Sunday stroll

The sun came out to play and I headed to the beach for a break. I've been working on back to back commissions which is keeping me from making any work to share on this blog. I also have an exhibition coming up in early May with a lot of framing to do, so deadlines are looming and time is short. It's so good to be busy...

Sunday stroll at the beach  photograph ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec

Day dreaming of summer

A selection of watercolour shells   watercolour on Khadi handmade paper ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec

I've been day dreaming of summer and trawling through my collection of beach finds for subjects to paint. Days spent at the beach sketching and collecting can't be too far away now...

I'll be adding these to my Etsy shop  over the next few days.

Morning Glow

Morning Glow   20x20cm  acrylic on canvas board   ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec

Painting has been sloooooow the last week. Even though this painting is just a small one it has been a battle of wills trying to capture the soft hazy light. The warmth in this piece is my wishful thinking for a warmer spring than we have experienced so far this year. It can't be long now.... can it?

Elemental II

Elemental II   9x9cm mixed media   ©2012Lisa Le Quelenec

I've been feeling a little under the weather lately so there hasn't been much painting going on this last couple of weeks. I have been catching up on some reading though, dipping in and out of Delacroix's journal and a book that I stumbled across on Amazon, Gist of Art by John Sloan. Both of which are fascinating. The Delacroix book is a feast for the senses it's printed on very fine paper (I'd estimate 50gsm though it may be finer) and makes a lovely rustling sound which adds to the sense of stepping back in time. It's an older second hand copy and is just starting to get that wonderful scent of old book. The weather has been miserable and it is still quite cold so there has been no better medicine than hunkering down with a good book. Hopefully this bug is now on it's way and I'll be back next week with some new work to share.

River reflections - spring

Some small watercolour studies of the river from the last post. There are surprising amounts of violet in the waters shadows. Whilst the trees are still mostly bare, green buds are appearing and the colour is starting to fizz here and there.

Yesterday snowed most of the day though luckily it didn't stick. It was so fine and grainy that it looked almost like sand. Today is bright with sunshine although it does look quite chilly so there might not be much sketching done.

River reflections - Spring Watercolour A4 sketchbook

Getting out and about

I've been getting cabin fever, with the sun shining and birds calling I needed to get outside. I rushed through my chores, grabbed a camera and set off. It was a lot warmer than I thought it was going to be, so rather than going to the beach I headed for the river to find the evidence of Spring. Today wasn't about painting or sketching so much, more of a reconnaissance for future work and a recharging the batteries so I didn't do any sketching just took a few snaps as reminders of where to revisit.  I'm always drawn to the river reflections, there may be a series of drawings based on them in the not too distance future.

Snap shots from my walk photograph medley ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec

I had to include this snap of the black headed gulls. They line up along the bridge waiting for the people who come to feed the ducks. As you walk towards them they size you up for any goodies they might want then as you get too close one by one they drop of the side. They make me think of synchronised swimmers diving into the pool.

A Shining Sea

A Shining Sea   20x20cm acrylic on canvas board   ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec

I've been day dreaming of summer evenings strolling at the beach.....

Interviewed by Vandy Massey

Winter Light   pastel and charcoal on paper 48x48cm   ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec

I was contacted recently by artist and fellow blogger Vandy Massey about taking part in her 'Meet the Creatives' interview series. Reading the other interviews has given a real insight into the working process, motivations and backgrounds of the artists. I only hope I will be half as interesting. You can read the interview here.

Vandy is an accomplished watercolourist with an eye for colour and space. I particularly like her floral paintings - glowing sunflowers and vibrant poppies. To visit her gallery click here.

If you would like to see her work in person Vandy will be exhibiting with Denise Shearing and Mark Judson at the Whittlesford Gallery Cambridgeshire Saturday 9th - Sunday 10th March open 10am - 5pm. Do stop by and visit the exhibition if you are in the area you won't be disappointed.

Thank you Vandy for the opportunity taking part in your series. I'm looking forward to meeting the other artists as the series continues.

Sky Sketches on a cold day

Sky Study II   watercolour 18x9cm   ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec

Sky Study III   watercolour 18x9cm   ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec

Sky Study IV   watercolour 18x9cm   ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec

These small sky studies are rather addictive. A cold wind blows and dull white/grey skies have come again so I won't be able to do any more of these for a few days unfortunately. Well I could but they would be dull, dull, dull.....

It's time to return to my easel.

Spring sky

Sky Study I   watercolour 18x9cm   ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec

Yesterday the evening sky was stunning. Looking from the studio window trying to memorise the changing colours, watching the gulls gliding lazily and listening to the blackbird singing the sun down as he does each day. Beautiful clear skies and gentle colours that I had to try and capture.