tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196411912012-02-17T10:09:39.519+13:00This is my art blog about painting in pastels and with acrylics, and about art and life in general. You will find work in progress, comment, painting demonstrations and links to other artists. WELCOME!leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.comBlogger3241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-76567651226446498282011-11-29T12:32:00.000+13:002011-11-29T12:32:13.668+13:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-18558926450971462422011-10-22T15:03:00.000+13:002011-10-22T15:03:46.767+13:00

I sometimes try painting the same subject in a different medium. I've just begun a pastel version of the painting I began in acrylic a couple of weeks ago. Wharfside  (soft pastel version on Colorfix paper) Meanwhile I am still working on the acrylic version. The main colours have been laid down but it is not finished yet. There is still some glazing work to be done - Wharfside 1 (acrylic

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-15745755311864379162011-10-08T09:24:00.000+13:002011-10-08T09:24:12.887+13:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-5178958666760071632011-10-06T09:17:00.000+13:002011-10-06T09:17:49.665+13:00

How exciting! .... pastel artist Julie Greig has an exhibition opening at The Artist Room Gallery, Dowling Street, Dunedin from 8th October 2011.  Her work is exceptional and I am really looking forward to visiting the show!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-69398112999400525042011-10-03T18:20:00.002+13:002011-10-04T09:28:50.922+13:00

I keep finding myself wishing that I could paint in a freer, less literal way, and I know that I have written about this before!  But it is well over a year since I tried painting some 12" x 12" abstracts on canvas and probably even longer since my other attempts at abstraction.   But today I found myself idling away the time whilst the 'floor man' re-laid our kitchen flooring (which had come

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-34888743460958906012011-09-26T13:38:00.000+13:002011-09-26T13:38:43.474+13:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-22214303865929262792011-09-06T11:45:00.006+12:002011-09-06T11:56:09.776+12:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-18506510622041523762011-08-30T10:20:00.004+12:002011-08-30T10:27:07.728+12:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-53378109977404186932011-08-21T10:08:00.004+12:002011-08-21T10:25:54.616+12:00

Untitled (Pastel, 34cm x 44 cm) I must thank Matthew Corbett for giving me permission to use photographs of his lovely girls as reference material for a new series of paintings that I have just started. This is the first one but as yet I haven't got a title. Matt's mum, Margaret, was a very much-loved friend who was also lost to cancer, so it is a real privilege to paint her grand-daughters.

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-75710355769900102322011-08-16T09:03:00.003+12:002011-08-16T09:37:54.410+12:00

Dear Gill, Lovely friend and artist, you have lost your courageous fight with breast cancer and will be sadly missed by all who knew you. Thank you for your friendship and support, and for the great times we had together with friends Jill and Diane. Diane, Jill and Gill Gill, Jill, Lesly, Diane Gill died 15th August 2011. Remembered always.

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-45147901946998850362011-08-10T12:05:00.006+12:002011-08-30T10:51:56.447+12:00

After letting St Paul's 'sit' for a while I decided it could do with a little more colour ..... which, as it turned out, was quite prophetic with the subsequent riots and arson in London ..... After such a long time struggling to get started on the odd painting I am feeling far more inclined to get busy! This week I started a new textured acrylic painting, an abstract, but it was a dismal

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-55450485179804729852011-07-27T12:10:00.011+12:002011-08-30T10:44:16.329+12:00

London icon (Acrylic on canvas, 12"x16")

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-32684467465944501932011-07-11T13:47:00.010+12:002011-07-11T14:54:31.950+12:00

I am having a "sponge" session ...... by which I mean looking through my art books and visiting my favourite art blogs hoping to 'soak up' some creative energy and ideas! I have had it in mind for several weeks now (if not months or even years) to begin experimenting with media in an abstract style but, as yet, have not managed to get started. Hence the current pleasurable business of exploring

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-62415526508805751442011-07-10T16:23:00.004+12:002011-07-10T16:32:46.623+12:00

Finished this one today! It was from my own photographs of a friend's chickens. This particular rooster is a real character and looks after his little flock of 'girls' with great care. Last year he nearly died fighting off a ferret, - he was very badly injured but survived minus one eye. As you can see he is now a fine figure of a male!The painting is worked in oil pastels on Colorfix paper.Good

