Clementines and baubles

Hi everyone, it’s been a while I know.  Busy, busy.

I did this quick little oil sketch last week before the clementines leave the shops and the baubles go back in the attic.  I’ve been doing a few new Christmas card images for next year – how organised is that?!

I also wanted to tell you about the workshop I’m running in April.  It’s a three-day boot camp where we really get to grips with oil painting/still life.  Do email me back if you’d like more information or go to my website https://pennygerman.com/workshops/.   There are only a few places left so don’t delay.  If you’d like a slightly more advanced workshop, I’ll be running ‘Loosen up in oils – still life’ as a one-day workshop in June – just waiting for the date to be agreed.  This is for people who already paint but find their work tightening up too much – something I struggled with for a long time.  If that’s not enough for you, there’s my week-long painting holiday on the Canal du Midi in the south of France in September where we’ll be painting en plein air with a little still life thrown in if there’s inclement weather at all.  Do let me know if you’d like more information.

20x20cm oil on canvasboard

20x20cm oil on canvas board

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Hydrangea in blue vase

I’m just packing up to fly home from Cyprus after a few days painting…….glorious.  I thought I’d just post this as I haven’t blogged for a while.  This was the very last of my lovely autumnal hydrangeas.  After this, they go a bit too red and a little bit crispy but I’ve been following @arthurparkinson on Instagram and he shows how to keep them going for longer.  Roll on next year.

Lots of fun in Cyprus but if you’d like to hear or see more, it’s best to sign up for my newsletter which is no doubt going to be late this month!!

20x20cm oil on canvasboard

 

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Damsons in a coffee cup

I’ve been on something of a damson odyssey lately.  Every time I think I’ll paint something else, I spot them fallen on the lane in our village when I’m walking the dog.  I just get seduced by that blue bloom and I’m hooked.  Oh go on then, just one more.  Bubba looks at me with disdain.

Thank you to all those who came to see me when I had Open Studios, it was lovely to meet you and/or see you again and I was overwhelmed by the sales – it makes me think I’m doing something right and enables me to keep doing what I love. If you’d like a more newsy posting, do sign up for my monthly newsletter which you can do here 

So now, I think we’ve seen the last of those damsons along with pretty much everything else Mother Nature has on offer for the autumn but my Cafe au Lait dahlias are still going strong so I might be tempted.  Anyway, here’s possibly the last damson painting for 2019 but never say never right??

 

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Cherries and spotty jug

 

Hi there.  I’m having a bit of an admin day today as a) I’m just back from Aldeburgh and am sooo tired especially after yesterday’s heat and b) I’ve had my nails done!  It doesn’t happen very often and white spirit and nail polish are not a great combo.  Professional or what?

Aldeburgh was great fun and I said adieu to several of my favourite paintings so that’ll be me back to the drawing board next week.  The trouble with Aldeburgh is there are just sooooo many nice things to eat, it’s a job to hold back!  I didn’t.

I’ve got a few weeks exhibition free now so maybe time to restock the galleries and perhaps even do battle with the weeds in the garden which just seem to let out their rallying cry whenever I go away.  I have to say, they’re the victors.

Here’s a little cream and cherries, done at Childwickbury Arts Fair last week and has a summery theme.

cherries and spotty jug 9454

20x20cm oil on canvasboard

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Beaujolais Sweetpeas

After a long radio-silence, I thought I’d kick off your weekend by popping into your inbox and saying hello. Blogging has taken a back seat lately as I’ve been busy finishing gallery work (and going on holiday if I’m honest!). Spent a fabulous week in Kefalonia which was the most stunning setting and do you think I brought my paints? Of course not so I’ll just have to go back. I came home to get set for Childwickbury Arts Fair last weekend which was fabulous fun as always and I’d like to welcome all my new readers and thank you for trusting me with your email address! We never give out your details to third parties and you can unsubscribe any time you get fed up with my drivel. Scroll down for photos.
Next week I’ll be in Aldeburgh with my good friend and all round amazing artist Lesley Dabson. We’ll be hanging out at the Aldeburgh Gallery from 18th-24th or if you happen to be there, you might catch us out painting on the beach. If you’re around, do pop in and see us. I’ve been painting the stinkiest of sardines this week on a seaside them in readiness. Eeeuch!
That’s all for now. Here’s a little sketch I did whilst at Childwickbury. My garden is full of these beauties.

