Hassim

The lack of work appearing here is largely attributable to my dislike of using my temperamental scanner and the difficulties I always have when uploading photos from my digital camera. I paint or draw something, almost every week. The standard of that work varies tremendously!

My latest subject was brought about by a discussion at my art group, over a forthcoming Open Exhibition. Our teacher is encouraging us all to contribute a piece. I have chosen to paint "Hassim", taken from a photograph by my friend, Au fil de l'eau back in 2008, during an adventure in Morrocco. Hassim was one of the Berber guides who accompanied the group during a desert trek. I loved the photo immediately and recalled it when searching for inspiration. I began by doing a pencil sketch and I do feel that this captures more of the youth and brightness of the subject. However, I wanted to paint him, especially his turban. His skin tones and features presented their own problems...and then there were his teeth! Arghhhh, why did he have to have his mouth open?

Anyway, here he is for your apraisal. The sketch is pencil on cartridge paper. The painting is acrylic on canvas board.

Two lovers on a beach, on the Isle of Barra

Inspired by a photograph of my eldest step-son and his girlfriend during a moment of leisure on a deserted, September beach, on Barra. It's charcoal and pencil on an emulsioned board background. I've left out the sand dunes, in the back ground, as I wanted to focus on the portraits. Both subjects were wearing dark clothing and the beach was pure white sand. The most difficult aspect was capturing a subject with open mouth and teeth showing! I'm not entirely happy with it, as the lady concerned is very photogenic and I'm not sure I do her justice but it is my interpretation, and I stick by it.

Sea shell

This shell was created using four colours and white, in gouache, a medium that I have never used before. It was done this morning in art class and the teacher wanted us to produce something "quickly". I tell you that, in the hope that it's many imperfections may be excused!

Second shell. Same medium, different background.

Tibetan Sherpa

A complete departure for me here. This is only my second attempt at a portrait. The first was a rather poor black and white acrylic of Patrick Stewart. The trouble with depicting people is they are either right, or not. There is very little room for error when it is a face we all recognise. Only the capable artist can "muck about" with a face. This week, in my art class, we were encouraged to choose a photo of an "anonymous person" as the teacher felt we would all be under less pressure to produce a perfect image. My choice was of a Tibetan Sherpa. It was a beautiful photo of an equally beautiful young man. On completion I was relatively satisfied but as the hours have passed, less so. The work is with soft pastels, using a limited colour choice, on sugar paper. I am pleased that I feel I have captured some of the subject's femininity and I like the eyes. I am less pleased that I think I have aged him fifteen years and in my depiction he has had a little too much good food. Incidentally, his cupids bow was worthy of any top model!
Overall, a satisfactory second effort, with pastels.

Optimism laced with realism

It has been over a year since my last post and there has been a positive development. I am not whooping and hollering with unbridled delight, but and this is the crucial point, neither am I wallowing in the depths of despair. I have a shot at a new beginning and have placed my feet, tentatively, upon the path of reconciliation. I have been joined there by a relative stranger. He is unwilling to match my hunger for more frequent contact and I must abide by his rules, or risk a swift curtail of these small green shoots of promise. After almost twelve years apart, you would think that I could be patient a little while longer. In truth, I am frustrated and yet not surprised, by the still vast distance between us. It has been a month since our meeting and I have heard nothing from him. I want to ring him but I dare not. I must wait, as I agreed to let him take the lead in any future arrangements to meet.

As I seek to fill my thoughts or rather keep them from straying into forbidden areas, I am painting more. I have been attending an art class, for beginners, for almost a year now. It was an impulse and a challenge to myself that I began just after my fiftieth birthday. It is another, long, slow process! I had not picked up an artists brush since leaving school and I cannot pretend that I displayed any talent back then. However, I have discovered that I really enjoy producing a picture. The end product is often incidental to the process. It frees my mind as I am unable to think of anything but my brush and the paint.

I have decided that the time may be right to unleash some of my work upon the unsuspecting public, God help you. I would appreciate any comments and constructive criticism on my fledgling attempts at art. Be kind!