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-62883828084300645572011-07-10T16:02:00.003+12:002011-07-10T16:22:41.106+12:00

Have finished this painting only to find that I am not entirely satisfied with it, - its OK but ...... (if you know what I mean!). It's so aggravating not to manage to get the look one is after! So this pic is under sentence of being obliterated with gesso!!!! In fact, that will definitely be its fate because I was working from a photograph found on the Internet. But it was a good exercise for

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-91579338682045489432011-06-09T10:15:00.005+12:002011-06-09T10:27:27.812+12:00

But Mum - it's warm in here! (Prudence)But Mum - I'm only helping to lay the table! (Oliver)15 years old and they still think that they are kittens!!!How can I not love 'em to bits!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-53046080205539863462011-05-22T15:12:00.009+12:002011-05-23T22:44:42.130+12:00

It is really lovely to sell a painting but saying a permanent good-bye to a 'one-off' is often quite sad! But like many other artists I have tried to keep a photographic record of all my paintings and have recently been giving thought to the possibility of using these images in some way. Possibly as gifts or maybe even for resale.I had noticed advertisements for photo-imaging on wrapped canvas

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-21203251280514788652011-05-15T12:03:00.007+12:002011-05-15T14:15:56.756+12:00

Last weekend I attended the life-drawing class held by the North Otago Art Society. Our tutor was Oamaru artist Tony Gallagher , and he took us through several drawing methods encouraging us to explore the use of various materials and marks. The workshop drew a very friendly and enthusiastic group of people together for the day and I think that we all gained a lot from it. Here are my attempts at

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-85017235886650836862011-05-04T09:55:00.003+12:002011-05-04T10:07:40.372+12:00

I am really looking forward to Saturday ..... as I will be attending a life-drawing class in Oamaru (about one hours drive from here). It is quite a while since I had the opportunity to attend such a session. Life-drawing was the very first formal art class I ever attended. This was at the tender age of 15 when, after school was over for the day each Friday, I went to my friends house for tea and

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-65180273181414175152011-03-21T11:06:00.007+13:002011-03-21T13:25:06.668+13:00

Every year the Port Chalmers United Rowing Club hold a Fundraising Art Auction at the historic Carey's Bay Hotel Seafood Restaurant and Bar. This annual event is very well supported by both local people and visitors to the area, and is an opportunity for local artists to display their work in a very pleasant venue. Artists choose beforehand what proportion of the auction price obtained for

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-49986983098255262522011-03-13T10:24:00.007+13:002011-03-13T10:56:29.304+13:00

I've been trying hard to get going again with painting and decided that a triptych I did some time ago might benefit from some more work. The painting was originally in acrylic on 8" x 8" gallery wrapped canvas -Flow (Acrylic)I felt that it needed more colour and texture so I've been re-working it in oil pastel. I think the end result is a definite improvement! Must now wait for the oil pastel

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-45410291501125765032011-02-25T16:14:00.011+13:002011-02-25T17:25:28.814+13:00

Saw the radio/oncology consultant yesterday following my annual MRI (its now 19 months since I finished six weeks of radiology treatment). The GOOD NEWS being that the tumour has not grown. In fact there has been no change at all - its no bigger, no smaller. Although there is no sign of cell death within the tumour I am so very relieved that there is no signs of growth. The results do explain why

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-6398049378057891032011-01-11T07:59:00.003+13:002011-01-11T08:17:33.727+13:00

And here is wishing a HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all - especially to you artists.I didn't make any New Year Resolutions .... which was rather cowardly of me. But if I had one of them would have been to get painting on a regular basis again. I'm ashamed to say that I haven't lifted a paintbrush or pencil for several weeks now and I can't seem to get going at all!PAINTER'S BLOCK? Is there such a

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-57620485011243542122010-11-18T10:27:00.001+13:002011-01-11T07:45:54.366+13:00

A Voice for Madeleine - Sign the Petition | Change.org: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-50333268944806094872010-10-20T11:16:00.002+13:002010-10-20T11:30:36.122+13:00

I have just finished a new version of my still life 'Bounty' shown below: In this version I used a lot of textured effects by applying gesso with a palette knife and a roller. I then went over with many layers of glazing. I think I like this one better and I've called it 'Grandma's Recipe'!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-28970872439623508942010-10-16T12:40:00.006+13:002010-10-16T12:55:43.001+13:00

