OIL PAINTING CACTUS LOVE

Ok, so yesterday, remember, I decided to do something different at painting class, have been doing portraits for a few weeks and decided to shake myself up a little. I have a beautiful photo of cacti from our previous visit to ST VERDE and thought I would give the botanicals a bash. Realised towards the end that I was missing some crucial colours in my limited stock of oil paints, was trying to create a specific blue green but did not have bright enough 'process' style primary colours. Going to get some more paint and work on the depth and detail next week. I want to paint all day!

STELLA ALESI LOVE

I have painting class today and have decide to do a botanical work instead of another portrait just to shake things up a bit. Found this amazing artist
STELLA ALESI whose work has intense colour and really awesome light. I particularly like her VANITAS series where she focuses on the macabre details found underfoot. Her reference is 17th Century still life paintings.

LITHUANIA'S HILL OF CROSSES LOVE

Lithuania has a very fraught political history stretching back hundreds of years, there is a place called THE HILL OF CROSSES where the people of Lithuania have made a haunting, non violent protest against oppression, in the process creating the most incredible shrine I have ever seen. I cannot fathom the magnitude of this installation of sorrow.

RETAIN BY ALEXA FARINA LOVE

Went to a poignant and beautifully crafted exhibition last night at Artspace. RETAIN by Alexa Fariña deals with the, almost impossible to contain, consuming fear of loss. It is well work a visit, her sculptural pieces are so delicate yet have such visceral power.

JT & JIMMY FALLON FULL HISTORY OF RAP LOVE

Had to work on Saturday but had a fun Sunday even though it was so windy here that we nearly blew away. Ended the day with this epic routine by Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon. I was completely oblivious of how much I have enjoyed rap throughout my life. See how many of the songs you recognise.

OIL PAINTING BRIGHT LOVE

I definitely had some Sturm und Drang to get rid of yesterday, the backlash of a lovely holiday sometimes is that reality bites. Did a wild painting of Lily Cole, another is my series of Famous, Obscure and Familiar red heads. I did however apply some of my chinese painting classes technique of considered brush strokes, although it does look a bit like a paint storm. My dilemma at the moment is definitely digital disease, I can go forwards and backwards and Command Z endlessly on my illustrations but in painting You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, / Know when to walk away and know when to run.
Kenny Rogers

BRASS BULKHEAD LIGHT LOVE

We need a sealed unit/exterior light fitting for the MESSY STUDIO bathroom as it is such a wee space and a wet room, so my dreams of hanging cage lamps are quite out of the question. Very expensive and available only overseas/at nautical supply shops - we are going to see if our the brass wizards at THE BATHROOM FACTORY can refit an existing bulkhead. Unless any of you just happen to have one lying about in your garage crying out for a new home.