20x20cm oil on canvasboard


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France and Pheasant’s eye

Hi all. I’m just back from France where I had a fab time painting with friends. We got up to all sorts of mischief and jollities but mostly painting. Some of us (not I) managed five paintings a day. Can’t keep up with that I’m afraid! The weather wasn’t brilliant and strong winds were trying their best to impede our progress but we’re a pretty hardened lot. The area is beautiful and besides painting the countryside and the canal, we were able to paint in a garden on the canal where I found a fabulous old Piaggio van which was well past its sell-by date.

The canal was beautiful and the village (Le Somail) is known for its beautiful bridge


Breton stripes abound!

The house we stayed in is beautiful – here’s the website in case you feel the need to go

Anyway, enough of all that. I arrived back to an explosion of colour in the garden and no time to paint. I managed a quick sketch of the last of the Pheasant’s Eye in the borders and started a large one of some Queen of the Night which will have to be finished later. Note to self: don’t book two long trips in May next year!! Still, I’ll be back for the roses. I’m off to Washington tomorrow to be ‘Granny’ – my second-favourite job. In the meantime, here’s the Pheasant’s Eye and I’ll be in touch when I get back in three weeks. Enjoy the sunshine……..when it arrives.

20x20cm oil on gessoboard

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Fruit bowl

It’s Friday!! Nearly Easter so I shall be heading north next week for a family visit, taking some friends, walking, scoffing and a bit of painting thrown in if I have my way.
I’ve been working on gallery work but last week I had a great workshop with a lovely group over three days! Exhausting but fun and they did some great work. Here’s my effort which I made as a demo for them. I’ve been working on my next little one and taking progress shots so hoping to give you a bit of an insight into how I work but in the meantime, here’s a little fruit cocktail for you. Have a wonderful Easter!

9436 fruit bowl

20cm x 20cm oil on canvasboard

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Cornishware and lemons

Ooooh, I have been enjoying this weather but it sends me into a panic with everything I want to paint coming on thick and fast. I’ll show you what I’ve been doing below but firstly, here’s a little one to take you into the weekend. I’m in summer mode I think.

20x20cm oil on canvasboard

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So anyway, I’ve had a bit of a pash this week for Magnolia Stellata, a somewhat gorgeous example of which is growing in my neighbours garden. After a couple of days of coveting over the fence, I had permission to scrump. So I’ve done these two and since Jobbers is away, I’ve managed to finish these two, one of which is a monster, in the week! I have to admit to a bit of a pash for these Fired Earth tiles too and I found this lovely old toolbox in a local bric-a-brac shop. Now you know where my money goes.

Yes, ok, so the last one is Ranunculus but I slipped it in there for good measure.

Anyway, that’s my week done. Off to Waitrose for some weekend goodies since everyone’s coming home. Happy Mother’s Day all you heroine’s of the bedtime stories.

Garlic

Well, I’ve just about recovered from Surrey Art Fair which was great fun with good sales but boy…….exhausting! Loved being in a little ‘enclave’ with painting pals. We did a lot of giggling and sharing of all things chocolate and were able to watch each others’ stands when the obligatory wee was required. I stayed in a sweet little airbnb up the road which I had to myself so at close of day didn’t need to speak………not that I could!
Anyway, onwards and upwards. I’ve just been out to buy painting subjects for the weekend from the wholesaler so that’s me – holed-up for the next two days whilst you all enjoy some R&R. Not sure I thought it through properly so I’ve got a job on my hands to paint them before they die. Still, Jobbers is away so the house is empty bar me so I can make a rare old mess in the kitchen prepping panels and eating when I like. Bliss.
So, before I hit you with my flower bomb, here’s some good old garlic – always a great subject, panders to my obsession with whites and doesn’t wilt. Have a lovely weekend.

20x20cm oil on canvasboard

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Cherry blossom

I’ve been a little bit captivated of late by Monty Don in Japan. I’d love to see the cherry blossom but having to make do with a gorgeous tree in our village which heralds the very beginnings of spring each year. The owners kindly let me pinch a bit so I did this little oil sketch and then worked on a larger one for Surrey Contemporary Art Fair which is next weekend (let me know if you’d like a complimentary ticket).
Anyway, happy International Women’s Day to all you lovely people, regardless of gender (or not?)

cherry blossom 10951

20cmx20cm oil on canvasboard

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