My youngest grand-daughter was 10 years old a couple of weeks ago and I took some photos of her on her special day. One of them shows her standing, resplendent in her new dress, beneath a painting I did of her and her older sister a few years ago ......They grow like weeds .... but (unlike weeds) they are a gift to be treasured!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-48143598488236943602010-09-25T13:27:00.013+12:002010-09-25T15:05:09.163+12:00

I am feeling strangely at odds with my paintings at the moment. This is not a sudden thing because, now that I stop to think about it, I have been a bit 'lost' for quite a while!I feel that I want to branch out and experiment, that I should 'move on' from representational renderings to something a bit more original and expressive. Although I don't think my paintings are exactly 'photographic',

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-90287286822282047882010-09-20T11:08:00.003+12:002010-09-23T21:21:30.600+12:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-26485327809856657602010-09-03T18:06:00.004+12:002010-11-07T17:00:50.234+13:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-10812765613785681602010-07-18T15:39:00.006+12:002010-08-02T14:49:37.521+12:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-64245148224143259462010-06-24T17:19:00.003+12:002010-08-02T14:51:45.125+12:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-20199021382527799242010-05-19T16:04:00.003+12:002010-08-02T14:52:06.589+12:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-599522093080356372010-05-06T11:30:00.005+12:002010-08-02T14:52:27.316+12:00

I decided to go with oil pastels, after much thought, because I really want to try them out on canvas. I have only done one 12" x 12" canvas in this medium before. I am using Caran d'Ache Neopastels and I have about 18 colours altogether, although I did not use all of them for this painting!I started off with a base layer then followed up with further layers of various colours appliying them very

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-10163297826707932022010-05-03T14:15:00.007+12:002010-08-02T14:54:13.345+12:00

This morning I've been blocking in the base colours in acrylic ........ quite roughly! Now I must take a break and decide which avenue to take in order to complete the painting .... I have three choices:1. Continue with acrylic washes and glazes.2. Continue in acrylic paint but using a palette knife.3. Complete by overpainting with oil pastels.Choices 1 and 2 have the plus side that I have used

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-83430629411381513122010-05-02T16:10:00.006+12:002010-08-02T14:54:42.491+12:00

I am happy to say that my latest acrylic was accepted for the Hope & Sons Art Awards 2010 Exhibition, being held at The Art Station, Dunedin. 174 paintings were selected from a total of 292 entries from all around the South Island, so the competition was pretty strong! I attended the opening on Friday evening but the place was packed so tight with people it was very difficult to appreciate the

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-51332084749795572382010-04-21T08:37:00.002+12:002010-04-21T08:40:41.780+12:00

Please visit The Fine Art Department to see wonderful work by a group of exceptional artists!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-26574918493518181462010-04-19T08:32:00.011+12:002010-08-02T14:55:19.650+12:00

Here I am with my winning painting! You can see all the winning paintings, plus a selection from all the 91 entries, at PASTEL ARTISTS of NEW ZEALAND (PANZ) Website .......And here I am talking with artist Julie Greig from Wanganui. Julie is an exceptional pastellist and oil painter who has won multiple awards ..... you can read about her and see some of her wonderful paintings by clicking the

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-53627844771833554392010-04-06T11:25:00.007+12:002010-08-02T14:56:21.469+12:00

Stage One:Having gessoed over a 'failed painting' I make a basic drawing using simplified shapes., then start blocking in colours - pretty much making decisions as I go! I put the painting aside while I think about what I want to do next. Stage two:Having laid down the base colours with acrylics, and after several days of procrastination I begin working over them with oil pastels and pens .....

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-48365766947507627292010-04-06T02:22:00.006+12:002010-08-02T14:56:54.536+12:00

After laying in the basic colours with acrylic I've begun working over them with oil pastels and pens ..... this is evolving into a 'mixed media' work!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-61786851501616705762010-03-30T11:34:00.006+13:002010-08-02T14:57:34.720+12:00

Winter Vase (13 x 19 ins)Second PrizeHighly Commendedat"Purely Pastel", Annual National ExhibitionPastel Artists of New Zealand (PANZ)25th March - 17th April 2010Dunedin Historic Railway StationDunedin, New Zealand

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-7483236236744845182010-03-16T16:46:00.006+13:002010-08-02T14:58:06.348+12:00

A new work in progress -Don't know where this will lead but its fun doing something new!!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-79324393649667785002010-02-24T06:24:00.004+13:002010-02-24T06:37:16.305+13:00

Here is a site well worth checking out - 100 Best Places to Appreciate Art Online ! Links to SO MUCH that will enthrall those interested in art ..... galleries, museums, portfolios, artist sites, image collections, reviews, art blogs. ENJOY.

