Spring still life painting and card making

Spring has finally arrived!
Easter has brought with it blue skies and sunshine turning the garden into a symphony of colour!
My favourite of the first arrivals are the miniature alpine daffodils.
I picked a few, put them into a little jug then placed them on the window sill. I didn't intend to paint them but when I saw them in the sunlight a picture immediately came to mind.
I wanted to capture the light and add a musical theme with a couple of small ornaments I had tucked away in a cupboard. I chose the paperweight because the colours fitted in with the composition, it was only after I had sketched it out that I realized that it was egg shaped, just perfect for an Easter painting!

                                         "A Springtime Arrangement"
                                            Acrylic on canvas  

A Springtime Arrangement, Still life painting on canvas

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Today also saw the release of a card making CD featuring my artwork by Ooh La La Creations.
 It was advertised on the Create and Craft channel and it seemed very strange to see my paintings being used on the TV! Great fun though :)

The Paula Oakley Collection,  card making CD

If you would like to find out more then pop over and have a look ...http://www.ooh-la-la-creations.com/Pages/default.aspx   

"Cupcake Temptation" in Artist and Illustrators magazine

Today I received my copy of the May 2015 edition of the Artist and Illustrators magazine and was delighted to see that my still life painting "Cupcake Temptation" has been published in the Portfolio Plus section.
Such a lovely way to start the Spring season :) 
The cake was pretty good too!

"Cupcake Temptation" Acrylic still life painting

Artist and Illustrators magazine May2015 

For sale, please click here to visit my gallery page for more images

"Cupcake Temptation" Colourful still life painting featuring cupcakes

 It's nearly Christmas  so I've been busy baking.
I  don't enjoy cooking but on special occasions I will brave it into the kitchen and attempt to create  something yummy. Cupcakes are easy and fun which means they are a good option for me.
I am pleased to say that they turned out rather scrummy,
the only problem being was not to eat them all !
So much temptation on a plate!
I decided the best way to resist was to use the last one in a still life composition. I found a nice selection of items that I thought would look good together and so the painting was started ....

"Cupcake Temptation" work in progress

I slightly altered the colours to avoid too much white in the background as I wanted a stronger contrast. I'm happy with the result and I now have a cupcake that's non fattening and calorie free! ;)

                                 "Cupcake Temptation"
                                                     Acrylic on standard canvas 18"x 24"

"Cupcake Temptation" Acrylic still life painting with cake

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"The Bulldog Blues" Still life painting with guitar

THE STORY:
He's awoken  by the sound of the letterbox. There on the door mat is an envelope with just his name handwritten on the front. He opens it, it's from his girl friend. A short but precise note stating that the relationship is over.
 With the note is the door key and the ring she nagged him for all last Summer.
He knows there is no point in trying to change her mind, he's too proud to beg, too stubborn to admit he really cares. Anyway, it means he can now do as he pleases, a new found freedom.
 An indomitable bulldog spirit is all that's required.
 But deep down it hurts.
 So for now he'll pour a glass of good ale, pick up his guitar and compose himself  "The Bulldog Blues"
THE BEER:

It was the label that first drew my attention to this bottle of beer. I love the design. Simple, fun and very British ! I don't usually like dark ales but in the name of art I thought I would just have to try it ;) I was pleasantly surprised, it's really smooth and fruity, no harsh after taste like so many of the dark ales. It's definately going back on my shopping list ! It's brewed by Nethergate Brewery in Essex. Check out their other beers here Nethergate Brewery 

THE PAINTING:
Acrylic on box canvas, 20"x 24"x 1.5"
I've sketched up the composition using a simple grid and started to block in the background colour using 3 layers of paint...

I've now done more work on the background by putting in some texture and started the underpainting on other areas. The jumper and beer have been added as well. Made good progress today...

 I've started to build up the layers of colour on the guitar. More detail was added to the top left and I painted in the records ...yes..we still have records! ;) Not such a clear photo of it today....

The next step was to work on the denim, I also started the top of the guitar. I't begining to look like a picture now :)

 I've made good progress on the guitar today. It's taken ages to get the fiddly bits right but it's good to get them done. Still have a lot to do to the guitar but I really need it to dry overnight so I can add some more tomorrow ...

 I had a good day painting and managed to get it finished . Growler brewery love it ! :)

"The Bulldog Blues"

Acrylic on box canvas 20"x 24"x 1.5"

"Bull Dog Blues" still life with guitar

FOR SALE

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"Untold Stories" A still life painting collection of WW2 memorabelia. Hurricane and Spitfire painting

A small selection of  WW2 RAF memorabilia will be the subject of my next painting. They belonged to my partner's late father. The fact that these items had been kept and treasured made me realise that each one has it's own story to tell. Stories of life, laughter, sadness and comradery. Stories that will never be told as the narrator is no longer with us to relate them.  I wanted to put them together into a composition to give an extended life to these "Untold Stories" Acrylic.24"x 20"x 1.5"

Page 1......under painting the two hats and flight record book.

Sketched out and painting started on the RAF flying helmet and hat

Page 2..... Building up the layers on the leather flying hat.There are so many different tones and colours that it took about 6 hours to reach this stage.

Many colours are needed to get the old leather to look right

Page 3.....starting work on the hat and book meant I could leave the leather work to dry out for an extra day.                                                                                    

Starting to work on the texture of the book and hat

Page 4...building up the layers of paint, making a start on other areas and starting work on the detail. While one bit dries I'm able to work on another area It's now starting to come to life :)                                                                                                           

Adding the smaller details

The final page..................................                                                                                              

"Untold Stories"

24" x 20" x 1.5"

Acrylic on box canvas

WW2 still life painting

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"Into the Blue"

20"x16"x1.5"

Acrylic on box canvas

Painting of Spitfire and Hurricane

"He Loves Me, He loves Me Not..." Summer still life painting

The 1st of March today, St David's Day . The skies are blue and the sun is shining bright, a real promise of Spring :)
I have been busy giving the kitchen a fresh coat of white paint. The crisp bright white with the lovely weather reminded me of  Summer days when the fields and roadsides are a mass of bold ox-eye daisies, bobbing and dancing in the wind. Childhood memories of sitting on the grass, pulling off the petals chanting " He loves me, he loves me not".

I thought I would use one in a still life composition, a romantic mix of colours and textures, a touch of Summer romance.

Straw hat, chiffon scarf and a daisy

                                                                              

                          "He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not"
                                  Acrylic on box canvas, 18"x14"x1.5"...
Today was spent sketching out and getting the under painting started...

Painting in the first layers of acrylic

Started to build up the layers of colour on the hat and scarf today....

Bulding up the textures of the scarf and straw hat

Painting in the shadows ......

Adding the shadows to the painting

and finished 

"He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not"

Acrylic on box canvas 18"x14"x1.5"

"He loves me, He loves me not..."

Wall view

Delighted that this was chosen as "Picture of the month" in the Artist and Illustrators, June 2012 edition of their  magazine

Featured in Artist and Illustrator

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More still life paintings