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.

St Jean D'Angely prize giving

Here I am with the first 3 winners and holding my award. My painting is on the easel. It has sunlight streaming through clouds onto vineyards which was just how the weather was in France this year. Its a pastel on canvas which is my ratherunusual technique but it works. The painting is finished now and much less greeny overall.

Me painting at Chagnon, Charente Maritime, France