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-73559728823126498162010-02-03T16:29:00.009+13:002010-08-02T15:01:29.287+12:00

In 2001 I painted a small acrylic depicting a 'travellin' man' seated playing his guitar. At the time I was living near Tauranga, North Island, NZ and the painting was bought by a lady for her son (also keen on guitar) as a present.In 2003 we moved to the 'deep South' of the South Island, NZ ........ this is several hundred kms from where the picture was sold. However, this week I received a nice

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-47723034686969377012010-01-23T11:19:00.004+13:002010-08-02T15:01:57.771+12:00

Its fun to be working on something completely different but very frustrating at times! - the painting still does not quite match up to my inner vision!! So must work on it some more.......

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-18887407730246753342010-01-18T11:21:00.004+13:002010-08-02T15:02:25.870+12:00

Bit of a lop-sided photo but my camera battery is running out and so I cannot take a better pic just now!Working in acrylic on canvas, 24" x 36". This is going to be another in the Night Moves series ... the dark silhouette shapes are more or less finished but there is masses to do in the background and foreground. I am not sure yet how I am going to tackle those ... its going to be a matter of

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-13246919217987002292009-12-15T10:32:00.006+13:002010-08-02T15:03:56.049+12:00

Carolyn came round to see her portrait and I was able to have a further look at her .... a few tiny adjustments were necessary after all!!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-87354200835858171392009-12-09T18:37:00.001+13:002010-08-02T15:14:51.013+12:00

I am having a thoroughly hideous week and have been feeling very sorry for myself ..... so what to do? A friend once sent me this and I take it out now and again for an airing .... I keep it because it stops me taking myself too seriously ....DETRITUSGo placidly amid the noise and haste,And remember what peace there may be in silence.Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead,Do not walk in front

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-80646002054235552432009-12-05T07:33:00.005+13:002010-08-02T15:04:40.340+12:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-35985544222501700002009-12-05T06:25:00.017+13:002010-08-02T15:08:30.277+12:00

Intermediate Workshop - what the students producedThursday I tutored another pastel workshop for our local art group, and again there were 9 'students' ... so this month there are 18 more (I hope!) confirmed or converted artists using pastel as a preferred medium! Although this session was intended for people familiar with using pastel several attendees were novices/beginners, and I think they

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-22331807669669021242009-11-27T05:21:00.013+13:002010-08-02T15:09:01.703+12:00

Peter's coastal sceneFrances' beach sceneEva's pepperYesterday I tutored a Pastel Workshop for Beginners for the East Otago Art Group. We held it in a local Church Hall and had a lovely productive day. Of the nine participants most were complete beginners in the use of pastel and at least two had only just begun to draw and paint in the past couple of weeks, ... I think the work that they

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-6271984167052783072009-11-22T19:27:00.004+13:002010-08-02T15:10:08.764+12:00

Just could not leave this alone until I felt if was right ... now I am happy with her!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-45766828330420386772009-11-22T01:08:00.005+13:002010-08-02T15:10:31.892+12:00

CarolynRenaissance woman meets the 21st Century (Pastel)

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-5991388466920152592009-11-21T11:21:00.006+13:002010-08-02T15:11:39.436+12:00

I've worked on this some more today and, although the changes that have been made are fairly subtle there have been quite a lot! ....... and overall I think that the likeness is closer to the real Carolyn. For better or worse I think that the time has come to STOP fiddling! CarolynRenaissance woman meets the 21st Century (Pastel)

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-88531476288255317532009-11-20T22:22:00.004+13:002010-08-02T15:12:14.032+12:00

