side photos added

Okay! I have added a selection of photos to the page. These represent art works I have completed. Oil paintings, watercolours, charcoals, woodcarving, and of course the dress (designed and made) - yes I consider this art too.

The other photos are of myself and the house and one of a local wild river 'Bird River' aptly named I think given the feathery appearance of the water.

I will add others from time to time but I don't want a page that loads slowly for people so perhaps not too many.

I don't know how to make the top pic smaller so it might get deleted at some stage though I quit like it - I have a pic of the whole painting on the side so I guess it doesn't matter.

I would love one day to have somewhere to show them all but in a casual way nothing ostentatious! There are a few shop front here I may consider but money stops me thinking it out too far.

I am getting older and lack the incentive to push harder, I would rather just paint and let someone else worry about what to do with them when I die!

I paint or create what feels right on the day - I don't do anything to order. I don't like being asked if I could do something in such and such a colour to match the curtains for example!

Sometimes I ignore the rules and forge ahead - if I have the perspective wrong in your eyes, look closer you may see why...if you don't then who cares I have my reasons.

Some say don't use canvas for watercolours - I say why not? I LIKE the feel of watercolours on canvas, it is pleasant to work and the results are good -- I work quite wet in general and often the paper is not up to it.

With oils I do stick to most of the rules - lean to fat for example. I do like to add scented oils to kill the turps smells as I find them irritating at times.

I often don't sketch - maybe a few general lines to match the picture in my head - this can make life a lot easier in the lighter areas where you might change your mind.

The sketches I do in general are never fully detailed I like to be able to change and adapt sections without seeing pencil coming through. I have seen some prefab sketches already to go on canvas sold on eBay - talk about colour by numbers!

I don't make prints of any works - I take a few photos and that is that -- I don't copy either - all are one off originals.

Years ago I did try copying mostly Japanese style birds on branches but more for the learning than to pass them off as mine...all beginners will look to other art to gain experience.

I still feel like a beginner - I look at some art and still wonder how it was done - I am happy with my own but feel the learning never ends and often try different things just to keep fresh.