Let me start by saying that Spring has finally sprung here in the UK and we have been experiencing the most beautiful, warm sunshine over the last week. I hope you are all enjoying the same :0)
Anyway - as promised, here is a very small (uncompleted) section of my latest bear painting...
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© Sandra Busby
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Hmm... I ought to warn you in advance that this is the best bit!
This particular bear painting is proving to be an unexpected challenge, since there are issues with the composition that I didn't spot early enough, even despite my initial preparations.
Still, I am hoping that I will find a way around the problems, but it's not yet clear whether this particular painting will be a success or just a very time consuming lesson learned.
Time will tell!
Meanwhile, I offer you some more speedy sketches, of which I always find myself apologising for! Until a new follower of mine, John, had this to say about them...
"you really
shouldn’t call any of them ridiculous – but rather, see them as actors, waiting in the
wings, rehearsing and hoping you audition them to play a part in one of your
productions"
And then John followed it with this little ode, which he wrote for me...
Sandra’s Sketches,
Like actors in the Wings,
Each with lines unspoken
About unpainted scenes.
Some just marking time
and sketching out the plot
Well, what a refreshing way to look at them! :0D
John has a new blog dedicated to intricate and quite remarkable pen and ink drawings. Some of the stories behind them are fascinating. They are most certainly worth checking out! You can see them here.
Meanwhile, in that case I make no apologies for sharing with you some more random and speedy musings of mine...
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© Sandra Busby |
I have very nearly finished this sketchbook. And the new one, which arrived in the post earlier this week accepts watercolour. So, soon my sketches will be all lovely and colourful!
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© Sandra Busby
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Just before I go, I would also love to share with you a short story written by my Uncle Danny, AKA George Elliott, just a few days ago, which I found really enchanting...
Taking Nono Out'
It was a fine spring morning; it broke very silently and there was a
mist floating in the valleys. The sunlight strengthened and the mist
dissolved, leaving lawns and gardens transparent with dew, even the very
air was clean and sparkling. On this morning Robin Oscar and Will
decided they would take their Granddad (who they called Nono) to an
antiques fair at Herstmonceux Castle because they knew he loved old
things and magic. He had shown them many old things in his workshop and
they remembered sword fights with his old swords that hung on the wall;
he also had shown them magic and had told them "Those who do not believe
in
magic, will never find it."
They arrived
at the Antiques fair and were interested in an auction of
artefacts. Nono explained that whoever offered (bid) the most money won
the object that was offered. So they all sat and watched. They were
interested that some antiques went quite cheaply, and some seemed lots
of money.
Then came an item that many people thought was of
no importance. It was a battered old violin in an even more battered
case, much like the one that their step sister Lucy played.
The
auctioneer asked for bids starting at £10 and every body laughed. So he
said "Has anybody got an offer"? Somebody shouted £1 and everyone
laughed again. Then an old man walked out of the crowd, he picked up the
violin and handled it lovingly. The crowd wondered what he was doing
and went quiet. He plucked the strings and tuned them. Then he took the
bow and started to play. The notes were magic
they soared to
the ceiling, and then to the floor, and then back again, such a
wonderful sound that left one breathless and restored ones soul. The
music was so wonderful and the whole crowd was absolutely silent and
enthralled. Higher and higher the magic notes flew into the air. Finally
the old man put down the bow.There was complete silence as he again
lovingly caressed the violin and then laid it back in its battered case,
and then disappeared back into the crowd.
The auctioneer
returned to the sale of the violin. Someone bid £500 and then they kept
bidding to own this violin. It was finally sold for a large amount of
money. The children were puzzled. They said to Nono
"Why was it suddenly worth more money? what was missing before."
Nono said, "what was missing was the touch of a
master's hand."
© Author - George Elliott
© Author - George Elliott
I loved his story so much that I just had to share it with you :0)
I love the little section of your painting Sandra! It is really just lovely and old world. Your style with these paintings feels very Dickensian to me. :)) I just love it. And I'm sure the rest isn't as bad as you think it is. :)) And John is pretty awesome isn't he? I just discovered his blog the other day too, I love the little lines he wrote for you.
ReplyDeleteANd I LOVE that story! SO true. :))
Thank you Crystal! Well, I am glad you get that feel from it because that is exactly what I am trying to achieve! At least that is something I am getting right with it :0D
DeleteBeautiful post, Sandra! and I love the little "preview" of this painting! I know it's going to be another gorgeous piece!!! I haven't checked John's blog yet..will do that now!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Hilda. Well, in that case you know more than I do at this stage, lol! But I'm loving your positivity and will gladly take your word! Let's hope you are right :0)
DeleteYour sketches are great! And I love Johns words, very encouraging and true! I'll check out his blog in a moment. I loved your uncle's story, very wise!