Carolyn (Pastel)I just had to try this painting today ... I have been wanting to do it for a long time and suddenly found myself in the mood to try!! I am not sure whether I have captured the strangely exotic look of this Irish lass or not, - she is completely unique!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-77531190255810969382009-11-14T00:07:00.006+13:002010-08-02T15:12:53.852+12:00

I sometimes 'teach' a small class some basic tips on painting with pastels .... and I often worry that I am not really equipped for the task! All I really attempt is to pass on some of the positive and negatives that I have encountered in the hope that I can help others to enjoy working with this wonderful medium.So I was interested to find food for thought with regard to 'teaching art' from

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-59359114387918969762009-11-06T04:01:00.007+13:002010-08-02T15:16:16.745+12:00

Old Post Office, WaikouaitiLast weekend I attended a Drawing/Painting workshop with artist tutor, Friederike Schmaltz of Dunedin. Landscape or buildings come pretty low on my list of favorite subjects to paint BUT, for that very reason, I felt that I sorely needed the discipline of some instruction and practice!Morning One ... having met up with the seven other attendees we went out and about in

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-9148621368968086292009-10-29T13:24:00.011+13:002010-08-02T15:17:56.943+12:00

Me, Gill and Di Gill, Jill and meMonday saw the "fab four" back in Invercargill to visit the Anderson Park Gallery for the last day of their Annual Exhibition .... 7 paintings out of the 15 we entered between us were selected for inclusion (sadly this included only one of mine!). It was a very interesting display and we thoroughly enjoyed looking and discussing the works on display.Again we

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-72089360581997151362009-10-20T10:34:00.005+13:002010-08-02T15:18:31.859+12:00

Shearers #3(Acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12")Shearers #1, 2, 3

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-37561725433466937102009-10-17T07:31:00.002+13:002009-10-17T07:38:15.839+13:00

Here are some words of wisdom from Robert Genn's latest weekly newsletter. He really is an excellent source of inspiration and encouragement! "Don't assume there is only one way. Don't assume that mistakes are a bad thing. Don't think for one minute that everyone agrees with what "good" is. Don't fall into the trap of thinking perfection is attainable or even desirable. Don't assume the existence

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-60980686768129997382009-10-10T07:39:00.005+13:002010-08-02T15:19:43.445+12:00

The Shearers #2(12" x 12", Acrylic)This is number two of the series ... just about finished, I think. Maybe a few final little touches to do. I will leave it on view for a few days as I find that helps me to spot areas that need something done to them!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-63930813193474000302009-09-29T15:19:00.013+13:002010-08-02T15:20:36.310+12:00

This week I was disappointed to hear that only one of the four paintings I'd submitted for the 2009 Anderson Park Gallery Exhibition in Invercargill, Southland, had been selected - this pastel painting called Winter Vase (the three 'unsuccessful' paintings were all acrylics).However, one really good thing about the exhibition is that it involved 3 painting buddies and myself taking 15

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-86409687978975532412009-09-06T08:34:00.004+12:002010-08-02T15:21:21.300+12:00

From the Pig Route, Otago

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-73201509105007099842009-08-08T00:36:00.006+12:002010-08-02T15:22:48.879+12:00

golden days(mixed media on canvas)

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-11434012132629929532009-08-04T16:57:00.003+12:002010-08-02T15:23:24.569+12:00

I'm working in thin washes of pure acrylice colour ... layering them quite wetly over the textured surfaces and allowing colour to run and pool in places. Around 5 layers added so far. I have still not quite decided on what is going to be the dominant colour.But I'm quite happy with progress and am enjoying the process ... its fun to play!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-39705840750584537122009-08-02T06:32:00.008+12:002010-08-02T15:25:36.959+12:00

Been thinking about trying mixed media collage again for some time now, and in the last few days a couple of ideas sprang to mind. Its great to actually feel enthusiasm for a project after such a long time in the desert!I am working from a similar 'hymn sheet' to "Not Fade Away" - which was only my second effort incorporating collage elements, the first one being "Life can be delicious"FIRST

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-3210324287950355602009-07-27T17:08:00.007+12:002010-08-02T15:26:19.478+12:00

On Saturday our local art group held a 'Drop-in and Draw Day' at our village Bowling Club. From 10.00 until 15.30 enthusiastic scribblers came to try their hand at various drawing challenges. These included a couple of complex still-lifes and the chance to try their hands at portraits of their fellow artists, some of whom willingly sat for varying periods of time for us. I went along for a short

