Rachael

Above: Rachael, a portrait
2013
A digital finger painting
This image has been watermarked.

When nature mimics art

Les (my partner) and I were in North Devon last weekend for a family celebration, which took place at the Broomhills Art Hotel, near Barnstaple. Owned by Mr and Mrs van de Sande who have a passion for art, the hotel accommodates a beautiful sculpture park-garden and a gallery of wonderful contemporary art. 

To find out more about the Broomhills Art Hotel, click here :

http://www.broomhillart.co.uk/sculpturegardens/picture-tour.html 

Below: When nature mimics art

Les and I enjoying the sunshine and the sculpture at the Broomhills Art Hotel. 

Blue Hat and Red Lipstick

Above : Blue Hat and Red Lipstick 2013

A digital finger painting

There was a wonderful documentary last night on the BBC about the work of fashion photographer Erwin Blumenfeld. The documentary coincides with an exhibition now on at the Courtauld Institute in London and another exhibition later this year at the Louvre in Paris.

My painting is clearly a nod in the direction of Blumenfeld and in particular his picture of Babe Paley :

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Blumenfeld himself often did covers of works by other artists:

Above : a take by Blumenfeld of (below) Vermeer's Girl with the Pearl Earring

And below: Venus by Erwin Blumenfeld - an obvious cover of The Birth of Venus by Botticelli.

And the photo below by Blumenfeld has echoes of The Girl in the Red Hat by Kees van Dongen (further below) :

Above : Kees van Dongen The Girl in the Red Hat

I'm a big fan of Kees van Dongen and when I first started painting again in 2010, after a long break of several years, I did my own version of this portrait, which I posted in March 2010. My painting (in mixed media on paper) has since sold.

In my Mini

Above: In My Mini
May 2013
A digital finger painting (this image has been watermarked).

My Lovely Dress

Above: My Lovely Dress
May 2013
a digital finger painting
This image has been watermarked.

Les and I got married on Monday and this is the dress I wore.
We had lovely weather: blue skies and spring sunshine.
There's a portrait of Les too further below: looking dapper in his wedding suit and tie.
Les says this painting of me
reminds him of Craigie Aitchison's work.
I'm happy with that as I am a fan of Aitchison's work.

Below:
Cyprus Tree and Dog 
by Craigie Aitchison RA (1926-2009)

I love Roaul Dufy's paintings too and I think that also shows here, maybe.

Below:
Course à Longchamp (1924)
by Roaul Dufy (1877-1953)
Oil on canvas