2015 All Wrapped Up.

Well that's it!
2015 is nearly over, all wrapped up and put away.
How was it for you?
Did 2015 deliver? Was the past year a success or a failure, or as for most of us a bit of both?
I thought I would share with you my 2015, both painting wise and personally.

Story in a Painting.

I like a painting with a story. It's satisfying to see a great picture but it's even more interesting to discover that there's a story behind it.

For me the best ones are when you don't really know what's going on, and you have to make up the narrative for yourself.

Mary Kemp
Chance Encounter
SOLD

I see a lot of things happening on the beach, people seem less conscious of being watched. One September morning I observed these two men walking on the water's edge , looking at the sea as it gently flowed in and out, quite oblivious to the women walking towards them. She stopped when she reached them, they made as if to step out of her way, and then she talked to them, before carrying on, smiling.
I don't know what was said. It is a mystery to me and will always remain so.

What I Would Like For Christmas 2015.

After a lot of thought I have decided what I would really like for Christmas. (Family please take note!)

The thing I'd most like for Christmas is a brush that doesn't need washing. One that I could use  time and time again with the previous colours  never muddying the current colour. I suppose it would have to be a brush that immediately sheds paint when you want it to and always retains an elegant responsive shape and doesn't needed charging with the colour  when you're using it.

Could it replace all these brushes???

It would have the smoothness of the finest Kolinsky sable brush and the sturdiness of a properly dressed, finest quality hog brush with superior firmness and flagged ends for control and blending.

With such a brush no cleaning would be involved, no smelly turps, no swirly water that needs changing every ten minutes, and no rags or bits of kitchen paper.

Of course this wonderful brush has not been invented yet, but I live in a family with a rich engineering and scientific background so I have high hopes!

Otherwise a cd of The Beatles Sergeant Pepper album to listen to while I paint will do very nicely, thank you.

Painting on the Easel

I am not ashamed to admit I am struggling a bit with this painting.
The idea is as clear as a bell in my head as to what I want to achieve but it's just not working.
The painting is of the four children standing, looking at me, still and watchful, and the more I add to it, the worse it gets, so that lovely still enigmatic quality is swiftly being lost.
I think tomorrow I shall have to start again. I'm just getting mired in the detail now.
But meanwhile here are some snippets which are ok in themselves.