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-61525671618092724702009-07-16T13:03:00.006+12:002010-08-02T15:28:21.265+12:00

Well its about finished .... had to get out of my comfort zone and work fast as it must be delivered to the exhibition venue by Sunday. I hope that it is selected for entry as the Edinburgh Art Awards, Dunedin are getting to be quite a big event. The photograph has some glare showing around her midriff which does not show in 'real life' .... but you can get the general idea.I am reasonably

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-60238353059497171592009-07-10T22:12:00.009+12:002010-08-02T15:30:15.129+12:00

Its a funny old world ... a new painting started after all these weeks ........ and I tricked myself into it!! I went with a friend to hand in his wife's entry form for an imminent Art Award Exhibition and thought "Well, I suppose I could put in an entry too...."So in went my entry complete with Title, Medium and Price!Now all I have to do is complete the painting within the next couple of weeks.

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-46009400094432060662009-06-15T15:16:00.011+12:002010-08-02T15:45:51.157+12:00

I'm booked to attend a figure drawing workshop next month (July) with artist John Badcock. I had not seen anything about him until recently but a look around his website is both startling and intriguing!From Wikipedia John Badcock is a New Zealand artist, based in Geraldine, South Canterbury. Badcock comes from a very artistic family. His father Douglas Badcock and two brothers Brian and David

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-4607740185810776592009-06-01T11:20:00.004+12:002009-06-01T11:50:54.513+12:00

Just haven't been able to concentrate long enough to do any artwork recently but I've decided that it is time to GET A GRIP! Maybe by fiddling about with small things I will eventually get back to more serious projects .....Pencil sketching from photographs might be one way to work myself back into painting again ... and this first one was done in about half an hour at the dining room table. I'd

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-88718072833427312092009-02-03T15:01:00.004+13:002010-08-02T15:55:20.741+12:00

'burning bright'(acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12")

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-20141919058607985682008-12-27T14:44:00.005+13:002010-08-02T15:56:01.415+12:00

Mary, sister of our hostess, kindly sat for us one afternoonMary (pastel sketch, 2008)

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-36865601964044318762008-12-27T14:10:00.007+13:002010-08-02T15:56:31.821+12:00

St Bathans - Part of main street (just beyond the local hostelry!) St Bathans blue lake - big water, big skies Old mine castings nearby- derelict but once 2,500 people lived and worked here!Our jolly group of artists enjoy lunch and some liquid refreshmentAnne Wright's studio - and a lovely venue for painting in!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-39045163334157695522008-11-10T12:41:00.006+13:002010-08-02T15:57:27.439+12:00

This weekend I am off inland to Maniototo area in Central Otago, to a tiny place called ST BATHANS:"Beneath the Hawkdun Range and the Dunstan Mountains is the tiny township of St Bathans. With a present population of 5 people and one hotel, it is a far cry from the days of 2000 people and 13 hotels. Situated beside the beautiful Blue Lake (created by the sluicing and channelling of the gold

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-90308707167687827202008-11-05T12:48:00.014+13:002010-08-02T16:04:02.577+12:00

Madeleine McCann - missing since 3rd May====================================----- Original Message ----- To: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2008 9:58 AMSubject: FAO Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary: Madeleine McCann Enquiry Dear Madam I am a British national living abroad who has concerns regarding some serious allegations made public in Dr Gonçalo Amaral's book " A

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-8806149131621390802008-10-17T08:35:00.004+13:002010-08-02T16:09:06.089+12:00

1941 - 2008Remembered always with love

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-10890049895135159082008-10-10T14:39:00.005+13:002010-08-02T16:08:31.557+12:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-47664376002274270472008-10-09T08:43:00.004+13:002010-08-02T16:07:55.873+12:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-74730276798309095752008-10-05T15:31:00.003+13:002010-08-02T16:07:23.746+12:00

Well this is proving far more labour intensive than I expected .... but then doesn't everything once you get started! The hydrangea florets are proving a real pain ... I'm trying not to make them photo-realistic, but it is so difficult to know exactly how much detail to go into! I am not entirely satisfied with them but am moving onwards (downwards, that is!) and will review them later.

