Art Quilt – Mandala Maze

Art Quilt – Mandala Maze

Mazes and labyrinths... I found that whilst I was creating this quilt, I was thinking about mazes and how the symbolic meaning of the maze suggests a journey with many twists and turns. I find quilt-making very meditative and use it as a means to enter a silence and drop any mundane concerns. There is something in mixing and matching the fabrics that create a kaleidoscope of colour, it begins a journey through the memories of the fabrics former uses and origins. The Mandala centre piece is a spiritual symbol representing the universe…continue reading →
Art Quilt – Batik

Art Quilt – Batik

The centre-piece of this art quilt is a batik produced by an artist in the Kiwanuka studios. The batiks are produced mainly from the Thika facility about 100km from Nairobi in Kenya. Kiwanuka, is an Ugandan-born artist with several studios throughout East Africa. The studios have many artists; however, all are produced under the original founder's signature to his original designs, colours, and templates. Although similar, no two pieces are identical even by the same artist, as each batik has slight differences in colour patterns and design due to the work being done…continue reading →
Jasper Jiggle

Jasper Jiggle

Jasper Jiggle and the Shiny Things Last year my cousin Tommy Reid (author ) and I (illustrator) worked together on creating a children's book. Here is our result... Jasper's story is about magic and remembering the joys of our surroundings. Everything is energy and Jasper encounters this magical energy all around him, and ultimately, from within. As the sun warmed the sand, the waves cooled it down. Jasper was enjoying his stroll along Noory beach Over the water, Jasper could see his house on the beautiful horizon. As he was thinking about what…continue reading →
Horse Portrait

Horse Portrait

When a friend asked me to paint her horses, I was a touch unsure as I've only ever painted one horse before and that was a study of Lucy Kemp-Welch's painting of  'In the Sunset'. As my favourite artist is Franz Marc, and I love all forms of Expressionism, I decided to continue to work with the bright colours I enjoy using, and hopefully I've expressed the flow and freedom of the two horses who obviously share a great friendship. My version of a painting by Lucy Kemp-Welch, 'In the Sunset A Birth…continue reading →
Buddha-Healing Energy

Buddha-Healing Energy

Buddha-Healing Energy My obsession with painting the Buddha's and to try to portray and capture the Energy continues. The original idea for this painting began with the concept of the Chakra's and metamorphosed into a painting that expresses the power of healing energy through the symbolism of a Loving Buddha. I would like to say that I painted it whilst listening to meditative, relaxing music, but in reality, I painted it whilst listening to an audio book of The Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett, in which I enjoyed the words of another wise…continue reading →
Patchwork Tote Bag

Patchwork Tote Bag

First Tote Bag My first tote bag is made from fabric scraps & patchwork, very simple pattern. I decided I wanted colour and  for the bag to be lined. Was it difficult, yes! A natural sewer would have made it within a day or much less, but for myself it was a labour of three weeks! Hours of concentration, and I still didn't understand the instructions for turning the bag inside out and feeding the straps through, so ended up sewing the handles inside the completed bag. Found a great 'how to' video…continue reading →
Art Quilt – Buddha

Art Quilt – Buddha

Buddha Art Quilt, my latest art quilt, it took quite a while because my trusty, old sewing machine broke down half-way through the process. I've tried to fix it to no avail, although I won't give up, as almost ALL Singer sewing-machines are fixable, sturdy, made to last, tough machines that they are. Anyway, the old 1912 has taken a wee trip to a local primary school for a couple of months where she is currently on display to let the wee Primary 1 children see the various stages of sewing machine development.…continue reading →
Art Quilts

Art Quilts

Girl in Blue Dress & Thai Print The Girl in the Blue Dress is an old painting and was laid away, collecting dust for many years, I recently came across her again and decided to spruce her up a bit. She is an image I have painted several times, there is something about her that I like to try to capture. She has become to me the Girl in the Blue Dress. Her portrait I keep in a folder and by now she must be all grown up with perhaps family of her…continue reading →
Twitter Art Exhibition

Twitter Art Exhibition

Very happy to be participating in the latest Twitter Art Exhibition. I really enjoy taking part in this type of project. The artwork submitted by so many artists around the world is enjoyable to view, with a multitude of styles and subject matter portrayed. This piece is loosely based upon Madhubani Art and inspired by the Cosmic Dance of Shiva. If you're interested in participating and submitting your own art, please see links below. Call For Artists TWITTER ART EXHIBIT: ORLANDO OPEN TO ALL PROFESSIONAL & AMATEUR ARTISTS WORLDWIDE WORKING IN 2D MEDIUMS…continue reading →
Madhubani Art

Madhubani Art

Madhubani Paintings are a beautiful form of traditional Indian art originating from Mithila. Madhubani literally translates into “forests of honey.” They often depict scenes from Hindu mythology,  creating colourful interpretations of Gods and Goddesses, animals, birds, flowers and a love of Nature. The paintings were used for every occasion, celebrations, festivals, weddings, birth, death, all depicting a visual story-telling of Life. The paintings were traditionally applied on the freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts. This art has extended throughout the decades to become an art form to be found on canvas,…continue reading →