ‘would I recommend CVP’? And the answer is a very definite ‘yes’. What is CVP? CVP is a three month, online art course provided by Art2Life with Nicholas Wilton. Nicholas is a very charismatic lead and importantly a heavy weightContinue reading “Graduating CVP”
Spring Break
This week we have a break in CVP and I have to say I feel like I really need it. Judging by the comments on social media I haven’t felt as overwhelmed as some of the other participants. All the same, keeping up the pace of tutorials, group & coaching calls and painting practice hasContinue reading “Spring Break”
A Wave of Optimism
I was watching BBC News this morning and they had a feature on the reopening of shops and bars serving outdoors. The reporter was presenting from Newcastle city centre and it was great to see people enjoying being out and about again. We may not be back to anything near normal, but things are certainlyContinue reading “A Wave of Optimism”