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-72008056424743070862008-10-01T10:18:00.007+13:002010-08-02T16:06:49.405+12:00

I have been asked to demonstrate at three pastel workshops over October/November and, as I have hardly touched my pastels in over a year, I thought it about time I got them out and had a bit of a practice!But what subject to choose?That glass vase of hydrangeas still beckons and it would be interesting to tackle them in pastel as well as in acrylic (see previous post).PASTEL VERSION - making a

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-46686745790744405152008-09-22T10:16:00.006+12:002010-08-02T16:06:01.527+12:00

Settling in for the long haul on this, I think!!!! Painting in thin glazes to build up colour and shapes which takes quite a long time. Wish I was a bold and splashy painter .... but its impossible to change ones natural approach. Well I find it so! I also wish that I could hold a camera straight when taking pics ...... LOL!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-59741931433669095162008-09-16T10:11:00.006+12:002010-08-02T16:05:23.592+12:00

Really had to pull myself together and begin another project ....Last autumn a friend gave me a bunch of hydrangeas from her garden - beautiful! So, although I rarely paint flowers, I decided that the colours in these lovely blooms might inspire ....STAGE ONE1. Canvas 16" x 20": This was tinted by wetting with water and dropping in the three primary colours. These were then swirled together a

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-49283092924567778992008-08-31T21:36:00.007+12:002010-08-02T16:04:44.963+12:00

Our lovely daughter Melanie (seen here on a visit to Budapest) will be running a half-marathon in UK in aid of the Marie Curie Foundation on 12th October 2008. This is the first time that she has ever done a distance run and she is doing it to help in the fight against cancer.Please take a look at her web-page HERE! ... and perhaps even make a small donation to help her towards her goal of

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-38353385202904576582008-07-10T15:55:00.007+12:002010-08-02T16:02:54.022+12:00

Village du SudMixed media on canvas (20" x 16")My objective with this painting was to create an impressionistic image with plenty of texture. Click on the photo to view an enlargement and see more clearly what I was up to! I am quite pleased with the result ... it's pretty much what I had hoped to achieve.

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-19998074780869356942008-07-03T14:57:00.006+12:002010-08-02T16:02:29.322+12:00

Last week I was browsing through some art books and found (and bought) this very interesting one:Title: The PASTEL BOOK - Materials and Techniques for Today's ArtistAuthor: Bill Creevy (1991)Publishing details: Watson-Guptill Publications, New York ISBN 0-8230-3905-6As you might expect from the title the book covers every aspect of using pastels

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-53835761577045644802008-07-03T14:45:00.006+12:002010-08-02T16:01:15.131+12:00

Well another sale! .... my recent acrylic painting of a nude has sold. I renamed it 'Solitude' and entered it into the Otago Art Society's Member Exhibition in Dunedin. A lady came in looking for a small watercolour and bought my canvas instead!Another piece of good news is that my 'Tips for Acrylic Painting', together with one of my acrylic painting demonstrations, can now be viewed at Creative

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-42764401745831361512008-05-26T13:26:00.007+12:002010-08-02T16:00:31.204+12:00

Well, in spite of it being a cold, wet and grey day yesterday I'm happy to say that our local Head to Head Art Tour was very successful! Participants reported a good number of visitors during the course of the day, doors opening at 10am and closing at 5 pm, and a steady stream of people.I had over 80 visitors come to view my work (+ a toddler and one dog!), and the interest and comments were very

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-26458227122132038052008-04-27T19:10:00.006+12:002010-08-02T15:59:44.548+12:00

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-21727329899848090192008-04-23T16:23:00.005+12:002010-08-02T15:59:11.476+12:00

My biggest problem has always been lack of spontaneity in my painting. I try too hard and work over things too much. So today I set myself the task of completing a picture in under 3 hours. Admittedly it has been drawn up for days and the canvas had been stained in readiness .... and still staring at me from my easel!So this afternoon, while the OH was away at golf, I got out my brushes, etc and

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-20903448845804090952008-04-13T07:27:00.011+12:002010-08-02T15:58:26.624+12:00

I have never been much good at sport and from an early age realised that prowess in the field was not for me. Netball, hockey, tennis, it was 'no go' ... I could never make the team! In athletics I couldn't run or jump, in gymnastics I was terrified of handstands, flick-flacks and walking a beam! As for swimming I just about mastered the breaststroke but hated the crawl and refused to learn to

