The Olden Days Part iii

Here, is where I would like to live. Walking out under big skies with a dog. Victorian water-colours. Funny how the older you get the more you turn to the things you would never have considered appreciating. These Victorian Water-colours for example. I love them. Not because they are the most beautifully executed little paintings with dabs of white gouache and the occasional pencil mark but because I can see how time has faded the paper and transformed it. If you look at the edges, where the mount has protected the paint and paper from sunlight, the colours are far more vibrant than in the center.

The Olden Days Part ii

As I get older I want a decent photo of myself, not for vanity, just that I usually look a mess. But if I ever needed a photo, which one would I use? One of me in a tight fitting T-shirt with food stains on it and sporting unwashed hair presumably, not looking my best. So why not get a professional photograph done? Everyone used to do it. In the Victorian era, everyone was at it, including animals.

I've started to collect these portraits for inspiration, perhaps it will filter through to my drawings.

The Olden Days Part i

Obviously I wished I lived in the olden days, but here we have the dilemma. As an artist I would presumably be poor so therefore not be part the society I would aspire to be included in. So there ends the dream, as I sit in the gutter peeling rotten veg for supper and talking to myself. Or does it? Do I work hard and rise above my station and become Lord and live in a moderately enormous stately home? A small country house would do, I'm not greedy after all.

Anyway, here are some small portraits I found this week. John player Cigarette Cards 'Miniatures' reproduces with a little description of the sitter and the Artists.

The Society of Scottish Artists Annual Show 2011

Amazing. I have won a prize at the The Society of Scottish Artists Annual Show, 2011. It is the Mansfield Park Gallery Prize, a solo show at their gallery in the near future. I am absolutely delighted.

Valentines Day Badge Packs!

Just thought I'd share my Valentines Day Badge Packs!

Available to buy now from The Red Door Gallery, Edinburgh, Boo Vake, Perth, Cuckoo Cuckoo, Hastings and my own Folksy Shop...