ReplyDeleteThank you Judy! He really is very wise! :0)
DeleteWow ... thank you, Sandra [blushing]. You talk of the detail in my work, but the detail you get in your paintings I can't begin to get my head around. The best bit on my drawings is the paper with no ink on it :0) You paint everything, and I love the time you spend on the wood. I started life as a boat-builder - Shipwright and I live and breath sawdust! I agree with Crystal, it's deliciously Dickensian ... not sure about her 'awesome' bit though [chuckle]... my granddaughters would laugh.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to look at Judy and Hmuxo's blogs now, bye
Thank you John! You do make me laugh - Your drawings are amazing!
DeleteThere is probably not nearly as much detail in my paintings as there appears to be. I paint enough that the mind fills in the blanks all by its self :0)
My mind is blank most of the time anyway and has plenty of blanks to use! You're being too modest though.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention the story you presented. I'm rather glad it ended nicely, as is fitting a good and nicely written story.
Thank you John :0)
DeleteHello Sandra,
ReplyDeletethe designs are getting better!
The oil with the newspaper is a work with your brand - the hyper-realism.
a hug
Thank you Antonio.
DeleteI only hope that the painting works as a whole when it's complete. At the moment there are parts of it I really like but I have got to find a way of pulling it all together now :0)
Hi Sandra. What a feast is your blog today!!! I looked up John's blog, and found it to be fascinating with a good touch of dry humor - LOVED it!! And your uncle's story is truly magical. Both so very wonderful!!! Thank you so very much for the ever-so-enjoyable read today, Sandra!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Kathryn
I'm glad you enjoyed it Kathryn! It's nice to offer a little variety from time to time ;0)
DeleteHi Sandra, I love your little portion of the "new bear", I'm sure it will be a new gorgeous painting! I like your sketches too, I think you are becoming more and more skilled with the sketch, a very professional designer! Hug!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tito! I found an old sketchbook earlier from around four years ago. It was interesting to see just how much I had improved since then. Perhaps because back then I was 'trying' so hard, whereas my recent sketches have been put down more confidently and without erasing mistakes. I'm glad you like the little preview of the bear! :0)
DeleteYour sketches are fab, Sandra. I like the teaser of the new bear painting and your uncle's story is lovely xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Pat! Let's hope it all comes together in the end as a whole! :0)
DeleteI hope the bear works out. The snippet is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. I'm working on the oil lamp now... Nightmare!!! But I am making progress at last whereas a couple of weeks ago I was unsure if I was fighting a losing battle! Keep those fingers crossed for me :0)
DeletePrecious painting of a magazine! Arianna
ReplyDeleteThank you Arianna :0)
Deleteglad you are making progress sandra...hope bear #4 works out ..newspaper and label looking good ..nice sketches
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane. It needs more work but hopefully it'll get there in the end :0)
Deleteit's hot and rainy here in my side of the world, with temperatures of around 34C, so it's not really the dreamy kind of spring you guys are having...
ReplyDeletebut i like the painting. the paper looks crisp
Perrine that sounds wonderful to me! I LOVE the sun! Though maybe with those temperatures it might be a little toooo hot, even for me - unless the sea was close enough to dip my toes in! Thank you for your comment on the little piece of painting I have shown. I'm glad you like it so far :0)
DeleteWow, looking forward to seeing the full painting Sandra. I'm just wondering if you turned the painting upside down to paint the text on the paper, or if you did it the hard way?
ReplyDeleteThanks Frank - So am I because I am wanting to get started on the next! I would say some and some because it was an awkward angle whichever way. To get it straight I would have had to stand the canvas on its corner! I just kept on turning the canvas and adding text as I went :0)
DeleteThat is a really moving story. I love it!
ReplyDeleteAnd, did Paul actually know the shoes were bright red!
Hi Mam-mams. Yes, but it was the tongue, the laces and soles that were red. They were really nice trainers, but they were also very bright and didn't go with anything other than hi red tea-shirt! :0)
DeleteThat snippet looks fantastic and I don't believe for one minute that the finished piece will be anything less than stunning as all your work is. whatever the compositional issues, i know you'll apply your own master's hand and it will be as good as all your other bear paintings.
ReplyDeletei like how John explained your sketches-great analogy!
i'm glad you shared that story as well. just shows how something that seems worthless can be priceless when seen (or heard) in the right light.
Thank you for your vote of confidence Nicola! I only wish I had realised the issues at the early stages - it would have saved me a lot of time and it would have been finished by now! So, I am having to re-think a few areas - the mirror in particular. If I can find a way of overcoming the problems, I am hoping it will have been worth it in the end :0)
DeleteMy comment among all the rest that have already commented on this post seems such a waste You know you are a great artist and a lovely person. I am sure this is not the best part of the overall work .
ReplyDeleteThank you Ralph :0)
Delete