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-15058234142915684652008-04-04T16:26:00.009+13:002010-08-02T15:57:58.636+12:00

Well here's a bit of news (hope you are there, Shez and Jafabrit!) .... as I am posting about a forthcoming venture AND announcing my new 'gallery' space.First of all there will be an exciting event in May when a group of more than 20 local artists are getting together for a 'Head to Head Art Tour'. The artists all live within the vicinity of the bay which runs between the heads of the Matanaka

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-87864131713400236532008-04-03T15:54:00.007+13:002010-08-02T16:09:55.721+12:00

Two of my paintings sold last month after quite a dry spell - one an abstract, the other impressionistic in style. "Rhythms" sold at The Art Station, Dunedin and "Shell Seeker" sold at a fund raising auction in aid of the Port Chalmers Rowing Club.'Rhythms' 12 x 12 ins Acrylic on canvas'Shell Seeker' 12 x 8 insPastel

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-84209554335891240822008-03-29T16:46:00.003+13:002008-03-29T17:01:49.539+13:00

I haven't been able to edit either of my blogs' layout recently due to problems with Blogger Layout page. This has been going on for several weeks and AT LAST I have found out what was causing the problem .... many months ago I added a scrolling bar feature to the top of this blog (a rather nice banner showing a selection of my paintings) and apparently it was this that was preventing the Edit

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-9467258245960760092008-02-18T21:43:00.003+13:002008-02-18T21:56:56.305+13:00

The Lawn Bowls season will be coming to an end in about a month's time and I hope to be blown away by new ideas and a desire to get painting!!! Meanwhile, I have at least had a good tidy-up of my work space! Well, its a start .............

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-78923101749455361222008-01-19T07:51:00.001+13:002010-08-02T16:10:37.497+12:00

In a recent comment artist friend, Philip Edson, wondered whether my paintbrushes were going rusty as it has been so long since I did any artwork ... (rude boy!). Well, it just so happens that I've been de-rusting them this past week .......flutterAcrylic collage (12 x 12 ins)

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-89156563936931496072008-01-19T07:24:00.001+13:002010-08-02T16:12:05.720+12:00

Thought it high time that I started up my blog posts again .... I know I've been very remiss about it for the past few weeks! Two little bits of news to start off the year ........ firstly there is this great new RESOURCE online from Creative Spotlite: - the ART INSTRUCTION BLOG which has masses of links to all sorts of useful information on different media, art instruction and demonstrations,

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-35097194193935544282007-12-22T08:10:00.001+13:002010-08-02T16:14:08.036+12:00

To my artist friends and visitors to my blogWishing you all aVERY HAPPY CHRISTMASand plenty ofGOOD THINGS in 2008plus a big Thank You for your support this past year

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-32905244239355933872007-12-06T08:34:00.001+13:002010-08-02T16:15:49.167+12:00

Sunshine in a Pot(Pastel)The dinner and auction in aid of the Oamaru Opera House Restoration Fund took place last Friday and was reportedly very well attended. My painting did not quite achieve the price I had hoped for but it was not too far off. The fund and I share the proceeds 50-50, a win-win situation!

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-27085370469671717712007-11-18T22:54:00.000+13:002007-11-18T23:14:51.928+13:00

I hate to have to admit it but I am completely blocked at the moment .... not even the teeniest speck of inspiration on the horizon, no enthusiasm, nothing. When I try to organise myself to start something new my ideas just seems hackneyed or derivative. I feel that I am wading through glue!What a state to get into! All I can do is ride it out and hope that sooner or later I will be inspired and

leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08770514485765034217noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19641191.post-6012545760195397842007-11-14T07:55:00.001+13:002010-08-02T16:17:41.383+12:00

2007 City of Dunedin Art Awards ExhibitionOtago Art SocietyThe Art StationDunedinNovember 11 - December 22007 Locations Art AwardsQueenstown Art SocietyCnr Ballarat & Stanley StreetsQueenstownNovember 17 - December 210am - 4 pm dailyRenaissance Pre-Auction Exhibition(in aid of the Oamaru Opera House Restoration Project)The Forrester Gallery9 Thames StreetOamaruNovember 9 - November 3010.30 am -

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