2011 St Jean D'Angley Competition Success

Here's a link to an article about my success in this year's St Jean competition. My work was exhibited in the Tourist Office.
http://www.sudouest.fr/2011/08/29/les-artistes-ont-eu-une-journee-pour-creer-485097-1552.php

I am keen to produce another still life drawing of a similar nature with symbolic meaning. This one was about creative inspiration, the germination of an idea, (the competition theme) and I rather enjoyed the challenge.

I have been practising thsi style of drawing, inspired by Hilberry's work and book (link below images).

Its been a good discipline. I especially love how he draws the masking tape. I found compressed charcoal was the only way I could get the rich background. Luckily my friend Marion gave me some as it would have been quite a drive to find somewhere to buy it in France.

This is a similar work but without colour

This is a small section of the above drawing. I love the charcoal background and the detail in the stone mantlepiece.
You can also visit my website at www.gaykettle.co.uk

  Here is a link to the book I learnt this technique from, its invaluable.

My goodness, its so long since I wrote this blog. Lots of paintings since in all sorts of media. I have a loft studio now in my son's house overlooking the Cadbury Factory in B'ham UK in addition to the one in France, so no excuses for not painting when over here.

My sister is becoming very successful selling her work. One or two family members have asked me why I don't follow her lead. My trouble is that most of my paintings are personal memories or have a meaning to me and I don't want to part with them. I tend to give them away if friends or family admire them, as at least they get wall space then instead of being stored away. Selling Art needs time, organisation, networking skills and outlay of money on exhibitions, frames etc. I have done a few exhibitions and maybe one day when people are fed up with storing my art I will have to do something!

No, my Art is self indulgence and pure enjoyment of creating illusion or fun with techniques. I have to be honest with myself about this or I will start painting popular subjects that sell then wonder why have I done that when I don't sell my work? Current paintings are of my family, myself and holiday memories.

Here is a painting of some cherries given to me by a neighbour in France, shown on the garden mosaic. The other painting is about Italy and is a whole host of memories. We appear in it a few times and so does our VW. It isn't quite finished yet and I am working on another about portugal. Also finishing a large figurework of my daughter on the beach.