Happy New Year!

Albeit a little late . . . .

After a long sojourn across the pond with family for the festivities, it’s good to be back in the saddle. Pop the kettle on and put your feet up and let’s have a catch up.

It was great fun in the US where I spent most of the time chasing my gorgeous granddaughter Freya round in circles – her favourite game! At 2 1/2 she’s a ball of energy. At considerably older – I’m not! Since being back I’ve been working on my new website. Hope you like it! https://pennygerman.com/ but let me know if you spot anything iffy.

One of my (many!) NY resolutions (apart from the obvious weight-loss, teetotaling nonsense which generally lasts no more than a week) is to do more small oil sketches, so you should be hearing from me more often with some paintings to peruse. I’ve missed these little fellas but was caught up with gallery and exhibition work all of last year. I still am but am resolved to get some more small oil sketches done as they are a great discipline and keep me connected to you all. I also miss the cyclical nature of seasonal subject matter so will be following mother nature through the year as she definitely feeds into my creativity.

It’s important for me to always paint with passion and doing ‘dailies’ was beginning to feel like a chore……..just getting one done to blog or a commission. ’Authenticity’ is a bit of a buzzword among artists at the moment and I’m on it! It’s the most important route to producing good work, staying true to oneself and constantly evolving.

So, I intend to paint small ones when and where I can and offer these up via my blog along with plein-air work and, since many of you paint, my working process. I’ll also have offers from the studio. Thought that might grab your attention :). Sometimes, I need a clear-out in the studio so I shall be offering you the chance to buy larger works at a much-reduced price. In the meantime, the small oil sketches will have to see an increase, more in line with what I sell for elsewhere. I hope you will understand that I have to eat! There are so many huge costs and outlays in an art business, people often look at the finished painting price and don’t realise the hidden costs involved they just imagine it’s time alone and a few bob on materials. Hmmm.

If you’re not already subscribed to my blog, hop on over to https://pennygerman.com/blog/ and sign up to see offers and small paintings as they are finished. Here’s one to get the ball rolling

If you’re interested in workshops, I’m pleased to say I’ll be holding a three-day (optional days) still life boot-camp! This will take place from 1st to 3rd April at Yardley Arts Centre, in Northamptonshire. It’s a fabulous venue and my course is designed to introduce you to oils. If you’re already familiar with oils don’t worry you can just do the second and third day if you prefer but it will really be a good grounding. Hop on over to the link above and see the details.

So, I look forward to keeping up with you in 2019. It’s always nice to hear what you’re up to (painting or otherwise) so do feel free to respond to my emails. Other ways of keeping up with me are Instagram: @pennygerman, Facebook: Penny German Art or Pinterest: Penny German ARBSA. I also do a less frequent newsletter and you can sign up via my new website here https://pennygerman.com/