Monday 12 March 2012

12/03: LAST MINUTE RUSH (AGAIN)

We're going to Fuerteventura early on Wednesday (6.30am flight) so tomorrow will be a rush to get everything organised and clean the house ready for the 'house-sitters' ...

I have a double session at the spine clinic in the morning, then we have to throw a few things into our handluggage (we travel light as we keep a wardrobe of clothes etc at our holiday house).     Roxy, my retired horse, has gone lame for no apparent reason so I need to get to the stables to meet the vet in the afternoon so he can check her over, then back to the Gallery here in Whitstable to take down my pictures following the week long exhibition. 

Sadly, for the first time at this Gallery I've had no sales - at previous exhibitions here I've sold at least 4 pictures each time so not sure whether its the recession finally kicking in or whether this just isn't a good time of year - I have another week long exhibition in April at a smaller gallery along the street ... so fingers crossed for a better result then.

Anyway, its going to be a busy day and just a couple of hours sleep before we set forth for the airport at around 3am :-(

This is a coloured pencil picture I've been 'playing' with.   I'm not really enjoying it but I can't leave it alone.   Does that happen to you?     Common sense says 'ditch it' and get back to commissions or at least a different subject that can be used for exhibition/competition entry .... but there's a sort of morbid compunction to keep plugging away at it to see if it gets any better ...... weird :-)

Its carnival month in Fuerteventura and the festivities end with a big parade on Saturday evening which the locals prepare for all year.   Lots of children/teenagers participate and this was a girl I photographed during the carnival a couple of years ago.    I struggle to 'draw small' and much prefer to focus on portraits rather than these 'full body' pictures where the features are inevitably much smaller.   I'm also unused to creating very dark backgrounds in coloured pencil.  I could speed up the process by using solvents I guess but for the moment I'm simply adding more layers of dark colours and trying to avoid making a solid 'black' background.





Looking on the bright side, at least I'm getting to use some of the brighter colours in my coloured pencil collection

This may be the last post for a few days ... but my next one will hopefully be from a much sunnier place.

8 comments:

  1. I feel so happy when I look at this artwork Sue - it's so charming and bright. Hang in there. I reach that point with most of my artworks and then somehow get through it and reach a point where I'm more satisfied. I think it's going to be fabulous!!! :)

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  2. Thank you Karen ...

    I shall have a break for 3 weeks and look at it with 'fresh eyes' when home and more relaxed. I think the fact it hasn't already gone into the bin means I'm subconsciously intending to stick with it for a little longer :-)

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  3. It happens to me all the time as you well know but you've come so far, and so well, that you should just carry on! The sequins and colors are already perfect and the features don't look as if you've had problems with them.

    Hang in there and I think you'll find that this is your best yet!

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  4. Don't ditch it!! I really like this one so far...
    "walk away".. and come back another day. That's what they always tell me. See you in a few days, Sue...

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  5. This is going to be beautiful when finished, Sue. Don't put it in the bin! I love all those colors!!

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  6. You may not have enjoyed doing it, but you did it beautifully!

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  7. Thank you and apologies for the long delay in responding to your posts ... our internet connection isn't the best out here in the Canaries ... but I'm not complaining as the sun is shining and we're definitely recharging those batteries and I can't wait to get back to the drawing board ... :-0

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  8. Great piece Sue! Coming along so nicely!

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