Sussex paintings for sale

Wednesday 26 November 2014

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...."

November has been such a busy month ! Besides completing a few more paintings I have had other things going on   in my world ....
Firstly, my painting "The Ploughing Match " was very kindly included in the November edition of the Sussex Living magazine . This was great as it's distributed in my village and surrounding area.

 Then in between painting I've been making a few things ready for Christmas. I enjoy the challenge of making things out of bits and bobs and it always makes me think of my childhood days, eagerly watching the children's program "Blue Peter" and rushing off to find an empty toilet roll and some sticky back plastic !
My first task was to make a paper mache train. Instead of Christmas crackers this year I thought a bright sparkly train would be more fun as we have 2 young children visiting .  Each truck will hold a bag of  surprise goodies for each person :)
Paper mache Christmas train
I then decided to make something festive to go in the garden. Out came the hammer, nails and tin snips . It didn't take long to find some old pieces of wood and with a bit of paint and added decorations ( made from an old biscuit tin)  this was the result.  I'm going to "plant" them in a large container with some sprigs of holly by our front door... :)
wood scrap snowmen and tree
After all the hammering and sawing I thought I would head off to make something a bit more genteel. A good rummage through my material box resulted in enough oddments to make some Christmas table mats. Our old ones were looking a bit faded and not very festive so I went for a simple tree design that seemed to work rather well :)
Christmas tree table mats
Finally (unless inspiration hits in again) I made a tree topper. I like the old fashioned Father Christmas figures and wanted to make something similar. It's only about 7 inches high so it was a bit fiddly in parts!  I could have used polymer clay for his face but I thought paper mache would be a more traditional material and more challenging (I enjoy a challenge) . I attached his head onto a cardboard cone then added the clothes etc.
He didn't turn out too bad and I learned a lot . It was a fun and interesting project from the initial design to working out the best ways of getting the results I wanted...
Father Christmas tree topper
Soon I celebrate my Birthday and then it will be Christmas...I'm wondering what will be more exciting...the presents or the packaging they come in! Ho ho ho!
   
                                                                            *****
Complete guide to painting in acrylics


On another note I am pleased to announce that my painting "He loves me, he loves me not" has been published in the "Complete guide to painting in acrylics" by Lorena Kloosterboer .... exciting days!
"He loves Me, he loves Me Not..."
The book contains work from 97 artists and is available from Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Painting-Acrylics-Lorena-Kloosterboer/dp/178221187X/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0MGXEQWCFYBG8J14612V

Monday 24 November 2014

"Winter Warmer" Winter/Christmas still life painting

As we approach December and the weather turns colder my thoughts are of Christmas and the dark Winter months ahead. I'm hoping that this year we shall see some snow and not have to endure the storms of last year.
There is something wonderful about wrapping up warm and walking through the freshly fallen snow. Perhaps it's the way that it reflects the light making everything seem brighter, or maybe the way that it absorbs sound, giving a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
It all makes a Winter's walk quite magical, then, as the sun starts to sink in the sky and the cold chill wind sets in, it's good to return home and indulge in a little "Winter Warmer" ;)
                                 
                                   "Winter Warmer"
                                                 Acrylic on box canvas 18"x 14"x 1.5"
Winter still life painting. Acrylic on canvas 
                                                 https://www.artgallery.co.uk/artist/paula_oakley_2


"Winter Warmer" Bags, pillows, cards and prints

Cards, tote bags, prints and throw pillows available http://www.redbubble.com/people/poak/works/13099776-winter-warmer

Friday 7 November 2014

"Autumn in the air" and " The edge of Autumn" Paintings from an Autumn walk in Sussex

An Autumn walk in Newick, East Sussex
Although the Autumn hasn't been as colourful this year I have still found some lovely picturesque walks to explore.
After living in the village of Newick for 4 years I am still discovering new paths, scenery and inspirations!
Recently I followed a route that took me from the south outskirts of the village, around the boundary of Newick Park and on to the village of Spithurst.
With clear blue skies and glorious sunshine you could really sense the arrival of Autumn.
The walk took me past a lake, pond, woodland and fields.....just about everything I could wish for !
Walking from Newick to Spithurst, East Sussex
After a while my path lead me onto a farm track where the still waters of a small pond caught my attention....this was definitely to be my next painting.....

                                                  "Autumn in the air"
                                    Acrylic on canvas 18"x 24"
"Autumn in the air" Autumn painting from the Sussex countryside
                              
                                                    "The edge of Autumn" 
                                        Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"
"The edge of Autumn" Acrylic painting on canvas
               More Sussex paintings http://paula-paintmyworld.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-sussex-coast-on-canvas.html#.VGy0_slOzIU