24 Nov 2012

My Other Life as an Artist

Once upon a time - in another life - I used to be a watercolour painter.  My speciality was animals. 


I loved painting dogs and cats, some sold, a lot didn't. 


I had a few commissions - peoples' pets.




I liked to try and capture the essence of the animal

Cats eyes were always a favourite to paint





But sometimes I painted people too


This one won me a prize in an exhibition


This one gained me entry into an art club


The farmyard attracted me

hens and ducks



and cockerels


Sometimes quick sketches of street scenes



sometimes gardens




But that was a decade ago.  I gave up painting, I lost interest, and never re-gained it. 

13 comments:

  1. Elaine, you REALLY should try it again. These are very good... the musician portraits especially.

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    1. It has been a long time and I fear I would be terribly rusty not sure I would have the time now what with all the blogging and everything

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  2. Lovely to see some of your work Elaine. My love of sketching has been brought back by doing the garden design course. I now prefer to sit and draw in the evening rather than watching television - it's great to have projects to work on. Perhaps you should give yourself a weekly subject to paint?

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    1. I used to paint flowers as well and managed to sell a few too my favourites to paint were irises perhaps I should paint the subject for the Rosebank blog instead of photos - now there's a thought.

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  3. I love the ginger cat! I've just started to paint with watercolour (I'm not very good but I'm enjoying the process!). Maybe you can paint a cover for your novel? :-)

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    1. 'Fraid not - all my paints have hardened in their tubes and it would cost a fortune to replace them all - no I'm afraid that phase of my life has passed - on to pastures new now

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  4. Hi Elaine, Your watercolors are beautiful! I watercolor too but sometimes have trouble finding the time and the painting frame of mind at the same time. I hope your interest returns as you are very talented. All the best! :-)

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    1. That's very kind of you Beth - I was going to say, maybe one day - but I doubt it.

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  5. Such a shame you've lost interest, they're fabulous. I was just going to say that you've captured the cat's eyes brilliantly, you've really brought them to life, and then I read that cat's eyes were a favourite to paint. Well, I can tell.

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    1. Thanks Jo - I always tend to lose interest in something when it is no longer a challenge, I think that's why I have stuck with gardening, it is always a challenge.

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  6. Your paintings are wonderful! I like the way you have captured the cats and I love the one of the musician with the trumpet and the street scene:)

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  7. I'm sure that you had very good reasons for moving on from your painting but I love your cat pictures and think your work is great! Jx

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  8. Wonderful, I'm full of admiration! Flighty xx

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