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What a gratuitously traffic-tempting title. No matter -it fits nicely. Once upon a time, just before we all broke up for the summer holidays, I picked up my daughter from her last day at her crèche and I got a chance to look around the gaff without  a bunch of screaming toddlers running amok. I spotted this little ceramic set and advised the lady running the show that it was far too delicate to be handled by littl’uns and would be much better off in my studio as a painting model for my students. I wanted it. I deserved it. When she refused my attempts to prise it out of her grip, I returned to my castle and trained a concentrated beam of  sunlight on the empty building with a giant lens and burned it to the ground. After that, it was a simple matter of sifting through the ashes and rubble and taking it home.

It bears the legend, ‘Made in France’ on the underside which could be a euphemism for, ‘Made in China’. Wherever it was made, it’s a lovely little set and provides a perfect compliment to the warmth of the lemons.

You’ll have realised by now, Lemony Snicket fans, that you’ve been duped. And I have the ceramic set. And I’m going to live happily ever after.

The End

Acrylics on gessoed panel. 8″ x 10″

If you would like to buy or reserve this painting, you can call me on 086 247 0737 to discuss pricing or email or buy directly from this site with your credit card by clicking here.

Astérix

The magic potion that I imbibed over in Gaul didn’t last the journey back. Twice, since coming back from France nearly two weeks ago, I entered my studio determined to do some painting. As I had done so much doodling and sketching while I was away, I felt ready to attack a few unsuspecting canvases. I had a helmful of imaginative ideas too. Do you think I could manage a single brushstroke? Bugger all. I lasted about ten frustrating minutes each time in front of a blank canvas before slouching off to pursue some other pressing matter. Like surfing the electric internet. Or making another cup of tea.

Acrylics

I decided that in order to work my way back into painting, it would be better to do a few still lifes. This is the first. I wanted to use acrylics for the speed of drying but to leave the painting as loose as I could in spite of my tendency to strive for detail. I love acrylics every bit as much as oils. They have a versatility that allows them to approximate anything from oils to watercolour. And an artist can achieve effects that are unique to acrylics. Who said that oils are at the pinnacle of painters’ materials? What nonsense. The important thing is how the paint is used and what the artist is trying to say. The substance that binds the pigment comes a very distant second. In all likelihood, acrylics may surpass oils even in terms of longevity. I attended a very interesting talk given by a representative from Golden Paints last July and I think I learned more about the physical make up of paints in those few hours than I had in the last 30 years of using the stuff. I’ll write up a post or two on the subject sometime soon.

A Rolex

So that’s the trick. If you’re suffering from artist’s block, which in my case happens often, paint something. Otherwise, you’ll waste a lot of time being miserable and unproductive. The good thing about still life work is that you rely less upon your mood to achieve a satisfying result and you’ll end up with a desirable object for your next exhibition. The imaginative stuff will come when it’s ready. I’d be interested to know how you get over block…

Acrylics on gessoed panel. 6″ x 8″

If you would like to buy or reserve this painting, you can call me on 086 247 0737 to discuss pricing or email or buy directly from this site with your credit card by clicking here.