Playing with photographs from the Financial Times. A well known French politician is in the process of becoming an owl.....
More preparations
With the weather seemingly set fair, and Halloween only a week away, everyone at The Design studio is working hard to ensure a successful Halloween this year. Anticipating a record haul, Lancelot has arranged to borrow Cinderella's pumpkin carriage for the evening. In exchange Lancelot will provide Cinderella with some much needed brand repositioning. (Remember that ugly libel case between Cinderella and her step sisters?). We hope their hard work will be rewarded.
Halloween. ( or Red Riding Hood Wished she had worn her camouflage gear instead)
Halloween and haunted woods. It was about at this time that R R Hood began to wish she had worn her camouflage gear instead. Double journal page spread. watercolor.
Blue and White
Onto a new topic - Underwater. A celebration of life under stream and sea. In this case a lobster in white and black acrylic ink over a collaged background. 8 x 10 ".
Agile and Eve
Agile adored apples and is totally unable to resist temptation.
The Tower, one last time
One last view of the tower and then on to a new topic....
Pterodactyl Tower, a wonderful folly
Wandering around French Farm one comes across the most extraordinary art installations and creations. The pterodactyl tower is one of my favorites. I had hoped to meet Rapunzel there but I think we must have just missed each other.
Another Barn. View of the Front
A quick view of the front of the barn. Tiny journal page sketch.
Lots of time left to change one's mind.
Still lots of time left to work on their costumes. Inspired by Lancelot's creative example, one of the squirrels decided to go as an acorn.
Plein Air sketch - The Barn at French Farm
Two Sundays ago saw me sitting outside in the sunshine, painting at French Farm. French Farm is the most extraordinary creation of outdoor art gallery and working farm. Hosted by the Historical Society of Greenwich, the annual open day took place on September 15. Invited by the society to be one of their "Artists in the Garden", I was so happy to be there. Watercolor sketch of the barn, 24 x 18". sold
Change of subject - architecture
Layers and layers of history, walking around Clifton, Hotwells area, or even Broadmead, the city center, one is aware of multiple styles and periods and ghosts calling out. This is one of my favorite houses because it seems so extraordinarily out of place. Echoes of the West Indies transported to staid Georgian Clifton. A stage set now looking out onto the river banks of the Severn.Watercolor, journal page. (Original house is white)
Halloween Costumes
Agile, Wilfred and the squirrel interns have all been busy working on their costumes. Finances are somewhat tight this month so Lancelot has encouraged everyone to use their imagination. Wilfred will be going as a crow. His beak is made of paper mâché, painted black and his wings are that old standby, black garbage bags. Agile will be a dragon, with cardboard wings. Agile has craftily dyed a string vest red to suggest scales. Only the squirrels were unable to resist temptation and bought super hero capes. Everyone is crossing their paws for fine weather.
Harbingers of Fall
Acorns and Oak leaves. One may not want to admit it, but Fall is really here.
Fall is really here
Fall is very definitely here. I keep hearing the thunk of the acorns falling on the studio roof. The leaves are beginning their transmutation of life to death, once green, now starting to yellow and brown. Not quite falling, but already loosening their hold. Autumn is all the more precious for knowing that Winter lies ahead, sometimes 4 or 5 months long. Ode to Autumn, watercolor, sketchbook design.
Getting Ready
Remembering the devastation wrought by Sandy last year, Lancelot and co are especially keen to ensure that Halloween is properly celebrated this year. Taking a little time off from their many work projects the studio begin planning their costumes. This is Lancelot dressed as an Mummy. Who could resist a charming young hedgehog disguised as a mummy?
In the shade
Sunday, a quick study of a clump of trees. Oil on panel, using a mid green toned background.
Light without end
Same amazing view but a slightly different angle. Oil on Masonite, 14 x 11. Painted over a toned background of blue and periwinkle.
Sun and Sand
Back in the studio and to get going again after a too short vacation, it's back to the "90 minute max per picture" exercise. So here is a quick study of one of the amazingly beautiful north Norfolk beaches. Very, very flat, miles to the sea at low tide and acres of sky and cloud. 11 x 14 ". Oil on linen board. Nice to be back painting again.
Blackberry Picking
Lovely late Summer, early Fall days. Lancelot and co enjoy a blackberry picking expedition in perfect weather. Sadly the end of their holiday is in sight but with luck Agile will make them blackberry and apple pie.
Indian Feast, part 2
Part 2 of our amazing feast cooked by Carol and Paul. Journal page, watercolor.
