As far as you can get!

As is with every year, there are particular months in which deadlines and results of art competitions come in. The last few weeks have been the results! I submitted work for various competitions and Open Art exhibitions, of which I have had some (but not all) success.
Of the ones which were successful, they are as follows:-
UKCPS (UK Coloured Pencil Society) Annual Exhibition at Nuneaton in October with 'Cressbrook Dale'.

AppArt Open Exhibition at Milford, Guildford in October with  my contemporary floral's 'Nymphae Ishwata' and 'Solo White'.

The one I am particularly excited about is the International Cricket Art Prize. 'The organisers invite artists to submit a painting or composition that depicts life in and around the game and sport of cricket, in settings of backyard, park, beach, street, village green or social-cricket.' 
I absolutely love watching and, when I can, playing cricket, so this was a great subject for me to have a go at. I actually submitted last year, but was not successful. But this year I managed to get into the shortlist. It is now winging it's way to Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia, hopefully in time for the exhibition at the beginning of October. There is a substantial cash prize for the winner, so keep everything crossed for me!
The title is :- 'Going for a Catch' and is done in my Fractured style. I tried to evoke a feeling of movement and speed. The judges obviously got it too!

I have also just finished being part of the organisation committee for a new Arts Festival, which happened on Saturday. I was the main exhibitor as the Rector initially invited me to exhibit, and it sort of grew from that! We had a potter, glass designer, watercolourist, oil painter and a jewellery maker. It was a great success and raised £900 for the church! Here are a few photos from the day and the displays.

My next project is to begin a collection of miniature paintings. Whilst on my holiday in Dorset I popped into a beautiful gallery, and after purchasing some items, I ended up having a great chat with the owner and suggested I try some miniatures, which she may, or may not take for the gallery. In any event, I'm doing a little collection. Watch this space!

Lighthouse

After a wonderful weekend down in Sussex with my family, I feel all relaxed and slightly sunburnt.
I have begun to make a start on a new coloured pencil Fractured drawing which will end up in the WOW! Gallery in Dorking. I am working a good weight cartridge paper and using Derwent Coloursoft Pencils, which I love using. I have drawn up a layout of a lighthouse with a sea around it. I love getting the movement of the waves with shading and Fractured lines.
I get a full days work tomorrow, and amongst doing this drawing, I've got pictures to frame up for an exhibition in August and my studio needs a good old tidy up. I managed to throw a jar of dirty paint water all over the floor last week!

Gallery interest!

What a beautiful weekend we are having, totally inspiring. I am currently in sunny Sussex and I have taken lots of photos of flowers and stuff for my reference in between having a glass of Pimms or two....... Whether I use them this year or i the next few, who knows?! It's always good to have lots of good photos for paintings and sketches.
I have had some interest in my two Fractured paintings from a gallery in Dorking. They are going to be doing a seaside theme in August and were interested especially in the 'Ready to set sail' painting. Looks like I might be doing some more seaside themed paintings. They do seem to go down quite well, and every one I have done has been sold. Boats, sea scenes, beach huts, lighthouses.... must make people feel good!
I want to do another lighthouse one, based on a photo I took in Southwold a couple of years ago. Long and thin I think.... So, better get to work and stop enjoying this lovely sun eh?!