Days in the Studio as Christmas Approaches.

This time of year as Christmas approaches I struggle with light levels in grey old England. I can't imagine how those in the land of the midnight sun fair over winter. It fills me with a whisper of glumness that sneaks into my days and settles in my lap at about tea time.

I long for the summer to come along and wake me up with bright sunlight.

My studio suffers from light inconsistencies this time of year. I may moan about low light levels but when the sun does shine it ricochets in through the window straight across the painting I'm working on, splashing light and shadows everywhere making it hard to judge colour and tone.

So I put up paper blinds on the window (I find the thin paper that comes between the sheets of glass for my husbands picture framing business ideal for that) and get a lovely diffused light. Then the sun goes in and my studio is plunged into an  underwater world, leading to blinds up and lights on.

I'm amazed how I actually get any work done with all this housekeeping.

Low light in November © Mary Kemp

I'm working on a few things at the moment, exploring landscape and seascape, finding them as often as not peopled by those I know.
I have a lot of material from summer to draw upon, saved up for the time of year when I don't want to be out and about. Memories, watercolour sketches , line drawings and photos. I installed daylight bulbs in the studio so there's no excuse. I've just got to get on with it!
Watch this space.......

They Tell Me I Need a Cyber Sale

Pre Christmas Sale on Etsy Dear Seaside Friends, We're getting excited about Christmas. They tell me I need a cyber sale! So I'm sharing it with you. It's only on for a short time. Mary's Cyber Sale!!! Tuesday 20th to Monday 26th November. 20% OFF EVERYTHING Go to www.marykempstudio.etsy.com Here's some of what you'll see. Lots of prints!! Lots of small paintings! And some very special seaside paintings! See you there! www.marykempstudio.etsy.com Best wishes Mary xx

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Bittersweet Inspiration

Today I'm sharing with you the bittersweet inspiration for a series of paintings I've rather grimly called  "Long Lost Days" which keeps growing and growing as I add to it. © Mary Kemp "Three Brothers" Oil on canvas 30 x 30 cm  They've come about from the fact that I  was sort of sad when my children grew up and left home. Not that I didn't want them to fly the nest. But, you know, no matter how much your brain tells you it's the way it should be and you've done a great job, your heart feels a little bit empty. © Mary Kemp "Girl With Bird" Oil on canvas 30 x 30 cm © Mary Kemp "Blustery Walk After Tea" Oil on board. Like most parents I'd been so busy battling through the everyday that I hadn't realised how precious  those days were until they were gone. Now I realise that part of my life is behind me. I still see my children and their families often but I am a bit player  instead of the main protagonist. And with that comes great benefits! No more organising trips, making sure everyone is fed and watered, and worrying about inappropriate clothing. The buck no longer stops with me. My children are adults and their children are their responsibility. In fact if I play my cards right someone else might take on responsibility for me and make sure I have everything I need. (fat chance!) But one of the great advantages of this state is that now I can truly observe life because I am no longer on duty. When my children were little I ached to paint them, incorporate them into my paintings. Now it's my grandchildren who take their places, and some look so like their parents. I've been painting this current series of paintings for about 2 years now, and it took me a while to realise that they were really scenes from the past, not the present day. I suppose it is my way of adjusting to circumstances. I called this series "Long Lost Days" but I think it's a bit maudlin so I have settled for " Beach Paintings" for the time being. The series has grown and grown, scenes and couples added to it, so much so I've created a whole new shop for it on Etsy, and included some of the paintings as prints. Here's the link! and here too. And especially for you is a  discount code . Just type in SEASIDEFRIENDS at checkout for a 15% discount. Happy seaside days !